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A Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)is a highly influential position that enables a nurse leader to make vital decisions that impact patient care along with ensuring the continual training and progression of staff nurses. The Chief Nursing Officer has the responsibility for overseeing and coordinating the daily activity within the nursing department by being spokes person for nurses while planning, organizing and directing the overall operations of nursing and patient care services. Chief Nursing Officers take into consideration the business perspective of the hospital system, best practices and the needs of the staff while facilitating efficient and effective departmental operations. Chief Nursing Officers are involved in implementing the nursing budget and achieving consistent quality patient outcomes with adherence to healthcare delivery guidelines and standards. Becoming a Chief Nursing Officer takes years of nursing experience in a clinical setting and obtaining experience in a leadership role. Typically a CNO will have at least 5 years of managerial experience prior to taking an executive administration role. They are required to have a master of science degree in nursing with a concentration on administration and leadership in healthcare systems, or a Master of business administration, sometimes a dual master of nursing and business is required. Some large health care organizations may prefer a candidate with a DNP specializing in executive adminsitration. Chief  Nursing Officers may work in a number of settings  such as hospitals, oupatient care centers, clinics, rehabilitation, government agencies and healthcare system corporate offices. Chief Nursing Officers should be leaders with an eye for detail. Even though they are aware of best practices they have an ability to identify discrepancies in care . This skill is achieved by continuing involvement in clinical practice. Chief Nursing Officers understand operational processes, write the policies and are able to see challenges from a managerial perspective to offer insight and solutions. A good Chief Nursing Officer realizes the importance of planning short term goals for the nurses to help understand the why and how a bigger long term goal is achieved and the importance of team involvement ( Ingwell-Spdan, 2018).