What is a Department Director?

Directors report to board members regarding what's going on with the company as a whole. Then together, they work to develop new marketing and business strategies to help the company grow and expand.

Typically, directors have the ultimate, hands-down decision making capability, which is a lot of responsibility for one person, especially considering the type of decisions you'll be making. Any top-level decisions will come to you. You may also be responsible for approving a final budget and making sure company policies are being followed.

Some directors have long work hours, it depends on your employer and industry. Some directors will work longer than the typical 40-hour work week and many have erratic schedules that are determined by meetings, which are usually held after normal business hours.

Nursing is not only a rewarding career but one that can be creative too. Although the nursing profession has been around for quite some time, many do not know the career growth it offers, simply because of preconceived notions of nursing being a stagnant role.

However, recently, caretaking is an area where hospitals and governments are focusing on improving to provide better care, such as for the elderly people, leading to an increase in nursing roles.

The role of a nursing director is in overseeing the operations of a nursing team. Their duties involve tasks such as developing strategic nursing department plans, establishing patient care policies, facilitating the patient admission process, and managing the departmental budget. Besides that, they also help in coordinating the training of nursing staffs.

Employers require nursing directors have a minimum of a bachelor's degree. However, a master's degree is preferred. In addition, at least five years of relevant nursing experience needs to be demonstrated. This role earns, on average, $37 per hour and suits an individual who has excellent managerial and nursing skills.

Nurse managers function as a link between patient care and hospital administration. With both clinical expertise and leadership skills, they are responsible for supervising nursing staff in healthcare establishments, creating work schedules, and coordinating bedside care. They make decisions regarding the budget as well, promote or hire personnel, and perform other managerial duties.

Nurse managers are energetic and mission-driven professionals who have a huge capacity for empathy not only for patients but for staff members as well, while being able to keep clear emotional boundaries. Balancing on this thin line, they walk at least 5 miles every day, taking their almost two-millennia-old profession to the next level.

Demand for competent nurse managers is on the rise, as around 500,000 registered nurses are predicted to retire over the next ten years. As a nurse manager, you will make $79,725 per year on average, with salaries reaching up to $108,478 in higher paced intensive care units.