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Mercy Health
Cincinnati, Ohio

Director of Nursing

Registered NurseNo nightsFull-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 1 day ago · Verified live

Job Description

Thank you for considering a career at Mercy Health!

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Work Shift

  • Days (United States of America)
  • Director Nursing | West Hospital
  • Cincinnati, OH

Primary Function/General Purpose of Position

The Director Nursing coordinates & advances the strategic direction for the clinical areas they oversee in concert with the site nursing leader. This Leader aligns with health system strategic objectives, implements initiatives, and evaluates outcomes collaboratively with other leaders.

  • Essential Job Functions
  • Leads a team of two or more nursing areas
  • Advises on and promotes strategic plan.
  • Oversees cross-functional issues.

Responsible for 24-hour accountability, integration, facilitation, and coordination of the leadership, management, and clinical practice of the units they oversee.

Serves as a professional role model, leader, mentor, and clinical resources director/educator for nurses and other members of the health care team.

  • Strives for operational excellence for patients related to cost, quality, service, and patient outcomes.
  • Collaboratively with the CNO, develops and implements plans that will support the overall strategic quality plan involving the assigned care units.
  • Participates in business development activities for the organization.
  • Accountable for overall budget development, monitoring, and variance analysis of multiple units.
  • Responsible for oversight of interviewing, hiring, developing, and retaining associates

Responsible for personal and professional growth as well as fostering an environment where interdisciplinary team members can contribute to optimal patient outcomes and grow professionally.

Nurses are expected to practice and deliver care in accordance with the core concepts and intention of the Nursing Professional Practice Model.

This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Licensing/Certification

Current RN license in state they are working or covered by compact (required)

BLS Basic Life Support (preferred upon hire, must obtain from approved source prior to entering patient care setting)

Certifications required based on the unit(s) that the leader oversees and the requirements for those specific units:

  • PALS Pediatric Advanced Life Support (preferred)
  • ACLS Advanced Cardiac Life Support (preferred)
  • NRP Neonatal Resuscitation Program (preferred)
  • TNCC Trauma Nurse Core Curriculum (preferred)
  • ENPC Emergency Nurse Pediatric Course (preferred)
  • National Board Certification Specialty (preferred)
  • Nurse Executive Certification or designated specialty certification (preferred)

Education

  • Bachelor of Science Nursing (required)
  • Masters of Science Nursing or Masters in Health Administration or related field (must be completed within two years)
  • Work Experience
  • 5 years of experience as a professional nurse (required)
  • 2+ years of progressive leadership/management experience in an acute care setting (required)

Training

None

Language

None

Patient Population

Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age of the patients served on his or her assigned unit.

Understands life span growth and development principles, assesses patient data, and tailors care according to age and specific needs as per departmental policies.

Neonates (0-4 weeks)

Infant (1-12 months)

Pediatrics (1-12 years)

Adolescents (13-17 years)

Adults (18-64 years)

Geriatrics (65 years and older)

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements/ Hazards

Working Conditions

Periods of high stress and fluctuating workloads may occur.

May be exposed to physical altercations and verbal abuse.

May be required to use physical restraints.

May be exposed to adverse weather conditions; cold, hot, dust, wind, etc.

May be exposed to high noise levels and bright lights.

May be exposed to limited hazardous substances or body fluids.*

May be exposed to human blood and other potentially infectious materials.*

May have periods of constant interruptions.

General office environment.

Required to car travel to off-site locations, occasionally in adverse weather conditions.

Long-distance or air travel as needed- not to exceed 10% travel.

Prolonged Periods of Working Alone

  • Individuals in this position are required to exercise universal precautions, use personal protective equipment and devices, and learn the policies concerning infection control.

Physical Demands Frequency (%)

Lifting/ Carrying (0-50 lbs.): 1-33%

Lifting/ Carrying (50-100 lbs.) 1-33%

Push/ Pull (0-50 lbs.) 1-33%

Push/ Pull (50-100 lbs.) 1-33%

Stoop, Kneel 34-66%

Crawling 1-33%

Climbing 1-33%

Balance 34-66%

Bending 34-66%

Work Position

Sitting 1-33%

Walking 67-100%

Standing 67-100%

  • Additional Physical Requirements
  • Manual dexterity (eye/hand coordination)
  • Perform Shift Work
  • Maneuver weight of patients
  • Hear alarms/telephone/audio recordings
  • Reach above shoulder
  • Repetitive arm/hand movements
  • Finger Dexterity
  • Color Vision
  • Acuity - Far
  • Acuity - Near
  • Hazards
  • Use of Latex products
  • Exposure to toxic/caustic/chemicals/detergents
  • Exposure to moving mechanical parts
  • Exposure to dust/fumes
  • Exposure to potential electical shock
  • Exposure to x-ray/electomagnetic energy
  • Exposure to high pitched noises
  • Gaseous risk exposure

