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What is a nurse coordinator and how to become one
A nurse coordinator oversees patient care and manages staff in a medical facility. They act as a liaison between patients, families, physicians, and other healthcare professionals to ensure high-quality care. Nurse coordinators create care plans, monitor patient progress, and enforce proper medical procedures. They also manage schedules, provide education to patients and their families, and facilitate communication. Additionally, nurse coordinators may work on research projects related to patient care and provide support during clinical trials.
What general advice would you give to a nurse coordinator?
Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.
Associate Dean of the School of Nursing Professor of Nursing, Quinnipiac University
Avg. Salary $79,040
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth rate 6%
Growth rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%
Asian 8.91%
Black or African American 11.30%
Hispanic or Latino 9.38%
Unknown 4.29%
White 65.68%
Genderfemale 90.54%
male 9.46%
Age - 43American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 43Stress level is very high
7.1 - high
Complexity level is advanced
7 - challenging
Work life balance is good
6.4 - fair
What are the pros and cons of being a nurse coordinator?
Pros
Opportunities for career advancement and specialized training
High demand for nurse coordinators, leading to job security
Competitive salary and benefits packages
Flexible scheduling options
Collaborative team environment
Cons
High stress environment
Long and demanding work hours
Heavy workload and multiple responsibilities
Emotional toll of working with sick and dying patients
Potential for burnout and compassion fatigue
Nurse coordinator career paths
Key steps to become a nurse coordinator
Explore nurse coordinator education requirements
Start to develop specific nurse coordinator skills
Skills Percentages Patients 27.35% CPR 6.04% Customer Service 5.13% Data Collection 3.46% Direct Patient Care 3.07% Complete relevant nurse coordinator training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New nurse coordinators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a nurse coordinator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real nurse coordinator resumes.Obtain the necessary licensing
Becoming a licensed nurse coordinator usually require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed nurse coordinator in most of states. 43 states require nurse coordinators to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.State Education Exam License url Alabama Degree required State exam required Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Alaska Degree required Third-party exam required Nurse, Licensed Practical Arkansas Degree required Third-party exam required Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) California Degree required Third-party exam required Licensed Vocational Nurse Colorado Degree required Third-party exam required Licensed Practical Nurse Gain additional nurse coordinator certifications
More About CertificationsNurse coordinator certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific nurse coordinator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for nurse coordinators include Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant.
Research nurse coordinator duties and responsibilities
- Manage patient pain relief and sedation by providing pharmacological and non-pharmacological intervention, monitor patient response and record care plans accordingly.
- Assume administrative oversight of medical, pediatric and chemical dependency rehabilitation units during leaves of absence or vacancy.
- Communicate with patients regarding test results and plan after participating in review of diagnostic testing results with attending physician.
- Organize and schedule patients for multiple testing procedures and responsible for extensive patient teaching regarding all aspects of fertility and infertility.
Prepare your nurse coordinator resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your nurse coordinator resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a nurse coordinator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose from 10+ customizable nurse coordinator resume templates
Build a professional nurse coordinator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your nurse coordinator resume.
Apply for nurse coordinator jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a nurse coordinator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How did you land your first nurse coordinator job
Are you a nurse coordinator?
Share your story for a free salary report.
Average nurse coordinator salary
The average nurse coordinator salary in the United States is $79,040 per year or $38 per hour. Nurse coordinator salaries range between $61,000 and $102,000 per year.
What am I worth?
How do nurse coordinators rate their job?
Nurse coordinator reviews
Caring for patients
Staffing ratios, unfairness, constant expectations. Healthcare is a business but doesn’t treat nurses like business employees
helping people and saving lives
the pay is not good not enough for the lifestyle I would like to live
The feeling I get when helping people.
Nursing isn’t what it was 12yrs ago when I started. It is all about “family centered care” and not what is actually best for the patient. Not only am I a nurse and caring for the patient, but I’m the house keeper, waitress, and coffee go getter. There is no more respect for nurses and their patients.
Updated January 8, 2025
