Director of NCLEX Success

Samuel Merritt University; Michigan; Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Education reimbursement

Paid vacation & holidays

Volunteer day

Job summary

Samuel Merritt University seeks a Director of NCLEX Success to provide strategic leadership and operational oversight of NCLEX readiness across BSN programs. You will supervise NCLEX Success Coaches, coordinate remediation, and work with faculty and support services to raise first-time pass rates and licensure readiness.

The role emphasizes data monitoring, standardized testing, and collaboration with curriculum committees to sustain continuous improvement in nursing education outcomes.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Nursing is required; doctoral degree preferred.
• Active RN license and eligibility for faculty appointment at rank.
• Minimum five years in prelicensure nursing education; leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead NCLEX readiness strategy across BSN programs.
• Oversee NCLEX coaching staff and remediation planning.
• Monitor NCLEX performance data and develop improvement plans.
• Collaborate with faculty to align curriculum with licensure outcomes.
• Support accreditation reporting and program reviews.
• Supervise NCLEX Success Coaches and provide professional development.

Skills

Leadership

NCLEX preparation

Data-driven decision making

Faculty collaboration

Program coordination

Education

Master’s degree in Nursing

Doctoral degree preferred

RN license

Job description

Description

Samuel Merritt University is committed to student success,licensure readiness, and continuous improvement of programoutcomes.

The Director of NCLEX Success provides strategicleadership, operational oversight, and programmatic coordination ofNCLEX preparation initiatives across the prelicensure nursingprograms.

This position reports to the Associate Dean of Curriculum &Faculty and is responsible for leading NCLEX readiness strategy,managing NCLEX support infrastructure, and supervising NCLEXSuccess Coaches. The Director works collaboratively with programleadership, course faculty, academic support services, andassessment teams to improve first-time NCLEX pass rates, strengthenremediation systems, and ensure students graduate prepared for safeentry-level practice.

Director of NCLEX Success leads data-driven interventionsacross the student lifecycle, from early identification of riskthrough post-graduation NCLEX preparation support. This role servesas the operational lead for NCLEX preparation resources,standardized testing integration, remediation programming, andfaculty collaboration related to student success initiatives.

Major areas of responsibility include leadership, NCLEX successprogramming, data monitoring, faculty collaboration, andsupervision of NCLEX Success Coaches.

Duties and Responsibilities

Administration (70%)

NCLEX Success Strategy and Program Oversight

• Leads development and implementation of comprehensive NCLEXreadiness strategy across BSN programs


• Establishes structured NCLEX preparation pathways from programentry through graduation


• Oversees implementation of standardized testing strategies (HESIor equivalent)


• Develops structured remediation frameworks aligned with studentperformance data


• Monitors national trends in NCLEX testing and integrates bestpractices into program strategy


• Ensures alignment between NCLEX preparation efforts and programoutcomes

Student Success Infrastructure

• Oversees NCLEX Success Coaches and coordinates student academicsupport related to licensure readiness


• Develops early identification processes for academically at-riskstudents


• Implements individualized NCLEX readiness plans for identifiedstudents


• Coordinates NCLEX preparation workshops, boot camps, and reviewprograms


• Supports repeat test-takers and graduates preparing forNCLEX

Data Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

• Monitors NCLEX performance data, predictive exam results, andcourse outcomes


• Develops dashboards to track student readiness indicators


• Provides regular reports to College leadership


• Identifies trends impacting pass rates and recommends correctiveactions


• Participates in continuous improvement planning related tolicensure outcomes

Faculty Collaboration

• Works with course faculty to integrate NCLEX preparationstrategies into curriculum


• Guides test blueprint alignment and question writing


• Partners with faculty to support remediation planning


• Supports faculty development related to NCLEX preparationstrategies


• Collaborates with curriculum committees regarding readinessinitiatives

Accreditation and Regulatory Support

• Supports preparation of NCLEX data for BRN, CCNE, and WSCUCreporting


• Assists with program review documentation related to licensureoutcomes


• Contributes to continuous improvement reporting processes


• Ensures NCLEX success initiatives align with accreditationexpectations

Supervision

• Directly supervises NCLEX Success Coaches


• Establishes expectations, performance goals, and evaluationprocesses


• Coordinates workload and student assignments


• Provides coaching and professional development support


• Conducts performance evaluations

Teaching and Student Engagement (20%)

• May facilitate 1:1 or 1-to-many reviews related to NCLEXpreparation or student success


• Facilitates NCLEX readiness seminars and workshops


• Provides group and individual student advising related tolicensure preparation


• Supports students in development of study plans and testingstrategies


• Collaborates with faculty regarding student progressionconcerns

Service (10%)

• Participates in College of Nursing committees related to studentsuccess


• Participates in faculty organization and college meetings asappropriate


• Supports university student success initiatives


• Represents the College in student success and licensure readinessinitiatives


• Participates in professional organizations related to nursingeducation

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in Nursing required; doctoral degree inNursing, Education, or a related field preferred.


• Active, unencumbered RN license and eligibility for facultyappointment at the Instructor, Assistant Professor, AssociateProfessor, or Professor rank, as applicable.


• Minimum five years of experience in prelicensure nursingeducation, including progressively responsible academic orprogram leadership experience.


• Minimum three years of leadership, program coordination, oradministrative experience within nursing education, studentsuccess, academic affairs, or a related area.


• Demonstrated experience developing or leading NCLEXpreparation, academic remediation, progression, or student successinitiatives.


• Experience using standardized testing and assessment platformssuch as HESI, ATI, or equivalent.


• Demonstrated ability to analyze student performance,assessment, and outcomes data and translate findings intomeasurable improvement strategies.


• Experience collaborating with faculty and academic leadershipto implement program-wide initiatives and improve studentoutcomes.


• Demonstrated experience managing multiple priorities, projects,and stakeholders across an academic program or institution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Nursing, Education, or a related field.


• Experience leading institution- or program-levelinitiatives focused on NCLEX performance, student progression,retention, or academic success.


• Demonstrated record of improving NCLEX pass rates or othermeasurable student outcomes.


• Experience developing or administering progression,remediation, and academic success policies.


• NCLEX item-writing, test-development, or assessmentexperience.


• Experience supervising, coaching, or providing functionalleadership to professional staff and/or faculty.


• Experience managing budgets, vendors, technology platforms, orother resources associated with student success programs.


• Experience working across multiple nursing programs, campuses,or academic departments.


• Knowledge of nursing accreditation, regulatory, and compliancerequirements as they relate to student progression and licensureoutcomes.

Work Environment

Office Location: Oakland -Hybrid

• This is a hybrid position based in Oakland, CA with in-officeattendance varying depending on meetings, events, and businessneeds.


• Collaboration with a multidisciplinary team in a dynamicacademic setting.

Employee Status: Regular

Exemption Status: United States of America (Exempt)

Time Type: Full time

Job Shift:

Pay Range

Up to $143k [annually/exempt] depending on experience,qualifications, geographic location, and other relevantfactors.

Organization

At Samuel Merritt University (SMU), we are dedicated to fostering a supportive, inclusive community committed to advancing healthcare through exceptional education, compassionate care, and communityservice. Known for our leading-edge programs in health sciences,SMU equips students and faculty with the knowledge and skills tomake impactful contributions to health and wellness.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. SMU welcomesapplicants from all backgrounds and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where anyone can thrive and reach their fullpotential.

Samuel Merritt University currently provides base salary ranges forall positions-on job advertisements-in the United States based onlocal requirements. Individual compensation will ultimately bedetermined based on a variety of relevant factors including but-notlimited to qualifications, geographic location, and other relevantskills.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance


• Mental health and wellness resources


• Education reimbursement


• Employee discounts through Marketplace


• Paid vacation, sick leave, and parental leave


• Nine paid holidays, plus a paid holiday break between Christmasand New Year’s Day


• Two floating holidays


• One paid Volunteer Work Day


• Five Education Leave Days

Notice to Recruitment Agencies

Samuel Merritt University does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies. Please do not forward resumes to our jobapplication email address, SMU employees, or any other universitylocation. Samuel Merritt University is not responsible for feesassociated with unsolicited resumes or candidate submissions.