Nurse Manager, Operations - Emergency Department - Duke Health Cary

Duke Health; Cary (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Health Cary is seeking an experienced Nurse Manager, Operations to lead clinical and operational functions in our high-acuity Emergency Department. This is an exceptional opportunity to join a nationally recognized academic medical center and guide a team committed to delivering exemplary, patient-centered care.

The ideal candidate holds a BSN (MSN preferred), has 3+ years in emergency nursing, and 1+ year nursing leadership.

Qualifications

• BSN required
• MSN strongly preferred
• 3+ years Emergency Nursing experience required
• 1+ year nursing leadership experience preferred
• Experience in high-acuity ED of similar scope preferred
• Current NC RN licensure and BLS certification required

Responsibilities

• Lead 24/7 operations for the Emergency Department to ensure high-quality patient care.
• Develop and execute strategic and operational plans for the unit.
• Promote evidence-based nursing practice and staff development.
• Oversee day-to-day ED operations, staffing, and resource use.
• Monitor quality metrics and lead performance improvement initiatives.

Skills

Nursing leadership

Patient advocacy

Staff development

Budget management

Education

BSN

MSN preferred

Job description

At Duke Health, we're driven by a commitment to compassionate care that changes the lives of patients, their loved ones, and the greater community. No matter where your talents lie, join us and discover how we can advance health together.

About Duke Health Cary

Opening in Spring 2027, the next phase of this 85-acre, mixed use walkable Duke Health Cary campus will add emergency services, inpatient care, surgical services, imaging, specialty care, and infusion services, creating more than 230 career opportunities. Joining Duke Health Cary offers the opportunity to build something new, grow your career, and support our mission of advancing health across the communities we serve.

Nurse Manager, Operations – Emergency Department

Duke Health Cary – Cary, NC

Duke Health Cary is seeking an experienced, highly engaged Nurse Manager, Operations, to lead clinical and operational functions in our high-acuity Emergency Department (ED). This is an exceptional opportunity to join a nationally recognized academic medical center and guide a team committed to delivering exemplary, patient-centered care.

Job Summary

The Nurse Manager, Operations, provides 24/7 leadership for assigned clinical areas, ensuring high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, and alignment with Duke Health’s mission and professional practice standards. This role oversees operations, supports staff development, plans strategy, and fosters a collaborative, supportive work environment.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Participate in the development and execution of strategic and operational plans.
• Promote a professional practice model that encourages shared decision-making and evidence‑based standards.
• Serve as a visible, supportive leader and role model, fostering accountability and positive change.

Patient Care & Advocacy

• Champion safe, high-quality, patient-centered care.
• Advocate for patients, families, and staff to ensure care delivery aligns with expectations and standards.
• Ensure consistent use of the nursing process from admission to discharge.

Team & Staff Development

• Recruit, coach, evaluate, and support nursing staff to develop clinical competency from novice to expert.
• Promote diversity, inclusion, and positive team culture.
• Assure staff participation in councils, committees, and departmental initiatives.

Operations & Quality Management

• Oversee day-to-day management of the unit, ensuring efficient workflows, staffing, and resource use.
• Monitor quality metrics and lead unit-based Performance Improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate development and implementation of policies and procedures that enhance operational efficiency.

Fiscal Management

• Collaborate with the Director of Clinical Operations on budget planning and resource allocation.
• Evaluate resource utilization and implement action plans, ensuring operational and fiscal responsibility.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) required
• Master’s degree in Nursing strongly preferred

Experience Requirements

• At least 3 years of Emergency Nursing experience required
• 1+ years of nursing leadership experience (e.g., Charge RN, Clinical Supervisor, Manager) preferred
• Experience in a high-acuity ED of similar scope preferred

Preferred Leadership Competencies

• Project management
• Conflict resolution
• Team building
• Staff onboarding
• Budget and finance management

Licensure & Certification

• Current or compact RN licensure in North Carolina
• BLS certification required

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.