Director of Nursing
Compensation
Pay not listed
The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed
Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, nights and shift pattern and time off.
Job Description
Director of Nursing - Behavioral Healthcare
Make a Lasting Impact on Young Lives
Are you passionate about transforming the lives of children and teenagers struggling with mental health challenges? Join our dedicated team at Perimeter Behavioral of Forrest City, Arkansas, where we're committed to providing premier behavioral healthcare that treats the whole person, not just the diagnosis.
About Us
We are a leading residential behavioral health facility specializing in inpatient psychiatric treatment for youth. Our patient-centered, collaborative approach combines mental health care with physical wellbeing to deliver comprehensive, life-changing results.
Your Impact
The Director of Nursing (DON) leads our nursing and milieu services, ensuring excellence in patient care through strategic planning, quality improvement, and team leadership. This key leadership position oversees all nursing operations while maintaining Joint Commission standards and regulatory compliance.
Our Values (CARE)
- Compassion: Demonstrating genuine care and understanding
- Accountability: Taking responsibility for our actions and outcomes
- Respect: Honoring the dignity of every individual
- Empowerment: Supporting growth and independence
Core Responsibilities
Core Competencies
- Strong clinical and leadership abilities
- Excellence in written and verbal communication
- Demonstrated crisis management skills
- Proficiency in budget management
- Experience with healthcare regulations
- Cultural competency expertise
Clinical Excellence
- Direct nursing services in alignment with The Joint Commission standards and psychiatric nursing best practices
- Develop and implement quality improvement initiatives
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and accreditation standards
- Oversee infection control protocols and safety measures
- Provide clinical consultation and support across departments
Team Leadership
- Recruit, train, and retain qualified nursing staff
- Create and manage staffing patterns for Nursing staff, that optimize patient care
- Conduct performance evaluations and competency assessments
- Foster professional development opportunities
- Mentor nursing leadership team members
Administrative Oversight
- Manage departmental budget and resources
- Develop and update nursing policies and procedures
- Generate statistical reports for executive leadership
- Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams
- Maintain administrative oversight in CEO's absence
- Participate in strategic planning initiatives
Quality and Safety
- Lead quality improvement initiatives
- Monitor patient care outcomes
- Ensure proper medication management
- Oversee incident reporting and resolution
- Maintain compliance with safety protocols
Ideal Qualifications
Education & Licensure
- Graduate degree from an accredited nursing program
- Active Arkansas RN or Multi State license in good standing
- Current CPR certification
- Master's degree in nursing or healthcare-related field preferred
Experience
- Minimum 2 years psychiatric clinical experience with children/adolescents
- Demonstrated nursing management experience
- Background in behavioral health leadership
- Experience with The Joint Commission accreditation processes
Work Schedule
- Full-time leadership position
- Flexible hours including some evenings/weekends
- On-call responsibilities
- Ability to adjust schedule for crisis response
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift/move up to 50 pounds
- Physical capability to assist in crisis interventions
- Extended periods of standing/walking
- Manual dexterity for clinical procedures
Work Environment
- Residential treatment setting
- Fast-paced healthcare environment
- Exposure to challenging patient behaviors
- Moderate noise levels
- Occasional local travel required
What We Offer
- Competitive Compensation
- Work-Life Balance -Generous paid time off, Flexible scheduling options, Supportive team environment
Comprehensive Benefits Package - Health insurance, Dental coverage, Vision care, Life insurance, 401(k) with company match, Optional supplemental insurance plans
Why Choose Perimeter Healthcare?
We're one of the leading mental and behavioral healthcare providers, offering comprehensive treatment programs across multiple states and care settings. Our commitment to excellence and patient-centered care creates an environment where you can grow professionally while making a meaningful difference in people's lives.
Join Our Inclusive Team
We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We provide equal opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.
Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join our mission of delivering hope and healing to those who need it most.
Key Responsibilities
The Director of Nursing leads nursing and milieu services, ensuring excellence in patient care through strategic planning and team leadership. This role oversees all nursing operations, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement initiatives within a residential behavioral health setting.
Requirements
Candidates must hold a graduate degree from an accredited nursing program and possess an active Arkansas RN or Multi-State license. A minimum of 2 years of psychiatric clinical experience with children or adolescents and demonstrated nursing management experience are required.
Qualifications
- Education
- Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
- Experience
- 2+ years of experience
Key Skills
Psychiatric Nursing — Registered Nurse Career Context
Of the 50 active Registered Nurse listings this role was benchmarked against, 30% are remote, 58% have no call, 64% require no weekends.
Registered Nurse pay on WeekdayDoc is up 4.6% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).
| Measure | This job | Market |
|---|---|---|
| Work-life score | 2.8 / 10 · above average in nursing leadership | ranked against 1,187 Nursing Leadership listingslisting-based score, 0–10 |
| Listed pay | not listed | Registered Nurse median $115k (middle half $100k–$135k)99 comparable listings, Nov 2026 |
| Cost of living | Arkansas index 86.9 | US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024) |
| Registered Nurse listings in Arkansas | 33 active | 5,843 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026 |
| Work setting | on-site | peers: 30% remote · 58% no call · 64% no weekends50 benchmarked listings |
| Sign-on & loan repayment | not stated | US Registered Nurse listings: 12% state a sign-on bonus (median $8k) · 5% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026 |
| Registered Nurse pay trend | +4.6% vs prior quarter | —through Oct 2026 |
Top Registered Nurse Jobs
37 matches · ranked by paySalary Distribution
28 jobsAnnual compensation range
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