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Career Resources / Job Searching / Best Hospitals Alaska

Alaska is among the top-paying states for registered nurses (RNs), with an annual mean salary of $97,230, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Plus, it provides unique and outstanding experiences, like walking atop glaciers and seeing the northern lights. The largest U.S. state by area is also known for its “midnight sun,” a natural phenomenon when the sun is still visible at midnight.

Considering all that, keep reading to learn about seven of the best hospitals in Alaska.

Best Hospitals in Alaska

Our rankings are based on the U.S. News & World Report’s ratings, which consider various factors, such as patient survival outcomes, nurse staffing and clinical services. We’ve also included information from reliable sources, such as Medicare, Healthgrades and The Leapfrog Group.

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Alaska Native Medical Center

Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) is rated high performing in heart failure, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and pneumonia by U.S. News & World Report.

The hospital is a Level II trauma center and received The Carolyn Boone Lewis Living the Vision Award from the American Hospital Association for its efforts to develop healthy communities.

Learn more about Alaska Native Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Anchorage, Alaska
• Employees: 250+

Alaska Medical Center

Alaska Medical Center, part of the Providence health system, is the largest hospital by revenue in the state and the only one with Magnet status. A Magnet hospital has various features, such as good clinical outcomes and patient experience, and high nurse satisfaction scores, as determined by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

The hospital is rated high performing in pulmonology and lung surgery, as well as many other procedures or conditions, such as heart attack and kidney failure, by U.S. News & World Report.  It received the National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) Chest Pain – Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award from the American College of Cardiology for its excellence in the treatment of heart attack patients.

The facility was also awarded with the Best of Alaska Business Award as one of the best hospitals in Alaska.

The Joint Commission accredited it for its excellence in general medical care and behavioral health care and human services.

Learn more about Alaska Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Anchorage, Alaska
• Hospital network: 52 facilities (across the entire system)
• Employees: 2,040+

Alaska Regional Hospital

Alaska Regional Hospital has a four-star rating from the federal government and an “A” grade from The Leapfrog Group for its hospital safety. 

The facility received the Patient Safety Excellence Award from Healthgrades and the Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification from Det Norske Veritas (DNV) for its excellence in treating stroke events.

Learn more about Alaska Regional Hospital:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Anchorage, Alaska
• Hospital network: 2 facilities 
• Employees: 1,000+

Bartlett Regional Hospital

Bartlett Regional Hospital is rated high performing in hip fracture by U.S. News & World Report.

The facility received the bronze-level Beacon Award of Excellence from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) for its patient care in the critical care unit (CCU) and the Outstanding Patient Experience Award from Healthgrades.

It also received The Gold Seal of Approval by The Joint Commission for its healthcare quality, and a four-star rating from the federal government. 

Learn more about Bartlett Regional Hospital:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Juneau, Alaska

Central Peninsula Hospital

Central Peninsula Hospital is rated high performing in COPD and pneumonia by U.S. News & World Report.

The facility received The Gold Seal of Approval by The Joint Commission for general medical care, home care, and behavioral health care and human services.

Learn more about Central Peninsula Hospital:

• Administration: nonprofit
• Location: Soldotna, Alaska
• Employees: 980+

Fairbanks Memorial Hospital

Fairbanks Memorial Hospital (FMH) was named one of the World’s Best Hospitals by Newsweek in 2022. It’s rated high performing in heart attack, back surgery and hip fracture by U.S. News & World Report. 

The facility received the Organ Donation Referral Achievement Award from LifeCenter Northwest for reaching an organ referral rate of 90% or higher, and the Outstanding Patient Experience Award three years in a row from Healthgrades.

The federal government gave it a three-star rating and The Joint Commission accredited it for its excellence in home care and general care quality.

Learn more about Fairbanks Memorial Hospital:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Fairbanks, Alaska

Mat-Su Regional Medical Center

Mat-Su Regional Medical Center has a three-star rating from the federal government and a “B” grade from The Leapfrog Group for its hospital safety. 

The facility is accredited for its excellent services in laboratory and acute stroke care by The Joint Commission.

Learn more about Mat-Su Regional Medical Center:

• Administration: nonprofit 
• Location: Palmer, Alaska
• Employees: 800+

What makes a best hospital in Alaska

It’s easy to see why some hospitals become top ones: They invest in their employees and patients, for example, by offering nursing career development opportunities and a good patient experience.

Benefits

A nurse salary in Alaska is 17% higher than the national average. Employers also offer competitive benefits, such as discount programs and medical plans.

Growth opportunity

If you’re a RN and looking for new challenges, specializing as a nurse practitioner (NP) may be an option. A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) is another specialization that could increase your chances of career growth.

Employee satisfaction

Nurses’ psychological well-being is essential to providing quality care. To prevent job fatigue and burnout — both prevalent health problems — providing flexible working hours, clear communication, and workplace health promotion are valuable strategies.

High patient satisfaction

High patient satisfaction is one of the most immediate results of investing in employee engagement. Happy employees have lower absenteeism, which means less chance of no-shows for appointments, for example.

Other factors that make a top hospital

There are a number of factors that, in addition to benefits, career growth and work satisfaction, may distinguish the top hospitals in Alaska. Read on to learn about them.

Safety record is critical

Most nurses, especially those who have been accepted by top employers like the above-listed ones, document health data about patients with security measures and follow infection control protocols.

Hospital policies focus on customer services 

A patient-centric perspective requires not only excellent patient care, but the creation of positive emotions in patients, efficient processes and a comfortable atmosphere.

Latest technology and training improve healthcare

Technology is improving healthcare through common health trackers, such as sleeping monitors and meditation headbands, as well as sophisticated devices like smart pills and disinfectant robots. The best hospitals explore many of these possibilities.

Ethics lead the way

Health ethics explore many complex discussions, including advertising and human research. A hospital’s ethical values serve as a guideline for all healthcare professionals in their interactions with patients.

Next steps

Whether as a registered nurse or a specialist, such as a nurse anesthetist, working in one of the above-listed Alaska hospitals may elevate your skills and career aspirations.

But it starts with job hunting. Continue reading to check our tips.

Build your resume

Knowing how to structure and format a resume is crucial to getting accepted in desirable jobs. Understand how to write your nursing resume with our guide, which explains everything you need to know, from writing a summary to describing your experience.

Join a nurses association

Joining a nursing organization increases your chances to put your career plans in action, especially with the help of fellow nurses and leaders. A nursing union is another valid option, especially if you want to improve workplace policies and conditions.

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Attend industry educational conferences and workshops

Nursing workshops and educational conferences also give various opportunities for staying up to date with healthcare innovations. Learn more about events and get tips about career development in our advice section for nurses interested in working in Alaska.

Keep up with continuing education requirements

Working in Alaska requires at least 30 contact hours as Continuing Education Units (CEUs), in addition to professional activities and other education requirements.

Access our free Alaska CEU courses online and get learning in the palm of your hand.

Search for job openings

You already know the best hospitals in Alaska, how to improve your resume and how to meet the state’s educational requirements. Now it’s time to search for job openings. Join Incredible Health and take advantage of a proprietary technology that matches you with the right role at the right employer in less than a month. 

Transfer your nursing license to Alaska

Nurses who aren’t from Alaska need to consider that the state is still awaiting the passage of the Nurse Licensure Compact legislation. 

Read our guide to know more useful information, in case you need to transfer your nursing license.

Nurse Types / Director of Nursing

Are you a nurse who stands out as a leader? Do other nurses often come to you with questions or for your opinion? Becoming a director of nursing might be for you! This management position is perfect for nurses with supervisory experience who are ready for a larger challenge away from the bedside. If you’re intrigued, keep reading to find out:

• What is a director of nursing?
• What do directors of nursing do?
• Where do directors of nursing work?
• What are closely related fields?
• How do you become a director of nursing in 3 steps?
• What are the additional requirements of directors of nursing? 
• What are the salary and career outlooks for directors of nursing?

What is a director of nursing?

The director of nursing is an upper management role responsible for leading and overseeing nursing staff in a healthcare setting. Most commonly, you will receive the title Director of Nursing (DON) but may also be called Nursing Director, Wellness Director, Clinical Director, or Director of Nursing Services (DNS). No matter the title, you are responsible for supervising clinical staff and ensuring your unit runs smoothly. 

