What does a nursing supervisor do?
Nursing supervisors ensure that patients receive the best medical care possible by overseeing a well-trained group of nurses and aids. Their key responsibilities are to maintain and manage a cohesive medical team and facilitate good communication between patients, nursing staff and physicians.
Their purpose is to maintain safety and patient confidence by ensuring all patients’ needs are addressed with the highest professionalism and care and that all policies and regulations are strictly adhered to.
Nursing supervisor skills and qualifications
Depending on your location, licensing requirements may vary. Typically, nursing supervisors must
- Be legally allowed to work in the U.S.
- Pass a drug screening and criminal background check
- Have at least a Bachelor’s degree in health care, though many medical groups have higher educational requirements
- Possess a nursing license as required by local and state laws
- At least three years of clinical experience, preferably in the field in which they’re applying (i.e. pediatrics or OB-GYN)
- A demonstrated ability to provide consistent quality patient care with a keen eye for detail, organizational skills and effective time management
- Experience instructing clinical support employees on proper treatment procedures
- A positive attitude and a propensity for leadership and team-building with the ability to problem-solve under pressure
Nursing supervisor experience requirements
Several years of clinical experience as a nurse is the standard basic requirement for a nursing supervisor. An employer may choose to hire a nursing supervisor with less clinical experience if they hold a degree in higher education. Nursing supervisor careers are a culmination of real-world, clinical experience and the quality of their professional education.
Nursing supervisor education and training requirements
Nursing supervisors need extensive education to understand the biological, physiological and social factors present in any given medical situation. Often, at least a Bachelor’s degree is required, though many organizations choose to only hire those possessing a Master’s degree and certain certifications applicable to their field. Sometimes, clinical experience may be substituted for their educational experience.
Nursing supervisor salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a nursing supervisor is $36.40 per hour. Depending on education, experience, the company and location, this figure may vary.
Job description samples for similar positions
If a nursing supervisor isn’t the position that your health care organization is seeking to fill, look into these similar positions:
Nursing Supervisor job description FAQs
What type of schedule does a nursing supervisor work?
Nurses often work a swing shift with several days off in a row after a workweek of seven days or longer. Smaller clinics and medical offices may only provide services during regular business hours. Be sure to specify the typical work hours for the position and any overtime requirements. It’s also a good idea to mention break and mealtime policies when you outline the work schedule.
What is a typical pay structure for nursing supervisors?
Many medical organizations pay their health care professionals based on their time with the company. A tiered pay structure is common, with new employees starting at level one and progressively working their way up. It’s important to outline the payment structure in your job description to attract quality prospective employees.
What benefits does a nursing supervisor look for?
Common benefit packages include retirement and health savings accounts. If an employee is subject to work-related travel, explain travel expense reimbursement and per diem policies that are in place. Creative benefits packages with financial incentives could include sign-on and referral bonuses. Holiday pay and paid time off (PTO) earned on an accrual basis are also attractive benefits to entice a high-quality nursing supervisor to your team.
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