We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Director of Nursing (DON) to lead and oversee all nursing operations within the healthcare facility. This role is responsible for ensuring the highest standards of patient care, nursing practice excellence, regulatory compliance, and effective leadership of nursing staff across all departments.
The ideal candidate is a strong clinical leader with extensive nursing experience, proven administrative capability, and a deep commitment to patient safety, quality improvement, and staff development. This role plays a critical part in shaping nursing strategy, workforce planning, and clinical outcomes across the organization.
To support operational leadership and on-site clinical oversight, candidates must currently reside in one of the following metropolitan areas in the United States:
Dallas, Texas
Houston, Texas
Austin, Texas
Atlanta, Georgia
Jacksonville, Florida
Miami, Florida
Nashville, Tennessee
Charlotte, North Carolina
Phoenix, Arizona
Candidates outside of these locations will not be considered.
Provide strategic leadership for all nursing departments and units
Oversee daily nursing operations to ensure safe, high-quality patient care
Establish and enforce nursing standards, policies, and procedures
Ensure compliance with clinical best practices and evidence-based care
Supervise Nurse Managers, Charge Nurses, and clinical nursing staff
Lead hospital-wide patient safety and quality improvement initiatives
Monitor clinical outcomes and implement corrective action plans
Reduce hospital-acquired infections, readmissions, and adverse events
Oversee incident reporting, root cause analysis, and safety investigations
Ensure adherence to Joint Commission and regulatory standards
Recruit, hire, train, and retain nursing staff
Conduct performance evaluations and support professional development
Manage staffing levels, scheduling, and workforce allocation
Promote a positive, supportive, and accountable nursing culture
Address disciplinary actions and performance improvement plans when necessary
Ensure compliance with state, federal, and healthcare regulatory requirements
Maintain readiness for audits and accreditation surveys (e.g., Joint Commission)
Develop and update nursing policies and clinical guidelines
Ensure proper documentation and adherence to healthcare standards
Collaborate with compliance and risk management teams
Collaborate with physicians, hospital administration, and allied health professionals
Participate in executive leadership meetings and strategic planning
Align nursing operations with organizational goals and financial objectives
Support interdisciplinary care coordination and service excellence
Communicate nursing performance metrics to executive leadership
Manage nursing department budgets and resource allocation
Optimize staffing efficiency while maintaining quality of care
Oversee procurement of nursing supplies and equipment
Contribute to financial planning and cost-control initiatives
Ensure efficient utilization of hospital resources
Lead nursing response during emergencies and critical incidents
Ensure readiness for disaster response and surge capacity situations
Develop and maintain emergency preparedness protocols
Coordinate nursing involvement in hospital-wide emergency drills
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required; Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) preferred
Active Registered Nurse (RN) license in the United States
7+ years of clinical nursing experience
3–5+ years of nursing leadership or management experience
Strong knowledge of healthcare regulations, compliance, and accreditation standards
Experience in hospital or acute care settings
Proven leadership, communication, and organizational skills
Must currently reside in one of the approved locations listed above
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or MSN in Nursing Administration or Leadership
Certification in Nursing Leadership (e.g., CENP, NEA-BC)
Experience in large hospital systems or multi-site healthcare organizations
Strong background in quality improvement and patient safety initiatives
Experience with electronic health record (EHR) systems
Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, or healthcare process improvement methodologies
Experience managing unionized or large nursing workforces
Patient safety and clinical outcome metrics
Reduction in hospital-acquired conditions (HACs)
Readmission and complication rates
Compliance with care standards and protocols
Staffing efficiency and nurse-to-patient ratio compliance
Nursing productivity and workflow optimization
Scheduling accuracy and coverage stability
Reduction in turnover and vacancy rates
Audit and accreditation readiness scores
Regulatory compliance adherence rate
Documentation accuracy and completeness
Incident reporting and resolution effectiveness
Nurse retention and engagement rates
Training completion and competency scores
Leadership pipeline development
Employee satisfaction and morale metrics
Nursing department budget adherence
Cost efficiency in staffing and resource allocation
Reduction in overtime and agency staffing costs
Operational efficiency improvements
Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)
Chief Medical Officer (CMO)
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Hospital Administrator / CEO (depending on facility structure)
Full-Time
On-site hospital or healthcare facility leadership role
May require on-call availability for emergencies and critical incidents
Participation in executive leadership meetings and committees
Fast-paced hospital or acute care healthcare environment
High-responsibility leadership role with direct impact on patient outcomes
Collaboration with multidisciplinary clinical and administrative teams
Exposure to regulatory audits, compliance reviews, and quality assessments
Strong emphasis on patient safety, staff leadership, and operational excellence
Career progression opportunities into Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) or executive healthcare leadership roles