The director of nursing (DON) — sometimes called the executive director of nursing or the director of nursing operations — supervises the entire nursing department of a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or other healthcare facility. This top-level administrative role comes with many responsibilities that will vary depending on the facility, but can include overseeing all nursing professionals and operations, acting as a liaison between nursing staff and other departments, reviewing policies and procedures, managing expenses, and more.
IntelyCare can help you find DON jobs and assistant director of nursing (ADON) jobs that fulfill your career goals. You can also have a look at similar roles such as CNO jobs and nurse manager jobs. Get started today.
Education and Certifications for a DON Job
To qualify for director of nursing positions, it’s expected that you will have worked as a nurse for a number of years in addition to holding nurse leader roles. Employers may prefer a candidate that has an advanced degree — either a master of science in nursing (MSN) or a doctor of nursing practice (DNP).
To stand out in the applicant pool, you may want to pursue credentials such as:
Certified director of nursing (CDONA)
Director of nursing services certification (DNS-CT)
Resume and Cover Letter for Director or Nursing Positions
Make sure to tailor each resume and cover letter to a specific DON job ad. For instance, if a hospital is looking to hire a DON to “plan and execute all activities related to staffing, including hiring, orienting, evaluating, and continuing education initiatives” and you have relevant experience, include the phrase on your resume, and expound on your successes in that area on your cover letter.
Need help with your application materials? Our sample director of nursing resume and cover letter offer clear guidelines on the content and formatting that employers may be hoping to see.
Interviewing for DON Jobs
In this and other executive healthcare roles, you’re expected to have exceptional people skills. Demonstrate your communication know-how during the job interview by taking ample time to prepare in advance. Review common director of nursing interview questions and craft your answers with both nurses and patients in mind. Be sure your words and demeanor reflect the values and mission of the facility at which you are interviewing.
Director of Nursing Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t track salary data for a director of nursing job. However, the role can be considered a type of medical and health services manager, whose annual average salary is $134,440. Base salaries can be influenced by your years of experience, education and certifications, employer, and location. To see what director of nursing jobs’ salary expectations are in your area, click on some of the current jobs on IntelyCare.
Explore Director of Nursing Jobs on IntelyCare
Take a look at all the open director of nursing positions and assistant director of nursing positions available right now. Want additional options? Learn how IntelyCare can match you with even more nursing jobs that interest you.
Job Description The Director of Nursing will plan, organize, develop and direct the overall operation of the Health Center in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines, and regulations that govern long-term care facilities to assure that the highest degree of quality care can be provided to our residents at all times. A highly interactional position which assumes 24-hour accountability for the operation and functional success of the Health Center. What will I do every day? Ensure the effective and efficient daily operations of Skilled Nursing Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the facility's programs and activities Responsible for utilization and compliance with Medicare Develop and maintain written policies and procedures that govern the operation of the facility As well as interpret all facility's policies and procedures to associates, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies, etc Represent the facility in dealings with outside agencies, including governmental agencies and third-party payers, or provide an authorized representative of the facility when unable to attend such meetings Make routine inspections of the facility to assure that established policies and procedures are being implemented and followed Review and develop a plan of correction for deficiencies noted during survey inspections and provide a written copy of such plan as required Maintain a good public relations program that serves the best interest of the facility and community alike. Serve as liaison between the Health Center and the Independent Living residents Assist the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified quality deficiencies Responsible for interviewing, hiring, training, evaluating and terminating staff in a timely and equitable manner Create teamwork by creating a motivating environment by developing confidence in direct reports Provide opportunities for associates to engage in their work, the community and the company Participate in cost control activities through an organized system of monitoring the utilization of supplies and equipment, evaluating and setting standards for supply and equipment usage What will I need to be successful in this role? A passion for excellence A Bachelor's Degree is necessary A degree in Public Health Administration or Business