Position Summary

The Director of Nursing (DON) serves as the senior nursing leader responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of patient care delivery within the hospital’s nursing services. In a Critical Access Hospital, the DON plays a pivotal, hands-on role in managing clinical operations, staffing, quality outcomes, and regulatory readiness. The position requires a highly engaged and flexible leader who understands rural healthcare challenges and fosters a culture of teamwork, accountability, and clinical excellence.

Key Accountabilities

• Manage and coordinate patient placement and scheduling, flow and/or assessment including chart reviews, prioritizing patients by severity, provider requirements, monitoring charts, lab work, and radiology tests and communication with patients regarding scheduled case changes. 

• Build staffing schedules and supervise work activities of assigned staff to ensure achievement of established goals, objectives, and outcomes

• Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all federal, state, licensing, and regulatory requirements and practices, and quality improvement programs/initiatives.

• Develop and maintain effective working partnerships with physicians by facilitating appropriate involvement in departmental planning and operations to ensure a collaborative work environment. Identifies leadership potential within the team and fosters growth through delegation, education, and mentorship.

• Plan, coordinate and manage the nursing department direction coordination and evaluation of nursing care. Leads performance management processes, including annual evaluations, coaching plans, disciplinary actions, and recognition programs.

• Oversee the nursing staff for the provision of quality and appropriate patient care that meets or exceeds company and regulatory standards. Ensures compliance with CMS Conditions of Participation for CAHs, state licensure requirements, and other applicable accrediting bodies (e.g., The Joint Commission).

• Maintain administrative authority, responsibility and accountability for the proper charting and documentation of care, medications and treatments

• Manage clinical aspects of state and/or federal government survey processes

• Provides day-to-day operational leadership for inpatient nursing units (Med-Surg, Swing Bed), Emergency Department (ED), Obstetrics, Outpatient Infusion, and other nursing-related services.

• Collaborates with the CEO, CNO, and senior leadership team in strategic planning, service line development, and budgetary decisions.

• Assumes 24/7 accountability for nursing services, including clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and staff performance.

• Supports the hospital’s mission, vision, and values by integrating them into nursing practice and departmental goals.

• Ensures effective patient flow, efficient discharge planning, and coordination of care with providers and ancillary departments.

• Maintains knowledge of rural-specific clinical practices and ensures staff competency in delivering diverse care (e.g., trauma stabilization, geriatric nursing, swing bed rehabilitation).

• Engages in frequent leadership rounding, real-time problem-solving, and presence at the point of care.

• Oversees staff scheduling, timekeeping, and labor cost management in accordance with budget and workload demands.

• Coordinates and leads nursing participation in quality improvement projects, chart audits, and root cause analyses.

• Monitors and reports on clinical indicators such as falls, pressure injuries, CAUTI, CLABSI, hand hygiene compliance, medication errors, and readmission rates working with the quality department.

• Prepares the nursing department for unannounced surveys and actively leads policy and procedure updates.

• Collaborates with finance and administration to develop and manage the nursing department’s operational budget.

• Monitors and controls expenditures, staffing levels, supply usage, and resource allocation.

• Participates in capital equipment planning, vendor evaluation, and supply chain initiatives relevant to nursing services.

• Promotes open, respectful communication between staff, providers, patients, and other departments.

• Facilitates effective staff meetings, huddles, and committee participation to ensure alignment with organizational priorities.

• Encourages a just culture where safety concerns, near misses, and suggestions are openly shared and addressed.

• Supports employee engagement through visibility, approachability, and meaningful staff recognition.

• Serves as a liaison between nursing and other departments (e.g., Quality, Pharmacy, Lab, Therapy, HR, Medical Staff).

• Supports transitional care coordination with local clinics, home health, skilled nursing facilities, and public health agencies.

Position Requirements and Qualifications

• Current Registered Nurse (RN) licensure in the State of Nebraska, in good standing from an accredited school of nursing.

• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook, and modern office equipment

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required; Master’s in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred.

• Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certifications required.

• Additional certifications (e.g., TNCC, NRP,ENPC, PALS, Infection Control) preferred based on hospital services.

Physical Demands

• Frequent lifting of 10-20 pounds

• Occasional lifting of 50 pounds

• Frequent sitting, standing, and walking

• Ability to type and be on a computer for extended periods of time

• Ability to stoop, bend, reach, and grasp with arms and hands

Work Environment

• Exposure to respiratory and droplet pathogens

• Typical medical office environment with temperature control 

About Gothenburg Health

Gothenburg Health is a critical access hospital and clinics located in Gothenburg, Nebraska. This is an opportunity to join a innovative and positive work culture with a growing healthcare provider with unparalleled passion. We offer a competitive salary and benefit package that includes vacation and sick leave, extended illness, health insurance, paid life insurance, paid long term disability, and a defined contribution retirement plan with an employer match.

Apply now online to begin your journey with Gothenburg Health.