Director of Nursing

General Description

The Nursing Director is accountable for the overall quality of nursing care provided within the assigned hospital or facility/facilities. This executive-level leader is responsible for all nursing services and designated patient care functions. The role provides strategic leadership, direction, organization, and management for nursing staff and patient care services, ensuring alignment with governing regulations, professional practice standards, and organizational mission, vision, and values.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide healthcare services in accordance with applicable regulations, agreements, and funding frameworks.

• Practice strictly within the boundaries of professional competence based on education, training, supervised experience, and state/national licensure.

• Ensure patient care services are delivered with scope, quality, and consistency in line with organizational policies.

• Facilitate collaboration among nursing units and interdisciplinary departments to ensure the delivery of quality patient care.

• Establish and maintain appropriate standards of nursing practice throughout the facility.

• Build and maintain a strong partnership with medical directors and staff leadership to support seamless patient care transitions.

• Assess and adjust resource requirements to meet patient needs, ensuring operational flexibility with minimal disruption.

• Conduct staff meetings to communicate work requirements, processes, and expectations.

• Ensure nursing staff adherence to standards of accrediting organizations and professional associations.

• Develop and implement systems to monitor performance trends, deviations, and unusual events across nursing operations.

• Provide direction to subordinate leaders regarding program operations and strategic priorities.

• Align nursing activities and procedures with broader organizational objectives.

• Implement staffing, productivity, scheduling, and patient flow practices consistent with industry benchmarks.

• Perform supervisory responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable regulations.

• Maintain verifiable records that comply with all state, federal, and organizational retention requirements.

• Safeguard confidentiality and comply with applicable security, safety, and privacy regulations concerning patient records across all mediums.

• Carry out other duties as assigned.

Level of Responsibility

• Possesses advanced expertise in nursing and related fields.

• Provides leadership, oversight, and direction for staff across multiple units.

• Contributes to strategic planning, goal setting, and execution of departmental objectives.

• Manages up to five (5) subordinate supervisors overseeing more than 100 nursing employees, plus up to eight (8) non-supervisory staff.

• Responsible for full-cycle management including hiring, training, performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, and resolution of complaints.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree required; Masters degree preferred.

• Ten (10) years of experience in a related field.

• Valid drivers license with a motor vehicle record that meets organizational requirements.

Competencies

• Strong leadership and decision-making skills.

• Strategic planning capabilities.

• Demonstrated ability to drive organizational direction.

• High level of attentiveness, detail orientation, and client/patient focus.

Physical Requirements

• Regular activities include standing, walking, sitting, using hands, reaching, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, speaking, and hearing.

• Must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

• Position may require additional or varied physical demands and respiratory fit test compliance.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Active, unrestricted Registered Nurse license (state or multi-state compact license).

• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification within 90 days of hire, maintained throughout employment.

• Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification within 180 days of hire, maintained throughout employment.

Other Requirements

• Must not be listed under federal or state exclusion programs (e.g., OIG, GSA, LEIE).

• Must successfully complete pre-employment and periodic background checks, including those required for childcare-related environments.