Chief Nursing Officer

CommonSpirit Health; Santa Cruz (CA); On-site; USD 145,000 - 204,000; Full time

Job summary

CommonSpirit Health's Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz, CA seeks a Chief Nursing Officer to provide executive leadership and strategic direction for nursing across the hospital and affiliated entities. The CNO will ensure high-quality patient care, develop nursing policies, and align operations with regulatory and organizational standards.

You will lead resources, cost management, and performance oversight while advancing nursing excellence and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing; BSN or MSN upon hire.
• Master's degree in Nursing, MBA, MHA, Education, Public Health, or related field; BSN/MSN upon hire.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of nursing experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of nurse leadership experience.
• Current California RN license, required upon hire.

Responsibilities

• Provides executive leadership and direction for nursing across hospital and entities.
• Manages nursing resources, materials, finances; plans and directs nursing activities.
• Develops and implements nursing policies; ensures compliance with standards.
• Drives delivery of high-quality, cost-effective patient care and oversees staff performance.
• Advances competency and professional development of nursing staff.
• Leads quality enhancement and process improvement initiatives.
• Maintains effective communication with colleagues and stakeholders across the organization.

Skills

Executive leadership

Nursing leadership

Strategic direction

Communication

Collaboration

Education

BSN/MSN required

MBA/MHA/Ed/PH optional

Job description

*Job Summary and Responsibilities*

As our Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), you will provide executive leadership and strategic direction for nursing practice across the hospital and assigned business entities. Your primary responsibility will be to ensure consistent, high-quality standards of patient care while advancing nursing excellence throughout the organization. You will lead the development and implementation of nursing policies, objectives, and initiatives while ensuring departmental operations align with established clinical, regulatory, and organizational standards.

Every day, you will lead the effective management of nursing resources, including staff, materials, and finances, while planning and directing nursing activities across the facility. You will champion the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective patient care, oversee nursing performance, and foster an environment focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. You will also play an integral role in developing the competency and capabilities of the nursing workforce and leading quality enhancement and process improvement efforts that strengthen patient care and operational performance.

To be successful in this role, you will bring significant nursing and progressive leadership experience along with the ability to lead within a complex healthcare environment. You will be an influential and collaborative nursing executive who can balance clinical excellence with operational and financial stewardship, develop and empower nursing teams, and drive meaningful improvements in quality and patient care. Exceptional communication, sound judgment, and a commitment to creating an environment of professionalism, collaboration, and humankindness will be essential to your success.

*Key Job Responsibilities*

• Provides executive leadership and direction for nursing practice across the hospital and assigned business entities, maintaining consistent and high-quality standards of patient care.
• Manages nursing resources, including staff, materials, and finances, and plans and directs nursing activities across the facility.
• Develops and implements nursing policies, objectives, and initiatives while ensuring departmental operations remain compliant with established standards.
• Drives the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective patient care and provides oversight of nursing staff performance.
• Advances the competency and professional development of nursing staff to support a strong, high-performing nursing workforce.
• Leads and coordinates quality enhancement and process improvement initiatives to strengthen clinical outcomes and operational effectiveness.
• Establishes and maintains effective communication and collaborative relationships with colleagues, peers, leaders, and key stakeholders across the organization.
• Job Requirements* Required
• Bachelor's degree in Nursing or related field; must have either a BSN or MSN, upon hire.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of nursing experience.
• Master's degree in Nursing, MBA, MHA, Education, Public Health, or related field; must have either a BSN or MSN, upon hire.
• Minimum of five (5) years of nurse leadership experience.
• Current California Registered Nurse (RN) license, required upon hire.

*Where You'll Work*

Founded in 1941, Dignity Health - Dominican Hospital is a 188-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Santa Cruz, California. Serving over 80,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including heart care, orthopedics, and a Family Birthing Center. Additionally, Dominican Hospital has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center, and has been awarded the AMA/ASA’s Get the Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to providing the best stroke care.

[One Community. One Mission. One California ](https://youtu.be/RrPuiSnALJY?si=pvQgPZ6ZWZM60TPV)

*Pay Range*

$105.37 - $147.52 /hour