Job Description

Lead a Proven Turnaround Story to New Heights

Director of Nursing Skilled Nursing Facility (Under 50 Beds)
Oakley, Kansas

A Rare Opportunity: Join a Winning Team Mid-Transformation

Most DON opportunities fall into two categories: struggling communities desperate for a savior, or stable operations seeking maintenance leadership. This role is neither.

This is something far more compelling: a turnaround already in progress, led by a seasoned administrator who has successfully rebuilt operations and is now seeking the right nursing leader to take quality and clinical excellence to the next level.

A skilled nursing facility in Oakley (under 50 beds) is seeking an exceptional Director of Nursing who can build on dramatic improvements already achieved—reduced agency usage, stronger survey performance, and renewed focus on resident-centered care—while establishing sustainable systems for long-term success.

If you're a strong clinical nurse who wants to lead meaningful change with a transparent, results-oriented administrator who genuinely invests in the team, this opportunity deserves your attention.

What Makes This Opportunity Different

Momentum Already Built
The heavy lifting has begun. The administrator has successfully stabilized operations, dramatically reduced reliance on agency staffing, and demonstrated clear improvement in regulatory compliance. You'll join a team with momentum, not a sinking ship.

Manageable Size with Real Authority
With a smaller census, you'll have the ability to know every resident, mentor every nurse, and directly influence care delivery. This isn't about managing chaos—it's about building excellence at a scale where your leadership truly matters.

Transparent, Experienced Administrator Partnership
Work alongside a seasoned administrator who has successfully led multiple turnarounds and knows exactly what it takes to rebuild a nursing community. Direct, straightforward, and deeply committed to quality—expecting the same from the DON.

Strategic Location
Located directly across from a full-service hospital, providing convenient access for resident transfers, physician collaboration, and clinical coordination. This proximity strengthens care delivery and professional relationships.

Clear Improvement Trajectory
Recent survey performance demonstrates significant progress from previous challenges, with focus shifting from care-related issues to documentation and process compliance. The clinical foundation is strengthening—you'll help solidify and advance it.

The Administrator's Leadership Philosophy

The administrator believes that when you take care of residents and staff, everything else falls into place. The management style emphasizes transparency, consistency, and compassion. The administrator wants the DON to understand exactly what they're walking into and share the same vision for creating a high-quality care environment.

Described as someone who "calls it as they see it," this leader expects the same honesty and commitment from the leadership team. Results-oriented but nurturing, direct but supportive. If you value clear communication, high expectations, and genuine partnership, you'll thrive in this environment.

This is the administrator's third successful turnaround—bringing proven knowledge of what works, and seeking a DON who shares commitment to putting residents first.

What You'll Lead

Clinical Operations & Quality

  • Direct oversight of all nursing services for skilled nursing facility
  • Leadership of RN, LPN, and CNA nursing staff across all shifts
  • Development and maintenance of care plans that reflect resident needs and regulatory standards
  • Clinical assessment and intervention for complex residents
  • Oversight of clinical documentation, compliance, and quality metrics
  • Drive continued improvement in quality measures and resident outcomes

Staffing Stability & Development

  • Continue progress in reducing and potentially eliminating agency staffing reliance
  • Recruit, hire, and onboard permanent nursing staff
  • Mentor and develop young nurses, building clinical skills and professional growth
  • Create nurturing, team-focused culture that supports retention
  • Build nursing leadership bench strength for sustainable operations
  • Foster accountability and ownership across nursing team

Regulatory Compliance & Survey Readiness

  • Maintain strong regulatory compliance and survey readiness
  • Ensure nursing documentation meets standards and reflects quality care delivery
  • Lead nursing preparation for state surveys and inspections
  • Address deficiencies promptly with effective corrective action
  • Build systems that prevent recurrence of past issues
  • Partner with administrator on compliance strategy

Care Coordination & Interdisciplinary Partnership

  • Collaborate with therapy, dietary, social services, and support departments
  • Maintain strong working relationships with hospital physicians and discharge planners
  • Ensure smooth admissions, transfers, and care transitions
  • Serve as primary nursing liaison to residents and families
  • Support census development through clinical excellence and strong reputation

Administrator Partnership

  • Work closely with administrator on operational strategy and performance improvement
  • Provide transparent communication about nursing operations, challenges, and successes
  • Share commitment to resident-first philosophy and quality outcomes
  • Participate in leadership decisions affecting community operations
  • Be available beyond traditional hours when resident care or staffing needs require

