Director of Nursing

Description

Build the nursing team. Set the standard. Help open something new. Expected Opening Q1 2027.

We’re preparing to open a new 37-bed facility in Waco focused exclusively on short-term stays, and we’re looking for a Director of Nursing to help bring it to life. This is a rare opportunity to start fresh alongside the Administrator: recruit and develop a nursing team from the ground up, shape how the department works, and create a strong foundation for excellent, compassionate care from the first admission.

The opportunity

As DON, you’ll lead the nursing department and partner closely with the Administrator as the facility prepares to open and begins serving residents. There will be no established patient census or existing nursing team to inherit. You’ll help build the team, establish day-to-day practices, and create a culture centered on resident dignity, safety, and quality.

What you’ll do

• Build, lead, and support the nursing team, including recruiting, hiring, onboarding, scheduling, coaching, and staff development.
• Set clear expectations and foster a culture of professionalism, collaboration, accountability, and compassionate care.
• Oversee nursing services, care planning, medication management, admissions and discharges, and coordination with the broader care team.
• Promote compliance with applicable nursing standards, regulations, and facility policies; help prepare for regulatory surveys.
• Monitor care outcomes, incidents, and trends; lead quality-improvement work and follow through on corrective actions.
• Communicate with residents, families, and responsible parties, responding to questions and concerns with care and professionalism.
• Manage nursing resources and equipment in partnership with facility administration.
• Provide hands-on clinical support as needed and participate in the on-call rotation.

Requirements

• An active Registered Nurse (RN) license in Texas.
• Strong clinical judgment and knowledge of nursing practice, assessment, care planning, and medication management.
• Knowledge of regulations and standards that apply to nursing care in long-term care settings.
• The ability to build, motivate, and develop a team, and to set a positive example in a new environment.
• Clear communication and a collaborative, resident-centered approach with staff, residents, families, and external partners.
• A commitment to quality improvement, accountability, and continuous learning.

Why this role is different

You won’t be stepping into a fully built department. You’ll help create one. If you’re energized by the chance to shape a team and care culture from day one—and to help open a facility designed for short-term stays—we’d like to hear from you.