Director of Nursing Job Description

Nurses work together as part of a team, collaborating with doctors as well as other nurses to achieve optimal patient care. In many hospitals and other health care organizations, this team is led by a director of nursing. This advanced nursing position involves a number of administrative and managerial functions. Additionally, the director of nursing may serve as a liaison between the nursing staff and other health care leaders.
Though directors of nursing are typically not involved with direct, day-to-day patient care, they share a common goal with all the other nurses in the organization: to provide the highest standards of patient care for the best possible outcomes.
Those interested in the director of nursing job description should consider pursuing an advanced education in nursing, such as an online BSN to DNP. This can help students gain the skills to succeed as nursing leaders.
Director of Nursing Job Description
Day-to-Day Duties of the Director of Nursing
In terms of day-to-day tasks and duties, the director of nursing is usually responsible for the following:
- Building a qualified nursing team. The director of nursing is responsible for ensuring the facility’s nursing needs are met by a team of able professionals. As such, the director of nursing is tasked with recruiting and hiring skilled nurses and supplying training and development opportunities for staff nurses.
- Handling finances and payroll. The director of nursing must steward the department’s available resources, maintaining a reasonable budget while also paying all nurses fairly and in a timely manner.
- Setting goals. The director of nursing must set a vision for the entire nursing team, which may involve short- and long-term goals. These goals may include quality metrics, patient outcomes, length-of-stay reductions, infection control, or other key aspects of nursing.
- Ensuring regulatory compliance. Nursing teams must comply with many laws related to maintaining a healthy and sanitary environment and protecting patient confidentiality. The director of nursing is typically charged with ensuring the facility’s adherence to local, state, and federal regulations.
Director of Nursing Salary and Job Outlook
Director of Nursing Salary
PayScale reports that the annual median salary of directors of nursing was about $93,700 as of January 2022. Those in the upper 10th percentile earn around $136,000 annually, while those in the bottom 10th percentile make around $69,000.
Many factors can affect a director of nursing’s actual salary, including their experience level and education levels, geographic region, and where they are employed.
Director of Nursing Job Outlook
How to Become a Director of Nursing
Become a Nurse
Gain an Advanced Education
Get Certified
Take the Next Step Toward Becoming a Director of Nursing
For those who are researching the director of nursing job description, a good next step is to explore educational options. The director of nursing position is a generously compensated one with plenty of opportunities for job growth and for providing real leadership to other nursing professionals.
To pursue these opportunities, consider Hawai‘i Pacific University’s online BSN to DNP program. The program has three concentrations to choose from and a well-rounded curriculum, with courses including Advanced Pathophysiology and Advanced Nursing Research. Explore Hawai‘i Pacific University’s BSN-DNP and continue your trajectory toward becoming a director of nursing today.
Recommended Readings
Sources
American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing, Director of Nursing Services — Certified
Betterteam, Director of Nursing Job Description
Indeed, Director of Nursing Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications
Indeed, “How to Become a Certified Director of Nursing”
Indeed, “Learn About Being a Director of Nursing”
LeaderStat, Director of Nursing: Resources and Facts
PayScale, Average Director, Nursing Salary
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Medical and Health Services Managers