Administration, or a health-related degree is preferred but not required Must have, as a minimum, three years experience in a supervisory capacity in a hospital or long-term care facility RN License is a plus Experience working with seniors highly desirable Special Requirments and or Certifications: State Required Valid Administrator License LPN or RN license preferred What’s in it for me? (Great Question!) Competitive pay A free meal per shift Healthcare Benefits including Vision & Dental Matching 401k Paid Time Off Rewards and Bonus Opportunities Continuous Training and Growth Opportunities What do we do? We create a great place to live for our residents and a great place to work for our associates. Kisco Senior Living has been a dynamic, award-winning leader in the senior living industry for the past 30 years. All offers of employment are subject to satisfying our pre-employment process which includes: successfully passing a drug screen, TB Test and Background Check *Kisco Senior Living is an Equal Opportunity Employer
You Matter • Make a difference every day in the lives of the underserved• Join a mission driven organization with a people first culture• Excellent career growth opportunities Join us and find a career that supports: • Caring for overlooked, underserved, and vulnerable patients• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging• Autonomy in a warm team environment• Growth and training Perks and Benefits In addition to comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, and 401k, we foster a work, life balance for team members and their family to support physical, mental, and financial wellbeing including: • DailyPay, receive your money as you earn it! • Tuition Assistance and dependent Scholarships• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) including free counseling and health coaching• Company paid life insurance• Tax free Health Spending Accounts (HSA)• Wellness program featuring fitness memberships and product discounts• Preferred banking partnership and discounted rates for home and auto loans *Eligibility for perks and benefits varies based on employee type and length of service. Why Us Now is your moment to make a difference in the lives of the underserved. If there is one unifying characteristic of everyone on our team, it is the deep desire to make a difference by helping society's most vulnerable and often overlooked individuals. Every day we have the distinct honor and responsibility to show up with non-judgmental compassion to provide hope and healing to those who need it most. For those whose calling it is to serve others, now is your moment to join our mission to provide quality care to every patient with compassion, collaboration, and innovation, to live our mantra to “Always Do The Right Thing!”, and to collectively do our part to heal the world, one patient at a time. Wellpath sees hundreds of thousands of unique individuals in their facilities month over month and a very large percent of those individuals receive direct clinical care, which includes lives saved by Narcan. We offer ongoing training and development opportunities for licensed and unlicensed healthcare team members, and have best in class clinical resources for training, education, and point of care support. How you make a difference In their role, the Director of Nursing (DON) is accountable for developing and implementing nursing policies and procedures that align with best practices and meet regulatory requirements. They work closely with the Medical Director to promote high standards of care and support the professional development of nursing staff to provide quality care to patients. Key Responsibilities Oversees daily operations and manages budgets, policies, and procedures to align with facility goals and objectives. Organizes service delivery, manage resources, and collaborate with other departments, facilities, persons served, families, and visitors. Leads quality improvement activities, provides direct supervision, and serves as a resource and consultant to nursing staff. Monitors safety issues, evaluate service delivery and staff growth, and adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct. Demonstrates knowledge of risk management, clinical precautions, infection control, fall prevention, utilization of special procedures, environmental checks, fire disaster procedures, and alternatives to use with regards to seclusion/restraint methods. Qualifications & Requirements Education Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing Experience 2 years of supervisory experience in an acute setting recommended Emergency Room, Communicable Disease, with Medical and Surgical experience preferred Licenses/Certifications Have and maintain current licensure as a Registered Nurse within the state of employment. Obtain and maintain CPR certification We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of uniqueness. We celebrate a variety of backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage you to apply! If you are excited about a role but your experience doesn’t seem to align perfectly with every element of the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this, or one of our many other roles. Deadline to apply to this position is contingent upon applicant volume. Those positions located in Colorado will have a specific deadline posted in the job description. We are an Affirmative Action Employer in accordance with applicable state and local laws.
