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Career Resources / Job Searching / Best Hospitals Kansas

In 1939, MGM’s The Wizard of Oz featured the line, “Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore,” establishing the state as the epitome of all that is familiar and safe. Known for being home to the geographic center of the contiguous United States, there are many reasons to move to Kansas, including a low cost of living, access to both cultural attractions and the peace of rural life, a strong job market, and an infrastructure that U.S. News & World Report ranks 7^th in the country. The state boasts excellent hospitals, including three that are highly ranked by U.S. News & World Report and which are among the 591 hospitals recognized as a Magnet Hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center as a result of their dedication to nursing excellence and patient. Care. There are also 18 hospitals that have been recognized for Specialty Excellence Awards by Healthgrades.com.

Kansas’s Top Hospital

• AdventHealth Shawnee Mission
• Stormont Vail Health
• University of Kansas Health System

Best hospitals in Kansas

Choosing the best from among the 123 community hospitals in the state was no easy task. In order to do so we relied upon objective quality criteria. We restricted our list to those facilities that had distinguished themselves as Magnet Hospitals and used the U.S. News & World Reports’ list of best hospitals in the United States as additional guidance. We also relied upon ratings from respected safety organizations like The Leapfrog Group, accreditation by the Joint Commission, patient outcome ratings from federal health agencies, and comments posted on nationally-recognized employment sites by current and former staf members.

AdventHealth Shawnee Mission

Designated a Magnet Hospital in 2019, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission was recently recognized as the fourth best large community hospital in the U.S. by the 2022 Fortune/Merative 100 Top Hospitals. It was rated high performing in eight adult procedures and conditions by U.S. News & World Report and was one of only six hospitals in Kansas to earn five stars from Medicare’s Quality Ratings. The hospital was also awarded an “A” grade by The Leapfrog Group for its commitment to keeping patients safe. The hospital was also awarded a Get With The Guidelines® Stroke Gold Plus Award by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association for its commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment.

Notable facts about AdventHealth Shawnee Mission include:

• Private, nonprofit hospital
• Located in Merriam, Kansas
• Part of AdventHealth, a health care organization headquartered in Altamonte Springs, Florida, which in turn is owned by the Seventh-day Adventist Protestant religious denomination
• Number of employees: 4,000 across the Kansas network

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Stormont Vail Health

Ranked the #2 hospital in Kansas and recognized as high performing in 3 adult specialties and 10 procedures and conditions by U.S. News & World Report, Stormont Vail Health is also a Magnet Hospital. Among the hospital’s many awards and recognitions, it received three-star ratings from Medicare in both patient surveys and for overall performance, and its spine surgery program was designated a Blue Distinction® Center Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. Additionally, the hospital’s Cotton O’Neil Heart Center received the 2020 Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology.

Notable facts about Stormont Vail Health include:

• Nonprofit hospital and integrated health care system
• Located in Topeka, Kansas
• Health care system consists of the medical center, satellite offices and clinics, and the Baker School of Nursing,
• Number of employees: 5,455 employees across the system

University of Kansas Health System

Consistently awarded Magnet Hospital status and ranked the #1 hospital in both Kansas and Kansas City by U.S. News & World Report, the University of Kansas Health System is also nationally ranked in 7 adult specialties rated high performing in three, as well as in 16 procedures and conditions. The hospital has received numerous accolades and recognitions including being accredited by the Joint Commission and receiving the Press Ganey Pinnacle of Excellence Award, which recognizes extraordinary achievements of top performing healthcare organizations. The University of Kansas Health System was included in Becker’s Hospital Review’s listing of 100 Great Hospitals in America and was recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation (HRC).

Notable facts about the University of Kansas Health System include:

• Nonprofit academic medical center
• Located in Kansas City, Kansas
• The health system includes facilities in the Kansas City area, as well as hospital and clinic locations in Great Bend, Hays, Larned, and Topeka, Kansas.
• Number of employees: 14,000+ systemwide

What makes a best hospital in Kansas?

Delivering high quality patient outcomes is just part of what makes a Kansas hospital one of the best. Hospitals also need to demonstrate their commitment to staff wellbeing and to strive for constant improvement in safety. They need to uphold high ethical standards and to doing good in a way that leads to them being viewed as integral members of their community.

Benefits

Beyond the salaries they pay, hospitals have many ways to let their nurses know how much they value them. There are additional earning opportunities including overtime and supplemental income, and many hospitals go beyond offering traditional benefits like healthcare and paid time off. Hospitals provide employees with education allowances, liability insurance, and reimbursement for certification fees, pay signing and referral bonuses, offer wellness programs, gym memberships, and leadership training, and even host onsite degree programs. Others work to improve work/life balance by offering flexible schedules that meet individual needs, while still others have luxury perks including free concierge services that can set up dinner reservations, facilitate auto repairs, take care of receiving and mailing packages, and even offering dry cleaning and laundry services.   

Growth opportunity

Hospitals that are truly commited to the quality of care, competence, and skill of their nurses encourages personal and professional development. The best of these accommodate the needs of nurses advancing their educations to become Nurse Anesthetists or to prepare for other Advanced Practice Registered Nurse positions that pay higher salaries and offer greater professional fulfillment.

Employee satisfaction

The last few years have seen numerous nurses opting out of their profession as the stress created by the global pandemic exacerbated already-high levels of job fatigue and burnout. The best hospitals work to counter these and other stressors by building staff resilience and reducing chaos.

