Chief Nursing Officer Jobs in the United States

Chief Nursing Officer Jobs Overview

Are you on the hunt for chief nursing officer jobs? Also known as CNO or VP of Nursing, these professionals are among the most important in healthcare facilities. They operate in hospitals, outpatient care facilities, doctor’s offices, or nursing homes. With a projected growth rate of 28% over the next ten years, CNO jobs also have a terrific outlook. So, start looking for yours today.

Chief nursing officers lead the nursing personnel. They also liaise with administration and other departments. This means chief nursing officers carry out a variety of tasks ranging from hands-on patient care to administrative duties. Below are their most common responsibilities:

• Leading and supervising nursing staff.
• Evaluating the performance of nurses and hiring new staff.
• Monitoring administrative departments, like medical record keeping.
• Reviewing data to improve the institution’s operations.
• Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations.
• Reporting periodically to the president or board of executives of the healthcare institution.

Chief nursing officer jobs are full-time careers. They require at least 40 hours per week on shifts. Based on your contract and the healthcare facility’s needs you might have to work longer hours, weekends, and holidays as well.

Salaries for Chief Nursing Officer Jobs

The median salary for chief nursing officers sits at $128,467 a year on average. However, based on various factors such as your industry, experience, type and size of the employer, and location, you could earn within the average range of $103,510 to $151,673.

Here are some of the top-paying industries for CNO jobs and their annual median wages:

• electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing: $252,520
• pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing: $225,700
• scientific research and development services: $219,050

Location-wise, the following are the states in which CNO jobs earn the most:

• New York: $171,620
• District of Columbia: $156,870
• New Jersey: $153,300
• Massachusetts: $152,450
• Delaware: $150,840

Are you wondering how that would compare to your city? Just check out Monster’s Salary Calculator. You’ll also learn where chief nursing officers are in the highest demand. Plus, we’ll suggest possible next roles to grow in your field.

How to Find the Best Chief Nursing Officer Jobs for You

Looking for that right fit? Here’s our recipe for success.

Know Yourself First

Identify your priorities and career objectives. Start by clarifying what specific type of CNO role you want and if and where you’re willing to make compromises. Is climbing the corporate ladder important to you? What about work-life balance?

Narrow it down to the size and the type of healthcare institution that you think you can thrive in. Consider what makes you feel more accomplished in terms of organizational culture, and the patient population you would like to treat.

Research Healthcare Organizations

Conduct well-rounded research on the institutions you’re interested in. Visit their websites, review their mission statements, and read reviews from previous employees. This way you’ll be able to identify the organizations that prioritize nursing excellence and value the figure of the CNO.

Analyze the Job Openings

Review the job ads and make sure that you meet the necessary requirements education and experience-wise. However, don’t get discouraged if you don’t meet them 100%. Job openings reflect all the characteristics the employer would want in candidates, but they can be ambitious. Plus, many organizations are willing to train you. So, pay attention to the mandatory requirements and the nice to haves.

How to Apply to Chief Nursing Officer Jobs

Learn how to write a perfect resume and cover letter for all the chief nursing officer jobs you want to apply for. Here’s how:

Update Your Resume for Chief Nursing Officer Jobs

Are you trying to make the jump to a CNO job or seeking a new challenge? In both cases, writing a good resume is where it all begins for a successful job search. If you’re unhappy with your current resume or you think it needs some revamping, opt for our nurse manager resume template. It will give you an organized and easy-to-follow structure. Do you have extra certificates like the Executive Nursing Practice Certification (CENP) or the Nurse Manager and Leader Certification (CNML)? Include them in a dedicated certificate section.

Tailoring the template to your needs and to the specific chief nursing officer jobs you’re applying for is crucial. Always read the openings carefully, identify the relevant skills, and include them in your resume. Some of the most common for CNO jobs are:

• interpersonal communication
• leadership
• problem-solving
• data reporting
• multitasking
• critical thinking
• determination
• negotiation skills
• public speaking

Then, make sure to show your achievements from past chief nursing officer jobs in an attention-grabbing way. To do so, quantify your experiences with clear metrics in your resume, and in your professional summary especially. Some of the most used are:

• average patient wait times
• overall patient satisfaction
• average staff tenure
• average annual training time
• referral rate from patients and other medical professionals

Do you need extra peace of mind? Have an expert review your resume. Sign up for Monster’s Resume Writing Services. We’ll help you showcase your unique talent and optimize your resume to pass recruiters’ screening software and reach the top of the pile.

