ABOUT THE JOB
MU Health Care is seeking an accomplished Director of Nursing to lead nursing for the Emergency Department along with Nursing Support Services, including the float pool and patient overflow areas. This role is at the center of hospital operations, with direct influence on patient access, throughput, and surge response. You will oversee complex, 24/7 operations in high‑acuity settings while driving meaningful improvements in patient flow, staffing models, and operational performance. Through close partnership with physician leaders and senior executives, you will help shape how care is delivered at the front door of the organization.

The ideal candidate is a proven Director‑level nursing leader with strong Emergency Department experience and the confidence to lead in fast‑paced, high‑pressure environments. You bring operational focus, sound judgment, and a passion for building resilient teams. This is an exciting opportunity to lead critical access points of care, influence system‑wide outcomes, and make a visible impact across MU Health Care.

Salary Range: $133,944.89 - $218,511.24

ABOUT MU HEALTH CARE
MU Health Care is proud to be named one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Employers seven years in a row, and that’s largely a result of the incredible culture and team we’ve built. At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard-working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. Here, we believe anything is possible and rally around solutions. We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger — to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine.

Our academic health system — the only in mid-Missouri — is home to seven hospitals, including the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and region’s only Children’s Hospital, as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions — with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.

Learn more about MU Health Care.
Learn more about living in mid-Missouri.

EMPLOYEE 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
• See a comprehensive list of benefits here.

DETAILED JOB DESCRIPTION

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.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

PhD in Nursing or Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

Additional license/certification requirements as determined by the hiring department.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. The employee may be required ambulate, remain in a stationary position and position self to reach and/or move objects above the shoulders and below the knees. The employee may be required to move objects up to 10 lbs.

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The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.