Director of Nursing CVICU

Title: Director of Nursing CVICU
Status: Full-Time
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Relocation: Possible for the ideal candidate
Salary: Salary to be discussed by Bryant Staffing Solutions Recruiter
Bonus: Bonus Eligible
Visa Support: No Visa Sponsorship Available

Overview

Bryant Staffing Solutions is seeking an experienced Director of Nursing for a Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) leadership opportunity in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This is a day-shift leadership position responsible for the clinical, operational, financial, and personnel management of a high-acuity cardiac critical care environment.

The Director will provide 24-hour accountability for assigned departments, oversee quality and patient outcomes, support staff development and retention, and collaborate closely with physicians and interdisciplinary teams to drive excellence in care delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and operational oversight for the CVICU.
• Maintain responsibility for department performance, patient outcomes, employee engagement, and regulatory compliance.
• Lead recruitment, retention, mentoring, and professional development initiatives for nursing staff and frontline leaders.
• Collaborate with cardiac surgeons, interventional specialists, intensivists, and other service-line partners.
• Monitor quality indicators, patient satisfaction metrics, and clinical outcomes while implementing improvement strategies.
• Oversee staffing plans, scheduling processes, productivity management, and timekeeping validation.
• Conduct chart reviews, support clinical education initiatives, and ensure adherence to evidence-based practice standards.
• Manage departmental budgets and financial performance.
• Serve as a change leader and foster a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Provide bedside support when operational needs require leadership participation in patient care activities.

Schedule

• Day shift leadership position
• Standard 40-hour work week
• Occasional schedule flexibility may be required based on operational needs
• Primarily weekdays, with occasional weekend presence as needed
• Expected to engage with multiple shifts, including periodic early or late coverage to support staff and operations

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN) from an accredited nursing program required.
• Candidates without a BSN must already be actively enrolled in an accredited BSN program with a documented completion date.
• Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing or an equivalent state-approved license.
• Minimum of 3 5 years of CVICU nursing experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of formal nursing leadership or management experience.
• BLS certification required within 14 days of hire and prior to providing direct patient care.
• Strong cardiovascular critical care background.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Nursing or a related field.
• Specialty certification in nursing leadership, administration, or a relevant clinical area.
• Advanced experience within complex cardiovascular critical care environments.

Key Skills Required

• Leadership and staff development
• CVICU clinical expertise
• Quality and performance improvement
• Operational and financial management
• Physician collaboration
• Critical care decision-making

Ideal Candidate Background

Candidates should possess strong cardiovascular intensive care experience and be comfortable supporting clinical operations when necessary. Experience with the following is highly desirable:

• ECMO
• LVAD
• Open-heart recovery
• Impella devices
• Intra-aortic balloon pumps

Candidates should have a significant cardiac critical care background. Experience exclusively in a medical ICU setting without meaningful cardiac exposure is unlikely to meet requirements.

Why This Location?

Albuquerque offers a unique blend of outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, and affordability. Residents enjoy year-round sunshine, hiking and biking opportunities, nearby mountain recreation, a thriving food scene, arts and cultural festivals, and a cost of living that compares favorably to many larger metropolitan areas.