How To Become A Nursing Program Coordinator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a nursing program coordinator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Does the idea of inspiring the next generation of nurses sounds exciting to you? Then, maybe you would enjoy working as a nursing program coordinator. Nursing program coordinators design and conduct programs for nursing staff. These coordinators are typically responsible for making sure courses are up-to-date and in compliance with state and national accreditation, initiating curriculum updates and revisions, and assisting in recruiting and training qualified instructors.

Nursing program coordinators may also be asked to assist in budget formation for supplies and equipment and complete annual program reports. They also assist in establishing clinical sites and clinical faculty standards. Nursing program coordinators should have organizational and management skills, specifically in directing the activities of nursing staff. If you would like to become a nursing program coordinator, you will need a B.S. in nursing. You'll also typically need to be licensed as a registered nurse in your state and have previous clinical experience.

ScoreNursing Program CoordinatorUS Average

Salary

5.0

Avg. Salary $64,285

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

7.1

Growth rate 28%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.72%

Asian 7.86%

Black or African American 11.59%

Hispanic or Latino 14.10%

Unknown 4.26%

White 61.48%

Gender

female 89.28%

male 10.72%

Age - 47

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 47

Stress level

7.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.8

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a nursing program coordinator

Explore nursing program coordinator education requirements

Most common nursing program coordinator degrees

Bachelor's

52.1 %

Associate

24.5 %

Master's

13.8 %

Start to develop specific nursing program coordinator skills

Skills	Percentages
Patients	32.55%
Professional Development	10.57%
CPR	4.77%
Critical Care	4.51%
Quality Care	3.75%

Complete relevant nursing program coordinator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New nursing program 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 nursing program coordinator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real nursing program coordinator resumes.

Gain additional nursing program coordinator certifications

Nursing program 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 nursing program coordinator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for nursing program coordinators include Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS) and Family Nurse Practitioner.

More About Certifications

Research nursing program coordinator duties and responsibilities

Manage team of medical support personnel, orient new clinical employees and develop new guidelines for chemotherapy administration.
Develop grants, budgets, policy manuals, QA plans to ensure HIPAA, JCAHO, OSHA, COMAR compliance.
Maintain filing system of all CRP documents.
Provide supervision and training for four PRP counselors.

Prepare your nursing program coordinator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your nursing program 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 nursing program 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 nursing program coordinator resume templates

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