Lead Nursing Excellence in a Critical Access Hospital Setting
We are seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Nursing Services (DON) to provide operational leadership for nursing and patient care services. Reporting directly to the Chief Nursing Officer, this leadership role is responsible for ensuring exceptional patient care, regulatory compliance, workforce performance, quality outcomes, and operational excellence across assigned clinical departments.
The Director of Nursing Services plays a critical role in translating organizational goals, nursing standards, and regulatory requirements into effective daily operations while fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead day-to-day operations for assigned nursing and patient care services.
- Ensure compliance with nursing practice standards, healthcare regulations, accreditation requirements, and organizational policies.
- Monitor and improve patient safety, clinical quality, patient experience, and workforce performance metrics.
- Oversee staffing, scheduling, productivity, recruitment, retention, employee engagement, and professional development.
- Partner with physicians, department leaders, quality, infection prevention, pharmacy, risk management, and other stakeholders to support excellent patient outcomes.
- Develop and manage departmental budgets, resource allocation, and cost-effective operations.
- Drive policy development, implementation, and regulatory readiness initiatives.
- Lead performance improvement efforts and corrective action plans for identified operational or clinical gaps.
- Represent nursing services within the organization and professional healthcare communities.
- Support organizational committees, strategic initiatives, and nursing excellence programs.
QualificationsRequired:- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
- Current Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Wisconsin.
- Minimum of 5 years of progressive nursing leadership experience.
- At least 3 years of leadership responsibility across multiple departments or service lines.
- Strong knowledge of hospital operations, workforce planning, quality improvement, patient flow, budgeting, regulatory compliance, and physician collaboration.
Preferred:- Master's degree in Nursing (MSN), Healthcare Administration (MHA), or Business Administration (MBA).
- Experience in a Rural Hospital or Critical Access Hospital environment.
Desired Skills:- Nursing leadership and healthcare operations management.
- Workforce management and employee development.
- Budgeting, financial stewardship, and resource management.
- Quality improvement and patient safety leadership.
- Data-driven decision-making and performance management.
- Effective communication, conflict resolution, and change management.
- Strong understanding of healthcare laws, regulations, and accreditation standards.
Apply today to advance your nursing leadership career as our next Director of Nursing Services!
