CHIEF NURSE

Reflection: As Chief Nurse, you become responsible for planning, organizing, staffing, budgeting, directing and controlling of all the nursing services. This position is also responsible for coordinating nursing services with those of the administrative and professional services of the medical center. The position also is accountable for formulating and implementing nursing services, practices, and levels of care and staffing which meet long and short-term objectives and provides nursing care services of uniformly acceptable quality. However, the duties and responsibilities of a chief nurse depend in part on the place of employment. Chief nurse in small medical centers may focus more on administrative duties and patient management, while those in large hospitals may primarily work in managing the nursing staff and ensuring that everybody has a set job within the structural system of the center. For a nurse to be qualified as chief nurse, he/she must be a registered nurse with at least a masters degree in the field. Most hospitals and organizations require at least 5 years of experience in a field. It is vital for the administrator to ensure that the chief nurse-to-be meets the requirements being set. And that the chief nurse possesses proficiency or expertise in a field so as to function effectively and efficiently. As in the case of the chief nurse of the Mother of Mercy Hospital, the one we interviewed, Ms. Gina Capales, RN, MAN, she already has 10 years experience in the field wherein only 5 years is required. She also has a masters degree in nursing and a major in nursing administration. In this instance, the chief nurse of the mentioned hospital is eligible. The job description of a chief nurse would include the following; (1) responsible to provide leadership for the nursing and professional staffs, (2) insure high consistent quality care delivery in a cost effective manner, (3) will have to develop and implement the philosophy and objectives of the Department, which are in keeping with the overall System mission and objectives, and (4) will be supervising all nursing and ancillary support personnel involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of patient care services throughout the facility. Ms. Capales is carrying out all the above mentioned job description as the chief nurse, though she didnt say much details about it. Along with the job description, she also stated that her job became more on the administrative task. Though not part of her job description ideally, she became obliged to take part in the responsibility since no one is there to do the task. Ideally speaking, in the absence of a CEO or hospital administrator, either temporarily or for longer periods of time, a chief nurse may take over staff direction, performing administrative duties, making executive decisions and assuming full responsibility over the management of the immediate expert team.

It is essential for the hospital administrators to make certain that the chief nurse so qualifies the position shes in and with this, the administrator also has to monitor the effectiveness of the chief nurse. Paying much attention to the ideal qualifications and job descriptions and practicing and applying it to the real setting play a great role. It would also be beneficial for the chief nurse to function in accordance with what is written in the job description to avoid overwork and underpayment.