Who the Administrator Is Seeking

You Must Bring:

✓ RN License – Active, unrestricted Kansas RN license (or eligible to obtain)
✓ DON or ADON Experience – Proven nursing leadership in skilled nursing facility (experienced ADON ready to step up will be considered)
✓ Strong Clinical Foundation – Deep knowledge of compliance, care planning, and regulatory requirements
✓ Resident-First Mindset – Consistent prioritization of quality outcomes and resident wellbeing
✓ Beyond 8-to-5 Commitment – Willingness to stay late or come in as needed to ensure continuity of care
✓ Mentoring Capability – Ability to train and develop young nurses while maintaining supportive culture

What Sets You Apart:

  • Agency Reduction Experience – Success reducing or eliminating agency staffing and stabilizing permanent staff
  • Turnaround or Improvement Background – Experience leading nursing through operational improvement or quality recovery
  • Humble, Grounded Personality – Straightforward communication style that aligns with transparent leadership culture
  • Trainable and Adaptable – Openness to learning and implementing new approaches
  • Long-Term Investment – Genuine interest in staying and growing with the community
  • High Accountability Comfort – Ability to perform well in fast-paced environment with clear expectations
  • Small Community Fit – Appreciation for rural healthcare and close-knit team dynamics

What This Role Demands

This Is Not an 8-to-5 Job
Quality nursing leadership requires flexibility. You'll need to stay late when admissions come in, address staffing emergencies, and be available when your team needs clinical guidance. This administrator expects commitment that matches their own.

Transparency and Direct Communication
The administrator values people who communicate openly and take ownership of their actions. You must be comfortable with straightforward feedback, honest conversations, and clear accountability.

Mentoring and Development Focus
You'll be developing young nurses and building future leaders. This requires patience, teaching skills, and genuine investment in others' professional growth.

Systems Building
While progress has been made, sustainable systems still need development. You'll need to create documentation processes, training protocols, and quality monitoring structures that outlast any individual leader.

Hands-On Leadership
At this size, you won't have layers of management between you and bedside care. You must be comfortable being clinically involved and supporting direct care when needed.

What We Offer in Return

Competitive Compensation
$91,000 – $100,000 annually (potentially higher depending on experience and corporate approval) Comprehensive benefits package Details shared with qualified candidates

Experienced Administrator Mentorship
Learn from a leader who has successfully rebuilt multiple communities Direct partnership with transparent, supportive administrator Opportunity to develop your own turnaround leadership skills

Manageable Scope
Smaller community where you can truly know residents, develop staff, and see direct results of your leadership Close-knit team environment Ability to make meaningful difference

Professional Growth
Build your resume with proven turnaround and improvement experience Develop DON skills in supportive environment (for ADON candidates) Opportunity to create lasting systems and culture

Hospital Partnership
Work across from full-service hospital, strengthening clinical collaboration and care coordination Access to physician relationships and transfer protocols

Rural Kansas Lifestyle
Small community living with lower cost of living Opportunity to make significant contribution to local healthcare Close-knit professional relationships

The Reality Check

This role is NOT appropriate for:

  • Nursing leaders seeking easy, low-accountability positions
  • Those who need 8-to-5 schedules with strict boundaries
  • Leaders uncomfortable with direct, transparent communication
  • DONs who prefer hands-off, administrative-only approaches
  • Those seeking fully developed systems without need for building

This role IS ideal for:

  • Strong clinical nurses ready for DON-level leadership
  • Experienced ADONs motivated to step up to DON role
  • Leaders who thrive on building systems and developing people
  • Those who value transparent, results-oriented administrator partnerships
  • Nurses committed to resident-first philosophy and quality outcomes
  • Professionals seeking meaningful turnaround and improvement experience
  • Leaders who find satisfaction in measurable progress and team development

Ready to Lead Meaningful Change?

This is your opportunity to join a turnaround story already in motion—where the foundation has been laid, momentum is building, and the right DON can elevate nursing operations to genuine excellence.

You'll work with an experienced administrator who has done this before, knows what it takes, and is committed to supporting your success. You'll lead a manageable team where your influence is direct and your results are visible.

If you're a strong clinical nurse with leadership capability, a resident-first mindset, and the commitment to build something meaningful, this role offers the partnership, support, and opportunity you've been seeking.

This community is committed to quality resident care, staff development, and continuous improvement under experienced, transparent leadership.



Details

Employee Type
Full-Time Regular

City
Oakley
State
KS