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According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), about 36 million hospital stays are reported each year in America. During each stay, patients need various forms of care, including immediate treatment, education, medication, and even reassurance. Chief nursing officers (CNOs) ensure that their organizations can provide all of this and more to every patient, every time.

Part nursing expert, part executive leader, the CNO plays a vital role in the American healthcare system. Registered nurses (RNs) who are interested in taking on this much-needed position can benefit from learning about CNO salary and daily duties, as well as the education and experience required to become one.

Chief Nursing Officer Job Description

As high-level executives, CNOs are in charge of all nursing activities in a healthcare organization. They typically oversee nursing directors, nurse administrators, and other managerial staff and report to the president or CEO.

Typical job duties of a CNO include the following:

• Managing budgets

• Creating schedules for nursing staff

• Integrating new nursing practices into daily procedures

• Monitoring patient care metrics and making policy changes based on trends

• Overseeing legal and safety policies

• Providing strategic guidance

CNOs are also often responsible for serving as liaisons between nursing staff and other stakeholders. For example, a CNO might communicate their team’s needs to executives or prepare statements and presentations for patients, government officials, or the general public.

Where Do CNOs Work?

CNOs can work for healthcare organizations that provide patient care, including hospitals, healthcare networks, mental health and substance use disorder treatment facilities, and other specialty providers. 

They can also work in nontraditional settings, such as the pharmaceutical industry, in which they may be responsible for ensuring that nurses know how to administer new treatments and reporting trends to executives. 

How to Become a Chief Nursing Officer

CNOs must have a deep understanding of both nursing practice and executive leadership . For this reason, becoming a CNO requires gaining experience in the field; taking on other nurse leadership roles; and earning a high-level degree, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Step 1: Earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and RN Licensure

The first step to becoming a CNO is earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). For students who are completely new to the field, it will take about four years to earn a BSN. Graduates will have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN; required of all new nurses) and find employment as an RN.

However, some RNs earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), obtain licensure, and enter the workforce. These nurses will still need to earn a BSN to prepare for further education. Through an RN to BSN program , experienced professionals can earn their BSN in as little as 18 months.

Step 2: Gain Nursing Experience

Nurses who have just graduated from BSN programs without any prior RN experience may need to work in patient care roles before pursuing management or leadership positions . Experienced RNs who have graduated from RN to BSN programs can often take on such positions after earning their degrees.

Future CNOs often gain leadership experience by working as charge nurses, as nurse managers, and in similar management positions. 

Step 3: Pursue a Master of Science in Nursing

After RNs gain some management experience, they can prepare for higher-level roles by earning an MSN, which is required for most nurse leadership positions and can be earned in as little as two years.

At this level, students learn topics such as:

• Change management

• Healthcare systems

• Healthcare finance

• Nurse leadership models and practice

• Patient care quality and control

• Research

To ensure that they’re ready to take on CNO roles and similar positions, students need to examine the curriculum of any given MSN program. Some are designed for future nurse educators, some for executives and leaders, and some for both. Future CNOs may want to consider programs that offer leadership and executive tracks.

Step 4: Pursue Nurse Leadership Opportunities

Before becoming eligible for CNO positions, employers may require applicants to have three to five years of experience in other high-level positions. With an MSN, experienced RNs can be prepared to take on such positions.

Before becoming a CNO, many nurses work as directors of nursing, nurse administrators, and vice presidents of nursing. In these high-level positions, professionals can learn how to balance organizational needs with patient care directives.

While not always required, some professionals at this level become certified nurse executives through the American Nursing Association (ANA). Earning this credential requires a graduate degree in nursing, 2,000 hours of nursing leadership experience, and completion of 30 hours of continuing education.

Chief Nursing Officer Salary and Job Growth

The median annual chief nursing officer salary was about $147,500 as of January 2025, according to the compensation website Payscale. As executives, CNOs are also often eligible for bonuses and profit-sharing programs.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects employment for all medical and health services managers, including CNOs, to increase by 29% between 2023 and 2033. The average growth rate for all sectors of the economy is only 4% over the same period. This indicates that as the American population ages and the country’s healthcare organizations expand, the demand for experienced, qualified leaders is likely to grow.

Learn More About Becoming a Chief Nursing Officer

No matter where they work, CNOs stand to have a huge impact on the patient experience. For that to be a positive impact, these professionals must be prepared to approach their duties with a critical eye, an ethical mindset, and collaborative expertise. The MSN program at Wilson College Online can help you do just that.

With both Education and Leadership and Management degree tracks, the MSN program can help experienced nurses take their careers in exciting new directions. Designed with working professionals in mind, this program features asynchronous classes and no clinical hours. However, with a student-to-faculty ratio of 13-to-1, students get the support they need when they need it.

Find out more about the benefits of earning an MSN at Wilson College Online today.

Recommended Readings:

How to Become a Nurse Manager

MSN in Education: Curriculum and Career Opportunities

Why Earn an Advanced Degree in Nursing?

Sources:

American Nursing Association, How to Become a Director of Nursing

American Nursing Association, Nurse Executive, Advanced Certification (NEA-BC)

American Nursing Association, What Is a Chief Nursing Officer / Chief Nurse Executive?

Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Hospital and Emergency Services

Payscale, Average Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) Salary

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers