A quality assurance nurse has an associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing and a registered nursing license. They may also pursue a Master of Science in Heath Care Quality to prepare for a career specializing as a quality assurance nurse. Quality assurance nurses may work in hospitals, clinics, or doctor's offices and are responsible for reviewing procedures and making changes to improve patient care.
Essential Information
Quality assurance nurses review nursing practices and implement change to improve patient care. They can work in many medical settings, including hospitals and physicians' offices. Like all registered nurses, they must be licensed, which requires completing an approved nursing program and passing a licensing exam. Many quality assurance nurses also hold master's degrees in health care quality or a related field.
| Required Education | Diploma, associate's or bachelor's degree in nursing |
| Licensing | Registered nursing license required |
| Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)* | 7% for all registered nurses |
| Median Salary (2020)* | $75,330 for all registered nurses |
Source: * U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Career Information for Quality Assurance Nurses
Quality assurance (QA) nurses evaluate the work and behavior of employees in their departments, whether at a hospital, doctor's office or health care facility. By monitoring their colleagues, they can ensure qualitative requirements are being met as specified by the hospital or state. QA nurses educate other nurses on the best practices and implement innovative procedures to improve the quality of work. They often create systems, sometimes using surveys or computer programs, to audit nurse behavior. This managerial role is often considered to relate more closely to the business side of health services than patient care.
Salary Information
A quality assurance nurse is a specialty that falls under the general umbrella of registered nurses (RNs). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual earnings of registered nurses in 2020 were $75,330. Attaining a master's degree may increase a nurse's earning potential.
Employment Outlook
There will be excellent job opportunities in nursing in the coming years, according to the BLS, due in part to an aging population and an increase in long-term care facilities to care for them. Job growth of 7% is expected between 2019-2029.
Requirements for Quality Assurance Nurses
Since a QA nurse is a specific type of nurse, students must first meet requirements to become a registered nurse. There are three main ways to become a RN: attain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, earn an Associate of Nursing or receive a diploma from an accredited nursing school. Although an advanced degree is not necessary for most nursing careers, potential QA nurses might consider obtaining a Master of Science in Health Care Quality to learn additional business, management and leadership skills as related to the nursing industry.
Licensure
After completing an approved nursing program, graduates must also pass a licensing exam that enables them to practice nursing in the United States. The computer-based exam is called the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Some states have additional requirements as well.
A quality assurance nurse looks for ways to improve procedures within a health facility, with the goal of improving patient care. They benefit from training in business management and should have strong leadership skills and experience in nursing. Jobs for all registered nurses are projected to grow 7% from 2019-2029, and the median salary in 2020 was about $75,000.