Qualities of a successful director of nursing 

Directors of nursing are leaders. Effective leadership results in personal, staff, and workplace success. Your role can be conflicting at times when delegation or discipline is required. You cannot become too friendly or overly strict with your subordinates. You must be able to lead fairly and objectively. Successful directors of nursing are:

• Communicators. Your constant contact with staff, other administrators, vendors, patients, and families requires clear instruction. 

• Confident. This leadership role requires you to be confident in your decisions. You cannot please everyone all the time and sometimes tough calls have to be made.

• Organized. Running a unit, department, or an entire facility requires keeping detailed documentation and staying on schedule for meetings and tasks.

What do directors of nursing do?

The list of responsibilities of a director of nursing are endless. While you are not usually working at the bedside, you should always be prepared to do so when the need arises. Usually, you’ll be in a dedicated office handling the following:

• Policies and procedures. These are often changing and you’ll play an active part in creating policies for your department and staff often related to patient care.

• Budgets and inventory. Directors of nursing are involved in the financial aspects of their workplace and monitor costs of resources, staff, and services. You may also be tasked with placing orders for supplies and tracking equipment usage.

• Ensuring compliance. An integral part of healthcare is remaining compliant with regulations. This is often how hospitals and facilities receive funding.

• Staffing. Directors hire and fire employees. You’ll also complete performance reviews and be heavily involved in day-to-day staffing shifts. You must also ensure staff completes necessary training and professional development activities. 

• Reports. You will often run daily reports and quality improvement checks on incident reports, chart audits, narcotic logs, restraint use, admissions and discharges, and more.

A day in the life of a director of nursing

Most directors of nursing begin their day with a staff huddle. These short 10-minute meetings review any high-priority needs that need to be addressed. This can include a patient concern, staffing needs, and equipment requests.

If you haven’t already done so, you’ll respond to emails and return phone calls. Get prepared for several more meetings and huddles. You’ll have either conference calls, virtual, or in-person meetings with other members of leadership to discuss internal operations, safety, staffing issues, and more.

As a director of nursing, you should check in with your staff and physicians several times a day for any concerns that require your assistance or delegation. You will often be involved in conflict resolution and must be a neutral party that listens and knows when to intervene.

Depending on the facility, you may also interact with patients and families. Directors of nursing in nursing homes, for example, frequently check on and form relationships with residents.

Before ending your day, you’ll follow up on last-minute emails and prepare for tomorrow.

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Where do directors of nursing work?

Directors of nursing are found in virtually every healthcare setting. Along with hospitals, they work in:

• Outpatient settings. Ambulatory care centers, surgical clinics, urgent care settings, dialysis clinics, and free-standing emergency rooms.

• Home health/Home care. These may be private practices or a department within a healthcare system. As a director of nursing, you ensure these settings are staffed accordingly and meet strict regulations.

• Skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes. This also includes rehabilitation and Veterans Administration settings.

• Hospice. Inpatient hospice as well as home care hospice requires the supervision of a director of nursing.
  
• Physician offices. Large primary care or specialty offices need directors of nursing to manage nursing and other clinical staff.

Closely related fields

Directors of nursing are part of a nursing hierarchy. You are considered one step below a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) which is an executive-level position. Other similar roles that include leadership or organizational improvement include:

• Clinical nurse manager
• Quality assurance nurse
• Charge nurse
• Clinical nurse educator

How do you become a director of nursing in 3 steps?

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

Graduating from nursing school is the first step to becoming a director of nursing. There are several degree pathways you can choose to take to become an RN.

Earn a nursing degree

You can enter the nursing profession with the minimum of an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and gain experience as you advance your education. Most management positions will require a minimum of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Bridge programs such as the RN to BSN program are a cost-effective way to accomplish this. 

Pass the NCLEX exam

After completing either your ADN or BSN program, you are eligible to take the NCLEX. The NCLEX is the board exam that allows you to practice as a registered nurse. This pass/fail test will assess your nursing knowledge and understanding of clinical concepts.

Earn an advanced degree

Larger health systems may require a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). RN to MSN programs are also available to get you to your end goal faster. Many schools offer these programs online.

