*Director, Nursing

Join Merced College as our next Director of Nursing and help lead the future of healthcare education in our community. This is an exciting opportunity for a collaborative, forward thinking leader who is passionate about student success, workforce development, and strengthening pathways into high demand nursing careers.

At Merced College, you will be part of a mission driven team dedicated to equity, innovation, and community impact. If you are ready to make a meaningful difference, supporting students, partnering with healthcare leaders, and advancing nursing education, we invite you to apply and be part of our growing Allied Health and Public Safety division.

As you consider this opportunity, know that Merced College is more than a community college — we are a catalyst for transformation, redefining higher education and setting new standards for excellence. Serving nearly 20,000 students each year, we are proud to be a leading center of learning and opportunity in California’s Central Valley.

Founded in 1962, Merced College blends a strong tradition of academic excellence with forward-thinking innovation to create an inclusive and engaging environment for students and employees alike. Committed to the well-being, growth, and professional success of our team, we foster collaboration and a supportive culture where every employee is empowered to make a difference. Located in the heart of California’s Central Valley, the City of Merced offers a welcoming community of more than 90,000 residents, with easy access to the Bay Area, Sacramento, and Yosemite National Park.

If you are passionate about innovation, equity, and student success, we invite you to join the Merced College team.

Merced College Mission

At Merced College, students are our focus, and we are known by their success. We transform lives through education and workforce development.

Merced College Vision

Enriching our community through educational experiences and support services:

• Degree/Certificate Programs
• Transfer
• Career Technical Education
• Workforce Training
• Lifelong Learning
• Basic Skills
• Community Engagement

Merced College promotes student success through equitable access, continuous quality improvement, and institutional effectiveness, all with a focus on student achievement.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION
This is an exempt educational administrator position. Under the general direction of the Dean of Allied Health and Public Safety, the Director of Nursing provides operational leadership and oversight of the nursing programs, including CNA, LVN, RN, and nursing bridge pathways, to ensure effective day to day management, regulatory compliance, student success, and alignment with institutional priorities. The Director supports program coordination, faculty support, student engagement, clinical partnerships, accreditation activities, resource planning, and continuous improvement across the nursing pathways.

The Director serves as the primary point of contact for program operations and student inquiries and works collaboratively with faculty leads, assistant directors, program coordinators, clinical partners, and campus departments to support program effectiveness. Faculty are under the direct supervision of the Dean of Allied Health and Public Safety. The Director is responsible for coordinating program operations, supporting compliance with applicable regulatory and accrediting bodies, preparing required reports, assisting with program review and self-study processes, and helping ensure that nursing pathways remain responsive to student and workforce needs.

REPORTS TO
Dean of Instruction, Allied Health and Public Safety

SALARY RANGE
Management Range 2
Salary will be commensurate with education and experience
Additional compensation for doctorate
This is a categorically funded assignment contingent upon year-to-year funding

• Provide operational leadership for the nursing programs, including CNA, LVN, RN, and nursing bridge pathways, to support effective day to day program delivery and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate program operations, instructional logistics, and related operational needs across all nursing pathways.
• Collaborate closely with faculty leads, assistant directors, program coordinators, and staff to support program effectiveness and continuity.
• Provide day to day operational support to faculty and staff and serve as a communication bridge between the nursing programs and the Dean of Allied Health and Public Safety.
• Support onboarding and mentoring of new faculty and assist with coordination of regular program meetings related to student progress, curriculum updates, compliance, and operational needs.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for student questions, concerns, and program related issues, and assist in resolving student concerns in collaboration with faculty and staff.
• Support student intake processes, including outreach, application review, admissions coordination, orientation, and information sessions.
• Monitor student progression, enrollment, attrition, completion, and retention trends across nursing programs and recommend strategies to improve student success.
• Support implementation of student success and retention strategies, including early alerts, remediation, and other student interventions.
• Coordinate data collection, documentation, and reporting required for program review, accreditation, annual reports, grant reporting, and regulatory compliance.
• Support the development of self-studies and preparation for site visits and ensure readiness for review by BRN, BVNPT, CDPH, and other applicable agencies.
• Monitor program compliance with applicable state, federal, district, and accrediting requirements in collaboration with faculty and the Dean.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with clinical partners, healthcare agencies, and community stakeholders to support high quality clinical education and workforce alignment.
• Coordinate clinical placements, support clinical contract processes, and assist in resolving clinical site issues in collaboration with program personnel and college offices.
• Conduct or support clinical site visits and help ensure that clinical experiences meet program, regulatory, and student learning requirements.
• Assist with budget tracking, purchasing processes, grant supported activities, and coordination of program resources, supplies, equipment, and lab operational needs.
• Coordinate with campus departments including Admissions and Records, Counseling, Financial Aid, DSPS, Student Health, and other student support areas to promote student access and success.
• Support development of reports, updates, strategic initiatives, advisory committee activities, recruitment efforts, and community engagement related to the nursing programs.
• Represent the college at appropriate conferences, meetings, and community events as assigned by the Dean of Allied Health and Public Safety.
• Maintain appropriate statistical reports, documentation, and other records to assess program effectiveness, support compliance, and define departmental needs.
• Serve on District standing and ad hoc committees as required.
• Encourage a climate of innovation, collaboration, and continuous program improvement across the nursing pathways.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean.

