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How to become a nurse manager

Lead a team of nurses, oversee safe and quality patient care, and manage financial resources.

What does a nurse manager do?

Duties and tasks

Nurse managers oversee nursing units in hospitals, aged care and community health care facilities. They combine leadership and administration skills to manage financial resources that enable the provision of safe, cost effective nursing care for units, and monitor quality, clinical standards and professional development of nurses.

  • Supervise nursing staff and provide high level administrative support for nursing units, including creating staff rosters, coordinating meetings, and making resource and budgetary decisions.

  • Evaluate nursing staff performance and progress, and provide development feedback.

  • Ensure nurse units are safe for both patients and staff.

  • Build and maintain effective relationships with doctors, medical specialists and other nurse unit managers.

  • Develop and oversee the implementation of policies and procedures.

  • Stay up-to-date with nurse and healthcare developments to ensure continued delivery of best practice health care.

Industry bodies

Related jobs

Discover nursing courses online

Curtin University

Take your first step towards a career in health—including nursing

Start building your foundational knowledge of human health and healthcare. Explore human bodies. Get to know health practice. For graduates of this online health course, the pathway to health careers and further studies is open wide.

Study method
100% online
Duration
6 months full time or part time equivalent
Entry requirements
No ATAR required. Start with a subject.
University of Tasmania

Apply advanced skills in complex medical or trauma emergencies

Further build on your foundations of clinical reasoning and decision-making in advanced airway, ventilation and haemodynamic patients. Lead the way with evidence-based approaches of a systematic nature – focusing widely, or in specialised groups.

Study method
100% online
University of Tasmania

Work towards advanced airway and ventilation support knowledge

Start specialising your health knowledge for acute or complex trauma emergencies. Beyond practical know-how, you will develop clinical reasoning and decision-making. Apply thinking that involves advanced pharmacology, ethics and more.

Study method
100% online
Murdoch University

Graduate Certificate in Cancer Nursing

PostgraduateMUR-CAN-GCE

Compassionate and collaborative care for patients with cancer

Specialise in cancer care. You’ll learn to build respectful and responsive therapeutic relationships. Apply evidence-based practice. Strengthen collaboration with healthcare teams. Graduate ready to nurse people through the cancer care continuum.

Study method
100% online
Duration
6 months full time or part time equivalent
Explore nursing courses

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