The acronym CNO, or Chief Nursing Officer, is commonly used in the healthcare industry to refer to a top-level nursing executive. However, there are a few alternative terms that can be used as synonyms for CNO, including Director of Nursing (DON), Vice President of Nursing (VPN), Health Services Administrator, and Chief Nurse Executive (CNE). These titles may be used interchangeably depending on the organization and its specific job titles. Regardless of the title, the primary responsibilities of a CNO are to lead and manage nursing staff, develop and maintain nursing policies and procedures, and ensure high-quality patient care.