5 Top Administrative Tips for New Nurses

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Most people often associate nursing with caregiving. While caregiving fits with the nursing persona, it is not the sole function of nurses. Nurses may opt for other technical roles in their professional careers, such as nurse administrator, nurse anesthetist, etc. These jobs rarely require any patient interaction, and they also offer great monetary benefits. A nurse administrator’s job happens to be the most different yet interesting one. If you possess the right skill set and the necessary leadership qualities, you’re perfectly fit for this role. These skills may include time-management, critical thinking, communication, planning and resource management, mentoring, counseling, etc. 

A nursing administrator covers a diverse range of administrative-level nursing responsibilities. They are responsible for managing employees in various healthcare divisions or facilities and doing management operations such as performance evaluations, designing training and employment processes, etc. A nurse administrator is usually directly in contact with the hospital’s CEO and maybe in charge of other executive-level nursing professionals. It is generally a desk-based management position and rarely requires interaction with the patients. 

Administrative jobs are difficult to secure. They require some extra qualifications and experience because of their position in the nursing hierarchy. However, a Degree in Master of Science in Nursing Administration prepares you for this role and offers an edge over other potential candidates. Going for a master’s degree is more convenient than ever due to the online education system. Online degrees offer you profound flexibility, and they’re also very affordable. A master’s degree in nursing administration will build your foundation in leadership concepts with practical experience. That being said, continue reading to note some tips regarding nursing administration.  

1.Practice Open Communication 

A hospital is no place to leave room for errors which are quite common with lack of communication. Open communication includes the provision of feedback, constructive criticism when necessary, and asking for other nurses’ feedback regarding their experience working under you. This feedback is highly efficient in improving employee satisfaction and boosting the overall productivity of the workforce. You need to have exceptional listening skills and practice positive body language to promote free communication to avail the same. The bossy attitude where managers give orders and expect employees to meet sharp deadlines is no longer appreciated. But rather, a leadership style where the manager mentors their subordinates is expected to bring organizational change. 

2.Implement Transformational Leadership 

Transformational leadership is defined as selfless devotion to your organization and team. You go above and beyond your interests to take the initiative and bring about organizational change. Why is it necessary? Transformational leadership is essential in nursing management because it engages the workforce and promotes employee satisfaction. Consequently, it lowers the employee turnover rate. This kind of leadership also makes nurses more enthusiastic about learning, development, and change. 

Most importantly, transformational leaders perceive the employees as an integral part of the team. But first, see them as individuals who have their own lives before seeing them as profitable pawns. This attitude brings about a positive hospital environment and prevents burnout in nursing. 

3.Learn From A Mentor To Become One Yourself 

Nurses often encounter difficult working situations that mentally send them to a dark place. They can easily combat these situations with the right kind of mentorship. Having a mentor, you can confide in and learn from how you perceive your workplace. You have something to look forward to, and you never feel lost or confused in your workplace. 

To be the perfect mentor, you must learn from the best out there. Keep an eye out for good mentors during your education and practical work experience. Their guidance goes a long way in your life. Spend extra hours of your time listening to mentors and learning from their experiences. You may even follow the journey of some notable nursing professionals online for convenience. 

4.Polish Your Critical Thinking Abilities 

Administrative nurses are often seated at tables where some major decisions are to be made. Their opinions carry great organizational value. Therefore, practice your critical thinking skills to help you make better decisions, do more accurate analyses, and provide clear-cut feedback. It will only help the nurses fill loopholes in their practice and deliver better patient care. This practice can help your healthcare unit to profit in the future. 

5.Learn Other Relevant Skills 

Nurse administrators influence a whole workforce of nurses. Their punctuality, leadership style, and interpersonal skills reflect their work. While your degree may help you learn all of these skills, you can only foster them truly by implementing them in your personal life. Practice effective time management by having a strict sleeping and eating schedule. Never deviate from it unless there’s an emergency. 

Conflict is an inevitable part of life and severely unavoidable in hospitals. Read books about conflict management, resolution, and prevention. Polish your problem identification and resolution skills as you’ll need them daily in your administrative job. 

.The Bottom Line

Not all nursing jobs require you to interact with patients or provide care. You may opt for other fields like nursing administration to put your natural leadership element into practice. Or, you may learn it through a qualification in administrative nursing. To be eligible for the job, you must have expert communication skills as open communication promotes productivity and decreases the chances of errors. You must also implement transformational leadership to bring organizational change. Besides that, drop the bossy attitude and be a mentor for the nurses working under you. Lastly, work on improving your critical thinking skills

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