Program Director of Licensed Practical Nursing Program

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

The LPN Program Director of Nursing is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, academic integrity, and operational success of the Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program. This role ensures alignment with institutional strategy, objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry standards, while driving student success, program development/improvement, faculty performance, and program growth.

Job Duties & Responsibilities:

Administration, Compliance & Operations

• Ensure full compliance of the LPN program with Illinois Board of Nursing regulations and all applicable state, federal, and accrediting body requirements, including preparation for approvals, site visits, and audits.

• Serve as the primary liaison between the LPN program and institutional leadership, as well as across academic and administrative departments.

• Establish and maintain relationships with community partners, clinical sites, and employers to ensure program relevance and workforce alignment.

• Lead and facilitate the Nursing Advisory Committee and ensure meaningful engagement with industry stakeholders.

• Oversee program operations within the approved budget, including staffing, clinical placements, simulation resources, and vendor management.

• Monitor financial performance and align expenditures with enrollment levels, program outcomes, and institutional financial controls.

Academic Leadership & Curriculum Oversight

• Lead the design, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the LPN curriculum to ensure alignment with Illinois Board of Nursing requirements, accreditation standards, and NCLEX readiness.

• Ensure academic rigor, consistency, and integrity across all courses, including oversight of syllabi, instructional materials, and assessment methodologies.

• Drive ongoing program evaluation through analysis of student outcomes, including retention, completion, and licensure pass rates.

• Oversee and actively support student remediation strategies and NCLEX preparation, including integration of testing tools, performance tracking, and targeted academic interventions.

• Maintain close engagement with students throughout the program to monitor progress, identify risks early, and support successful completion.

• Participate in teaching and instructional activities, including assuming up to one course load and substituting for faculty absences, as needed.

Faculty Leadership, Student Success & Advising

• Provide leadership, mentorship, and performance management for faculty, including development planning, classroom observation, and evaluation.

• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing academic environment aligned with program objectives.

• Support student success through active involvement in admissions collaboration, student advising, scheduling, and academic progression.

• Manage hiring and supervision nursing faculty, ensuring appropriate staffing levels and instructional quality.

• Ensure students and faculty have access to appropriate academic, clinical, and support resources.

• Promote a learning environment that emphasizes engagement, accountability, and strong academic and professional outcomes.

Strategic Growth & External Engagement

• Support institutional growth initiatives, including expansion of programs, campuses, and enrollment capacity.

• Collaborate with admissions and marketing to support recruitment efforts and program visibility.

• Represent the program in community, professional, and regulatory settings.

• Maintain active engagement in nursing education and professional organizations to ensure program relevance, compliance, and competitiveness.

Leadership Competencies & Professional Expectations

• Demonstrate strong leadership presence with confidence, accountability, and sound decision-making in a dynamic environment.

• Exhibit excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to effectively engage students, faculty, regulators, and executive leadership.

• Foster collaboration across departments and teams, promoting alignment and shared responsibility for outcomes.

• Apply strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills to address academic, operational, and personnel challenges.

• Effectively manage people, including coaching, performance management, conflict resolution, and team development.

• Model professionalism, integrity, and a results-oriented mindset, with a focus on ownership, execution, and continuous improvement.

Additional responsibilities assigned, as needed.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Maintains a high level of professionalism, integrity, and reliability in all interactions and responsibilities.

• Exercises sound judgment and maturity in decision-making, particularly in complex or high-pressure situations.

• Demonstrates initiative and accountability, taking ownership of responsibilities and driving results.

• Strong presentation, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage students, faculty, leadership, and external stakeholders.

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively, fostering alignment and teamwork across departments.

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and execute with consistency.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills, with the ability to develop and improve systems, procedures, and workflows.

• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with senior management as well as direct reports and students.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, and experience with learning management systems, and testing systems.

Education & Experience

• Must hold a current Illinois Registered Professional Nurse (RN) license. An LPN cannot serve as the program director.

• Must have a master's degree or higher with a major in nursing.

• Must have at least 2 years of clinical nursing practice experience

• Have at least 2 years of experience as a nurse educator.

• Experience in managing a nursing program in higher education.

• Experience in higher education teaching.

• Experience in managing teams and collaborating with management executive.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands and fingers, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear.

• Lifting supplies and instrumentations up to 25 pounds

• Required 4 days on Campus