Director of Nursing (DON)
Direct Care & Nursing
1–3 years (RN + substantial experience required)
$54-$59/hr
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Overview
Job Description
The Director of Nursing is the highest nursing leadership position in an aging services community — responsible for the quality, consistency, and compliance of all nursing services provided to residents.
The DON manages every aspect of nursing operations: staffing and scheduling, clinical quality and outcomes, regulatory compliance, staff development and performance, care planning, and coordination with physicians, specialists, and administrative leadership. They are the primary nursing resource for the Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and often the face of clinical leadership for families and state regulators.
This is a role for an experienced RN who leads with both clinical authority and genuine care for their team. Directors of Nursing shape the entire nursing culture of a community — and in doing so, they shape the daily experience of every resident.
Education Requirements
Current RN licensure through the Minnesota Board of Nursing is required. Most employers expect a BSN or higher and substantial RN experience — typically several years in long-term care, with progressive leadership experience. Prior Clinical Nurse Supervisor or charge nurse experience is strongly preferred.
Resources
Approved Professional Nursing Program | Minnesota Board of Nursing
A Day In This Role
A DON’s day begins with an early review of overnight reports and staffing status. A day might include a care conference with a resident’s family and the medical team, a meeting with the LNHA on regulatory compliance preparation, a coaching conversation with a staff member, reviewing MDS and documentation compliance, and walking the community to check in with residents and nursing staff. Survey readiness is always present in the background.
Advancement Opportunities: Where this role can take you
Cross-Pathway Note: Directors of Nursing are well-positioned to move into Licensed Nursing Home Administrator or Licensed Assisted Living Director roles — particularly those with experience in operations, compliance, and budget management. The DON is one of the most common pathways into community-level executive leadership.