Director of Nursing

Job Description

Job Description

Earlham College is a Top 100 National Liberal Arts College located in Richmond, IN, a small city that's just a short drive away from several major metropolitan areas including Dayton, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Chicago.

Richmond and Earlham have a symbiotic relationship. Through research, studies, internships and volunteering, Earlhamites offer Richmond expertise and service as Richmond offers our students the chance to gain valuable, real-world experience. Our community assumes no religious affiliation but follows Quaker principles and practices, which include respect for persons, integrity, a commitment to peace and justice, simplicity, and consensus-based community decision-making. Earlham is committed to and proud of being a diverse and inclusive place most clearly visible in our student body: 20% of our student body are international, coming from 60+ nations in 2022, and 24% are domestic students of color. Faculty and staff also bring tremendous diversity to the College; many have lived and worked outside the United States, and they make a point of drawing on those experiences in their interactions with students. Additionally, Earlham makes it a priority to serve as a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ communities and has a four-star rating on the Campus Pride Index. Our community is characterized by respect for every person and a commitment to social justice. Equity and inclusion are central to Earlham's institutional priorities and our leadership is committed to widening the path to an Earlham education.

The Director of Nursing provides visionary leadership for Earlham’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, offered through a 1+2+1 partnership with Ivy Tech Community College that integrates rigorous nursing preparation with Earlham’s liberal arts foundation. In this model, Ivy Tech holds primary responsibility for nursing program accreditation, the ASN degree, and NCLEX preparation/eligibility, while Earlham confers the BSN degree and provides advanced nursing and health coursework, academic advising, and a values‑driven community focused on ethical practice, equity, and social justice in healthcare. The Director of Nursing will work with the Associate Dean of the Natural Sciences Division and the Director of the Center for Global Health.

The Director of Nursing will be the academic and administrative leader of the BSN program at Earlham. 

The Director will: 

• Shape and articulate the vision for BSN education in a liberal arts context. 
• Lead the design, implementation, BSN programmatic accreditation efforts, and assessment of the Earlham-based components of the BSN curriculum. 
• Build and steward the partnership with Ivy Tech and other external partners. 
• Play a central role in recruiting, enrolling, and retaining a diverse and thriving cohort of BSN students; and 
• Represent nursing within the College and to external constituencies. 
• This is a full‑time position and an administrative appointment.

Program Leadership & Strategic Development 

• Provide overall academic and operational leadership for Earlham’s BSN program. 
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of the BSN curriculum housed at Earlham. 
• Collaborate with faculty and administrators to integrate nursing education with broader liberal arts offerings and with existing programs in the sciences, social sciences, and humanities. 
• Establish and oversee policies and procedures for admissions pathways, progression, and completion for Earlham BSN students, in coordination with College policies and the Ivy Tech partnership. 

Teaching, Advising & Student Support 

• Teach and/or facilitate undergraduate BSN courses at Earlham, such as introductory nursing courses, health systems and policy, community/public health, research and evidence-based practice, leadership in nursing, or other areas of expertise. 
• Advise BSN majors, alongside a team of advisors, to support students’ academic planning for the 1+2+1 structure, preparation for the transition to Ivy Tech clinical years, and return to Earlham for the final BSN‑completing year. 
• Work closely with campus partners to support BSN student success and experiential learning. 

Student Recruitment, Enrollment & Retention 

• Partner with Enrollment, Marketing, and Academic Affairs to attract, recruit, and enroll a strong, diverse BSN cohort by participating in key recruitment activities and clearly communicating the strengths of the Earlham BSN, the 1+2+1 model, and the value of nursing education in a liberal arts context. 
• Collaborate with campus partners to develop tailored communication materials and advising tools that support prospective student decision-making. 
• Lead a comprehensive four-year student support and retention system—including structured advising, early alerts, mentoring, and clinical transitions—while fostering an inclusive culture that builds BSN students’ belonging and professional identity. 
• Monitor BSN student progression, persistence, and graduation data, identifying trends and working with colleagues to implement interventions that promote student success and well-being. 

Partnership & External Relations 

• Serve as Earlham’s primary academic liaison to Ivy Tech for all nursing-related matters, including curriculum coordination, scheduling, student advising and support, and compliance with relevant agreements. 
• Coordinate with Ivy Tech leadership and faculty to ensure a seamless student experience in the 1+2+1 BSN model, including clear expectations for academic standards, clinical preparation, and student conduct. 
• Foster relationships with regional healthcare organizations, community agencies, and other partners to support BSN student learning, service, and professional development. 
• Collaborate with external partners to create pipelines and pathways that support recruitment, clinical experience, and long‑term career outcomes for Earlham BSN graduates. 

