Chief Nursing Officer

Chief Nursing Officer

Nashville General Hospital (NGH), Nashville's publicly owned essential hospital, plays a vital role in caring for the city's most vulnerable populations while serving as a teaching hospital in partnership with Meharry Medical College. The institution carries deep historical significance and public visibility, operating with a strong civic mandate in one of the fastest growing and most competitive healthcare markets in the country.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) is the senior executive responsible for the strategic direction, clinical quality, and operational oversight of all nursing services at Nashville General Hospital. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CNO is the primary advocate for nursing practice and is accountable for establishing and maintaining the highest standards of patient care. The CNO provides visionary leadership to foster a culture of clinical excellence, compassion, and continuous improvement. This role is responsible for a broad portfolio of departments, including all inpatient nursing units, Core Clinical Operations, Emergency Services, Perioperative Services, Care Transitions & Patient Throughput, Nursing Education, Nursing Quality Safety & Regulatory Compliance. and works in close collaboration with Meharry Medical College to advance nursing practice and education.

The CNO will advance nursing excellence by establishing a professional practice and shared governance environment grounded in evidence-based care, clinical inquiry, patient and family engagement, ethical practice, and a strong culture of safety and accountability. The role drives measurable improvements in quality, patient outcomes, and experience while providing executive oversight of nursing operations, financial resources, workforce planning, staffing, care coordination, clinical technology, and regulatory compliance. The CNO also builds and sustains a highly engaged nursing workforce through recruitment, retention, leadership development, succession planning, career pathways, education, competency management, and mentorship, while promoting research, innovation, and continuous professional growth. In collaboration with Meharry Medical College and other academic partners, the CNO strengthens nursing education and interprofessional learning through student clinical placements, resident collaboration, and other initiatives that support the development of future healthcare professionals.

This senior executive should possess a minimum of 10 years of executive nursing leadership experience, with at least 5-7 years in a CNO role (e.g., CNO or Vice President) in a complex hospital setting. Experience in an academic medical center or teaching hospital is highly preferred. This leader will have a proven track record of improving clinical quality and patient experience outcomes, leading diverse clinical teams, managing complex budgets, and fostering a professional and engaging work environment for nursing staff.

Qualifications (Including, but not limited to):

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree required
• Master's degree in Nursing (MSN), Healthcare Administration (MHA), Business Administration (MBA), or a related field, required
• Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA), or related field (Ph.D.), preferred
• Required: Active, unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of Tennessee.
• Required: Certification in Nursing Administration or Executive Leadership (e.g., NEA-BC, FACHE)

Nashville, Tennessee, known as "Music City," is also the state capital, long famous for its vibrant music scene, from historic venues like the Bluebird Cafe to the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium. The Grand Old Opry is the world's longest running live radio show, famous for showcasing country music stars and legends.

The city hosts a booming economy in business, healthcare and of course tourism. There is plenty to see and do as the city is home to many major sports teams: NFL's Titans, NHL's Predators and MLS's Nashville SC. Places to see include The Hermitage and the full-scale replica of the Parthenon.