Why Wellpath Now is your moment to make a difference in the lives of the underserved. If there is one unifying characteristic of everyone on our team, it is the deep desire to make a difference by helping society's most vulnerable and often overlooked individuals. Every day we have the distinct honor and responsibility to show up with non-judgmental compassion to provide hope and healing to those who need it most. For those whose calling it is to serve others, now is your moment to join our mission to provide quality care to every patient with compassion, collaboration, and innovation, to live our mantra to “Always Do The Right Thing!”, and to collectively do our part to heal the world, one patient at a time. Wellpath sees hundreds of thousands of unique individuals in their facilities month over month and a very large percent of those individuals receive direct clinical care, which includes lives saved by Narcan. We offer ongoing training and development opportunities for licensed and unlicensed healthcare team members, and have best in class clinical resources for training, education, and point of care support. About this role The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) is responsible for managing and supervising the nursing staff and operations of the facility to ensure that patients receive appropriate healthcare services. They work collaboratively with the Director of Nursing (DON) and other members of the healthcare team to oversee and implement nursing policies and procedures. The ADON also ensures compliance with regulatory guidelines and maintains a safe and healthy environment for patients and staff. What you bring to the table Education Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or related field. Master’s degree preferred Experience Three (3) years’ experience in psychiatric inpatient setting with an additional two (2) years of supervisory experience. Two (2) years of post-licensure clinical nursing experience working exclusively with individuals diagnosed with mental illness or multiple disabilities. Regulatory agency knowledge including The Joint Commission, DHSS, Centers for Medicaid/Medicare Services is preferred. Licenses/Certifications Current licensure as a Registered Nurse within the state of employment. What you will do Supervises nursing staff, including performance reviews, hiring, and disciplinary action. Evaluates patient care quality and implements improvement initiatives, collaborating with Nurse Managers and DON. Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and organization policies and procedures. Participates in policy and procedure development and hospital-wide employee orientations. Provides professional nursing care as needed to respond to workload demands or staffing shortages. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of uniqueness. We celebrate a variety of backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage you to apply! If you are excited about a role but your experience doesn’t seem to align perfectly with every element of the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this, or one of our many other roles. Deadline to apply to this position is contingent upon applicant volume. Those positions located in Colorado will have a specific deadline posted in the job description. We are an Affirmative Action Employer in accordance with applicable state and local laws. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of uniqueness. We celebrate a variety of backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage you to apply! If you are excited about a role but your experience doesn’t seem to align perfectly with every element of the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this, or one of our many other roles. Deadline to apply to this position is contingent upon applicant volume. Those positions located in Colorado will have a specific deadline posted in the job description. We are an Affirmative Action Employer in accordance with applicable state and local laws.
Why Wellpath Now is your moment to make a difference in the lives of the underserved. If there is one unifying characteristic of everyone on our team, it is the deep desire to make a difference by helping society's most vulnerable and often overlooked individuals. Every day we have the distinct honor and responsibility to show up with non-judgmental compassion to provide hope and healing to those who need it most. For those whose calling it is to serve others, now is your moment to join our mission to provide quality care to every patient with compassion, collaboration, and innovation, to live our mantra to “Always Do The Right Thing!”, and to collectively do our part to heal the world, one patient at a time. Wellpath sees hundreds of thousands of unique individuals in their facilities month over month and a very large percent of those individuals receive direct clinical care, which includes lives saved by Narcan. We offer ongoing training and development opportunities for licensed and unlicensed healthcare team members, and have best in class clinical resources for training, education, and point of care support. About this role In their role, the Director of Nursing (DON) is accountable for developing and implementing nursing policies and procedures that align with best practices and meet regulatory requirements. They work closely with the Medical Director to promote high standards of care and support the professional development of nursing staff to provide quality care to patients. What you bring to the table Education Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing Experience 2 years of supervisory experience in an acute setting recommended Emergency Room, Communicable Disease, with Medical and Surgical experience preferred Licenses/Certifications Have and maintain current licensure as a Registered Nurse within the state of employment. Obtain and maintain CPR certification What you will do Oversees daily operations and manages budgets, policies, and procedures to align with facility goals and objectives. Organizes service delivery, manage resources, and collaborate with other departments, facilities, persons served, families, and visitors. Leads quality improvement activities, provides direct supervision, and serves as a resource and consultant to nursing staff. Monitors safety issues, evaluate service delivery and staff growth, and adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct. Demonstrates knowledge of risk management, clinical precautions, infection control, fall prevention, utilization of special procedures, environmental checks, fire disaster procedures, and alternatives to use with regards to seclusion/restraint methods. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of uniqueness. We celebrate a variety of backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage you to apply! If you are excited about a role but your experience doesn’t seem to align perfectly with every element of the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this, or one of our many other roles. Deadline to apply to this position is contingent upon applicant volume. Those positions located in Colorado will have a specific deadline posted in the job description. We are an Affirmative Action Employer in accordance with applicable state and local laws. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of uniqueness. We celebrate a variety of backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage you to apply! If you are excited about a role but your experience doesn’t seem to align perfectly with every element of the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this, or one of our many other roles. Deadline to apply to this position is contingent upon applicant volume. Those positions located in Colorado will have a specific deadline posted in the job description. We are an Affirmative Action Employer in accordance with applicable state and local laws.
