Chief Nursing Officer Job Description Template

A chief nursing officer (CNO) is typically the most senior-level nurse in a hospital system, working directly under the chief executive officer (CEO) to oversee a facility’s nursing care. As part of the executive team, the role of the CNO requires extensive work experience, dedication, and preparation. This is why writing a strong chief nursing officer job description is crucial when hiring for this leadership position.

To help you find the most qualified nurse leader for your facility, we’ve provided a CNO job description template that outlines example benefits, duties, and compensation details. Tailor this template and pair it with thoughtful interview questions to narrow down potential candidates. Need more insights? Browse current CNO job openings at other facilities to learn how to make yours stand out from others.

Chief Nursing Officer

Tips: This is the introductory section where you’ll provide an overview of the CNO role and your facility. Since this job description is for an executive-level position, it can be beneficial to share a bit about your facility’s mission and how the CNO plays a role in furthering it. You should also think about how to differentiate your organization from others — whether that’s through your values, accomplishments, culture, or services.

Template: [Facility name], the state’s leading hospital system, is in search of a new chief nursing officer to help lead our patient care services. Our five hospital divisions provide quality care to approximately 80,000 patients each and every day, serving diverse populations from across the country.

At [facility name], safety and quality are top priorities. We are driven by a mission to foster an exceptional experience for both patients and providers. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CNO will play a key role in guiding the direction of our clinical programs to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our services. If you’re looking to apply your expertise in a transformative way alongside top performing leaders, we invite you to explore all the other benefits of joining our organization below.

Benefits

Tips: Now it’s time to back your introduction up by highlighting all the great perks of working at your facility. This section of your chief nursing officer job description should outline the benefits available to your nursing leaders. Remember to describe these benefits as accurately as possible so that there are no misunderstandings further down the hiring process.

Template:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match and discounted stock plan
• Generous PTO (parental/medical leave, holidays, vacations)
• Employer funded wellness programs
• Student loan refinancing program
• Relocation support
• Pet, disability, and life insurance

Duties and Responsibilities

Tips: This section should outline the primary duties of the CNO. Members of the C-suite juggle many tasks, but it’s important to succinctly summarize this section so that applicants aren’t overwhelmed by a wordy description. Focus on overarching leadership responsibilities rather than day-to-day tasks to help applicants get a general idea of what they’ll be overseeing.

Template:

• Collaborate with the CEO to guide nursing care and interdisciplinary leadership across all five hospital divisions.
• Resolve staffing issues and work with department nursing leaders to improve care delivery and efficiency.
• Develop patient care programs, policies, and procedures that outline how nursing care is assessed, evaluated, and refined.
• Set and enforce standards for nursing practice including leadership development, educational requirements, and workforce targets.
• Advocate for patient care priorities with internal and external stakeholders to ensure optimal operational effectiveness and positioning.
• Support cultural diversity and maintain an inclusive and respectful work environment.

Compensation and Schedule

Tips: Now, your prospective applicants will need all of the other logistical details about the job. This section of your chief nursing officer job description should outline key information about the expected pay, schedule, and work location. If your CNO will be overseeing select departments, you can also specify that here.

Template:

• $215,000 – $265,000 per year, with final offer determined based on experience
• Full-time, 40 hours a week with occasional weekends and nights as needed
• The CNO will oversee all five divisions of our facility located in [insert city, state]

Skills and Qualifications

Tips: Each facility has different expectations of their executive leaders, so your prospective applicants will need to know whether they meet your requirements. This section should outline the skills and qualifications that you’re looking for in your next CNO. Make sure you specify whether each skill is required or preferred so that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Template:

• Advanced degree (master’s level or above) in nursing, business, or healthcare required
• Minimum 5 years of nursing leadership experience required
• Unrestricted RN license in [insert state] required
• Strong understanding of healthcare regulations and accreditation standards required
• Experience as a nursing executive in a large health system preferred

Call to Action

Tips: Finally, you’ll want to wrap up your job description by inviting interested candidates to take the next step. Plug a brief call to action that links directly to your application portal, or outlines clear instructions on how candidates should submit their materials.

Template: Ready to join a top performing leadership team at a renowned hospital system? Click here to start your application today!

Find the Best Nursing Leader for Your Organization

Looking for places to advertise your chief nursing officer job description, but not sure where to start? IntelyCare can help you reach the right candidates faster. Try our nationwide, nursing-only job board today and start collecting high quality applications with ease.