Financial Foundations for Nurse Managers

Making sense of money in healthcare

Get 10% off through 7/31/26!

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Use code "IONL10" at checkout.

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Get 10% off through 7/31/26! > Use code "IONL10" at checkout. >

Many nurse managers are expected to manage budgets and financial decisions without ever being taught how healthcare finance actually works.

Financial Foundations for Nurse Managers breaks down financial concepts in a practical, approachable way so you can confidently understand the numbers behind your unit.

Instead of feeling lost in financial conversations, you’ll gain the skills to interpret data, advocate for your team, and make informed leadership decisions.

Couldn't attend live? You don't have to miss out. Leaders who attended live walked away with confidence reading financial reports, clear capital justification skills, and practical tools they are already using. Colleagues who attended are sharing 10% off through the end of July.

Get 10% off with code “IONL10” — Expires 7/31/26.

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What will you learn?

Financial Foundations helps nurse managers understand budgets and key terms; no need to be an expert. Gain practical skills to interpret data, advocate confidently, and lead effectively, empowering you to speak the language of finance.

    • Finance for the Nurse Manager Intro

    • Finance Terminology

    • Quiz

    • Types of Budgets

    • Operational Budget

    • Capital Budget

    • Capital Justification Form

    • Revenue

    • Expenses

    • Expenses Quiz

    • Full Time Equivalent (FTE)

    • FTE calculation

    • FTE Quiz

    • Unit of ServiceWorkload

    • Workload Quiz

    • Monitoring Finances

    • Finance Homework

    • Day-to-Day Monitoring

    • Variance Reporting

    • Sample Monthly Responsibility Summary

    • Variance Report Guide

    • Reimbursement

    • Transactional vs Transformational

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About the Course

  • Designed for beginners, not experts

    This isn’t a finance 201 course disguised as finance 101. It starts from the ground up and is built specifically for nurse leaders who weren’t taught finance in nursing school.

  • Speaks your language

    No jargon, just clarity. Financial concepts are explained using real healthcare examples and relatable comparisons so you can quickly understand key terms and tools.

  • Teaches you how to lead

    Each module builds confidence to not just understand numbers, but use them to guide decisions. You’ll see how financial data connects directly to staffing, operations, and patient care.

  • Clears up common misunderstandings

    Gain practical language and responses for the confusing financial questions nurse managers face. Instead of avoiding these conversations, you’ll feel prepared to actively participate.

  • Real-world, authentic examples

    Short videos reflect everyday challenges nurse managers face, from budgeting decisions to operational trade-offs. The content is practical, relevant, and immediately applicable to your role.

  • Learn by doing

    The course includes printable guides, quick quizzes, and practical tools to use right away. These resources reinforce key concepts and make learning easier to apply in real situations.

  • Applies across healthcare settings

    Whether in a hospital, clinic, or community, these principles apply. While finance varies by organization, the foundational concepts remain consistent across healthcare environments.

  • "I just completed Dr. Lawson’s finance course and it was incredibly helpful. I finally understand not just the terminology, but how to apply it in real life. I used what I learned in a recent leadership meeting to explain my portfolio, discuss variances, and identify solutions. For the first time, I can clearly see the impact I have on budget and financial performance. It’s given me real confidence to lead through the numbers.”

    — Jackie Lee | Associate Director, Cedars-Sinai Marina del Rey Hospital

  • “I really enjoyed the way the course was designed. The short videos and small modules made it easy to build my understanding step by step without feeling overwhelmed. I loved that I could access everything from my phone and complete lessons in small chunks of time. It fit perfectly into my busy schedule as a nurse leader.”

    — Nurse Manager, Sutter Health

  • “This course finally made finance make sense. Short, focused videos, a great cheat sheet, and real examples helped me understand FTE vs headcount, capital vs operating budgets, and how to use variances to lead smarter.”

    — Nurse Manager, Northwestern Memorial Hospital

Questions about the course

  • No. This course was specifically designed for nurse leaders with little or no formal finance training.

  • The course is designed primarily for nurse managers, but it can also benefit charge nurses, emerging leaders, and other healthcare professionals responsible for operational decisions.

  • The course is delivered in short modules that can be completed at your own pace. Most participants complete the program over several short learning sessions.

  • Yes. You can access the course online and complete the lessons whenever it fits into your schedule.

  • Yes. The course includes practical guides, worksheets, and tools that help you apply what you learn directly in your role.

  • Yes. Group pricing is available for organizations that want to enroll multiple leaders.

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Group discounts available!