Nursing Director, NICU

BHS•Lexington, KY

35d

About The Position

Director, Nursing, NICU Full Time I First Shift BHLEX-Lex 5A NICU I Lexington Unit Overview: 5A NICU is a 36-bed private room NICU caring for High-Risk neonates from 28 weeks to full-term. Position Summary: The Director of Nursing is a key nurse leader responsible for the overall management and 24/7 accountability of one or more hospital units, such as Critical Care, Emergency Services, Maternal and Child Care, Medical/Surgical, or Ambulatory Care. This role oversees staffing, recruitment and retention, performance evaluations, competency development, budgeting, and the delivery of high-quality, culturally sensitive, evidence-based care. The Director collaborates with hospital leadership, physicians, and interdisciplinary teams to develop policies, patient care programs, and performance improvement initiatives. They promote excellence in nursing practice, staff engagement, and patient outcomes while serving as a role model of compassion, integrity, and professionalism. Depending on scope, the Director ensures safe and consistent nursing practice across both inpatient and ambulatory settings and throughout transitions of care. Job Description: The Director will lead with vision and collaboration, driving excellence in nursing practice and patient outcomes through: Talent Leadership & Staffing Guides recruitment, retention, onboarding, and professional development of unit staff. Supports staff engagement, teamwork, and shared governance. Conducts performance evaluations, provides feedback, coaching, and promotes growth. Operational & Resource Management Manages departmental budgets, productivity, staffing levels, and resources. Ensures appropriate staffing based on skill mix, competency0, patient acuity, and census. Quality & Patient Care Excellence Ensures safe, high-quality nursing care aligned with policies, regulations, and standards. Implements and supports evidence-based practice and culturally sensitive care. Monitors patient outcomes and leads continuous quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives. Compliance & Professional Standards Ensures staff compliance with education, certifications, licensure, and employee health requirements. Upholds organizational policies, confidentiality, and professional standards of conduct. Strategic Leadership & Collaboration Partners with hospital leadership, medical staff, and interdisciplinary teams to develop policies, care programs, and initiatives. Communicate effectively with staff and respond promptly to patient or staff concerns. Demonstrates professionalism, compassion, and cultural sensitivity. The Director of Nursing serves as a role model for compassion, respect, acceptance, and empathy, upholding nursing as a distinct and vital discipline. This leader inspires a culture of healing, wellness, and professional accountability across inpatient and ambulatory settings, ensuring seamless transitions of care throughout the continuum.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree
Registered Nurse license in Kentucky
5 years of experience as a staff nurse
3 years of management experience

Responsibilities

Guides recruitment, retention, onboarding, and professional development of unit staff.
Supports staff engagement, teamwork, and shared governance.
Conducts performance evaluations, provides feedback, coaching, and promotes growth.
Manages departmental budgets, productivity, staffing levels, and resources.
Ensures appropriate staffing based on skill mix, competency0, patient acuity, and census.
Ensures safe, high-quality nursing care aligned with policies, regulations, and standards.
Implements and supports evidence-based practice and culturally sensitive care.
Monitors patient outcomes and leads continuous quality improvement and patient satisfaction initiatives.
Ensures staff compliance with education, certifications, licensure, and employee health requirements.
Upholds organizational policies, confidentiality, and professional standards of conduct.
Partners with hospital leadership, medical staff, and interdisciplinary teams to develop policies, care programs, and initiatives.
Communicate effectively with staff and respond promptly to patient or staff concerns.
Demonstrates professionalism, compassion, and cultural sensitivity.