Director of Nursing, Women's and Children's Services

University of Missouri Health Care • Columbia, MO

36d

About The Position

MU Health Care is seeking an inspiring and visionary Director of Nursing to lead inpatient nursing operations with a key focus on our newly opened Children's Hospital and Birthing Center, as well as infusion services. This high-impact leadership role oversees nursing in our women and children’s service lines, offering the opportunity to shape the future of care for women, infants, and children across a broad and diverse portfolio. You will elevate operational performance, champion evidence-based practice, and advance innovative strategies that strengthen patient and family experiences. Working closely with service line leaders and senior executives, you will guide nursing excellence and support key organizational priorities within a thriving Magnet-journey environment. The ideal candidate is an experienced Director-level nursing leader with exceptional financial acumen and the ability to translate strategy into sustainable, high-quality clinical operations. You excel in budgeting, resource stewardship, staffing optimization, and guiding teams through growth and change. Magnet experience is highly valued, along with a passion for fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, developing high-performing nursing teams, and elevating clinical outcomes. This is a standout opportunity to oversee multiple high-impact inpatient service areas and make a lasting difference for women, children, and families across Missouri.

Requirements

• Missouri Board of Nursing RN or Nurse Licensure Compact multi-state RN. When primary state of residency changes, compact state RNs must apply under new state of residency within thirty (30) days.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing degree.
• Master's degree in business or a healthcare-related field. Seven (7) years of nursing experience in a hospital setting.
• Five (5) years of managerial or supervisory experience.

Nice To Haves

• PhD in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.
• Additional license/certification requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Responsibilities

• Administer the University of Missouri and MU Health Care policy that affects areas of responsibility.
• Provide mandatory reporting communication related to licensure information as required by the State Board of Nursing. Serve on and participate in appropriate administrative and medical staff committees.
• Develop and manage operating and capital budgets for clinical nursing areas to conform to strategic and financial plans of the hospital and system through the annual budget process, the monthly financial review process, expenditure of allocated funds, and appropriate charge capture for services rendered.
• Direct Nurse Manager’s actions related to areas of responsibility including, but not limited to hiring, performance management, staff development, disciplinary action, organizational goals, policy, etc. Oversees recruitment and performance management for nursing leaders.
• Direct and coordinate the work of staff, and manage personnel activities to meet departmental, hospital, and health system objectives related to the provision of patient-centered care within MU Health Care.
• Ensure a sufficient number of appropriately qualified nursing staff and other health care providers to care for patients.
• Directly manage patient care services of the inpatient units, extended observation patients, and other patients within areas of responsibility. Ensure that nursing standards compliance and training occur at all levels of the facility on a continuous and timely basis.
• Develop strategic and operational goals and plans for nursing services in collaboration with service lines and/or senior leaders. Communicate plans and direction to staff while continuously evaluating plans.
• Promote continuous performance improvement in the areas of patient, physician, and employee satisfaction. Participate in performance improvement teams, implementing CQI tools to achieve results. Ensure adherence to regulatory standards in all nursing units.
• Maintain current clinical skills to engage in patient care as appropriate.
• Oversee the development, coordination, and maintenance of daily staffing schedules to ensure the appropriate level of coverage and continuity of care across units.
• Direct the implementation and oversight of MU Health Care time and attendance policies and practices.
• May complete unit/department specific duties as outlined in department documents.

Benefits

• Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one
• Generous paid leave and paid time off, including nine holidays
• Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8% and full vesting in three years
• Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%)
• Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees