Chief Nursing Officer (CNO)

The Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital Association•Hastings, NE

20h

About The Position

The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) is the senior clinical nursing leader and a key member of the executive leadership team. The CNO serves as the organization’s nursing authority, advancing evidence-based practice, patient safety, nurse engagement, and quality outcomes while aligning nursing strategy with the organization’s mission, vision, and goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in nursing required.
Master’s degree (MA/MS) in nursing, healthcare administration, or related field required.
Minimum 5 years progressive nursing leadership experience required.
Current registered nursing (RN) license from the State of Nebraska required.
Strategic and visionary thinking.
Collaborative and relationship-driven leadership.
Data-driven decision-making and strong influencing skills.

Nice To Haves

Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP), or PhD in Nursing or related field preferred.
Certification in Nursing Leadership of Healthcare Management preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides executive leadership for nursing services across the organization, ensuring 24/7 delivery of high‑quality, patient‑centered care.
Partners with the President/CEO, Board of Trustees, medical staff, and senior leadership to drive strategic planning, organizational decision‑making, and system‑wide performance improvement initiatives.
Leads the development, implementation, and oversight of the nursing strategic plan, annual goals, and quality improvement initiatives in alignment with organizational priorities.
Directs and mentors nursing directors and managers, fostering transformational leadership, workforce engagement, and professional development to support excellence in patient care.
Oversees nursing quality, safety, and evidence‑based practice programs, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and continuous improvement in patient outcomes.
Provides financial stewardship through development and oversight of departmental operating and capital budgets, resource allocation, and cost‑effective utilization of labor and technology.
Collaborates with medical staff, risk management, and patient safety teams to address patient concerns, grievances, and risk mitigation while ensuring regulatory and legal compliance.
Serves as the executive advocate for nursing, representing nursing leadership in senior management, Board meetings, quality initiatives, and professional activities to stay informed on industry trends and regulations.