Director of Nursing - Hospital - Military veterans preferred

RiverValley Behavioral Health Children’s Hospital is seeking a compassionate, visionary, and experienced Director of Nursing to lead our pediatric and adolescent inpatient nursing services. This role is pivotal in shaping clinical excellence, fostering a culture of safety, and ensuring high-quality, trauma-informed care for children and teens receiving acute behavioral health treatment.

The Director of Nursing will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of nursing operations, including clinical supervision, compliance, workforce development, and patient-centered care delivery. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a nursing leader passionate about pediatric mental health to make a measurable difference in the lives of Kentucky’s most vulnerable children.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the nursing department, ensuring compliance with CARF, CMS, and Kentucky regulatory standards.
• Supervise Nurse Managers and RN staff, maintaining appropriate staffing levels and skill mix across units.
• Partner with clinical, medical, and administrative leadership to develop and implement care models that enhance patient outcomes, reduce readmissions, and support recovery.
• Lead recruitment, retention, and professional development initiatives to build a high-performing nursing workforce.
• Promote a culture of trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate care rooted in empathy, equity, and safety.
• Oversee nursing documentation, medication administration practices, incident reporting, and adherence to infection control protocols.
• Implement continuous quality improvement efforts focused on clinical care, nursing education, and patient/family satisfaction.
• Monitor and manage departmental budgets, productivity metrics, and operational performance indicators.
• Act as a key liaison during CARF accreditation surveys, internal audits, and external partnerships related to nursing services.
• Support onboarding, orientation, and clinical training programs for all nursing staff.

Education and Experience:

• Current RN license in the state of Kentucky (or compact license eligible).
• Bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) required; Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of nursing experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership or management role.
• Previous experience in pediatric, adolescent, or psychiatric inpatient settings highly preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of trauma-informed care, nursing regulations, and evidence-based practices in behavioral health.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to lead teams with compassion, accountability, and integrity.

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary and executive benefits package
• Supportive, mission-driven work environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and continuing education
• The chance to make a generational impact in children’s lives

About RiverValley Children’s Hospital:

RiverValley Behavioral Health Children’s Hospital is Kentucky’s first and only psychiatric hospital dedicated solely to the treatment of children and adolescents. Our mission is to provide a safe, healing space where young people experiencing mental health crises receive timely, compassionate, and effective care. The hospital is part of the larger RiverValley Behavioral Health system, a leading provider of mental health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental disability services across Western Kentucky.