High patient satisfaction

Beyond the clinical case for hospitals to make high patient satisfaction a priority, there is also significant evidence that working to measure and improve patients’ experience with care also provides increased value to staff. When patients and their families are happier, nusing staff turnover is significantly reduced.

Other factors that make a top hospital

Patients and staff alike recognize that there are several additional elements that make a facility into a top hospital. The availability of specialized treatment centers, conveniently located clinics, a commitment to the community, and dedication to eliminating accidents and errors are all essential factors.

Safety record is critical

The Institute of Medicine reports that medical errors result in the death of between 44,000 and 98,000 patients each year. At the same time, health care workers experience exceedingly high rates of nonfatal occupational illness and injury. The best hospitals work to improve safety for both their patients and their employees.  

Hospital policies focus on customer services

Though providing positive patient outcomes are the primary goal of every hospital, the best hospitals work to accomplish this while at the same time providing patients with high levels of satisfaction and a sense of having been treated well. Hospitals that recognize the vulnerability and needs of their patients and who incorporate it into their staff training and protocols consistently rank among the best.

Latest technology and training improve healthcare

Improvements in technology have made significant changes in the delivery of healthcare and have made life better for patients and hospital staff alike. The best hospitals have incorporated innovative treatments and have trained their staff in the use of the latest research and communications tools to improve connections with patients, as well as the care that they provide.

Ethics leads the way

Hospitals face a rapidly changing environment. As social mores shift and regulations are updated, patients rely upon healthcare practitioners and administrators to remain steady and true to their founding missions. The best hospitals are constantly mindful of their values and demonstrating a consistent commitment to long-standing ethics.

Next steps

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics indicates that the high demand for registered nurses will continue, but landing a job at one of the best hospitals in Kansas is competitive. To optimize your chances of getting the position you want, make sure that you are well prepared and organized. By carefully documenting all of the attributes that make you a desirable candidate you will increase your chances of being hired quickly.

Build your resume

Your resume is a hiring manager’s first glimpse of who you are and the value that you will add to their organization, so make sure that it is organized, easy to read, and complete. Resumes that impress will be optimized for keywords, formatted in a way that uses eye-catching headings, and clearly states your qualifications and goals, as well as how best to contact you.

Join a nurses’ association

Are you a member of a nurses’ union? Though these powerful organizations are not the right choice for everybody, they can be particularly helpful when you’re trying to land a job. The Kansas State Nurses Association hosts invaluable events at which you can network and meet other Kansas nurses, hear more about the different hospitals in the state, earn continuing education units, and learn about available openings.

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Attend industry educational conferences and workshops

There are plenty of good reasons for attending professional nursing conferences, and that’s especially true if you’re in the midst of a job search. Not only can you add to your credentials and knowledge, they also offer the opportunity to meet with colleagues and learn more about available opportunities at the hospitals to which you’re considering applying.

Keep up with continuing education requirements

In Kansas, Registered Nurses, APRNs, and LPNs are all required to complete 30 contract hours every two years. If you are a Kansas-licensed nurse, Incredible Health makes keeping up-to-date on these requirements easy by providing free nursing CEUs as well as instant certificates upon completion of the coursework.

Search for job openings

No matter your qualifications, looking for a new job can be incredibly frustrating. Searching job sites and hospital career pages is time consuming, especially in the face of work and family responsibilities. Instead of all that effort, imagine receiving offers for the specific jobs and hospitals you’re most interested in. That’s what Incredible Health’s innovative recruitment tool provides. Just create an online profile of your experience, education, and other credentials and once it’s posted on the site, hospitals will respond to you with offers.  

Transfer your nursing license to Kansas

Effective July 1^st of 2019, the state of Kansas became a Nursing Licensure Compact state. This means that nurses who are licensed in Kansas can apply to convert from single state licenses to multi-state licenses. Once they have established residency, those nurses who have never been licensed in Kansas and who have moved to the state can practice in Kansas with their former multi-state license until their Kansas multi-state license is issued.

Top Kansas RN jobs on Incredible Health

Nursing Degrees & Schools / RN to DNP

Going from a registered nurse to a doctor of nursing practice (the RN to DNP path) means you will be pursuing one of the two highest degrees a nurse can earn. The DNP degree emphasizes direct patient care, unlike the Ph.D. in nursing which focuses on research. Having a DNP degree can also lead to becoming an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).

The career outlook for nurses with this education is promising. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is an estimated growth of 40% from 2021 to 2031. Some educational programs have created opportunities for registered nurses without an advanced degree to earn a doctorate in one comprehensive program to match this growing demand. 

Through the RN to DNP program, the registered nurse can leapfrog the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees. This route puts a registered nurse in a great position to make a further difference to patients and organizations. 

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Why Should I Pursue an RN to DNP Degree?

There are several benefits to pursuing the RN to DNP degree path. 

• You have the unique opportunity to become a nurse leader and might direct a team of nurses who provide patient care. 
• You can influence people on a broader scale as an APRN. You can also influence policy within a care facility.
• You have the capacity to mentor nurses. This provides an opportunity to give back and establish meaningful relationships with other nurses. 
• You learn and continue to work more deeply in your chosen specialty and niche.
• You can increase your earning potential. The median annual wage for RNs was $82,750 but the median wage for APRNs was $123,780 as of May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Prerequisites for RN to DNP Online Programs

The baseline requirement for entering an RN to DNP program is being a registered nurse. Different programs will have their own criteria, which could include:

• Minimum of 1 or 2 years of practical experience as an RN
• Letters of recommendation
• Your CV or resume
• An in-person or telephone interview
• A 3.0 grade point average
• A declaration of professional goals
• A specific minimum score on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)

What Kinds of Classes Does a DNP Student Take? 