Skills

  • Build collaborative relationships
  • Collaborate with physicians and other medical staff
  • Community involvement
  • Conflict resolution
  • Effective oral communication
  • Establish an environment that values diversity
  • Facilitate consensus building
  • Facilitate group discussions
  • Inspire desired behaviors and manage undesired behaviors
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Public Speaking
  • Relationship building
  • Situational leadership
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Written communication
  • Application of high reliability concepts
  • Care Delivery Models and Patient Care Delivery across the continuum
  • Clinical outcomes
  • Education and developmental practices
  • Evidence-based practices
  • Governance related to fiduciary responsibilities, credentialing and performance management
  • Health care economics and policy
  • Hospital policies and procedures
  • Nursing and clinical best practices and research
  • Nursing professional practice
  • Patient care services
  • Performance improvement
  • Quality clinical care
  • Quality improvement
  • Regulatory standards

Risk Management

  • Working knowledge of patient safety programs, identifying risks, and responding to recommendations.
  • Able to learn from setback and failures.
  • Change management
  • Foundational leadership
  • Mentor others
  • Succession planning
  • Advocacy
  • Holding self accountable to actions and decisions
  • Open to receiving feedback and coaching
  • Uphold ethical principles and corporate compliance standards
  • Analyzing data or information
  • Knowledge of creating and managing budgets
  • Creating operational objectives and the strategies to achieve the goals
  • Customer service
  • Financial Management
  • Human Resources management
  • Information management and technology
  • Knowledge of SWOT and Gap analyses
  • People management and leadership
  • Problem solving
  • Staffing and managing staffing based on matrix
  • Strategic planning and management
  • Workforce development planning
  • Union environments
  • Mercy Health is an equal opportunity employer.

As a Mercy Health associate, you’re part of a Misson that matters. We support your well-being – personally and professionally. Our benefits are built to grow with you and meet your unique needs, every step of the way.

What We Offer

  • Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses and 403(b) with employer contributions (when eligible)
  • Medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, HAS/FSA options, life insurance, mental health resources and discounts
  • Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short- and long-term disability, backup care for children and elders
  • Tuition assistance, professional development and continuing education support

Benefits may vary based on the market and employment status.

Department: Nursing Administration - West

It is our policy to abide by all Federal and State laws, as well as, the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). Accordingly, all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you’d like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health– Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours – Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, please email recruitment@mercy.com. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@mercy.com.

Key Responsibilities

The Director of Nursing coordinates the strategic direction for clinical areas and ensures 24-hour accountability for leadership, management, and clinical practice. They are responsible for operational excellence, budget oversight, and fostering an environment that supports optimal patient outcomes and professional growth.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a current RN license and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with a Master's degree required within two years. The role requires at least 5 years of professional nursing experience and 2+ years of progressive leadership experience in an acute care setting.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
5+ years of experience

Certifications

BLS (preferred)ACLS (preferred)PALS (preferred)NRP (preferred)TNCC (preferred)ENPC (preferred)Board Certification (preferred)

Key Skills

Clinical leadershipBudget managementStaff developmentEvidence-based practiceInterdisciplinary collaborationRegulatory compliance

Nursing Administration — Registered Nurse Career Context

Of the 50 active Nursing Leadership listings this role was benchmarked against, 12% are remote, 60% have no call, 84% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Ohio is 92.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 61.3% of Ohio clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Registered Nurse Jobs

39 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution38 jobs · 32 employers

9
<$90k
9
$90k-110k
11
$110k-130k
5
$130k-150k
4
$150k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks27 jobs

401k / retirement match
96% this job
Sign-on bonus
15%
Loan repayment
15%
CME allowance
7% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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+ 37 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 1.5this job 5.1
Better work-life than 80% of Nursing Leadership listings

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

  • No nights

Living in Cincinnati

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$243k
Typical market rent
$1,414/mo
Residents’ average commute
22 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
95.4
State income tax
Up to 4%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

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

Mercy Health logo

About Mercy Health

Hospitals and Health Care
Cincinnati, Ohio
10,000+ employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses and 403(b) with employer contributions (when eligible)
Medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, HAS/FSA options, life insurance, mental health resources and discounts
Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short- and long-term disability, backup care for children and elders
Tuition assistance, professional development and continuing education support