You Matter • Make a difference every day in the lives of the underserved• Join a mission driven organization with a people first culture• Excellent career growth opportunities Join us and find a career that supports: • Caring for overlooked, underserved, and vulnerable patients• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging• Autonomy in a warm team environment• Growth and training Perks and Benefits In addition to comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, and 401k, we foster a work, life balance for team members and their family to support physical, mental, and financial wellbeing including: • DailyPay, receive your money as you earn it! • Tuition Assistance and dependent Scholarships• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) including free counseling and health coaching• Company paid life insurance• Tax free Health Spending Accounts (HSA)• Wellness program featuring fitness memberships and product discounts• Preferred banking partnership and discounted rates for home and auto loans *Eligibility for perks and benefits varies based on employee type and length of service. Why Us Now is your moment to make a difference in the lives of the underserved. If there is one unifying characteristic of everyone on our team, it is the deep desire to make a difference by helping society's most vulnerable and often overlooked individuals. Every day we have the distinct honor and responsibility to show up with non-judgmental compassion to provide hope and healing to those who need it most. For those whose calling it is to serve others, now is your moment to join our mission to provide quality care to every patient with compassion, collaboration, and innovation, to live our mantra to “Always Do The Right Thing!”, and to collectively do our part to heal the world, one patient at a time. Wellpath sees hundreds of thousands of unique individuals in their facilities month over month and a very large percent of those individuals receive direct clinical care, which includes lives saved by Narcan. We offer ongoing training and development opportunities for licensed and unlicensed healthcare team members, and have best in class clinical resources for training, education, and point of care support. How you make a difference The Assistant Director of Nursing oversees daily nursing operations and supervises nursing staff to ensure quality care delivery. This role evaluates staffing needs, coordinates patient healthcare services, and supports clinical team members with patient care issues. The ADON assists in policy development, staff onboarding, and performance evaluations to strengthen nursing practices. They lead emergency responses and oversee health education programs within the facility. The position ensures compliance with organizational procedures and supports the Director of Nursing in all aspects of nursing management. Key Responsibilities Oversees daily nursing operations and supervises assigned nursing staff to ensure effective care delivery. Evaluates staffing levels, schedules, and workload demands, making adjustments as needed. Coordinates patient healthcare services including screenings, disease management, and medication administration. Leads emergency responses and assists with policy development, onboarding, and performance reviews. Ensures compliance with nursing standards, clinical competence, and organizational procedures. Additional Details Marion County Jail - 695 Justice Way Qualifications & Requirements EDUCATION Associate’s degree in nursing required Bachelor’s degree in nursing preferred EXPERIENCE 2+ years nursing experience as a Registered Nurse 1+ years supervisory experience preferred LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS Current licensure as a Registered Nurse within the state of employment required Certified Correctional Health Professional certification encouraged (CCHP, CCHP-RN) We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of uniqueness. We celebrate a variety of backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage you to apply! If you are excited about a role but your experience doesn’t seem to align perfectly with every element of the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this, or one of our many other roles. Deadline to apply to this position is contingent upon applicant volume. Those positions located in Colorado will have a specific deadline posted in the job description. We are an Affirmative Action Employer in accordance with applicable state and local laws.
