A nursing career doesn’t end at the bedside. Nurses have different career paths to choose from to advance their practice, and if becoming a director of nursing (DON) is one of your goals, you are in the right place.
At this point, you may have many questions, such as how to become a DON, what a director of nursing's responsibilities are, or what the salary is.
Read on to clear your doubts and discover the steps and requirements to conquer your goal of becoming a DON.
What is a director of nursing?
A director of nursing is a top-level healthcare management professional in charge of a facility’s nursing staff.
The director ensures high standards for providing quality care and is in charge of the administrative tasks of the nursing department in a healthcare organization.
How to become a director of nursing
The journey to become a DON is not short, but it is worth the effort. This nursing career goal requires developing leadership skills, experience, and an advanced education. Your path may look something like this:
- First, you'll typically need a registered nurse (RN) license and a minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
- Next, gaining clinical experience is critical to understand how the healthcare system works and what activities DONs perform.
- Working in a leadership role, such as charge nurse or nurse manager, might also help develop the skills needed to perform as a DON.
- Pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or a Doctor of Nursing Science (DNS). Depending on your choice, an advanced degree could take two to five years.
Curious about that last point? Check out “Which advanced degree is right for you: MSN vs. DNP.”
How to become a certified DON
Different institutions, such as the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing (AAPACN), and the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long-Term Care (NADONA/LTC), can help you become certified as a director of nursing.
These organizations offer specific DON specialty certifications that prove the expertise of a candidate and may help them receive higher pay:
- NADONA/LTC: Offers the Certified Director of Nursing Administration (CDONA) exam
- AAPACN: Offers the Director of Nursing Services-Certified (DNS-CT) credential
- ANCC: Offers the Nurse Executive Certification (NE-BC®)
What does a director of nursing do?
The job description of a director of nursing may vary depending on the healthcare setting. However, there are central tasks within every DON’s scope of practice.
Nurse performance and staffing
DONs are responsible for supervising and maintaining high-quality patient care standards. One of the primary responsibilities of nursing directors is recruiting nurses, providing them with training, and offering professional development opportunities.
A DON is also a bridge that connects nurses with other departments, addressing any difficulties that may arise and building a strong work environment.
Finances and budget
A healthcare facility manager, like a DON, has an array of responsibilities, one of which is creating the budget for the nursing department. They need a thorough understanding of business administration to use the department’s resources effectively and efficiently.
A director of nursing needs to manage staffing, equipment, and supplies within the budget to maintain high-quality care.
Compliance with regulations
A director of nursing must ensure that their facility complies with local, state, and federal regulations and perform audits to ensure that staff comply with regulations.
DONs need to stay updated on regulations and policies to make the necessary adjustments to procedures.
Related: Five-star CMS rating: 8 Best practices for facilities
Work and collaborate with other healthcare leaders
Leadership roles demand the ability to work with other directors or executive team members. It is necessary to coordinate and effectively administer resources, meet the healthcare facility’s goals, avoid errors, and ensure that all teams are on the same page to ensure operational efficiency.
How much does a director of nursing make?
A director of nursing’s salary may vary due to different factors, including certifications, facility type—such as a hospital or long-term care facility—and the city or state where they live.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t have a DON-specific occupation category in its data. However, the average wage for medical and health service managers is $56.71 per hour or $117,960 annually.
The average pay of the top 10 percent of healthcare managers is more than $219,080, and the lowest 10 percent make less than $69,680. The median wages in the top industries where healthcare managers work are the following:
- Government: $132,620
- Hospitals: $130,690
- Outpatient centers: $106,990
- Offices of physicians: $100,780
- Nursing care facilities: $99,250
FAQs about nursing directors
Here are some frequently asked questions about nursing directors.
Does a director of nursing have to be a nurse?
Yes, a director of nursing has to be a nurse.
Do you need to be an RN to be a DON?
Typically, the first step to becoming a DON is becoming a registered nurse. However, you will most likely also need an advanced nursing degree, like an MSN or DNP, for this position.
Do you need to be an APRN to be a DON?
Being an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) is not required to become a nursing director. APRN roles are typically more focused on patient care that is specialized, while the role of a DON is more administrative and business-minded.
Is a DON a nurse executive?
Yes, a director of nursing is considered a nurse executive position.
What is the difference between DON and ADON?
An assistant director of nursing (ADON) is the right hand of the director of nursing.
The ADON works closely with the DON to maintain high-quality standards of care and comply with regulations, among other responsibilities.
Available public information shows that an assistant director’s average salary is around $90,000 annually.
What are the CMS requirements for a director of nursing?
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) may have the following requirements for DON positions in nursing homes:
- RN management experience for three to five years
- Certifications in healthcare leadership or administration
- An advanced nursing degree is often preferred
Do I have what it takes to be a director?
What is the meaning of becoming a DON for a nurse?
Becoming a DON can be tough. However, for many, working as a DON could be the highest point of their nursing career.
For any director of nursing job, a nurse needs a combination of experience in clinical and management positions, education, and skills that they can develop throughout their careers. The goal is high, so defining the path to achieve it is important.
The starting point is to understand where you are and what steps you need to take to meet the requirements of a DON role.
Rub elbows with DONs in different facilities
Thinking of becoming a DON and want to learn about opportunities for networking in nursing?
Picking up PRN shifts can provide opportunities to meet nursing directors in different healthcare settings.
Having experience in different settings and understanding the responsibilities and challenges for DONs can help you make career decisions and determine which setting you want to work in.
You may also find a mentor to guide you down the path to becoming a nursing director.
Start picking up PRN shifts in various facilities today.
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