Director of Nursing

At Limitlessli, we specialize in recruiting, hiring, and managing high-caliber staff for dynamic and growing healthcare facilities.

The Director of Nursing (DON) is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and clinical oversight of the nursing department within a skilled nursing facility. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality resident care, compliance with federal and state regulations, and the effective management of nursing staff to support positive clinical outcomes and operational excellence.

This position oversees nursing operations for a 158-bed skilled nursing facility with an average census of approximately 105 residents.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to all nursing staff, fostering a culture of clinical excellence, accountability, and resident-centered care.
• Oversee the planning, coordination, and evaluation of nursing services to ensure quality care and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including CMS and Maryland Department of Health requirements.
• Develop, implement, and monitor nursing policies, procedures, and clinical standards.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate nursing management, including Assistant Directors of Nursing, Unit Managers, and licensed nursing staff.
• Collaborate with the Administrator, Medical Director, and interdisciplinary team to achieve quality, operational, and financial goals.
• Monitor quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) initiatives and implement corrective action plans as needed.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and effective workforce management to meet resident care needs.
• Participate in survey readiness activities and lead the nursing department during regulatory surveys.
• Investigate resident concerns, incidents, and clinical issues while implementing appropriate corrective measures.
• Promote staff development through education, coaching, and ongoing competency assessments.
• Manage departmental budgets, labor utilization, and resource allocation in collaboration with facility leadership.
• Foster positive relationships with residents, families, physicians, and community partners.

Qualifications

Required

• Active and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Maryland (or eligibility for licensure by endorsement).
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience as either an Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) or Director of Nursing (DON) in a skilled nursing facility or long-term care setting.
• Thorough knowledge of federal and Maryland state regulations governing skilled nursing facilities.
• Demonstrated leadership, team development, and staff management experience.
• Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN); Master's degree in Nursing or Healthcare Administration is a plus.
• Experience leading successful state and federal surveys.
• Knowledge of electronic health record (EHR) systems and quality improvement programs.

Preferred Competencies

• Strategic leadership and operational management
• Regulatory compliance and survey preparedness
• Quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI)
• Staff engagement, mentoring, and retention
• Clinical excellence and resident advocacy
• Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
• Effective collaboration with interdisciplinary teams

Work Environment

This position is based onsite at a skilled nursing facility in Maryland serving approximately 105 residents within a licensed 158-bed community. The Director of Nursing is expected to provide visible leadership, participate in an on-call rotation, and support the facility as needed to ensure the delivery of exceptional resident care.

If you're interested in what you have read, then we invite you to take the next step and submit your application.