Director of Nursing
Job Description
Lead Nursing Excellence at a Premier Faith-Based CCRC
Director of Nursing Skilled Nursing Facility within Continuing Care Retirement Community
Wisconsin
An Opportunity Defined by Excellence and Values
Imagine leading nursing operations in a skilled nursing facility that isn't just a building—it's the heart of a vibrant, faith-based retirement community where residents thrive, families find peace, and staff take genuine pride in their work.
A beautiful CCRC spanning over 100 picturesque acres is seeking a Director of Nursing who can build on a strong foundation of quality care while bringing clinical leadership and nursing excellence to their skilled nursing operations.
This isn't about turning around a struggling community. This is about leading a high-performing nursing team to even greater heights—with the backing of experienced, hands-on corporate leadership and a mission-driven culture that truly values people.
What Makes This Opportunity Special
A Campus That Inspires
Set on expansive, beautifully landscaped grounds, this CCRC features thoughtfully designed walking paths, water features, gardens, and recreational spaces that create a true sense of home. The campus includes lake access for fishing and swimming, walking trails, and a state-of-the-art recreational facility with activities ranging from putting greens to bocce ball and croquet.
Innovative Campus Design
The community's interconnected hub-and-spoke layout allows residents to visit family members across different levels of care regardless of weather—a design that truly honors the continuum of care philosophy. The recently renovated central gathering space serves as the heart of campus life.
Exceptional Amenities & Lifestyle
Residents enjoy comprehensive lifestyle amenities including:
- Restaurant-style dining with daily menu variety and chef-prepared meals
- Wellness center featuring warm-water pool, whirlpool, fitness facilities, and professional programming
- Hobby and workshop spaces designed for resident interests
- Arts and crafts studios with full kitchen facilities
- Rotating art gallery showcasing regional artists
Strong Quality Performance
This community maintains solid quality metrics with excellent staffing ratios for licensed nurses (RN and LPN) that exceed state averages. Recent survey history demonstrates minimal deficiencies and strong regulatory compliance—reflecting a culture of quality and accountability.
Faith-Based Mission with Practical Support
This organization grounds its work in faith-based values while providing practical, hands-on corporate support. The VP of Clinical is known for being accessible, supportive, and willing to "roll up her sleeves" to help—regularly checking in with leaders to ensure they have what they need to succeed.
The Leadership Opportunity
Build on Success
Step into a community with strong quality indicators, excellent staffing ratios, and a stable clinical foundation. Your role is to strengthen what works, address opportunities for improvement, and lead the nursing team to consistently excellent performance.
Collaborative Nursing Leadership Required
This organization values nursing leaders who are strong clinicians yet approachable—capable of making sound clinical decisions while maintaining positive relationships with physicians, therapy teams, and interdisciplinary partners. You'll provide clinical oversight for appropriate admissions while ensuring nursing standards are never compromised.
Strong Staffing Foundation
Current licensed staffing levels (RN and LPN) exceed state averages, providing a solid platform for maintaining quality care delivery. You'll focus on optimizing nursing operations and continuing professional development.
Long-Standing Partnership & Stability
This is a valued, long-term client with a decade-plus track record of successful placements and strong retention. They invest in their nursing leaders and create environments where talented DONs can build lasting careers.
