Director of Nursing

Limitlessli; Westminster (MD); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Limitlessli in Maryland seeks a Director of Nursing (DON) to provide strategic leadership and clinical oversight in a 158-bed skilled nursing facility. You will guide nursing services, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive resident-centered care across the unit teams.

The role demands a RN license in Maryland, 5+ years in DON/ADON leadership, strong regulatory knowledge, business acumen, and excellence in staff development and interdisciplinary collaboration to achieve quality outcomes.

Qualifications

• Active RN license in Maryland.
• Minimum 5 years leadership as ADON/DON in a SNF or long-term care.
• Thorough knowledge of federal and Maryland regulations.
• Demonstrated leadership, team development and staff management.
• Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to nursing staff, fostering clinical excellence and resident-centered care.
• Oversee planning, coordination and evaluation of nursing services to ensure quality care and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state and local regulations including CMS and Maryland DOH.
• Develop, implement and monitor nursing policies, procedures and clinical standards.
• Supervise, mentor and evaluate nursing management including ADONs and unit managers.
• Collaborate with Administrator, Medical Director and interdisciplinary teams to achieve goals.
• Monitor QAPI initiatives and implement corrective action plans as needed.
• Manage staffing levels and workforce utilization to meet resident care needs.
• Lead survey readiness activities and nursing during regulatory surveys.
• Investigate resident concerns and incidents and implement corrective measures.
• Promote staff development through education, coaching and competency assessments.
• Manage departmental budgets, labor utilization and resource allocation.
• Foster positive relationships with residents, families, physicians and community partners.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Communication skills

Team development

Clinical decision-making

Budgeting / financial management

Education

BSN

MS in Nursing or Healthcare Admin

Tools

EHR systems

Job description

Director of Nursing (DON)

The Director of Nursing (DON) is responsible for the overall leadership, management, and clinical oversight of the nursing department within a skilled nursing facility. This role ensures the delivery of high-quality resident care, compliance with federal and state regulations, and the effective management of nursing staff to support positive clinical outcomes and operational excellence.

This position oversees nursing operations for a 158-bed skilled nursing facility with an average census of approximately 105 residents.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction to all nursing staff, fostering a culture of clinical excellence, accountability, and resident-centered care.
• Oversee the planning, coordination, and evaluation of nursing services to ensure quality care and regulatory compliance.
• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, including CMS and Maryland Department of Health requirements.
• Develop, implement, and monitor nursing policies, procedures, and clinical standards.
• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate nursing management, including Assistant Directors of Nursing, Unit Managers, and licensed nursing staff.
• Collaborate with the Administrator, Medical Director, and interdisciplinary team to achieve quality, operational, and financial goals.
• Monitor quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) initiatives and implement corrective action plans as needed.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels and effective workforce management to meet resident care needs.
• Participate in survey readiness activities and lead the nursing department during regulatory surveys.
• Investigate resident concerns, incidents, and clinical issues while implementing appropriate corrective measures.
• Promote staff development through education, coaching, and ongoing competency assessments.
• Manage departmental budgets, labor utilization, and resource allocation in collaboration with facility leadership.
• Foster positive relationships with residents, families, physicians, and community partners.

Qualifications

Required

• Active and unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license in the State of Maryland (or eligibility for licensure by endorsement).
• Minimum of five (5) years of leadership experience as either an Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) or Director of Nursing (DON) in a skilled nursing facility or long-term care setting.
• Thorough knowledge of federal and Maryland state regulations governing skilled nursing facilities.
• Demonstrated leadership, team development, and staff management experience.
• Strong clinical assessment and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing (BSN); Master's degree in Nursing or Healthcare Administration is a plus.
• Experience leading successful state and federal surveys.
• Knowledge of electronic health record (EHR) systems and quality improvement programs.

Preferred Competencies

• Strategic leadership and operational management
• Regulatory compliance and survey preparedness
• Quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI)
• Staff engagement, mentoring, and retention
• Clinical excellence and resident advocacy
• Strong problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills
• Effective collaboration with interdisciplinary teams

Work Environment

This position is based onsite at a skilled nursing facility in Maryland serving approximately 105 residents within a licensed 158-bed community. The Director of Nursing is expected to provide visible leadership, participate in an on-call rotation, and support the facility as needed to ensure the delivery of exceptional resident care.