Leadership Opportunities

All nurses are leaders. Some nurses work in formal leadership positions like Charge Nurse, CRN, Manager, Director, or Chief Nursing Officer. Nurses also lead from less traditional places. They may serve as a preceptor, buddy or orientation partner, mentor, or senior nurse. Nurse leaders are essential to our healthcare environments, because they have critical roles supporting the functioning of health units and facilities, programs and organizations, and interdisciplinary patient care teams.

Nurses who are interested in moving into more formal leadership positions are encouraged to consider opportunities according to their skills and interests such as:

• Specialized training in areas such as infection prevention and control, patient flow, quality and patient safety.
• Certification in clinical specialties like dialysis, wound care, oncology, palliative care and mental health.
• Educator roles.
• Case coordinator or resource coordinator positions.
• Clinical manager.
• Clinical Nurse Specialist (Master’s or Doctorate usually required).
• Project management.
• Team Lead.
• Research opportunities.