Nurse Manager II (RN) - Acute Care Pediatrics 11

VCU Health; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pediatric healthcare institution in Richmond is seeking a visionary Nurse Manager II to lead a new pediatric unit opening in January 2027. The role involves recruiting and building a nursing team, establishing unit culture, and ensuring operational readiness. Candidates must have significant clinical experience, progressive leadership skills, and active RN licensure in Virginia. This position offers the chance to make a substantial impact within a nationally recognized academic children's hospital, supported by ample professional development resources.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant clinical experience.
• 2+ years of progressive leadership experience.
• Current RN licensure in Virginia.

Responsibilities

• Lead the staffing and launch of Acute Care Pediatrics 11.
• Ensure high-quality, family-centered care.
• Direct day-to-day operations and oversee budget.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Team building

Clinical competencies

Operational oversight

Excellent communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in nursing

Enrolled in Master's degree program

Job description

Overview

Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU (CHoR) is seeking an experienced and visionary Nurse Manager II to lead the launch of Acute Care Pediatrics 11, a brand-new pediatric unit scheduled to open in January 2027. This is a rare opportunity for a nursing leader to staff and lead a unit from the ground up within a nationally recognized academic children’s hospital.

In this role, you will be instrumental in recruiting and building a high-performing nursing team, establishing unit culture, and driving clinical and operational readiness well in advance of opening day. You will partner closely with nursing leadership, educators, physicians, and operational teams to execute a phased staffing strategy that supports hiring, onboarding, competency development, and workflow design—ensuring a strong foundation for long-term success.

Acute Care Pediatrics 11 will be a 24-bed pediatric unit caring for surgical patients across trauma, burn, and general surgery, with telemetry monitoring in both general care and step-down settings. The unit will also include epilepsy monitoring services, accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers, delivering advanced seizure management through continuous video and EEG monitoring.

At Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, nurse leaders join a mission-driven academic medical center known for exceptional pediatric outcomes, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Leaders are supported by robust professional development, access to specialty expertise, and the opportunity to make a meaningful, lasting impact on children and families throughout the region.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, family-centered care by ensuring appropriate staffing levels, skill mix, and clinical competencies.
• Foster a healthy, healing, and respectful environment for patients, families, visitors, and staff while promoting engagement, accountability, and a culture of excellence.
• Partner with interdisciplinary teams to deliver outstanding service; support environmental control planning; coordinate materials management; and oversee daily unit operations to ensure safety, efficiency, and quality outcomes.
• Staff and lead the unit from launch, including recruiting, onboarding, competency development, and workflow design to support phased opening and long-term success.
• Ensure 24/7 visibility to enhance staff communication and monitor staff effectiveness.
• Direct day-to-day operations and provide guidance for staffing, budget, and unit guidelines with appropriate escalation to the Director as needed.
• Manage supervisory responsibilities for all nursing unit staff (further delegated as appropriate) and maintain effective oversight of 50+ FTEs.

Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for Hire

• Current RN licensure in Virginia or eligible

Licensure, Certification, or Registration Requirements for Continued Employment

• Current RN Licensure in Virginia
• AHA BLS Certification or equivalent

Experience

• Required: 5 years of relevant clinical experience with 2 of those years of progressive leadership and/or supervisory/management experience
• Preferred: Experience in an academic medical center environment

Education/Training

• Required: Bachelor’s degree in nursing. Must be enrolled in a Master’s degree program at the time of application and must be complete within 36 months of hire.
• Special consideration will be given for applicants enrolled in baccalaureate to doctoral programs who will not attain a Master’s degree and may require longer than 36 months to complete the terminal degree. If the Master’s degree is not in nursing then it is required to have a BSN from an accredited school.
• Education/training preferred: Master’s Degree in Nursing or a related field. If the master’s degree is not in Nursing, then it is required to have a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing. Certification in a specialty area.

Independent actions

All day-to-day operations of the unit are handled independently. Advice and guidance are sought from the Director on an as-needed situational basis and when there is a major impact on activity outside the unit. Actions taken without prior approval include daily operational functions and leadership of staff. Guidance of Supervisor; advice and guidance are sought for termination of employees, handling employee grievances, review of annual unit goals and budget, approval on unit guidelines and procedures and review of staff annual performance evaluations.

Supervisory responsibilities

All employees of the nursing unit report to this position and have responsibility for 50 or more FTEs; however, supervisory responsibilities may be delegated as appropriate.

Additional position requirements

Requires 24/7 visibility to enhance staff communication and monitor staff effectiveness.

Age Specific groups served

N/A

Physical Requirements

Physical: Lifting 50-100 lbs. Other: Exposure to potentially hazardous and infectious substances. Activities: Prolonged standing, Frequent bending, Walking (distance), Climbing (steps, ladder, other), Reaching (overhead, extensive, repetitive). Mental/Sensory: Strong recall, Reasoning, Problem solving, Hearing, Speak clearly, Write legibly, Reading, Logical thinking. Emotional: Fast pace environment, Steady pace, Able to handle multiple priorities, Frequent and intense customer interactions, Noisy environment, Able to adapt to frequent change.

EEO Employer/Disabled/Protected Veteran/41 CFR 60-1.4.