You must meet certain educational requirements to become a director of nursing. There may be additional government regulations in your area, but there are some basic educational requirements that are universally recognized. Nursing and business administration should be major parts of your education if you want to meet all of the skill requirements for becoming a director of nursing.
It is critical to gain work experience in the field of nursing while pursuing your nursing degree. Most nursing programs include a small amount of work experience as part of the curriculum, so this shouldn’t be an issue. Additional work experience may be beneficial to your future career as a director of nursing if you plan to become one.
Those who want to be a director of nursing must have prior work experience and a demonstrated ability to lead a team. Nursing work experience should, in most cases, include five to ten years as a registered nurse (RN) in the field of long-term nursing. If the demand for nursing directors grows, experience in a supervisory position, such as charge nurse or supervising nurse, is often valued highly and may result in job offers for those with less experience.
In almost all areas, nursing directors must have a minimum license as a registered nurse. The majority of nursing facilities require prospective nursing directors to have advanced degrees in nursing or a related field, such as a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing or a related field. Individuals seeking employment in this field should consider obtaining the highest level of education possible to help them achieve their goal of becoming a director of nursing.
Many nursing facilities value dual degree candidates who want to become directors of nursing. Master’s degrees in nursing and healthcare administration or business administration are the most popular dual degree combinations. Individuals with these degrees have a much better chance of landing a job and becoming a director of nursing than those with only a nursing degree.
With the demand for nursing directors continuing to rise, students who maintain a fair-to-good grade point average (GPA) and graduate from college with dual degrees in nursing and administration have a strong chance of becoming a director of nursing. Working in a healthcare facility during your college education could help you gain the necessary work experience and make the necessary business connections to eventually become a director of nursing. Even after completing your education, it is highly recommended that you stay up to date with current nursing networks, news, and journals to increase your chances of meeting your goals, because the field of healthcare is constantly changing, and a prospective nursing director needs to stay on top of this information.