Future Role of a Director of Nursing in Acute Care
Abstract
This paper presents a journal entry for the weekly journal illustrating the roles, knowledge, skills, and competencies assumed in five years. Accordingly, the paper explains the roles and responsibilities of the nursing directors, as well as, the relevant skills, knowledge, and competencies required for the successful execution of these responsibilities.
Key Words: Director of Nursing, Acute Care, Knowledge, Skills, Competencies
Director of Nursing in Acute Care Hospital
My role in five years will be as a director of nursing in an acute care hospital. As a director of nursing, I will be responsible for ensuring top-notch performance by the nursing staff in the hospital where I will be employed. Additionally, as a director of nursing in an acute care hospital, I will be required to create and implement standards to be followed in patient care services (Sacks, 2003). In most healthcare facilities, the director of nursing has supervisory duties, where he or she oversees the activities of the nursing staff. In essence, the director of nursing informs the nursing staff of all healthcare policies and regulations to ensure proper administration of healthcare services for patients. The director of nursing is also responsible for recruiting, retaining, and training subordinate nurses. Relatively, a job as a director of nursing requires that the director ensure that all legal measures, nursing legislations, and organizational standards are met in the acute care hospital. For that reason, as a director of nursing, I need to maintain both authoritative and sympathetic attitudes toward patients, as well as the nurses at the chosen facility. Being a director of nursing is a very lucrative job, which sequentially is characterized by high standards and demand for skill and competencies.
Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies
The position of director of nursing demands extensive educational skills and competencies, as well as nursing experiences. Applicable, I have attained various academic achievements ranging from nurse executive certifications to memberships in a nursing organization. Becoming a director of nursing requires that I attain both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in nursing, requirements that I have already met today. However, a job as a director of nursing in acute care hospitals requires as much nursing experience as educational certification. At the outset, the director of nursing needs to demonstrate capabilities in employee direction and motivation. This is because the role of the director of nursing gives the candidate supervisory duties over other nurses in the healthcare facility. The director of nursing is tasked with managing the entire healthcare facility and thus needs to take on administrative responsibilities. Irrefutably, the director of nursing needs to have technological knowledge and skills, so as to keep up with the changing technologies. Observably, the healthcare industry is rapidly adapting to technological innovations, and keeping up with the latest technological advancements is essential for the business. Conclusively, the director of nursing needs to have relevant knowledge regarding current innovations in the medical field. This, in turn, facilitates proper management in the healthcare facility, which is one of the principal duties of the director of nursing. Conclusively, the greatest competency that a director of nursing can have is knowledge of medical affairs. Knowledge of current medical affairs will assist the director of nursing in implementing medical legislation and policies in the healthcare facility.
References
Dossey, B. M. et al. (2008). Holistic Nursing: A Handbook for Practice. Jones & Bartlett
Learning.
Sacks, T. J. (2003). Careers in Nursing. New York: McGraw-Hill Professional.
Frequently Asked QuestionsÂ
What does a Director of Nursing in an Acute Care Hospital do?
A Director of Nursing oversees the nursing staff in an acute care hospital, ensuring high standards of patient care, recruiting and training nurses, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and medical legislation.
What qualifications are required to become a Director of Nursing?
To become a Director of Nursing, one typically needs a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in nursing, along with extensive nursing experience, certifications, and memberships in relevant professional organizations.
What skills are necessary for a Director of Nursing role?
A Director of Nursing must possess leadership and supervisory skills, technical knowledge of medical and healthcare technologies, and expertise in managing staff, motivating employees, and implementing healthcare policies.
Why is technological knowledge important for a Director of Nursing?
Technological knowledge is crucial for keeping up with innovations in the healthcare industry, improving patient care, and enhancing the efficiency of healthcare management in a hospital setting.