Dean of Nursing

Job Description

Job Description

The Dean of Nursing serves as the chief nurse administrator of the nursing unit and, during the
institution’s academic leadership transition, as the institution’s designated senior academic
administrator. The Dean reports directly to the President and has the authority and resources
necessary to lead the nursing unit and oversee academic quality across the institution. The Dean
is responsible for nursing program quality, curriculum, faculty, assessment, student outcomes,
accreditation, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. The institution expects to
appoint a permanent Chief Academic Officer as part of its longer-term leadership plan.

Essential Responsibilities

• Serve as the chief nurse administrator and provide leadership for the nursing unit in achieving its mission, goals, and expected outcomes.
• Exercise administrative authority comparable to that of leaders of similar academic units,
  including appropriate authority over nursing faculty, curriculum, budget
  recommendations, program resources, and academic operations.
• Provide institution-wide oversight of academic quality during the transition to a
  permanent Chief Academic Officer.
• Oversee the quality and integrity of academic programs across all locations and
  modalities.
• Lead nursing curriculum development, implementation, evaluation, and revision in
  collaboration with faculty.
• Ensure that nursing curricula remain aligned with CCNE requirements, applicable
  professional standards, licensure expectations, and the AACN Essentials.
• Oversee faculty recruitment, qualifications, assignments, workload, evaluation,
  development, and support.
• Ensure meaningful faculty participation in curriculum, academic policy, assessment,
  program evaluation, and governance.
• Oversee assessment of student learning, program outcomes, certification and licensure
  results, retention, completion, and other measures of student success.
• Lead systematic program evaluation and ensure that results are used for continuous
  improvement.
• Ensure the sufficiency and quality of clinical sites, simulation resources, academic
  support services, and other resources needed by the nursing programs.
• Maintain compliance with WSCUC, CCNE, state board of nursing, and other applicable
  regulatory and accreditation requirements.
• Collaborate with the ALO and other institutional leaders on accreditation reports,
  substantive changes, site visits, and responses to accreditor requirements.
• Participate in institutional planning, budgeting, enrollment planning, and resource
  allocation.
• Report regularly to the President and governing board regarding academic quality,
  nursing program outcomes, compliance, risks, and resource needs.
• Consult with faculty, students, clinical partners, and other communities of interest when
  making decisions affecting the nursing unit.

Academic Oversight

Ensure the nursing curriculum meets or exceeds the standards set by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), Board of Vocational Nurses and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT) and accrediting bodies.

• Oversee the recruitment, development, and evaluation of faculty, fostering a culture of 
  academic excellence.
• Drive the effective use of evidence-based teaching practices and innovative technologies in 
  nursing education.
• Ensure students receive comprehensive support services, including academic advising, 
  career counseling, and tutoring.

Regulatory and Accreditation Compliance

• Maintain compliance with all BRN, BVNPT, WSCUC, CCNE and other relevant accrediting 
  bodies' regulations and standards.
• Lead or contribute to the preparation and management of the submission of reports, 
  renewals, and other documentation required by accrediting and regulatory bodies.
• Serve as the Chief Nurse Administrator (CNA) with the BRN and programmatic accrediting 
  agencies, ensuring that all programs meet the highest standards of nursing education. 
  

Operational Management

• Oversee the administration of the institutional academics including budget management, 
  resource allocation, and operational planning.
• Develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures that support the college’s 
  mission and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure that clinical placements, partnerships, and affiliations meet program needs and 
  regulatory standards.
• Collaborate with university leaders to maintain efficiency and effectiveness of nursing 
  operations.

Student Success

• Foster a student-centered environment that promotes academic achievement, retention, 
  graduation rates, and NCLEX pass rates.
• Ensure that students have access to high-quality clinical experiences, mentoring, and 
  support services.
• Lead initiatives to prepare students for successful licensure and professional readiness as nurses.

External Relations and Partnerships

• Build and maintain relationships with healthcare organizations, community partners, and other 
  stakeholders to secure clinical placements for students, create opportunities for student recruitment, and collaborate on other mutually-beneficial ventures.
• Represent the nursing college in professional organizations, conferences, and community 
  events.
• Develop partnerships that enhance clinical education, research opportunities, and community engagement.

Minimum Qualifications  
Required

• Current, unencumbered registered nurse license, including authorization to practice in the
  state as applicable. 
• Graduate degree in nursing from an accredited institution.
• Earned doctoral degree, because the institution offers graduate nursing programs.
• Academic leadership experience in baccalaureate and graduate nursing education.
• Experience with curriculum, faculty supervision, assessment, program evaluation, and
  student outcomes.
• Knowledge of CCNE standards, state nursing regulations, professional nursing standards,
  and institutional accreditation requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to lead academic planning and continuous improvement.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER
The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with federal and state laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an at-will basis, unless otherwise contractually bound.