Though each student will take different classes depending on their chosen specialty, each RN to DNP program requires at least 500 clinical hours. Students have the option of choosing degree tracks within their program. For example, you can take a more clinical-based program or an executive-level program. Each program will have different classes and curricula.

In general, it takes about 3-6 years full-time or 6+ years part-time to complete the program. There’s also the potential to earn an MSN degree before taking DNP courses or you might be awarded an MSN and DNP after graduation.

What Are Some of the Top RN to DNP Programs?

According to US News, the top five universities are:

1. Johns Hopkins University – A private school in Baltimore, MD, with an application deadline of Jan. 1 and an application fee of $75 for US residents.
2. Duke University – A private school in Durham, NC, with an application deadline of Dec. 1 and an application fee of $50 for US residents.
3. Rush University – A private school in Chicago, IL, with an application deadline of Jan. 2 and an application fee of $115 for US residents.
4. The University of Washington – A public school in Seattle, WA, with an application deadline of Jan. 15 and an application fee of $85 for US residents.
5. Columbia University – A private school in New York, NY, with an application deadline of Jan. 20 and an application fee of $75 for US residents.

How Do I Choose the Right RN to DNP Program?

Figuring out what type of Rn to DNP program works best for you takes introspection. Below are some things to keep in mind when you are deciding.

Research interests:

• What specialties are you interested in studying?
• Does this specific school match your interests and can cater to your needs?

Long-term goals:

• What capacity do you want to work in?
• Do you want to pursue clinical-based nursing, nursing education, or management work?

Preferred setting:

• Does the program offer an online component?
• Are you able to attend a hybrid class (online/in-person) if necessary?

How Do I Pay for an RN to DNP Program?

Once you figure out what school to attend, it’s time to decide how to pay for school. Doctoral programs are expensive, which is why scholarships and financial aid are readily available. The first step is taking an inventory of your finances. Do you need government assistance?

To determine eligibility, you can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Schools use this tool to determine eligibility for need-based grants, scholarships, and student loans. If you’re nervous about taking out student loans, some programs offer student loan forgiveness following graduation.

Are you ready for an RN to DNP degree?

Only you can answer this question. But rest assured there are plenty of great jobs available for qualified nurses who pursue a DNP degree. Check out more resources to help you on your nursing journey today.

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Career Resources / Job Searching / Best Hospitals Illinois

Whether you’re looking for big city living or wide open spaces, you can’t go wrong with choosing to work and live in Illinois. The state has towering skyscrapers and sprawling farmland, access to the world through one of the world’s busiest airports. U.S. News & World Report ranked four different Illinois cities among the best places to live in the United States based on affordability and clean air, and to top all of that, the state has some of the country’s best hospitals, including several that are nationally ranked on U.S. News & World Report’s list of Best Hospitals, and there are 14 Illinois hospitals listed on Healthgrades’ list of 250 best in the nation.

Forty one of the 589 hospitals recognized as a Magnet Hospital by the American Nurses Credentialing Center are found in Illinois. This highly prized designation recognizes facilities that distinguished themselves by their dedication to high standards of patient care and by their dedication to nursing excellence.

Illinois’s Top Hospital

• Northwestern Memorial Hospital
• Rush University Medical Center
• Advocate Christ Medical Center
• Loyola University Medical Center
• University of Chicago Medical Center

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Best hospitals in Illinois

There are many excellent hospitals in Illinois, and choosing the best required establishing criteria that would best represent the interests of nurses looking for the very best places to work. While every hospital on our list has achieved magnet status, we narrowed our selection by identifying those that had also been nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Reports and who had received high marks for safety and patient outcomes from federal agencies and other respected organizations like The Leapfrog Group. We also reviewed feedback from current and past employees on national employment sites including Glassdoor and Indeed. 

Northwestern Memorial Hospital *

Ranked #10 on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals Honor Roll, Magnet Hospital Northwestern Memorial Hospital was nationally ranked in ten adult specialties and rated high performing in one adult specialty and 17 procedures and conditions. Its patient-forward focus led to it  being one of the first hospitals in the country to dedicate private rooms to all patients, for which it received the 2016 Legacy Project Award from the American College of Healthcare Architects. Among the other awards the hospital has received are a 5-star overall rating and 4-star patient survey rating from Medicare, an award for leadership in LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) healthcare by the Human Rights Campaign Healthcare Equality Index, and CHIME’s Most Wired – Quality Award, which recognizes hospitals demonstrating best practices through their adoption, implementation and use of information technology.

Notable facts about Northwestern Memorial Hospital include:

• Nonprofit academic medical center
• Located in Chicago, Illinois
• Flagship campus for Northwestern Medicine and primary teaching hospital for the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University. Affiliated institutions include the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital and the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, a leader in physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Number of employees: 33,700 system wide 

Rush University Medical Center

Ranked 19th on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals Honor Roll, Rush University Medical Center is a Magnet Hospital that is also nationally ranked in nine adult specialties and rated high performing in one adult specialty and 14 procedures and conditions. This general medical and surgical facility is also a teaching hospital that has consistently been recognized for its outstanding patient care, education, research, and community partnerships. The hospital received an “A” Hospital Safety Score from The Leapfrog Group, a 5-star overall rating and 4-star patient survey rating from Medicare, and among its many recognitions and awards it ranked #2 on health care performance improvement company Vizient’s quality care list and was named an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader in the 2022 Healthcare Equality Index.

