How to Become a Chief Nurse Executive

Chief nurse executives must have both nursing and administrative experience.

A challenging field related to nursing is nursing administration. Nurse administrators, also known as nurse executives, are concerned with overseeing other nurses and developing and enforcing positive policies for the nursing industry. The highest level in nursing administration is that of the chief nurse executive, also called the chief nurse officer. Because chief nurse officers are responsible for the behavior and safety of not only nurses but also the patients the nurses serve, these positions have intense education and experience requirements. It likely will take you at least 14 years to complete all your necessary coursework, field work and testing, although you may be able to speed this up if you get experience as you work for your degrees.

Instructions

1. Enroll in and complete a nursing program at an accredited college or university to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Chief nurse executives must be registered nurses, which requires either an associate's or bachelor's degree; the BSN is necessary instead of an associate's because you'll need to continue your education past the undergraduate level.

2. Take the version of the National Counsel Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses. You must pass this test to get your nursing license.

3. Apply for your nursing license through your state's nursing board.

4. Get your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree in nursing administration.

5. Apply to open nurse positions. Work in the field you want to manage for at least two years.

6. Apply for available assistant nurse manager positions. Work in the field for at least two years at this level and take at least 30 hours of continuing education classes in nursing.

7. Gain nurse executive certification. This certification is available through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. It requires passing a computer-based test and paying a fee.

8. Apply to open nurse manager positions. Work at this level for at least two years.

9. Get your doctorate in nursing administration.

10. Take the ANCC exam for the "Nurse Executive, Advanced" certification. This test also is computer-based and requires a fee.

11. Apply for chief nurse executive officer jobs that are available.

References

• National Student Nurses Association; Is Being a Chief Nursing Officer in Your Future?; Richard Hader; January 2009
• Bureau of Labor Statistics; Registered Nurses; May 2010

Resources

• American Nurses Credentialing Center; Nurse Executive, Advanced; 2011