You Matter • Make a difference every day in the lives of the underserved• Join a mission driven organization with a people first culture• Excellent career growth opportunities Join us and find a career that supports: • Caring for overlooked, underserved, and vulnerable patients• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging• Autonomy in a warm team environment• Growth and training Perks and Benefits In addition to comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, paid time off, and 401k, we foster a work, life balance for team members and their family to support physical, mental, and financial wellbeing including: • DailyPay, receive your money as you earn it! • Tuition Assistance and dependent Scholarships• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) including free counseling and health coaching• Company paid life insurance• Tax free Health Spending Accounts (HSA)• Wellness program featuring fitness memberships and product discounts• Preferred banking partnership and discounted rates for home and auto loans *Eligibility for perks and benefits varies based on employee type and length of service. Why Us Now is your moment to make a difference in the lives of the underserved. If there is one unifying characteristic of everyone on our team, it is the deep desire to make a difference by helping society's most vulnerable and often overlooked individuals. Every day we have the distinct honor and responsibility to show up with non-judgmental compassion to provide hope and healing to those who need it most. For those whose calling it is to serve others, now is your moment to join our mission to provide quality care to every patient with compassion, collaboration, and innovation, to live our mantra to “Always Do The Right Thing!”, and to collectively do our part to heal the world, one patient at a time. Wellpath sees hundreds of thousands of unique individuals in their facilities month over month and a very large percent of those individuals receive direct clinical care, which includes lives saved by Narcan. We offer ongoing training and development opportunities for licensed and unlicensed healthcare team members, and have best in class clinical resources for training, education, and point of care support. How you make a difference In their role, the Director of Nursing (DON) is accountable for developing and implementing nursing policies and procedures that align with best practices and meet regulatory requirements. They work closely with the Medical Director to promote high standards of care and support the professional development of nursing staff to provide quality care to patients. Key Responsibilities Oversees daily operations and manages budgets, policies, and procedures to align with facility goals and objectives. Organizes service delivery, manage resources, and collaborate with other departments, facilities, persons served, families, and visitors. Leads quality improvement activities, provides direct supervision, and serves as a resource and consultant to nursing staff. Monitors safety issues, evaluate service delivery and staff growth, and adhere to the organization's Code of Conduct. Demonstrates knowledge of risk management, clinical precautions, infection control, fall prevention, utilization of special procedures, environmental checks, fire disaster procedures, and alternatives to use with regards to seclusion/restraint methods. Qualifications & Requirements Education Graduation from an accredited School of Nursing Experience 2 years of supervisory experience in an acute setting recommended Emergency Room, Communicable Disease, with Medical and Surgical experience preferred Licenses/Certifications Have and maintain current licensure as a Registered Nurse within the state of employment. Obtain and maintain CPR certification We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer We are committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of uniqueness. We celebrate a variety of backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage you to apply! If you are excited about a role but your experience doesn’t seem to align perfectly with every element of the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be just the right candidate for this, or one of our many other roles. Deadline to apply to this position is contingent upon applicant volume. Those positions located in Colorado will have a specific deadline posted in the job description. We are an Affirmative Action Employer in accordance with applicable state and local laws.
Responsibilities The Clinical Director is responsible and accountable for the delivery of safe, effective, direct and indirect, patient-family centered care on the medical/surgical unit (s). The Clinical Director is responsible for initiating, guiding, and directing the coordination of services provided by the designated nursing unit(s).The Clinical Director functions as a resource person for staff members and provides necessary education & training, assists the Clinical Coordinators with competency validation and performance reviews of individual members of the nursing staff, assumes responsibility for the overall quality of nursing care provided by specified units, makes decisions regarding patient care activities in area of responsibility. The Clinical Director is responsible for the oversight of the departmental budget and management of staff. Qualifications MINIMUM EDUCATION: Graduate of an accredited nursing program. Bachelor Degree preferred or equivalent experience, education and training. MINIMUM WORK EXPERIENCE: Minimum of 5 years clinical nursing experience in an Acute Care setting required; 2 years in Medical Surgical preferred. Minimum of 2 years nursing management or leadership experience required. REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS: Current licensure in Texas as a Registered Nurse. Basic Life Support Certification through the American Heart Association REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND ABILITIES: Excellent interpersonal skills; analytical skills, computer skills, and basic finance knowledge. Must have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of Medical Surgical environment, demonstrated leadership abilities, financial competence, and sound management abilities. Good command of the English language, both verbal and written. Ability to work well with physicians, employees, patients and others. Ability to resolve complex issues through utilization of appropriate communication techniques. High energy, outgoing, and self-starter. ABOUT OAKBEND: OakBend Medical Center is an independent hospital providing exceptional and compassionate care to patients and the community since 1950. The OakBend family consists of outstanding team members caring for the community at three hospitals and many specialty centers. OakBend’s services and programs include its signature No Wait ER, an advanced trauma center, certified stroke program, hospital air ambulance services and a hospital-based skilled nursing facility. We remain committed to providing a rewarding environment to our team members, to providing necessary services to the community and to developing the best methods to care for our patients, ensuring a healthy future for generations.
