DON - Director of Nursing (RN)

Elderwood • Town of Lancaster, NY

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Elderwood at Lancaster is seeking an accomplished, people-centered Director of Nursing (RN) to lead clinical excellence in one of our most dynamic and high-impact skilled nursing communities. This is a pivotal leadership role for a nurse executive who believes that strong systems, empowered teams, and high standards are the foundation of exceptional resident care. Located in the suburbs of Buffalo NY, Elderwood at Lancaster serves residents with complex medical and sub-acute needs, offering a DON the opportunity to practice at the top of their license while shaping the full nursing operation - strategy, staffing, quality, and culture. As Director of Nursing, you are not just overseeing care - you are defining it. You will set the clinical vision and expectations for the entire Nursing Services Department, build, mentor, and retain a high-performing nursing leadership team, drive quality outcomes, regulatory readiness, and continuous improvement, partner closely with the Administrator, Medical Director, Pharmacy, and interdisciplinary leaders, and be the clinical voice and decision-maker residents, families, and staff trust. You are a confident, steady, and respected nurse leader who builds trust and accountability through clear communication, leads with presence, fairness, and follow-through, creates an environment where staff feel proud of their work, solves problems thoughtfully and diplomatically, and balances compassion with operational discipline. This role offers a high-acuity clinical environment that keeps your skills sharp, engaged leadership partnership and organizational support, the opportunity to make a visible, lasting impact, and a community-based setting with strong local roots. This is part of Elderwood’s mission: People Caring for People. If you’re looking for a DON role where your leadership is felt, respected, and essential, we’d welcome the conversation. Apply today and help shape the future of care at Elderwood at Lancaster.

Requirements

• Active Registered Nurse (RN) license (NY required)
• Minimum 2+ years of supervisory nursing leadership experience (DON or ADON level strongly preferred)
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage change, and improve outcomes

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing or Healthcare Administration preferred
• Geriatric or long-term care experience highly valued

Responsibilities

• Oversight of nurse staffing, scheduling, onboarding, and development across all shifts
• Assessment, planning, documentation, and delivery of high-quality nursing care
• Collaboration with physicians, pharmacy partners, consultants, and ancillary services
• Direct supervision, coaching, and performance management of nursing leadership and staff
• Design and execution of orientation, in-service training, and ongoing clinical education
• Participation and leadership in Quality Management and continuous improvement initiatives
• May serve as Program Coordinator for the Nursing Assistant Training Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager