DIRECTOR OF NURSING (DON)

A Plus Hire Right Search Group; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

A Plus Hire Right Search Group in Newark, NJ is seeking an experienced Director of Nursing (DON) to lead the clinical operations of a skilled nursing facility, ensuring high-quality, resident-centered care while maintaining regulatory compliance.

The DON will oversee nursing services, develop teams, monitor MDS documentation and care plans, manage staffing, and collaborate with physicians and interdisciplinary colleagues to enhance outcomes and ensure survey readiness.

Qualifications

• Current, unrestricted RN license.
• Experience as Director of Nursing or nursing management in a skilled nursing facility.
• Strong knowledge of Medicare regulations and long-term care compliance.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight for all nursing operations within the facility.
• Mentor and develop nursing staff while fostering a patient-centered culture.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and survey readiness across federal and state requirements.
• Oversee MDS documentation, care planning, and clinical documentation processes.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Regulatory knowledge

MDS expertise

Clinical documentation

Staff mentoring

Communication

Education

RN license

Tools

EMR/EHR systems

Job description

A Plus Hire Right Search Group | Full time

DIRECTOR OF NURSING (DON)

Newark,NJ, United States | Posted on 08/19/2026

Skilled Nursing | Clinical Leadership Opportunity

Lead Clinical Excellence. Inspire Exceptional Care.

Outstanding resident care begins with exceptional nursing leadership.

Our confidential client is seeking an experienced Director of Nursing (DON) to lead the clinical operations of a skilled nursing facility dedicated to delivering exceptional resident care. This executive nursing leadership role is responsible for overseeing the nursing department, ensuring regulatory compliance, developing high-performing clinical teams, and promoting a culture of excellence, compassion, and accountability.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a proven nursing leader who enjoys mentoring staff, improving clinical outcomes, and making a meaningful impact on the lives of residents and their families.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Nursing provides strategic and operational leadership for all nursing services within the skilled nursing facility. This individual is responsible for ensuring the delivery of high-quality, resident-centered care while maintaining compliance with all federal, state, and regulatory requirements.

Working closely with the Administrator and interdisciplinary leadership team, the Director of Nursing oversees clinical operations, staffing, quality initiatives, regulatory readiness, and employee development to ensure the highest standards of care and operational excellence.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for all nursing operations within the skilled nursing facility.
  
• Supervise, mentor, and develop nursing staff while fostering a collaborative, accountable, and patient-centered culture.
  
• Promote clinical excellence through education, coaching, and professional development.
  
• Ensure delivery of compassionate, high-quality care that enhances resident outcomes and quality of life.
  

Clinical Operations

• Develop, implement, and evaluate nursing policies, procedures, and clinical best practices.
  
• Oversee resident assessments, Minimum Data Set (MDS) documentation, and individualized care plan development.
  
• Manage staffing, scheduling, and clinical resource allocation to ensure appropriate coverage and quality care.
  
• Collaborate with physicians, rehabilitation professionals, and interdisciplinary team members to coordinate resident care.
  
• Monitor clinical performance and implement quality improvement initiatives.
  

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, Medicare, HIPAA, and skilled nursing regulations.
  
• Maintain survey readiness and support successful state and federal inspections.
  
• Oversee medical record accuracy, documentation quality, and EMR/EHR compliance.
  
• Ensure adherence to infection prevention, resident rights, and quality assurance standards.
  

Staff Development

• Recruit, mentor, and retain high-performing nursing professionals.
  
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide coaching to support employee growth and accountability.
  
• Facilitate ongoing clinical education and regulatory training programs.
  
• Foster employee engagement through open communication, recognition, and leadership development.
  

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The successful candidate will possess:

• Proven nursing leadership experience within a skilled nursing or long-term care environment.
  
• Strong knowledge of skilled nursing regulations, survey processes, and Medicare compliance.
  
• Extensive experience with MDS assessments, care planning, and clinical documentation.
  
• Demonstrated success leading, mentoring, and developing nursing teams.
  
• Strong understanding of quality improvement and regulatory readiness initiatives.
  
• Excellent leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
  
• Experience utilizing EMR/EHR systems for clinical documentation and reporting.
  
• Commitment to delivering exceptional resident-centered care.
  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Current, unrestricted Registered Nurse (RN) license.
  
• Previous Director of Nursing, Assistant Director of Nursing, or nursing management experience in a skilled nursing facility.
  
• Strong knowledge of Medicare regulations and long-term care compliance requirements.
  
• Experience overseeing MDS documentation, care plans, and clinical documentation processes.
  
• Proficiency with EMR/EHR systems.
  
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
  
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced healthcare environment.
  

BENEFITS

Comprehensive benefits package available.

Shape the Future of Resident Care

This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced nursing leader who is passionate about developing clinical teams, improving quality outcomes, and delivering exceptional care to residents. If you are a collaborative leader with a commitment to excellence, integrity, and compassionate service, we encourage you to explore this rewarding leadership opportunity and help shape the future of resident care.