Notable facts about Rush University Medical Center include:

• Nonprofit academic medical center
• Located in Chicago, Illinois
• Flagship hospital for the Rush University System for Health, which includes Rush Oak Park Hospital and Rush Copley Medical Center
• Number of employees: Nearly 10,000 employees 

Advocate Christ Medical Center

In addition to being awarded Magnet Hospital status, Advocate Christ Medical Center was ranked the 4^th best hospital in the state by U.S. New & World Report, with national ranking in two adult specialties and one pediatric specialty and rated high performing in eight adult specialties and 14 procedures and conditions.  The hospital has received many accolades, including being listed among Becker’s Hospital Review’s 100 Great Hospitals in America and100 Hospitals and Health Systems with Great Heart programs. Advocate Christ Medical Center is also the recipient of the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines^®-Stroke GOLD PLUS Quality Achievement Award and its Target: Stroke™ Elite Honor Roll Award for three consecutive years. 

Notable facts about the Advocate Christ Medical Cener include:

• Faith-based, non-profit health system
• Located in Oak Lawn, Illinois
• Part of Advocate Aurora Health, a system made up of ten hospitals, 400 sites, and two kids’ campuses.
• Number of employees: 35,000 systemwide
• Number of nurses: 10,000 systemwide

Loyola University Medical Center

Loyola University Medical Center is a quaternary care facility that includes a Level I Trauma Center, a nationally recognized burn center, a renowned transplant center, and a special 20-bed unit for patients undergoing stem cell transplant. An AACN Magnet Hospital, its high quality care has also been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as nationally ranked in 3 adult specialties and high performing in six adult specialties and 11 procedures and conditions. Its campus includes the Ronal McDonald Children’s Hospital. Among its many awards and recognitions, the facility was named to Becker’s Hospital Review’s list of “100 Great Hospitals in America”. It was named a “Most Wired” Hospital by Hospitals & Health Networks magazine and appeared among Newsweek Magazine’s World’s Best Hospitals 2021.

Notable facts about Loyola University Medical Center include:

• Private academic hospital
• Located in Chicago, Illinois
• Part of the Loyola University Health System, a quaternary-care system including the Loyola University Medical Center, the Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center, the Loyola Outpatient Center, he Center for Heart & Vascular Medicine and Loyola Oral Health Center as well as the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing, Center for Translational Research and Education, and the Loyola Center for Fitness
• Number of employees: 2,982

University of Chicago Medical Center

The University of Chicago Medical Center is a general medical and surgical facility as well as a teaching hospital. It has been nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report in six adult specialties and four pediatric specialties and rated high performing in four adult specialties and 12 procedures and conditions. The Magnet Hospital received an “A” Safety grade from The Leapfrog Group and a 3-star rating for overall performance and on patient review surveys according to Medicare and has received recognition and awards from several highly respected organizations, including being fully accredited by the Joint Commission; receiving the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines^®-Stroke GOLD PLUS Quality Achievement Award and its Target: Stroke™ Elite Honor Roll Award; being recognized as an LGBTQ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation; and being designated as a Blue Distinction Center for Specialty Care by Blue Cross and Blue Shield in several categories.

Notable facts about University of Chicago Medical Center include:

• Not-for-profit academic medical center
• Located in Chicago, Illinois
• Flagship campus for the University of Chicago Medicine system and teaching hospital for Pritzker School of Medicine
• Number of employees: 9,406 system wide
• Number of nurses employed: 2,491 registered nurses 
  
  *Incredible Health helps these hospitals find permanent nurses. Sign up to get matched with nursing jobs!

What makes a Best Hospital in Illinois?

The best hospitals in Illinois share several key characteristics. In addition to being dedicated to the care and healing of patients, they are also academic and research institutions that work to advance and improve medical knowledge and treatments. They are leaders in their communities that treat their staff with respect and make their work environment a welcoming and supportive place.

Benefits

The best hospitals understand that their most valuable asset is the people that work for them and care for their patients. They know that what makes them great is having great people, and the offer competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain top talent. Though every facility is different, highly desirable benefits include on-site childcare, vouchers for travel, free parking, tuition reimbursement, laundry services, and housecleaning services, as well as the more typical healthcare coverage, dental care, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation and personal time off, and sick leave.

Growth opportunity

The ambition and drive that motivates a nurse to apply for a job at one of Illinois’ best hospitals doesn’t go away once they are hired. That’s why it is important for nurses to have the opportunity to continue learning, growing, and advancing in their career. Employers who recognize and respond to this need offer opportunities for Registered Nurses to attend school so that they can pursue positions with greater responsibilities and independence, as well as higher salaries.

Employee satisfaction

Employee satisfaction is what makes the difference between looking forward to the day’s work and dreading it. The stress and nurse fatigue that was created by the COVID-19 pandemic has continued in some facilities, but hospitals that value their staff members work hard to provide support and wellness programming.

High patient satisfaction

The best hospitals are constantly striving to improve the care that they provide, and to gauge their progress they check back with patients. The feedback that they receive is drawn from surveys, but also by the face-to-face comments that staff members receive in response to compassionate care. Nurses who work in facilities with high levels of patient satisfaction are more fulfilled and happier in their work. 

