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Head Nurse Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Baptist Memorial Health

RN-Head Nurse ED

Memphis, TN

Job Summary The Head Nurse is responsible for overseeing patient care, staff management and day to day operations of a specific department or nursing unit. Coordinates and provides care utilizing the ...

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Head Nurse information

See salary details

$33.5K

$84.6K

$117K

How much do head nurse jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for head nurse in the United States is $84,575.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,000.00 and $99,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a head nurse?

A head nurse oversees the nursing unit at a hospital or other clinical healthcare facility. As a head nurse, your responsibilities include training the nursing staff, scheduling shifts, monitoring the department budget, and ensuring patients receive the treatment prescribed by their doctor. Other nurses turn to the head nurse when they have questions or concerns about their duties. You may also be involved in hiring new nursing staff, evaluating the current nursing team, and recommending termination for nurses who do not meet hospital standards of care.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a head nurse, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Head Nurse, you need advanced clinical expertise, leadership abilities, and typically a bachelor's or master's degree in nursing along with RN licensure. Familiarity with hospital management software, electronic health records (EHRs), and staff scheduling systems is important for effective operations. Strong communication, conflict resolution, and team-building skills help foster a positive work environment and ensure patient care standards are met. These skills are essential for coordinating care, managing staff, and maintaining high-quality healthcare delivery.

How does a head nurse balance administrative duties with direct patient care responsibilities?

Head Nurses often juggle a mix of administrative tasks and clinical oversight. While their primary responsibility involves managing nursing staff, scheduling, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations, they also provide hands-on support during critical situations or when the unit is understaffed. Effective time management and delegation are key, as Head Nurses must be available for both staff mentorship and patient advocacy. Collaboration with physicians, administrators, and other healthcare professionals is essential to maintain smooth operations and high-quality patient care.

What is the difference between Head Nurse vs Registered Nurse?

AspectHead NurseRegistered Nurse
CredentialsRN license, additional leadership trainingRN license, possibly specialty certifications
Work EnvironmentSupervisory role in hospitals, clinics, or healthcare facilitiesDirect patient care in various settings
ResponsibilitiesOversees nursing staff, manages patient care protocols, coordinates team activitiesProvides direct patient care, administers treatments, monitors patient progress

In summary, while both Head Nurses and Registered Nurses hold RN licenses and work in healthcare settings, Head Nurses have additional leadership responsibilities, overseeing staff and managing patient care teams. Registered Nurses focus primarily on direct patient care and clinical tasks.

What does a head nurse do?

A head nurse oversees nursing staff, manages patient care, and ensures compliance with healthcare regulations. They coordinate schedules, provide training, and collaborate with physicians to deliver quality healthcare in medical facilities.
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What states have the most Head Nurse jobs?

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Head Nurse jobs near you
Infographic showing various Head Nurse job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 56% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 27% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,575 per year, or $40.7 per hour.

RN-Head Nurse

Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation

Jonesboro, AR • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Baptist Memorial Health Care rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 115 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

303rd of 898 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Overview
Job Summary
The Head Nurse is responsible for overseeing patient care, staff management and day to day operations of a specific department or nursing unit. Coordinates and provides care utilizing the critical thinking framework known as the nursing process. The nursing process forms the foundation of the nurse's decision making to help partner with patients/families to attain, maintain and restore health whenever possible. Blends caring, compassion, knowledge and integrity to provide safe quality care that preserves patient autonomy, dignity and rights. Assists manager by providing clinical leadership for nursing employees on an assigned unit to maintain continuity of nursing care in conjunction with the hospital/nursing mission, goals, policies and procedures. Works in collaboration with the Manager/Director/CNO to ensure goal attainment.system standard jd
Responsibilities
  • Interpret, review, and combine diagnostic data relevant to the patient's current condition.
  • Collaborates with nursing leadership and other disciplines to identify opportunities for department improvements and drive change.
  • Intervenes and provides guidance and direction during life threatening situations.
  • Evaluates the effectiveness of interventions and expected outcomes.
  • Implements innovative works processes that improve patient outcomes.
  • Participates in clinical leadership activities such as coaching, counseling, mentoring, hiring, firing, yearly performance evaluations, staffing, payroll, and productivity.
  • Participates in activities designed to improve health care delivery.
  • Communicates/collaborates with others in providing patient care.
  • Supports life-long learning.
  • Completes other duties as assigned.

Specifications
Experience
Minimum Required
  • Minimum of 2 years experience on current unit or in like setting/specialty area.

Preferred/Desired
Education
Minimum Required
Preferred/Desired
Training
Minimum Required
Preferred/Desired
Special Skills
Minimum Required
  • Computer literacy

Preferred/Desired
Licensure
Minimum Required
  • RN; BLS CERTIFICATION WITHIN 14 DAYS OF HIRE

Preferred/Desired
  • ACLS

What Baptist Memorial Health Care employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

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About Baptist Memorial

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Baptist Memorial, based in Memphis, TN, US, is a leading health care organization renowned in the healthcare industry. The company's official website is baptistonline.org which provides a comprehensive view of their services and operations. Baptist Memorial operates a myriad of hospitals, health clinics, and medical facilities providing expert and compassionate care. Founded in 1912, it has a rich legacy of over a hundred years of dedication to its community, offering services which include acute care, diagnostic services, and a broad range of speciality health services fulfilling various patient needs.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Memphis, TN, US

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