Nursing Leadership and Management: Role Definitions and Differences

FINDING A JOB
Nursing Leadership and Management:

Role Definitions and Differences
Nursing leadership and management are healthcare fields that require a high level of
knowledge and expertise. Although this quality and others are similar between
nursing leadership and nursing management, these two roles differ in several
aspects. The variations between a nursing leader and a nurse manager include
differences in the responsibilities they take on, the credentials they possess and the
tasks they perform. In this article, we define nursing leadership and management
roles, explain the major differences between the two and discuss the qualities of
successful nursing leaders and managers.
What is nursing leadership and management?

Nursing leadership and management refer to the roles of nursing professionals who
direct nursing staff, oversee the organizational structure of medical processes and
lead nursing teams in providing patient care. While many nurses take on informal
leadership roles throughout their careers, there are several differences between
nurse leaders and nurse managers.
Nursing leadership
Nursing leadership is the practice of leading initiatives that improve nursing practices
and outcomes. Nurse leaders rely on their ability to motivate and inspire nursing
teams and staff in the development of high-quality practices and patient care
methodologies. These professionals usually work in higher-level nursing and
leadership roles and take a less hands-on approach to nursing than nursing
managers do.
For instance, a nurse leader responsible for overseeing and executing new care
policies will focus on strategic planning and collaborating with nursing staff, while a
nurse manager will focus on carrying out the initiative and managing nursing teams
and departments in implementing care strategies with patients.
Nurse management
Nurse management is the process of directing teams and nursing departments to

maintain best practices and organization when providing care to patients. Nurse
managers direct the daily processes and routines of the medical facility they work in,
and they instruct nursing staff through hands-on approaches to ensure the efficacy of
patient care and treatment plans.
Nurse managers are responsible for overseeing hiring, staffing and performance
reviews for their teams. Nursing management roles rely on leadership skills, but
nurse managers continue to work directly with patients and nursing teams to carry
out incentives that nursing leaders introduce.
Related: 6 Nursing Strengths to Highlight During Your Job Search
Nurse leaders vs. nurse managers

Nurse leaders and nurse managers differ in the tasks they perform on the job, the
roles they take on in their organizations, the credentials they possess and the
educational background they complete. The following career elements best illustrate
the differences between nurse leaders and nurse managers:
 Tasks
 Roles
 Education
 Credentials
Tasks
The tasks and responsibilities generally differ for nurse leaders and nurse managers.
For instance, nurse leaders set practice standards and policies, initiate
transformation and change in the medical environment and influence nursing teams
and staff. Nurse leaders ultimately work toward fulfilling an organization's vision,
mission and long-term objectives.
Nurse managers are typically in direct contact with patients, and they work to direct
and instruct their teams and departments. Many nurse managers are in charge of
performing and directing other nurses during patient procedures, treatment and
record maintenance.
Roles
Nurse leaders and managers take on different roles throughout their careers,
depending on their specialties and qualifications. Nurse leaders perform leadership
functions throughout a medical organization such as leading department and facility
changes, developing innovative methods to provide better patient care and
pioneering the way their organizations accomplish objectives and align with core
values.
A nurse manager may take on leadership roles throughout their career, but their
main role within a medical organization is to direct the processes of patient care,
treatment plans, procedures and nursing practices. The nurse manager role
essentially oversees nursing teams and supervises critical nursing processes like
reporting and documentation.
Related: Learn About Being a Director of Nursing
Education
The educational backgrounds can sometimes differ between nursing leadership and
management roles. For instance, a nursing leadership role like a clinical nurse leader
(CNL) can require different educational training than a nurse management role like a
patient care director. Often, they'll study different subjects, disciplines and majors
during college.
Credentials
While both nursing leadership and nursing management roles require nursing
certification and credentials, leadership roles are often defined through the
Certification in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) credential, while nurse managers
are often required to possess the Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML)
credential.
For instance, the Certification in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) credential

allows nursing leaders to work in executive-level and administrative roles within a
healthcare organization. Conversely, a nurse manager with the Certified Nurse
Manager and Leader (CNML) certification will work closely with nursing staff to
organize and supervise patient care and treatment, directly influencing and
managing outcomes.
What qualities are essential to nursing leadership

and management?
Although nursing leadership and management differ in some aspects, the two roles
share several similarities in skill sets, including:
 Leadership skills
 Teamwork skills
 Technical skills
 Communication skills
 Emotional intelligence
Leadership skills
Nursing leadership and management both require leadership skills. Nurses who take
on supervisory roles to direct their teams and maintain organizational structure in
their practices possess leadership skills that have an influence on their career
success. For instance, the abilities to motivate team members, improve nursing
practices and develop effective treatment plans are examples of how both nursing
leaders and managers apply their leadership skills.
Related: 5 Must-Have Skills For Your Nursing Resume
Teamwork skills
Nurse leaders and nurse managers work with a diverse range of healthcare
professionals in their careers. Consequently, both positions depend on the ability to
collaborate with teammates, give and receive feedback and share ideas with staff
and supervisors. Teamwork skills in these professions are crucial to navigate
company culture and foster healthy relationships with colleagues.
Technical skills
Technical skills that encompass computer and database literacy are essential for
working in a nursing leadership or management role. Nurses in leadership positions
often use company databases and reporting software programs to document, sort
and organize important medical information. The nature of some administrative and
executive nursing roles (like clinical informatics management) requires nurses to
work with this type of technology on a regular basis, so technical skills in nursing
leadership and management can be highly beneficial to succeed in these career
fields.
Communication skills
Nurses are communicators. They work with patients and healthcare professionals
daily, and they apply effective communication skills to succeed in their jobs.
Therefore, nursing leaders and managers should be skilled in written
communication, verbal and nonverbal communication and the ability to connect with
people and build relationships.
Emotional intelligence
Nurses in leadership roles depend on their emotional intelligence to interact with

their patients and teammates. The ability to care for patients, empathize with others'
feelings and ideas and seek understanding in their interactions at work are several
essential skills nursing leaders and nurse managers should be able to demonstrate
with their emotional intelligence.

Nursing Leadership and Management: Role Definitions and Differences

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Nursing Leadership and Management: Role Definitions and Differences

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Nursing Leadership and Management: Role Definitions and Differences

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

FINDING A JOB

Nursing Leadership and Management:

What is nursing leadership and management?

Nurse management is the process of directing teams and nursing departments to

Nurse leaders vs. nurse managers

Related: Learn About Being a Director of Nursing

For instance, the Certification in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) credential

What qualities are essential to nursing leadership

Related: 5 Must-Have Skills For Your Nursing Resume

Nurses in leadership roles depend on their emotional intelligence to interact with

You might also like