Other factors that make a top hospital

A hospital can set itself apart in many ways, but healing is always at the center of its mission. A comprehensive approach includes dedication to safety protocols, upholding ethical standards, and working towards the health of the community.

Safety record is critical

A hospital’s safety record encompasses the efforts it makes to reduce patient injuries and infections as well as the protocols that protect its employees from injury. The best hospitals pay attention to both.

Hospital policies focus on customer services

Hospitals that pay attention to both patient experience and patient satisfaction understand that they have an obligation to treat those they care or – and their families and loved ones – as customers. Working to improve healthcare delivery in a way that goes beyond medical treatment is an indication of a hospital that is striving to be the very best.

Latest technology and training improve healthcare

Many of the hospitals that are included on our list have received awards for their adoption of innovative technology. Hospitals that invest in the most up-to-date equipment and who spend the time to train their staff in their use put themselves ahead of the curve and provide their employees with skills that increase their value and knowledge.

Ethics leads the way

Social issues and inequities permeate all aspects of our culture, and are deeply felt within healthcare. Hospitals that operate with integrity and who are true to their mission statement serve as role models and leaders within their communities and their industry.

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Next steps

Despite the existence of a national nursing shortage and an anticipated 9% growth in the need for nurses over the next ten years, being hired by one of the top hospitals in Illinois requires demonstrated experience, skills, and effort. To help you optimize your chances of landing the job that you want, we’ve provided several helpful hints:

Build your resume

No matter how much nursing experience you have and no matter how confident you are in your skills, sitting down and putting it all into a resume is a challenge. To help, we’ve provided resume templates that you can use as a starting point. Be sure to keep things organized, use professional language, and where appropriate, match your strengths and job experience as closely as possible to the job description posted for the position that you seek.

Join a nurses’ association

Not everybody wants to join a union, but when considering the pros and cons, be mindful of the networking opportunities that joining one can provide. In Illinois, the Illinois Nurses Association fights for nurses’ rights, offers continuing education opportunities, and maintaining an up-to-date resource for career opportunities.

Attend industry educational conferences and workshops

Professional nursing conferences offer more than just a change of scenery. Attending these gatherings introduces you to new colleagues, exposes you to new research, and offers the opportunity to earn continuing education credits that help you keep your licensure current. They are also a great way to chat with other nurses about openings they may know about long before they’ve been posted.

Keep up with continuing education requirements

Illinois requires Registered Nurses to complete 20 contact hours of continuing education every two years, and for APRNs the requirement is 50 contact hours. To help you keep your Illinois nursing license current, Incredible Health offers an easy way to complete free accredited Illinois CEU courses that can be quickly completed. We then provide instant certificates for submission.

Search for job openings

Today’s job application process is completely different from what existed as recently as fifteen years ago. Where hard copies of resumes were once sent by mail to human resources departments, today’s openings are posted on job boards and hospital websites for applicants to submit their resumes. Incredible Health has created an innovative recruitment tool that improves the process even further, allowing you to create an online profile that details your qualifications and inviting hospitals to reach out to you. You’ll get multiple offers in a matter of days!

Transfer your nursing license to Illinois

The state of Illinois is currently considering joining the Nursing Licensure Compact. If adopted, the measure would make it easier and less expensive for nurses to provide telehealth services across state lines, as well as to practice in states other than where their original license was granted. Until the measure is approved, nurses with licenses that were issued by another state will need to fill out the appropriate forms.  

Nurse Types / Clinical Nurse Leader

Working as a nurse can be a gratifying career. For many nurses, their love of the profession translates into the next logical step: becoming a clinical nurse leader. 

The potential to affect the profession, care for patients, and support other nurses at the leadership level is a great goal to aspire to.

But what does it take to be a clinical nurse leader? Understanding what path to take doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’ve prepared this guide to help you become a clinical nurse leader in 3 steps. We’ll cover these topics:

• What is a clinical nurse leader?
• What do clinical nurse leaders do?
• Where do clinical nurse leaders work?
• What are closely related fields?
• How do you become a clinical nurse leader in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of clinical nurse leaders?
• What are the salary and career outlooks of clinical nurse leaders?

What is a clinical nurse leader?

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) established the role of clinical nurse leader (CNL) in 2004. 

It describes a clinical nurse leader as a master’s level nurse who is responsible for coordinating and providing care for a group of patients. This advanced, evidence-based care is designed to improve the quality of patient care outcomes.

This specially trained nurse works together with the entire healthcare team to ensure patients are getting the right care. They are also a resource for the rest of the nursing team.

It’s important to note that a clinical nurse leader is not a manager or supervisor of other nurses. Instead, they lead by guiding the clinical care of their patient cohort.

Qualities of a successful clinical nurse leader

Are you wondering if you have qualities that would make you a good clinical nurse leader? To be a successful, you need to:

• Have great critical thinking skills
• Believe in a high safety standard
• Possess excellent communication skills
• Be open to change
• Own your decisions
• Be able to motivate others
• Have excellent interpersonal skills

What do clinical nurse leaders do?