You work hard for your degrees and license. Don’t let them lapse! Each state has their own licensing and renewal requirements that must be met. Incredible Health offers free continuing education courses to make renewals easy.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

Directors of nursing often have years of professional experience as a nurse. You have to master the clinical aspect of nursing and gain the expertise to lead which takes time and can’t simply be taught.

Helpful skills and experience

Being familiar with the roles of your colleagues is essential to understanding their concerns and meeting their needs. Staff nurses are much more likely to respect the rules and perspectives of a director of nursing if they know their boss has been in their shoes before.

It’s also usually a requirement for you to have supervisory experience. Not everyone is meant to be a leader. Effective leaders are not afraid to delegate tasks, discipline, or make decisions for the greater good.

Changing your specialty to a director of nursing 

As you gain experience in nursing you may feel called to change your specialty or seek a new challenge. You may stand out as a resource to colleagues and a dependable nurse with useful ideas. These skills alone may earn you a promotion as a director of nursing. Often, nurses desire a position away from the bedside yet still want to be involved in clinical outcomes.

It’s helpful if you have experience in the setting you will be supervising. For example, if you apply for a position as a director of nursing of an outpatient surgical center, it’s helpful if you have experience in surgery as an operating room nurse or PACU nurse. This gives you an advantage in understanding the expectations of staff and patients. 

Incredible Health offers resume and interview resources to help you land your new role.

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Step 3 – Obtain certifications

Certifications are proof of mastering a skillset and can help you advance as a leader. 

The DNS-CT (Director of Nursing Services-Certified) is one certification that indicates your leadership strengths and ability to improve facilities. To be eligible for this certification you must:

• Hold an active RN license
• Obtain 2 years of full-time post-acute experience, with at least one year as a DNS or other similar leadership experience
• Take the DNS-CT courses and exams and pass with an 80% score or better

The Certified Director of Nursing Exam (CDONA) is a certification for nursing directors in long-term care. The only prerequisite for this certification is that you have been employed or volunteered as a director of nursing for at least 1 year.

What are the additional requirements of directors of nursing? 

Directors of nursing must be flexible. While this is often a salaried position with 40-hour work weeks, administrative roles often require you to frequently work longer days and fill in staffing holes. Be prepared for phone calls and emails that require your response even when away from the office.

As a problem-solver, you must be:

• Patient
• Able to manage and prioritize your time 
• Remain calm under pressure

What are the salary and career outlooks for directors of nursing? 

Management positions are expected to come with larger salaries to match the increase in responsibilities. This list shows the average director of nursing salary by state. California is usually the highest paying state for nurses, but Nevada has the highest annual salary at $102,573 while the national average is $90,335.

The expected career growth for medical and health services managers is astounding. Employment is expected to grow 32% within the decade, faster than the average for most occupations.

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Job satisfaction

Burnout is a common finding in healthcare workers, with approximately two-thirds of nurses impacted. Factors contributing to the burnout of directors of nursing are their professional responsibility and lack of work-life balance. Not only are you responsible for patients and staff, but you must ensure documentation is compliant with regulations.

Luckily, as a director of nursing, you are in a position to make lasting changes to the healthcare system. You have the authority to propose and implement schedule alterations, documentation procedures, and mental health programs. This can be very rewarding.

Next steps 

As a director of nursing, you likely enjoy managing, making decisions, and the dual responsibilities of nursing and business. The next administrative step is to become a Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). This is a top nursing executive position that often works directly with the CEO of a hospital and oversees all nursing services.

This position at the very least will require a Master’s degree or higher. It’s beneficial to also have additional degrees in business administration, such as a Masters in Business Administration (MBA). 

Incredible Health is here to help you succeed in your nursing journey. Along with our many career resources, we offer access to real-life answers on our nurse advice forum.

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Nurse Types / Cruise Ship Nurse

What if going to work felt like going on a vacation? In many ways, cruise ship nursing feels that way. Cruise ship nurses travel to exotic locations and spend weeks away from home in accommodations designed for tourists. The global cruise industry welcomed 29.7 million passengers aboard in 2019.

