Daily Duties of a Director of Nursing

Supervision

A director of nursing supervises the nurses in her department, providing coaching, advice and positive feedback. She gathers performance feedback, conducts performance reviews, and recommends promotions and terminations. She also provides career advice and counseling to nursing assistants and to those wishing to pursue a specialty or a career in management. A director disciplines nurses as appropriate when there is a problem or complaint, or when a nurse doesn't follow established protocols and procedures.

Budget and Staffing

The nursing director manages the department budget and staffing. She is responsible for recruiting and hiring nurses, and ensures that all shifts are staffed 24 hours per day with the appropriate number of nurses according to law and hospital policies. She monitors the department's overtime budget to minimize overtime expense and ensures adequate budgeting for medical equipment and supplies that nurses need to perform their jobs. The director of nursing creates a budget for upcoming fiscal years, and negotiates budget increases for the department and special equipment purchases with hospital management.

Policies and Procedures

A director of nursing reviews department policies and procedures in areas such as infection control, medication control, restraint and safety procedures. She creates or delivers training to nursing staff to make sure the nurses understand and follow policies and procedures. The nursing director keeps abreast of changes in legislation or hospital policy, and creates or updates nursing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. She completes forms, reports and other paperwork to certify that the department complies with all rules and protocols.

Leadership

While the nursing director doesn't usually provide direct patient care, she oversees the care provided by nurses in the department and maintains relationships with patients, families, physicians and other ancillary staff. She resolves complaints, responds to suggestions, provides information and directs others to the appropriate hospital department. She establishes relationships with community groups, writes articles, makes presentations or serves in a leadership position for a professional nursing society. The nursing director helps create a professional work environment that values nurses, treats patients with dignity and respects diversity.