Tips for Your Chief Nursing Officer Cover Letter

A well-written CNO cover letter highlights both your qualifications and leadership skills, as well as your passion for the nursing profession. Here are our tips to write one that makes you stand out from the competition:

• Start strong. Your introduction must compel the reader to keep reading. State your interest in the CNO role and your most notable accomplishment or your years in the field.
• Highlight your relevant qualifications and experience. Include data about metrics from previous jobs including how you developed your leadership skills.
• Be specific about why you want to work for that healthcare facility. It shows that you did your research and you’re a driven candidate. Plus, your motivations allow you to connect with the recruiter on a more personal level.
• Encourage the recruiter to reach out and interview you.

Once your resume and cover letter are ready, upload them to your free candidate profile on Monster to easily apply. With a Monster account you’ll be able to send your application to any job opening in seconds. Plus, if you activate the alerts, you’ll never miss a new opportunity that’s in line with your profile.

How to Follow Up with an Employer

Following up with an employer is a proactive step to show your interest and enthusiasm for a CNO role. Give recruiters a week to review applications, check your SPAM folder and if you still haven’t heard back then reach out.

Your email should be nice and short and, above all, polite. Ensure that you:

• Mention the particular CNO position you applied for and reiterate your interest.
• Provide a brief overview of your qualifications and experience but don’t repeat your resume.
• Inquire about the status of your application.
• Offer to answer any questions or provide additional information.
• Keep your tone professional but friendly and proofread before pressing “send”.

If the recruiter hasn’t had time to review your application yet, this step will give you an immediate boost. And hopefully you’ll soon get that call to set up an interview.

Interviewing Tips for Chief Nursing Officer Jobs

Looking for tips to prepare for the interview for a chief nursing officer role? Check out our best advice below.

Get Back to the Basics

For a CNO position, you should go ahead and refresh your answers to all the most common nurse interview questions, even if you’re an experienced candidate. They’re likely to pop up and you want to excel at them to show you’re ready for the next step.

Define Your Reasons for “Why You?”

Next, you need to be ready for the question “Why should we hire you?” Especially, if this would be your first role in charge. It’s essential to build a well-crafted answer to showcase your past achievements and why you’re perfect for the role.

Prepare for Situational and Behavioral Questions

Take some time to prepare for behavioral questions as well. They are recruiters’ favorites because they can learn how you would handle unforeseen situations. Learn how to use the STAR method to master them.

What to Do When You Get an Offer

Congratulations on the offer for the chief nursing officer position, you deserve it! Now, before rushing into any decision, follow a few simple steps:

1. Say thank you. Express your gratitude for being selected. Even if you end up declining the offer, it’s always important to stay professional and not burn any bridges.
2. Establish a timeline to get back to the employer. Agree on a certain time to take your decision. Anywhere between 48 hours to a week is acceptable for a CNO-level position.
3. Review the offer. Make sure all the terms align with the industry standards and your experience. These include responsibilities, compensation package, benefits, and vacation policies.
4. Assess the organization’s culture and values. Consider factors like the work environment, the healthcare mission, and the leadership attitude. Are they in line with what you expected and are comfortable with?
5. Negotiate if necessary. If there are aspects of the offer you would like to change, don’t be afraid to start a negotiation. Remember that beyond salary, benefits such as PTO or a higher 401(k) match can also be discussed.

Chief Nursing Officer Job Career Paths

Curious to know what you could do after holding one or more chief nursing officer jobs? Continuous learning, networking, and staying up to date with your industry can help you secure even higher responsibility roles. Depending on your individual goals and preferences you could become:

• A director of nursing. After serving as a CNO, if you wish to take on a more administrative management role, you could ascend to a director of nursing position. You would manage budgets, as well as participate in the recruiting and hiring of nurses.
• A chief operating officer (COO). In this role you would focus on the day-to-day operations of a healthcare organization. You would work with other executives to ensure that every department functions efficiently.
• A healthcare consultant. With experience in leadership and expertise in nursing practice, you could also start consulting. Your job would consist of implementing best practices, offering insights to improve patient care, and optimizing processes.
• A medical academic or researcher. If you have a passion for education and research, you might find it suitable to transition into a job as a faculty member or researcher in a nursing school or healthcare facility. You would contribute to the development of nursing knowledge and prepare future nursing leaders.

Similar Occupations

Not sure CNO is the right fit for you? Have a look at other similar healthcare jobs on Monster such as:

• nurse manager job
• clinical nurse specialist job
• nursing jobs