A cruise nurse, or cruise ship nurse, is a registered nurse or nurse practitioner who treats patients onboard cruise ships. This nursing specialty provides a broad range of medical care services to travelers and crew members sailing the oceans each year.

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This article will help you understand what cruise ship nursing is all about and how to become a cruise ship nurse in three steps.

• What is a cruise ship nurse?
• What do cruise ship nurses do?
• Where do cruise ship nurses work?
• What are specific types of cruise ship nurses? 
• How do you become a cruise ship nurse in 3 steps?
• What are additional requirements of cruise ship nurses? 
• What are the salary and career outlooks for cruise ship nurses? 

What is a cruise ship nurse?

A cruise ship nurse is a licensed professional nurse employed by a cruise line to care for ship passengers and crew members. As part of a medical team, they provide general medical care and may administer emergency treatment. 

The medical staff live aboard the ship during their contract, which may last 4–6 months. Since they are considered part of the crew, they are prohibited from socially mingling with guests. The living quarters for cruise nurses are usually found on the ship’s lower decks.

Qualities of a successful cruise ship nurse

One unique aspect of cruise nursing is that the employers are in the business of tourism, not healthcare. Thus, there is a greater emphasis on hospitality. Successful cruise ship nurses are passionate about customer service. They must also keep a positive attitude while dealing with difficult or demanding patients. 

Nurses on cruise ships work with diverse populations. They must be culturally sensitive since they frequently care for people from different ethnicities and backgrounds.

Cruise ship nurses must also be flexible. Schedules, assignments, and priorities may change, so a good cruise nurse will be able to roll with the waves. 

What do cruise ship nurses do?

The cruise ship nurse provides medical nursing services to all passengers and crew members under the supervision of the ship’s doctors. 

Cruise ship nurses perform direct care and administrative nursing duties. In addition, they also perform activities that are specific to cruises and may seem unusual to nurses in other fields. 

Common responsibilities of cruise ship nurses include tasks such as:

• Administering minor and major emergency care
• Performing lab procedures or COVID-19 testing for crew and passengers
• Triaging patients who visit the medical center
• Visiting patients onboard for treatments such as injections or IV fluids 

In addition to direct care, cruise nurses’ administrative responsibilities include:

• Answering calls to the medical center (Infirmary)
• Coordinating shoreside referrals as needed for passengers
• Keeping narcotic counts and supply inventories 
• Maintaining crew physicals
• Removing expired medications or supplies

Cruise nurses also have ship-specific duties, including:

• Completing accident reports and maintaining logs for port authorities
• Inspecting and maintaining life-saving equipment
• Scheduling wellness appointments for crew members
• Training and leading teams in fire and lifeboat drills
• Testing ship water samples

Cruise nurses assist the ship’s Captain, Senior Doctor, and Chief Nurse Officer in shipboard health-related matters. This includes outbreak prevention and illness reporting as required by international and national health regulations.

A day in the life of a cruise ship nurse

A day as a cruise ship nurse will depend on the ship’s needs. 

Nurses may triage patients with minor concerns such as seasickness. Or, they may be called for serious emergencies such as fractures or lacerations. Passengers might even suffer strokes or heart attacks on board. Cruise nurses must be ready for anything.

While on-duty, cruise ship nurses carry phones or walkie-talkies to respond to the crews’ needs. Most ships average 3–4 nurses, depending on ship size. Usually, a medical team of doctors and nurses works together. 

Cruise ships have fully-functioning medical facilities with lab equipment, X-ray machines, pharmacies, and treatment rooms. They even have a morgue that usually holds up to six bodies.

Medical teams arrange evacuation and transport to higher-level facilities in serious emergencies. They also provide patient education, too.

Common conditions treated by cruise ship nurses

Cruise ship nurses treat all ages, from pediatric to older adult patients. Conditions commonly treated by cruise ship nurses include:

• Allergic reactions
• Burns
• Food poisoning 
• Motion sickness

Where do cruise ship nurses work?

Cruise ship nurses work on domestic and international cruise lines. Onboard cruise ships, they work in the medical facilities and throughout the decks. 

What are specific types of cruise ship nurses?

When it comes to nursing on a ship, there are different types of cruise nurses. 