What You'll Lead
Clinical & Nursing Operations
- Direct oversight of all nursing services in skilled nursing facility
- Leadership of RN, LPN, and CNA nursing staff across all shifts
- Management of clinical operations, care delivery, and nursing workflows
- Oversight of nursing schedules, staffing ratios, and skill mix optimization
- Partnership with rehabilitation, dietary, activities, and support services
Quality & Clinical Excellence
- Maintain strong quality indicators and clinical outcomes
- Drive continuous improvement in nursing care and resident satisfaction
- Ensure excellent staffing ratios are maintained and optimized
- Lead nursing quality assurance and performance improvement initiatives
- Oversee infection prevention, wound care, and evidence-based nursing practice
- Monitor and address pressure ulcer prevention and falls management
Regulatory Compliance & Survey Readiness
- Ensure nursing compliance with state and federal regulations
- Maintain survey readiness and proactive regulatory compliance
- Lead nursing preparation for state surveys and inspections
- Address clinical deficiencies and implement corrective action plans
- Support MDS coordination and accuracy
Care Coordination & Admissions Support
- Collaborate with administrator on appropriate nursing admissions
- Conduct clinical assessments for potential admissions
- Partner with hospital discharge planners and referral sources
- Ensure smooth transitions of care and admission processes
- Maintain collaborative approach to census development
Staff Development & Team Building
- Recruit, hire, and onboard nursing staff
- Provide mentoring, coaching, and professional development opportunities
- Conduct performance evaluations and competency assessments
- Build nursing team engagement and reduce turnover
- Foster culture of compassion, dignity, and clinical excellence
- Champion faith-based values in nursing practice
Resident & Family Relations
- Serve as primary nursing liaison to residents and families
- Address care concerns with professionalism and empathy
- Participate in care conferences and family meetings
- Ensure resident-centered approach to care delivery
- Build trust and confidence in nursing services
Who Succeeds in This Role
You Must Bring:
✓ RN License – Active, unrestricted Wisconsin RN license (or eligible to obtain)
✓ Nursing Leadership Experience – Proven success as DON, ADON, or senior nursing leader in skilled nursing
✓ Strong Quality Focus – History of maintaining solid quality indicators and survey performance
✓ Collaborative Style – Ability to work effectively with physicians, therapy teams, and interdisciplinary partners
✓ Faith Alignment – Appreciation for faith-based mission and values-driven nursing leadership
✓ Clinical Excellence – Strong clinical assessment skills and evidence-based practice knowledge
What Sets You Apart:
- BSN or Higher – Bachelor's or Master's degree in nursing
- CCRC Experience – Understanding of continuum of care and integrated senior living
- Gerontological Expertise – Specialized knowledge in geriatric nursing and long-term care
- Staff Development Focus – Track record of building strong nursing teams and reducing turnover
- Faith-Based Healthcare Background – Experience in mission-driven organizations
- Quality Improvement Expertise – Demonstrated success improving clinical outcomes and satisfaction
- Certifications – Gerontological nursing certification or other specialty credentials
What This Role Demands
Clinical Strength with Approachability
You must be a strong clinical leader who can make sound nursing decisions and hold teams accountable—while remaining approachable, collaborative, and supportive of nursing staff development.
Commitment to Mission
This is a faith-based organization where mission matters. You need to genuinely embrace values-driven leadership and create a nursing culture where faith principles guide daily care.
Nursing Excellence Standards
Maintaining quality performance, excellent staffing ratios, and regulatory compliance requires disciplined, consistent nursing leadership. You must bring clinical expertise and organizational systems.
Relationship Focus
Success requires building and maintaining strong relationships—with nursing staff, physicians, residents, families, interdisciplinary teams, and corporate nursing leadership. You must be a connector and relationship builder.
What We Offer in Return
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive compensation commensurate with experience Comprehensive benefits package Details shared with qualified candidates during interview process
Supportive Corporate Culture
Accessible, hands-on corporate nursing leadership VP of Clinical who provides real support and partnership Organization that values and invests in nursing leaders Stability and longevity in leadership positions
Professional Environment
Work within beautiful, well-maintained campus Strong quality foundation to build upon Excellent baseline staffing ratios Supportive corporate resources and infrastructure Long-term career opportunity with established organization
Quality of Life
Wisconsin location offering four-season recreation, community connections, and Midwest lifestyle Work environment aligned with faith-based values Campus setting that inspires pride and purpose
The Reality Check
This role is NOT appropriate for:
- Nursing leaders without proven DON or ADON experience in skilled nursing
- Those uncomfortable with faith-based organizational culture
- Leaders who prefer minimal corporate oversight or interaction
- Nurses seeking primarily floor nursing positions rather than leadership roles
This role IS ideal for:
- Experienced nursing leaders ready to lead a strong clinical team
- DONs who appreciate supportive, hands-on corporate nursing partnership
- Leaders who embrace faith-based mission and values-driven nursing culture
- Those who excel at relationship building and collaborative leadership
- Nursing leaders seeking stability, quality focus, and long-term career home
Confidential Search Process
This search is being conducted on behalf of a valued, long-term client partner. The organization has a decade-plus relationship with our firm and a strong track record of successful placements and leadership retention.
Ready to Lead Nursing Excellence with Purpose?
This is an opportunity to lead nursing operations in a high-quality skilled nursing facility within a beautiful, mission-driven CCRC—where your clinical leadership matters, corporate support is real, and the work aligns with deeper values and purpose.
If you're an experienced nursing leader who values quality, relationships, and faith-based culture, this role offers the stability, support, and professional satisfaction you've been seeking.
This community is part of a respected faith-based organization committed to honoring dignity, delivering excellence, and creating communities where residents and staff thrive.
Details
Full-Time Regular
Milwaukee
WI