Job Title: Director of Nursing (DON) – Senior Living
Department: Nursing
Reports To: Facility Administrator/CEO
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Summary
The Director of Nursing (DON) provides strategic, administrative, and clinical leadership for the nursing department within a senior living community. This role oversees planning, organizing, directing, staffing, and evaluating nursing services to ensure high-quality resident care aligned with regulatory standards and organizational objectives. The DON also serves as the acting facility leader in the Administrator’s absence.
Qualifications – Required
- Current, active state licensure as a Registered Nurse (RN) in good standing
- Minimum 2 years of RN Supervisor experience, including at least 1 year in long-term care
- CPR certification
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with residents, families, staff, visitors, and regulatory agencies
- Strong organizational, leadership, and delegation abilities
Qualifications – Preferred
- Previous experience as DON or Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON)
- Active participation in professional nursing organizations
- Prior experience in senior living or skilled nursing leadership roles
Cognitive / Mental Requirements
- Ability to make independent decisions and exercise sound judgment
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Ability to plan, implement, evaluate, and delegate tasks effectively
- Skilled at prioritizing multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment
Level of Supervision
- Direct Supervision: Nurse management team and assigned staff
- Indirect Supervision: RNs, LPNs, CNAs/NARs, and other assigned personnel
Essential Job Functions / Departmental Expectations
1. Clinical Leadership
- Provide administrative and clinical oversight to ensure delivery of high-quality resident care
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of nursing standards and best practices
- Develop, revise, and implement nursing policies and procedures
2. Financial Management
- Plan, monitor, and manage the nursing department budget
- Ensure appropriate resource utilization and cost-effective operations
- Adjust staffing levels based on census, acuity, and staffing patterns
- Review and approve timecards
3. Staffing & Workforce Management
- Lead recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of nursing personnel
- Conduct staff performance evaluations, coaching, counseling, and terminations as needed
- Ensure adequate staffing to meet resident needs and regulatory standards
4. Staff Development
- Partner with Staff Development to ensure training programs meet regulatory and clinical requirements
- Support ongoing education and competency validation for nursing staff
5. Quality Improvement
- Promote a culture of continuous quality improvement
- Develop, implement, and evaluate the nursing department’s quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) programs
- Oversee resident, family, and staff satisfaction initiatives
- Monitor safety, risk management, and strategic planning activities
6. Regulatory Compliance
- Develop and maintain policies and procedures supporting compliance with state/federal regulations
- Stay updated on regulatory changes and ensure timely implementation
- Prepare for and participate in surveys, audits, and inspections
7. Liaison Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary nursing liaison among residents/families, physicians, interdisciplinary departments, and external partners
- Represent the facility professionally within the community, health system, and public forums
Benefits:
- Healthcare package including dental, vision, Disability, and Life
- 401K
- Generous salary
- Bonus opportunity