• Luxury cruise line nurses are the most common type of cruise nurses. Nurses on traditional luxury cruises work for well-known cruise lines such as Carnival or Royal Caribbean. The average ship has 2000–3000 passengers. Therefore, luxury cruise nurses are usually part of larger medical teams.  

• Boutique cruise ship nurses work for higher-end luxury cruise lines with lower staff-to-passenger ratios and smaller ships. Since they have smaller crews, nurses may have more responsibilities. 

• Yacht nurses work aboard the smallest ships for the most elite passengers. Traditional yachts may carry up to 12 passengers, while mega yachts may carry up to 100. With smaller crews, nurses may perform more duties.

How do you become a cruise ship nurse in 3 steps?

Step 1 – Become a registered nurse

The first step to being a cruise ship nurse is to become a registered nurse (RN). To be an RN, you must graduate from an accredited nursing program and pass the nursing board exam. 

Earn a BSN degree

Aspiring nursing students can choose from various programs that will prepare them to take and pass the RN exam. An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) may not be sufficient for those who want to be cruise nurses. A  Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree is the best choice. 

A four-year BSN degree prepares nurses with an education that will prepare them for success in cruise nursing, including courses in leadership and management.

College graduates who want to enter nursing but have a degree in another field should look into accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs. 

For those who are already nurses who wish to further their education there is an RN to BSN program which allows you to work while getting your degree.

Pass the NCLEX exam

After earning a nursing degree, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam. This test is required to apply for an RN license in your state. To get hired as a cruise nurse, cruise lines require an active nursing license in any state.

Step 2 – Accumulate experience

RNs must gain experience that will prepare them for practice onboard a cruise ship. 

Most, if not all, cruise ship contracts require at least 2–3 years of recent ER, ICU, or other acute care experience.

Helpful Skills and experience

Nurses who have worked in critical care units such as the CVICU or ICU will be more desirable candidates for cruise ship nurse positions. Also, nurses who speak other languages will be helpful to the medical team. 

Changing specialty to a cruise ship nurse

If you’re a nurse who wants to change specialties to become a cruise ship nurse, you should consider how the differences will work for you. 

Nurses onboard cruise ships may work up to seven days straight, depending on the itinerary. Also, they will likely be on call for emergencies during their time off. The typical cruise ship nurse works up to 50 hours per week.

Cruise ship nurses also spend a significant amount of time on the seas. With contracts lasting a minimum of 12 weeks, it may not be best for nurses with pets or family commitments. 

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Step 3 – Obtain certifications

Due to the potential for emergencies, cruise ship nurses must be ACLS certified. 

Other certifications that are not required but may be helpful for a career in cruise ship nursing include:

• Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) 
• Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) 
• Sexual assault training or forensic nursing certification

What are additional requirements of cruise ship nurses? 

Cruise lines require nurses to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, influenza, and other illnesses without exception since cruise ships present a high risk for transmission. 

Onboard the ships, diverse passengers are brought together in crowded, semi-enclosed areas. The risk for foodborne and waterborne transmission is high.

For international cruises, nurses must also have a valid passport. 

Most states require cruise nurses to complete continuing education hours to renew their license every two years.

What are the salary and career outlooks for cruise ship nurses? 

According to ziprecruiter.com, the national average for cruise nurse salaries is $80,290/year or $39/hr. Top earners in this field can expect to make up to $184,000. 

High wage variability indicates significant opportunities to grow and advance in this specialty based on years of experience, education, and skill level. 

In addition to great pay, cruise nurses get fantastic perks. Most cruise lines pay for nurses’ accommodations, including flight, hotel, and transportation to the cruise. During the contract, room and board are covered. Also, complimentary meals and snacks may be provided. With the cost of living so low, the pay seems even higher!

Nurses who choose a career in cruise ship nursing can also look forward to career growth. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for RNs is projected to be 6% between 2021 and 2031. 

Job satisfaction

Job satisfaction tends to be high for cruise ship nurses. According to Business Insider, retention for cruise ship workers is over 80%. Nationally, the nursing turnover rate averages 19.1%.

Next steps

When you achieve your goal of becoming a cruise ship nurse, that’s not your final port of call. Cruise ship nurses can advance their careers within the specialty. 

