Director of Nursing
The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Director of Nursing is responsible for the Bluffton University Nursing Program. They are required to oversee all aspects of the program, maintain accreditation, and work collaboratively with Rhodes State College, where Bluffton students take clinical coursework.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Faculty teach and/or carry out administrative duties worth 23-25 credits per academic year and engage in advising, service, and professional activities consistent with Bluffton University expectations. This appointment will include teaching and/or administrative responsibilities. Specific appointment terms, workload expectations, and related policies are defined at the time of appointment.
Faculty/Curriculum/Student Responsibilities:
- Assist department chair in maintaining and supporting a well-staffed and well-prepared
faculty in collaboration with the academic dean:
- Recruit adjunct and regular faculty to teach in the nursing program.
- Review all course evaluations for courses taught by an adjunct faculty member and discuss them with the adjunct faculty member to assure the quality of the courses offered by the program.
- Enhance faculty morale with a spirit of encouragement and sensitivity.
- Take a leadership role in the orientation and mentoring of new faculty members in the program.
- Organize teaching assignments and schedules in consultation with the nursing faculty, the academic dean, the registrar, the HSNSM (health sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics) chair, and chairs of other departments when appropriate.
- Maintain a vital and appropriate curriculum:
- Keep abreast of HLC review timetables and requirements and act to assure the department curriculum will meet HLC expectations.
- Keep abreast of external expectations by professional societies, accrediting agencies, and graduate/professional schools and strive to meet these expectations when feasible.
- Direct the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accreditation process.
- Ensure that the nursing program mission, goals, and expected program outcomes are congruent with Bluffton University’s mission and objectives and consider the needs and expectations of the community of interest and communicate these to the department chair.
- Ensure faculty and student participation in program governance.
- Oversee the writing, updating, and implementing of all nursing program assessment plans.
- Submit proposals to update nursing curriculum to the department chair as appropriate.
- Maintain a scholarship agenda congruent with the model recommended by The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
- Maintain a positive relationship with Rhodes State College.
- Explore options for transferring the entire nursing program to Bluffton as a pre-licensure BSN program.
- Secure and maintain clinical sites for Bluffton nursing students.
- Communicate nursing activities and programs to current students.
- Maintain responsive and adequate academic advising services to nursing students.
- Approve transfer credit for nursing courses and substitutions for meeting requirements for the BSN degree.
- Maintain the BSN four-year plans.
- Collaborate with the admissions department on recruitment so that the program maintains an adequate number of students, including working with Salesforce software to maintain contact with prospective nursing students.
Financial/Facility/Equipment Responsibilities:
- Develop and submit to the academic affairs office the nursing program budget.
- Manage the nursing budget.
- Coordinate student employment within the program (if applicable).
- Coordinate the requisition of supplies.
- Oversee the acquisition of library resources for the program.
- Keep the department chair informed of space and facility needs.
Institutional Responsibilities:
- Oversee institutional nursing program review.
- Communicate program developments and activities to the public affairs and admissions offices.
- Represent Bluffton University in professional nursing organizations and at other professional meetings as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum:
- A graduate degree in nursing or a related field. A terminal degree is preferred.
Skill/Abilities:
- Proficient with Microsoft Office, able to use our student recruiting software (Salesforce) and our learning management system software (Moodle), highly organized, and collaborative.
Physical Demands/Work Environment:
The position includes in-person classes plus attendance at meetings and other events on campus each week. Some occasional travel off campus may be needed for conferences and/or off-campus meetings.
COMPENSATION:
Commensurate with education and experience.
DEADLINE:
Review of applications begins immediately and continues until an appointment is made.
APPLICATION MATERIALS:
Applications are considered complete when the following materials are received at
the office indicated below:
-
- Letter of interest
- Resume
- Completed Faculty supplementary application
- Completed Bluffton employment application
Send application materials to:
Human resources
Bluffton University
1 University Drive
Bluffton, OH 45817-2104
Posted 5/13/26