A clinical nurse leader holds a high level of responsibility in their role. They use the skills discussed above to meet these demands. As a clinical nurse leader, you can expect to:

• Make decisions about changing care plans if needed
• Work with the rest of the healthcare team to coordinate care for a group of patients
• Focus on assessing and reducing risk for patients
• Use evidence-based practice and new technology with patients’ treatment goals
• Mentor other nurses in best practices and patient care
• Maintain safety standards for patients and a healthy workplace
• Develop and maintain quality improvement initiatives

A day in the life of a clinical nurse leader

As you can imagine, this level of responsibility and skill makes for a busy workday! To envision what a day in the life of a clinical nurse leader looks like, consider the following potential routine:

• Begin shift by reviewing each patient’s chart for changes during the previous shift
• Meet with the nurses assigned to the patients in the CNL’s group, to discuss the plan of care and improvements to treatment
• Round on patients to assess their care needs and personal goals
• Educate patients and families when necessary
• Assist bedside nurses with patient care as needed
• Collaborate with the healthcare team to meet patients’ needs, ensuring PT, OT, and other services where appropriate
• Answer questions from nursing staff about resources for patients

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Common conditions treated by clinical nurse leaders

Being a clinical nurse leader covers a broad scope of patients and conditions. A clinical nurse leader can expect to see many common conditions. They may treat:

• Renal disease
• Cardiac disease
• Cancer
• Orthopedic cases
• Diabetes
• Behavioral and mental health problems
• Alzheimer’s disease/dementia
• Post-surgical cases
• Traumatic injuries

Where do clinical nurse leaders work?

The AACN specifies that the clinical nurse leader should be prepared to practice in any healthcare setting. This means you can expect to see clinical nurse leaders working in:

• Hospitals
• Skilled nursing facilities
• Outpatient clinics
• Cancer centers
• Mental health facilities

What are closely related fields? 

The leadership skills and responsibility associated with a clinical nurse leader are seen in some closely related nursing fields as well. In all of these specialties, the common denominator is being prepared at the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) level at a minimum:

• Clinical nurse manager
• Director of nursing
• Chief nursing officer
• Healthcare administrator
• Clinical nurse educator

The AACN also notes that the initiatives that drive the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, although separate from the CNL, are closely related and complementary.

How do you become a clinical nurse leader in 3 steps?

What is the best career path to achieve the goal of becoming a clinical nurse leader? By following the 3 steps discussed below, it’s a goal that’s easily within your reach.

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

If you aren’t already a registered nurse, this is the first step to take. Reaching the level of clinical nurse leader requires that you are able to work as a licensed provider in a nursing role.

Earn an MSN 

It’s advisable to begin with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree if you’re just starting out as a registered nurse. The AACN notes that ideally, 80% of nurses should be BSN-prepared. This step will also move you closer to a role as a clinical nurse leader since they must advance to an MSN degree level.

In addition to enrolling in a BSN program at the beginning of your college career, you can also take these approaches:

• RN to BSN– if you already have an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), you can use credits earned to advance to the BSN level more quickly.
• ABSN– an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) allows you to use credits to earn a BSN more quickly if you already have a bachelor’s degree in another field.

Clinical nurse leaders must hold a master’s degree in nursing, so you’ll need to be sure to choose an eligible CNL program to complete your degree pathway. There are a couple of ways to do this: 

• BSN-MSN program if you’ve completed your BSN
• RN-MSN program if you’re an ADN nurse

Pass the NCLEX exam

Earning a BSN prepares you to sit for the NCLEX exam, which is required by all state boards of nursing to earn your license as a registered nurse. This rigorous exam known as “nursing boards” proves you have the knowledge needed to enter safe nursing practice.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Clinical nurse leaders must be confident in their skills and knowledge, and part of that comes with accumulating experience in the nursing field. You may also want to explore different nursing specialties to learn what area you would like to focus on as a clinical nurse leader.

Helpful skills and experience

Because a clinical nurse leader must have an overview of best nursing practices to effectively do their job, there are a few areas that it’s helpful to have skills and experience in that include:

• Participating in quality initiatives in patient care
• Evaluating patient outcomes
• Analyzing trends in labs and vital signs
• Understanding evidence-based practice
• Mentoring other nurses
• Communicating with all members of the healthcare team
• Researching in any field

Changing specialty to a clinical nurse leader nurse 

If you’re in a nursing specialty and hope to change to a clinical nurse leader, it’s important to think about where you’d like to work. 

You can continue as a clinical nurse leader in your area of expertise, but your role will not be focused on a narrow scope of highly specialized tasks. Instead, it will be a more general application of broad skills to support your population of patients. 

If you’re coming from a role like med-surg, your experience will involve treating a range of both acute and chronic disorders. You should easily be able to apply your knowledge of the related processes, assessment skills, and communication skills to a role as a CNL. 

Each specialty will bring its own unique insights into working as a CNL. For example, critical care nurses know how to work under pressure and react quickly to negative trends in their patients. Pediatric nurses understand communication with children and parents. These are all skills you can bring with you to a CNL position.

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Step 3 – Obtain certifications

Certification is at the core of clinical nurse leadership and is required to hold the title. To be eligible to sit for the CNL Certification exam, you must:

• Pass the NCLEX-RN
• Be a graduate of an accredited CNL master’s or post-master’s program OR
• Be a student in the last term of a CNL master’s or post-master’s program

In addition, students enrolled in a CNL program must complete 300 clinical hours in practice as a CNL, and a total of 400 clinical hours in the program (which can include those in practice as a CNL). 

What are additional requirements of a clinical nurse leader? 