Some go on to become the cruise ship Lead/Chief Nurse. The Lead/Chief oversees nursing staff and medical clinic operations. 

Others may pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and become a Nurse Practitioner on a cruise ship. Since nurse practitioners can see patients independently, these providers are in high demand. In fact, the BLS projects a growth rate for all NPs of 40% from 2021 to 2031. 

Explore the Incredible Health nursing community for advice to learn more about cruise nursing. Whatever path you choose, cruise ship nursing holds many opportunities. 

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Nurse Types / Nurse Navigator

Diseases are complex. Understanding and dealing with diseases takes a team: enter the nurse navigator. These nurses must care for patients by advocating for them throughout the healing process. This includes helping the patient work with the clinical staff.

According to the NCBI, Dr. Harold Freeman created the initial nurse navigator position for Harlem Hospital in the 1990s. 

In this article, we will explore:

• What is a nurse navigator?
• What do nurse navigators do?
• How do you become a nurse navigator?
• What are the skills required for nurse navigators?
• What is the salary outlook for nurse navigators?

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What is a nurse navigator?

A nurse navigator is as a middle man between the patient and clinical care staff. They help navigate the patient through the treatment process by connecting them to resources and information to make informed decisions. A nurse navigator assists the patient from initial diagnosis to end-of-life treatment if necessary.

What do nurse navigators do?

Nurse navigators help their patients throughout the treatment process. Below are some of the roles nurse navigators perform. 

Education

One primary benefits of a nurse navigator is providing expert information to patients. Often, patients learn about a diagnosis, and they rush to Google or their close friend, which only fills them with worry. 

A nurse navigator can provide expert education about the disease along with treatments. 

Community resources 

This benefit connects patients to community resources. For example, many new cancer patients feel afraid and alone when they first receive the diagnosis. A nurse navigator can help find them support groups to attend to alleviate those feelings. 

Provides clinical resources

The navigator helps equip their patient with information about other clinical options that may not be available locally. They also can show a patient where to find a second opinion.

Monitors symptoms

 As a middle man between the patient and care team, the navigator records a patient’s symptoms. For example, say the navigator notices a patient’s swelling. They can inform the oncology nurse or RN to run some tests to determine what’s wrong.

Psychological assistance

When a patient feels distressed, they may reach out to the nurse for help. The nurse navigator can provide comfort and, if necessary, refer them to a social worker or counselor for more support.

3 steps to becoming a nurse navigator

Nurse navigators fill a key role. Therefore, they need to have skills and education.

Step 1: Earn a nursing degree

The first step to becoming a nurse navigator is earning your Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). While you can become a nurse navigator with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), having a bachelor’s degree will help you against the competition.

Step 2: Get an RN license

If you don’t have your registered nursing license, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam after earning your BSN or ADN.

Step 3: Obtain certification

Last, you need to obtain a certification through the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators.

What are the skills required for nurse navigators?

Ability to work independently

Though these nurses can use the clinical care team, they generally work alone. Their work depends on a keen ability to communicate between parties. Having the ability to work alone helps the whole process work well. 

Strong organizational skills

This is a must for navigators. They schedule medical appointments, comply with safety methods, create patient care programs and record data. Having these skills will help promote effective care for patients. 

Critical thinking skills

One of the keys to critical thinking is explaining. You need to relay complex information in ways that the patient understands. Another aspect of critical thinking for this role is analysis. To analyze, you need to collect data and making evidence-based decisions. Last, self-regulating helps nurses remove their own biases and assumptions while on the job. 

Empathy

The significance of compassion or empathy as a nurse, in general, can’t go understated. The same rings true for nurse navigators. Empathy helps a nurse meet a patient where they are. Nurse navigators deal with a host of patients from various backgrounds, so empathizing with others goes a long way.

Overall, a nurse navigator plays a crucial role in a patient’s treatment. They navigate the patient and lead them to the resources and help to deal with their illness.

What is the salary outlook for nurse navigators?

Nurse navigators salary depends on a host of factors from location, experience, and education. The average salary for a registered nurse in the United States is $82,750 per year. Most nurse navigators make about $70,319 a year.

FAQs

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