Director of Nursing

Vera French Community Mental Health Center

$80K — $95K *
Healthcare
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Nursing required; Master's degree preferred.
  • Current Iowa RN license and CPR certification required.
  • Psychiatric nursing experience strongly preferred.
  • Leadership or administrative experience in healthcare is a plus.
  • Commitment to trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered care.

Responsibilities

  • Lead nursing services for residential programs supporting mental health.
  • Supervise, coach, and support nursing and direct support staff.
  • Strengthen nursing policies and procedures for better practices.
  • Promote safe and dignified recovery-focused care.
  • Collaborate with clinical and community partners to enhance care quality.

Benefits

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage.
  • Employer-paid life and long-term disability insurance.
  • 401(k) plan with employer contribution and match.
  • Tuition reimbursement and loan repayment for eligible employees after one year.
  • Paid time off including holidays, sick time, and vacation.
Full Job Description
Vera French is seeking a compassionate Registered Nurse to serve as Director of Nursing (DON) for our Residential Care Facility for Persons with Mental Illness and related residential/outreach programs, including Sheridan Springs, Pine Meadows, and Supported Community Living. This is a meaningful leadership opportunity for an RN who is passionate about behavioral health, person-centered care, staff development, and helping individuals living with mental illness thrive. The DON guides nursing services, supports direct care teams, strengthens clinical practices, and partners with leadership to ensure high-quality, compliant, compassionate care. This position reports to the Residential Care Facilities Administrator.

WHY THIS ROLE MATTERS:
  • Lead nursing services for residential programs serving adults with mental illness.
  • Supervise, coach, and support nursing and direct support staff.
  • Strengthen nursing policies, procedures, staff education, and quality practices.
  • Promote safe, dignified, recovery-focused care in collaboration with residential, clinical, and community partners.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING:
  • Bachelor's degree in Nursing required; Master's degree preferred.
  • Current Iowa RN license and CPR certification required.
  • Psychiatric nursing and leadership/administrative experience strongly preferred.
  • Commitment to trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, person-centered care.

SCHEDULE: Generally first shift; may vary based on staffing needs and program coverage.

WHO THRIVES IN THIS ROLE:
  • Mission-driven leaders who value accessible, respectful behavioral health care.
  • Supportive supervisors who enjoy mentoring staff and helping teams succeed.
  • Collaborative problem-solvers who balance compliance, quality, operations, and compassionate care.

Share Our Values: We are guided by community service, compassion, empowerment, respect, resourcefulness, and professionalism.

Make a Meaningful Impact: Our mission is to enhance the mental health of all in our community through quality, accessible, comprehensive care. As DON, you will help shape the care, culture, and support provided in our residential programs.

Lead, Learn, and Grow: Vera French supports professional development through in-house training, our learning management system, Tuition Reimbursement, and a Loan Repayment Program for eligible employees after one year.

If you are an RN ready to step into a leadership role where your clinical judgment, compassion, and commitment to behavioral health can make a lasting difference, we would love to hear from you.

WHAT WE OFFER:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Employer-paid life, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance
  • 401(k) with employer contribution and match
  • Tuition reimbursement and loan repayment program for eligible employees
  • Supplemental critical illness, accident, life, and short-term disability options
  • Paid time off, including holidays, sick time, and vacation

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