The initial CNL certification earned is valid for 5 years. Before the certificate expires, it must be renewed. A nurse does not have to hold the job title of clinical nurse leader or retest to renew the CNL certification, but the following criteria must be met:

• List employment during the 5 year certification period, covering 2,000 hours of professional practice
• List 50 contact hours earned during the 5 year certification period, including any CEUs earned toward renewing an RN license
• Meet the AACN Standards of Conduct
• Provide a current RN license number, state, and expiration date

What are the salary and career outlooks for clinical nurse leaders? 

Nursing in general is projected to continue to have job growth in the next decade, and master’s level nurses like CNLs are no exception. Through 2026, nurses in master’s degree prepared occupations similar to CNLs can expect an average of 26,000 annual job openings. 

Clinical nurse leaders have a robust salary outlook, with a national annual income of $102,715.

When considering your potential salary range as a clinical nurse leader, it’s important to look at the highest paying states and cities for nurses as well. These areas may offer higher than average pay as a CNL.

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Job satisfaction

Earning a master’s degree in a CNL program and earning your certification is no small feat. Does all this hard work translate into high job satisfaction? 

If you’re working as a nurse, a great way to find out is to seek out clinical nurse leaders within your organization and discuss your aspirations in the field. Advice from seasoned nurses can provide great insights into real world experiences in their roles. 

Next steps

Nurses who have successfully earned their clinical nurse leader certification and are working in the role may decide to further advance their leadership skills to a more specialized area such as a Doctor of Nursing Practice. 

Your understanding of the big picture when it comes to coordinating patient care may make a great stepping stone to a role in nursing administration, such as Chief Nursing Officer.

No matter what direction clinical nurse leadership takes you in, it’s sure to give you the ability to impact the quality of care your patients receive. For nurses with a passion for leadership and making a difference, being a clinical nurse leader is a worthwhile pursuit.

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Nurse Types / Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner

Aesthetic medicine is a specialty that has gained exponential popularity within the past two decades. Research shows that the aesthetics injectables market will continue to grow at least 12% per year for the next 5 years. As the interest in beauty and anti-aging trends increase, so will the demand for aesthetic practitioners.

Working as an aesthetic nurse practitioner is a dream for some nurses, but this highly competitive specialty takes dedication, experience, and sometimes the right connection. Keep reading to learn more about this niche role and what you can expect as an aesthetic nurse practitioner.

• What is an aesthetic nurse practitioner?
• What do aesthetic nurse practitioners do?
• Where do aesthetic nurse practitioners work?
• What are closely related fields?
• How do you become an aesthetic nurse practitioner in 3 steps?
• What are the additional requirements of aesthetic nurse practitioners? 
• What are the salary and career outlooks for aesthetic nurse practitioners?

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What is an aesthetic nurse practitioner?

An aesthetic nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practice registered nurse who has received specialized training to provide cosmetic procedures to patients. Depending on the practice, services may be limited to facials and fillers. Aesthetic NPs may also assist plastic surgeons in more invasive surgical procedures.

Qualities of a successful aesthetic nurse practitioner

• Personality. Your bedside manner must be personable and professional. Since you’re consulting with patients before their procedure and hopefully building a long-term relationship, they need to feel like they can trust you.
  
• Clinical judgment. NPs possess advanced education and training. Even when working under the guidance of a physician you are usually given autonomy to make decisions. If you are running your own practice, patient outcomes depend on your judgment.
  
• Expert anatomical understanding. Injecting toxins into someone’s face requires expert knowledge. Your anatomy training goes beyond the basics to include the nerves and vessels below the skin.

What do aesthetic nurse practitioners do?

Aesthetic NPs have a unique opportunity to function as an assistant to a physician or surgeon or work autonomously in their own practice setting. Your advanced degree allows you to provide the following:

• Consultation and interviewing before a procedure
• Pre and post-operative care
• Hands-on assistance with surgical procedures
• Follow-up assessment to monitor recovery
• Injection or administration of aesthetic and cosmetic services

If you own your practice you may take an even larger role as you provide most, if not all, services. Depending on the size of the practice, you may schedule appointments, perform consultations, and provide the service. 

A day in the life of an aesthetic nurse practitioner

Let’s consider you’re an aesthetic NP working in a thriving medical spa with a full staff. There will be receptionists to answer calls, field emails, and schedule or confirm appointments. Additional medical staff such as a medical assistant or nurse may complete intake histories or vital signs. 

Your role as the NP will likely be to consult with the patient, perform a medical screening, or prepare them for their procedure. You may provide education, describe what to expect from the procedure, and offer discharge instructions. 

If you have your own clients, their complete care may be under your direction as you listen to their goals, examine their skin, and prescribe the best treatment for them. You will then provide the service such as botox or collagen injections. You will continue to follow-up with your patients and monitor and adjust further treatments based on their results.

Regardless of the setting, aesthetics usually operate on a 9-5 schedule. Medical spas and outpatient clinics are not open on holidays and rarely on weekends. Your patient encounters are always scheduled so you know what to expect and can prepare accordingly. 

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Common conditions treated by aesthetic nurse practitioners

The type of services and procedures provided by aesthetic NPs is wide and varied. It will depend on the type of practice. A cosmetic office that offers surgical procedures may employ aesthetic NPs to assist with the following under the supervision of a surgeon:

• Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck)
• Liposuction
• Rhinoplasty
• Facelift
• Hair transplants
• Breast augmentation or reconstruction
• Mohs surgery
• Burn repairs

Aesthetic NPs who either own their practice or provide non-invasive services may offer:

• Dermal fillers
• Botox or other neurotoxin injections
• Laser hair removal
• Chemical peels
• Microneedling
• Sclerotherapy
• Coolsculpting
• Tattoo removal

Where do aesthetic nurse practitioners work?

Aesthetic medicine normally does not take place in an acute care setting. Hospitals that provide plastic surgery are likely necessary for improved functionality or quality of life, not luxury. Aesthetic NPs will most likely work in outpatient settings like:

• Medical spas
• Dermatology offices
• Outpatient surgical settings
• Plastic & cosmetic surgery clinics
• Privately-owned medical offices

What are closely related fields?

Aesthetic NPs have a desire for beauty and to build the confidence of their clients. You may choose a surgical specialty that offers patients improved quality of life through weight-loss procedures or facial reconstruction. Similar specialties include:

• Plastic surgery nurse
• Aesthetic/cosmetic nurse
• Ophthalmic nurse
• Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) nurse
• Bariatric nurse practitioner

How do you become an aesthetic nurse practitioner in 3 steps?

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

The first step to any nurse practitioner specialty is to become a registered nurse. 

Earn a degree

A nurse must start with either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Nurses who already possess an ADN can easily obtain their BSN in about a year through an RN to BSN program. 

If you have a degree in an unrelated field you can earn an Accelerated Bachelor of Science (ABSN). This usually takes 1-2 years to complete.

Pass the NCLEX exam

Obtaining your associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing prepares you for the NCLEX. This exam tests your ability to apply nursing concepts into practice. Passing the NCLEX allows you to begin working as a registered nurse.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Helpful skills and experience

It is recommended to work for at least a year or two in nursing before advancing your credentials. Real-world experience as a nurse with patients is crucial to developing critical thinking skills and nursing judgment. 

Breaking into the aesthetic industry isn’t easy, especially as a new nurse. Don’t give up on your dream if you aren’t able to find a job in aesthetics immediately. It may take a personal connection, an internship, or simply luck to land a job in this competitive field. 

Aesthetic nurse practitioners often begin as a nurse injector or another role within aesthetics. Some practices may agree to train nurses without additional certifications or degrees. This experience is vital before you continue to devote time and money to an advanced degree. 

Changing your specialty to an aesthetic nurse practitioner 

Nurses with acute care experience such as in the ICU, emergency room, or med-surg are valued in aesthetics because of their ability to assess, manage complications, and respond if an emergency occurs. 

Aesthetic nursing is vastly different in terms of the patient population from most nursing specialties but your time management, judgment, and communication skills will continue to be an asset.

Step 3 – Obtain additional education and certifications

Advance your education

Becoming a nurse practitioner requires a graduate degree of a Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). The BSN to MSN program is often the fastest and most cost-effective path to becoming an NP.

You will likely choose a Family Nurse Practitioner program that prepares you for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) certification exam to obtain your APRN license.

Obtain certifications

If you aren’t already immersed in the aesthetic medicine world, getting certified is your next step. Many spas and cosmetic institutes provide hands-on training. 

• American Med Spa Association offers injection training for medical professionals. 

• Esthetic Skin Institute offers accredited courses in cities around the country. 

• The American Association of Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery (AAAMS) offers accredited beginner-level courses on botox and fillers up to advanced liposuction and rhinoplasty training and more. 

For aesthetic NPs working in plastic surgery centers or providing more advanced procedures, the Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board (PSNCB) is for nurses who have at least 1,000 hours in the specialty and work in collaboration with a Board-Certified physician. The two certification routes include:

• Certified Aesthetic Nurse Specialist (CANS)
• Certified Plastic Surgical Nurse (CPSN)

What are the additional requirements of aesthetic nurse practitioners? 

Aesthetic nursing is a new and evolving field. Cosmetic treatments continue to grow and revolutions in anti-aging, beauty, and weight loss are highly sought after. 

Aesthetic NPs must stay on the cutting-edge of treatments and techniques. This likely involves additional certifications, conferences, and continuing education.

What are the salary and career outlooks for aesthetic nurse practitioners? 

Salaries in aesthetic nursing vary greatly. California pays the most, with aesthetic nurse practitioners making an average of $102,571. This is below the average NP salary in the US of  $118,040 in 2021. Aesthetic nurse practitioners who are ambitious to open their own practices have the opportunity to make a higher income based on their location, certifications, and hours.

Nurse practitioners are among the highest-paid nursing specialties and are in high demand. The growth of NPs is expected to increase by 45% this decade. 

Job satisfaction

Aesthetic nursing is often a fulfilling career. If you are seeking this specialty you likely have a vested interest in beauty and making others feel their best. The benefits of aesthetic nursing include:

• Stable weekday hours often without weekend requirements 
• Appointments are scheduled with little deviation 
• Work environments are often calm, welcoming, and luxurious
• Services are elective and insurance usually isn’t involved
• Dress code is often fashionable or scrub attire
• Patients are pleasant and healthy enough to receive services

Next steps 

The transition from interested student to practicing aesthetic nurse practitioner requires a generous commitment of time and effort. Though a highly competitive specialty, as the aesthetic and cosmetic industry continues to grow, there will be a demand for more aesthetic nurse practitioners. 

Whether you desire to be a part of an upscale medical spa or dream of opening your own one-nurse practice, this specialty offers a unique opportunity not found in other areas of nursing. 

If you’re starting at square one with the intention of becoming an aesthetic nurse practitioner, our nurse advice forum is the perfect place to learn from other nurses. Incredible Health’s career resources can also help you plan and prepare for your nursing goals.

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