Fastest Way Up the Ladder

Specialties Management

Published

Specializes in ICU.

I'm planning on getting my dual MSN/MBA degree once I graduate from a BSN program and I had a few questions about nursing management. I've heard some of the fastest ways to move up the ladder are ER, ICU, and quality of care. The only specialty I've heard about that is detrimental to moving up the ladder is OB due to its extremely specialized nature. Can anybody give me any additional information on the subject?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Admin, ER, ICU, Med-Surg.

I'd be interested in hearing this as well. I start my MSN in Nursing Leadership, Management and Healthcare Delivery this January and my eventual goal is to become a CNO. WOuld love to hear how others have climbed the ladder.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wouldn't say any track is detrimental to moving up the ladder. Even OB isn't just OB. It's L&D, postpartum, newborn nursery and, in some hospitals, women and children are under the same director.

To move up the ladder you need to have outcomes. To start your management journey, sign up to be a shift manager or house supervisor after hours, then a unit manager, then director, then CNO. But you need to have outcomes and make your productivity and budget targets from a UM on up.

Then there are other nonclinical departments like performance improvement, risk management, etc. I wouldn't imagine a CNO coming from a nonclinical area. A CNO needs to understand the average staff nurse and unit's struggles. But I'm sure it's been done before, lol.

Welcome to the journey!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Is it practical to get into hospital administration as it relates to nursing (unit manager, department head, CNO, administrator, etc) if one has never worked or had little experience working in a hospital setting in the capacity as an RN? Does outpatient experience benefit? What about advanced degrees (like in nursing administration or MBA, etc)? The job market for new grads is not as fruitful as it once was, I have an interest in nursing management (hospital administration) one day and would love to find out other avenues to make that happen? Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment