Director of Nursing

Ascension; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Tuition reimbursement

PTO & holidays

Employee assistance

Job summary

Ascension in Jacksonville, FL is seeking a visionary Nursing leader to guide six diverse specialty units and ensure a seamless, high‑standard patient care journey across Bariatric Surgical, Med Surg, Oncology, Observation, and Telemetry.

You will build and grow a high‑performing nursing team, lead strategic recruitment and mentorship, align departmental goals with legal and ethical standards, and steward budgets to support safe, efficient care while driving continuous improvement and staff

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse license from Florida (or eligible) required.
• Bachelor's degree in nursing or diploma from an accredited school/college of nursing required.
• Master's degree preferred; additional leadership experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead clinical excellence across six diverse specialty units to ensure a seamless, high-standard patient care journey.
• Empower and grow a high-performing nursing team by spearheading recruitment, professional development, and mentorship initiatives.
• Strategize departmental goals that align clinical operations with legal and ethical standards to ensure safe, compliant care.
• Optimize fiscal health by managing unit budgets and resources to support exceptional care.
• Drive continuous improvement by directing audits and using data to elevate nursing workflows and outcomes.

Skills

Leadership experience

Management skills

Lean principles

Staff recruitment

Education

Bachelor's in Nursing

Nursing Diploma

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Your future role at a glance

Location: Jacksonville, FL

Facility: St. Vincent's Riverside

Departments: Bariatric Surgical, Med Surg, Oncology, Observation, and Telemetry

Schedule: Days | Full-time

Eligible for an annual bonus incentive

Life at Ascension: Where purpose meets opportunity

Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system with a culture and associate experience grounded in service, growth, care and connection. We empower our 97,000+ associates to bring their skills and expertise every day to reimagining healthcare, together. Recognized as one of the Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, you’ll find an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions truly matter.

Benefits that help you thrive

• Comprehensive health coverage: medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage and HSA/FSA options
• Financial security & retirement: employer-matched 403(b), planning and hardship resources, disability and life insurance
• Time to recharge: pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays
• Career growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development and online learning
• Emotional well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling and peer support, spiritual care and stress management resources
• Family support: parental leave, adoption assistance and family benefits
• Other benefits: optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings and more

How you’ll make an impact in this role

• Lead clinical excellence across six diverse specialty units to ensure a seamless, high-standard patient care journey.
• Empower and grow a high-performing nursing team by spearheading strategic recruitment, professional development, and mentorship initiatives that foster long-term retention.
• Strategize departmental goals that align clinical operations with legal and ethical standards, ensuring the facility remains a beacon of safe, compliant healthcare delivery.
• Optimize fiscal health by managing unit budgets and resource allocation, ensuring the team has the tools they need to provide exceptional care without compromise.
• Drive continuous improvement by directing internal and external audits, using data-driven insights to elevate nursing workflows and patient outcomes.

What Minimum Requirements You’ll Need

Licensure / Certification / Registration:

• Registered Nurse credentialed from the Florida Board of Nursing obtained prior to hire date or job transfer date required.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in nursing or diploma from an accredited school/college of nursing required.
• Master's degree or combination of Bachelor's degree and experience preferred.

Work Experience

• 5 years of experience required.
• 10 years of experience preferred.
• 2 years of leadership or management experience required.
• 5 years of leadership or management experience preferred.

What Additional Preferences We're Seeking

• MSN preferred, along with Nurse Executive (NE-BC) or Nurse Executive, Advanced (NEA-BC) certification.
• Prior experience applying Lean or Operational Excellence methodologies to healthcare workflows.

Equal employment opportunity employer

Ascension provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all associates and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex/gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions, lactation, breastfeeding, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, all as defined by applicable federal, state and local laws. For further information, view the EEO Know Your Rights (English) poster or EEO Know Your Rights (Spanish) poster.

E-Verify statement

Employer participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program. Please click here for more information.