Quality Assurance, Assessment & Compliance 

• Develop and oversee a systematic assessment plan for the Earlham components of the BSN program, including BSN accreditation, student learning outcomes, program outcomes, and alignment with institutional learning goals. 
• Use assessment data, student feedback, persistence and graduation metrics, and external trends to inform ongoing program improvement. 
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of developments in BSN education, regulatory expectations, and best practices, particularly as they intersect with liberal arts contexts. 
• Work closely with Ivy Tech to understand accreditation expectations and NCLEX‑related standards so that Earlham coursework and supports are well aligned with students’ clinical training and licensure preparation. 

Faculty & Staff Leadership 

• Participate in the hiring, mentoring, and evaluation of any nursing faculty and staff based at Earlham, as the BSN program grows. 
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and student‑centered culture within the BSN program and across related disciplines. 
• Provide leadership in integrating evidence‑based teaching practices, inclusive pedagogy, and high‑impact educational practices in BSN courses. 
• Facilitate regular program meetings and coordinate with relevant departments and committees. 

Administration & Resource Management 

• Participate in relevant College committees and governance structures, representing the BSN program and contributing to broader institutional initiatives. 
• Perform additional duties as assigned. 

Required 

• Terminal degree in nursing or a closely related field (DNP, Ph.D. in Nursing, or equivalent terminal degree). 
• Current, unencumbered RN license in the United States, with eligibility for Indiana RN licensure. 
• Significant professional experience in nursing practice and/or nursing education, with evidence of leadership responsibilities (e.g., program coordination, curriculum development, administrative roles, or comparable leadership in a clinical setting). 
• Demonstrated ability to design and assess BSN curricula and to align program goals with institutional learning outcomes. 
• Strong understanding of contemporary issues in nursing and healthcare, including health equity, social determinants of health, and ethical practice. 
• Outstanding interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. 
• Strong organizational, time management, and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. 
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures, including first‑generation students, international students, and students from historically marginalized groups. 
• Commitment to the values of a liberal arts education and to integrating BSN education with broad-based learning in the arts and sciences. 

Preferred 

• Experience developing or leading a BSN program, track, or major especially in collaboration with partner institutions or clinical sites. 
• Demonstrated excellence as an educator in nursing or health‑related fields, with experience teaching at the undergraduate (preferably BSN) level. 
• Familiarity with nursing accreditation processes, NCLEX expectations, and regulatory requirements, and the ability to collaborate effectively with an institutional partner (such as Ivy Tech). 
• Experience and/or clear interest in student recruitment and retention, including collaboration with enrollment and student support offices. 
• Experience in interprofessional education, community-engaged learning, global or cross‑cultural health, or related high‑impact practices. 
• Experience mentoring students in research, evidence‑based practice projects, quality improvement initiatives, or honors/Capstone work. 
• Demonstrated record of scholarship, professional contributions, or leadership within nursing or health professions education. 
• Prior experience in a liberal arts college or similar student‑centered educational context. 

Please submit the following materials with your application:

• Cover letter  
• Resume
• List of Three References with Contact Information 

The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance*
• Company paid Long-Term Disability after 1 year of full-time service*
• Basic and Voluntary Life insurance* 
• Employee Assistance Program*
• Campus Store Discount
• Free ticket vouchers for Richmond Symphony Orchestra
• Wellness Center Free Membership or Discount for eligible employees
• Athletic Games-Free entry to all home games 
• Free entry into most Theatre/Music shows
• Tuition Benefits for Immediate Family for eligible employees*
• 403(b) Retirement* – For eligible employees, Earlham will contribute a non-elective contribution equal to 5% of gross pay after 2 years of service. After 3 years of service, this non-elective contribution increases to 8%. Vesting credit is available for new employees with previous service in the education sector with required documentation.
• Many Wayne County Chamber of Commerce member businesses offer discounts to anyone with an Earlham ID

*All employee benefit offerings are subject to employee eligibility per plan documents. 

Earlham College is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination against any individual based on race, color, national origin, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, religion, or other protected classifications under applicable laws. The College is committed to building a diverse community that reflects the makeup of society and particularly welcomes and supports individuals from historically marginalized groups. As an institution with a Quaker identity, Earlham also encourages applications from members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

Earlham College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state law. If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential functions of the position, or to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Earlham College Office of Human Resources.

Earlham's Work Authorization Policy

Earlham utilizes E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility for all newly hired employees within the United States.