Knowledge of

• Nursing Practice Act, California Code of Regulations, and standards of competent performance
• California BRN, BVNPT, CDPH, and other agencies’ approval requirements and standards
• College level teaching and learning principles
• Curriculum development preferably in a community college
• Coordinating and implementing programs in an educational setting
• Nursing principles, practices, and content
• Applicable nursing accreditation standards
• Principles and practices of an associate degree nursing curriculum
• Principles of leadership
• Basic principles and practices of budget preparation and administration
• Principles and procedures of record keeping
• Principles of basic report preparation
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases
• The use of educational technology for course delivery
• Best practices in teaching lecture and lab courses
• Student success strategies, enrollment management practices, and operational coordination within nursing and allied health education
• Processes related to clinical partnerships, placement coordination, and collaboration with external healthcare agencies
• Program review, accreditation reporting, self study development, and continuous quality improvement processes
• Appropriate sections of the Education Code and Title 5

Ability to

• Plan, organize, and coordinate multiple activities and design, create, and implement use of resources
• Interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies, and procedures
• Understand and apply principles of higher education administration, program coordination, and collaborative leadership
• Assess and evaluate programs, services, operations, and student success outcomes
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Collaborate with and coordinate groups of individuals while exercising initiative, diplomacy, tact, creativity, and balance
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action
• Work in a collegial setting with staff at all levels
• Prioritize and execute a wide range of projects simultaneously
• Research topics, collect data, analyze data, and form conclusions
• Work independently, assume responsibility, and take initiative in carrying out assignments
• Understand the organization and operation of the District and of clinical facilities as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities
• Network with statewide nursing programs and identify trends in nursing education and programs
• Promote and incorporate culturally affirming DEIA and anti-racist principles to nurture and create a respectful, inclusive, and equitable learning and work environment. In conducting their duties, staff members shall respect and acknowledge the diversity of students and colleagues
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships between the College, community, and key individuals, and with all persons contacted in the course of work, including colleagues at medical or clinical facilities
• Serve as an effective liaison between nursing programs, students, faculty, clinical partners, and campus departments
• Use data to monitor enrollment, retention, completion, compliance, and operational effectiveness across multiple nursing pathways

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A current, active license as a Registered Nurse in the State of California and at least three years of experience as a Registered Nurse.
• A master’s degree in nursing - or higher - from an accredited university with evidence of coursework in nursing education, curriculum development and administration, as required by the BVNPT.
• At least one year in an Assistant Director position in an RN program, as required by the BRN & BVNPT.
• At least one year of full-time direct patient care experience as a Registered Nurse within the last five years, including experience providing care and services to chronically ill or elderly patients in an acute care hospital, skilled nursing facility, intermediate care facility, home health agency, hospice agency, or other long-term care setting within the last five years.
• At least one year of progressively responsible administrative experience in nursing education, including responsibility for program operations, personnel supervision, regulatory compliance, and budget oversight.
• Demonstrated qualifications sufficient to meet eligibility requirements, as applicable, for approval by the California Board of Registered Nursing, the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians, and the California Department of Public Health for oversight of RN, LVN, and CNA education programs.

Education/Training/Experience
The candidate shall possess all of the following:

• Master's degree or higher from an accredited college or university that includes coursework in nursing education or administration

• One year of experience in an administrative position, program coordination, or operational leadership in a nursing, allied health, or higher education setting

• A minimum of two years teaching experience in pre-or post-licensure nursing programs

• One year of clinical experience with direct patient care

• Candidate must have sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

License or Certificate

• Valid California driver license or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire date.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Training/Experience

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective programs and services in a collegial atmosphere
• Experience in the integration of curriculum development, program planning, program evaluation, and student learning outcomes assessment
• Completed advanced coursework in nursing education, administration, teaching and learning, curriculum planning, program coordination, or related areas
• At least one year in teaching or clinical supervision within the past five years
• Experience supporting nursing or allied health program operations, accreditation, regulatory reporting, student success efforts, and clinical partnerships

• Experience coordinating cross functional work among faculty, staff, administrators, students, and external partners

PHYSICAL DEMAND AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment

Work is performed primarily in an office environment with some travel to different sites; incumbents may be required to work extended hours including evenings and weekends.

Physical Ability to

• Hear and understand speech at normal levels
• Communicate so others will be able to clearly understand normal conversation
• Read printed matter and computer screens
• Stand or sit for prolonged periods of time
• Bend, twist, stoop, kneel, crawl, push, and pull
• Reach in all directions
• Work at a desk, conference table or in meetings of various configurations
• Operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard

Vision

See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing

Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

1. Submit a complete application by the closing date/time on the Merced College career pages at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/mccd

1. Letter of interest addressing your qualifications for the position (cover letter)
2. Resume
3. List of three professional references (no reference letters permitted)
4. Legible, unofficial college transcripts (undergraduate and graduate); transcripts must include the degree major and date the institution granted the degree; official copies are not required unless applicant is hired
5. Diversity Statement: The Merced College District has a diverse staff and student population. As such, applicants must demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of a diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and the community at large. Please describe your leadership efforts and professional experience promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in a work setting. Please do not include any personally identifying information. Limit your response to one (1) page.
6. If applicable,foreign transcripts mustincludea U.S. evaluation and translation completed by anapproved organization.
7. If applicable,Equivalency Review Form(Required for applicants who do not possess the stated minimum educational qualifications and are seeking consideration on the basis of equivalency) https://www.mccd.edu/about-merced-college/divisions/human-resources/equivalency/