ADON - Assistant Director of Nursing

Assistant Director of Nursing (RN)

Lead with purpose. Strengthen clinical care. Grow with Elderwood at Grand Island.

Elderwood is seeking a dedicated and collaborative Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON – RN) to join our facility leadership team. This is an opportunity to influence nursing practice, develop employees, strengthen quality outcomes, and help ensure residents receive consistent, compassionate care.

As ADON, you will partner closely with the Director of Nursing and Administrator to advance clinical priorities, support nursing employees, maintain survey readiness, and uphold regulatory standards. You will have meaningful responsibility within the facility - along with access to an experienced network of clinical leaders across the Elderwood organization.

• Visible Clinical Impact: Help shape nursing practice, employee development, quality initiatives, and the resident experience.

• Facility Leadership Partnership: Work closely with the Director of Nursing and Administrator to address priorities and move clinical initiatives forward.

• Clinical Support Beyond the Facility: Benefit from the broader clinical leadership and resources of Elderwood Administrative Services.

• Leadership Development: Strengthen the skills and experience needed to advance into future Director of Nursing and senior clinical leadership opportunities.

• Purposeful Work: See the direct connection between strong nursing leadership, employee success, and better resident outcomes.

At Elderwood, facility nursing leaders are accountable for clinical performance - but they are not expected to lead in isolation.

Our facility clinical teams receive support from Elderwood Administrative Services, including organization-wide clinical leadership from the Chief Nursing Officer and an assigned Regional Nurse Consultant who serves as a consistent resource to facility leaders.

The Regional Nurse Consultant partners with the Director of Nursing, ADON, Administrator, and clinical team to provide guidance, share best practices, help navigate complex challenges, and support priorities related to quality, regulatory readiness, clinical operations, and nursing leadership development.

This structure gives you the opportunity to lead locally while benefiting from the experience, perspective, and resources of a larger clinical organization.

Elderwood is committed to identifying and developing the next generation of clinical leaders. Nurses who demonstrate strong performance, leadership potential, and an interest in future Director of Nursing opportunities may be considered for advanced development experiences, including Widener University’s Director of Nursing Leadership Academy.

Designed for current and aspiring DONs, the 12-week academy combines online learning, leadership coaching, faculty mentorship, and in-person applied workshops. Its curriculum addresses the practical demands of nursing leadership, including communication, decision-making, team development, retention, financial fundamentals, strategic planning, and change management.

If you are ready to contribute as an ADON today while preparing for greater leadership responsibility in the future, Elderwood offers an environment where your potential can be recognized, developed, and supported.

Elderwood at Grand Island is conveniently located for CNAs throughout Grand Island, Kenmore, Tonawanda, Niagara Falls, Wheatfield, North Tonawanda, and Buffalo.

Join a local nursing team committed to clinical quality, professional development, and consistent resident-centered care.

Strong nursing leadership creates stronger teams, more consistent clinical practice, and better outcomes for residents. If you are a collaborative RN leader who values accountability, mentorship, professional growth, and meaningful work, we would like to meet you.

Apply today and explore your next leadership opportunity with Elderwood.

What You’ll Do as Assistant Director of Nursing (RN) Position:

• Partner with the Director of Nursing to oversee daily nursing operations and ensure exceptional resident outcomes.

• Supervise and develop nursing staff - fostering engagement, accountability, and professional growth.

• Serve as Infection Control Preventionist, leading compliance and safety initiatives.

• Participate in audits, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary care planning.

• Step in as Director of Nursing when needed to ensure continuity of leadership and care.

• Support staffing, onboarding, and training - helping maintain 24-hour nursing coverage and high-quality service.

What You'll Need as Assistant Director of Nursing (RN) Position:

• Must possess, as a minimum, a degree in Nursing from an accredited school.
• Must possess a current, unencumbered, active license to practice as in state.
• Baccalaureate degree preferred.
• Working knowledge of the needs of geriatric complex care requiring long term care, the principles of management, supervision, organizational behavior and structure, and communication systems.
• A physical examination and/or evidence from a physician indicating free of communicable disease to be available upon employment.
• Must be in good physical and mental health.
• Ability to work independently or part of a group.
• Effectively communicate with others.
• If expected to drive company vehicle- must have valid driver's license with good driving record and be at least 21 years of age. (In order to comply with company Driving Standards P&P).
• Must have, as a minimum, 2 years of experience as a supervisor in a hospital, long-term care facility, or other related health care facility.
• Previous long-term care experience is desirable.
• Computer knowledge preferred.
• This position requires regular interaction with residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors. In order to ensure a safe work environment for residents, coworkers, visitors, and/or supervisors of the Company, and to permit unfettered communication between the employee and those residents, coworkers, visitors, and supervisors, this position requires that the employee be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language at an intermediate or more advanced level.