Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

What is a chief nursing officer (CNO)?

The chief nursing officer (CNO) is an experienced nurse who leads a team of nurses at various healthcare organizations, including hospitals or outpatient clinics.

The CNO helps enforce policies, manage finances, and connect patients with their care needs. All of this is in addition to the standard nursing roles, such as implementing treatment plans and integrating new medical technologies.

Being a CNO is one of the top leadership roles available in nursing, and it requires strong communication and leadership skills in order to succeed.

What does it take to be a CNO?

As one of the highest leadership roles for a nurse, the CNO requires significant education and experience.

It typically requires both an undergraduate and a master’s degree. Additionally, CNOs need at least 5 or 6 years of experience in healthcare, fulfilling specific nursing duties.