What is a head nurse called?

A head nurse is called a chief nursing officer (CNO). Head nurses must have a minimum of a Bachelors of Science in Nursing, and ten to fifteen years of nursing and management experience. Most employers prefer that eligible candidates have a Master’s Degree of Science.

Head nurses are responsible for managing nursing staff, making clinical rounds, and implementing cost effective strategies that will increase the profits of the medical facility they work for. A CNO is typically over nurse managers and nurse leaders, as well as all other lower level nurses. According to Villanova University, the average annual salary range for a head nurse is between $45,000 to $97,000.