Nurse Managers

High School

If you want to become a nurse manager you will first need to become a registered nurse. To prepare for this career, you should take high school mathematics and science courses, including biology, chemistry, and physics. Health courses will also be helpful. English, speech, and foreign language courses should not be neglected because you must be able to communicate well with patients.

Postsecondary Training

All nurse managers begin their careers as registered nurses. The two most common ways to become a registered nurse are to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited four-year program or to get an associate's degree in nursing from an accredited two-year program. Bachelor's or advanced degrees may be required for some nurse manager positions. Nurse managers need to have considerable clinical nursing experience and previous management experience.

Some nurses combine their nursing degree with a business degree, or they take business studies or health care management courses to advance to higher management positions such as directors, health care executives, or administrators.

Certification

Many colleges and universities offer undergraduate and graduate certificate programs in nursing, healthcare management, nursing leadership or management, and related fields. Programs typically last six months to a year and are available in online, in-person, and hybrid formats. Contact schools in your area for information about available programs.

Other Education or Training

The American Organization of Nursing Leadership provides the Emerging Nurse Leader Institute and Leadership Lab: Leadership Development for Nurse Managers. It also offer continuing education courses such as Developing the Leader Within; Finance and Business Skills for Nurse Managers; and Health Care Finance for Nurse Executives. Visit https://www.aonl.org/education/overview for more information.