Optalis logo
Optalis
Grand Rapids, Michigan

Director of Nursing

Registered NurseFull-Time

Compensation

Pay not listed

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the pay range, the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

Job Description

Position Summary

The Director of Nursing (DON) oversees nursing operations to ensure residents achieve their highest practicable well-being in compliance with professional standards, state, and federal regulations. This role establishes nursing policies, ensures adequate staffing, promotes quality assurance, and leads infection control and education programs.

Key Responsibilities

  • Oversee nursing department operations and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
  • Develop, implement, and update nursing policies, procedures, and standards of care.
  • Ensure appropriate staffing and scheduling to meet resident needs and acuity levels.
  • Provide leadership and guidance to ADONs, Nursing Supervisors, Charge Nurses, and CNAs.
  • Participate in admission screenings, resident assessments, and care conferences.
  • Lead infection control, quality assurance, and nursing education initiatives.
  • Support survey readiness and corrective action planning.
  • Monitor nursing documentation and clinical record accuracy.

Skills & Competencies

  • Comprehensive knowledge of geriatric nursing practices and SNF regulations.
  • Leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills.
  • Strong clinical assessment and decision-making abilities.
  • Effective organizational and communication skills.

Required

  • Graduate of accredited nursing school; current RN license in Michigan.
  • Supervisory experience in long-term care or skilled nursing facility.

Preferred

  • Advanced training or certification in nursing leadership or management.

Physical & Work Requirements

  • Frequent standing, walking, and responding to emergencies.
  • Ability to lift 80--300 lbs with assistance/equipment.

Personal Attributes

  • Leadership and accountability
  • Integrity and ethics
  • Adaptability and resilience
  • Resident-focused care approach

Qualifications

RN License, CPR

Qualifications

Experience
5+ years of experience

Key Skills

Regulatory complianceStaffing managementCare planningOrganizational skills

Nursing Leadership — Registered Nurse Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Michigan is 96.2 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 61.8% of Michigan clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Nursing Leadership Jobs

11 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution11 jobs · 10 employers

3
<$105k
2
$105k-120k
3
$120k-135k
2
$135k-150k
1
$150k

Annual compensation range

Work-Life Balance Distribution11 jobs · 10 employers

0
1-2
0
3-4
2
5-6
9
7-8
0
9-10

Higher = better work-life balance

#1

Asst. Director of Nursing - Ambulatory Care - Newkirk Avenue

Maimonides Medical Center · Brooklyn, New York

$136,708 - $150,000
#2

Assistant Director of Nursing

Wellpath · Valhalla, New York

$128k-$142k
#3

Associate Director of Nursing - North-West College - Long Beach

$125k-$140k
#4

Director of Nursing

up to $131,000
+ 9 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 1.5this job 1.5
Better work-life than 30% of Nursing Leadership listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 1,187 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Grand Rapids

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$308k
Typical market rent
$1,580/mo
Residents’ average commute
19 min
State income tax
Up to 4.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.