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Chief Nursing Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Chief Nursing Officer

Littleton, CO · On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

Chief Nursing Officer Career Opportunity $125,000 - $160,000 Annually Honored and esteemed for your Chief Nursing Officer expertise Are you seeking a transformative nursing leadership opportunity ...

Chief Nursing Officer

Glendale, AZ · On-site

$114K - $156K/yr

Chief Nursing Officer Career Opportunity Honored and esteemed for your Chief Nursing Officer expertise Are you seeking a transformative nursing leadership opportunity that feels close to home and ...

Showing results 21-40

Chief Nursing Officer information

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$73K

$155.8K

$260K

How much do chief nursing officer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief nursing officer in the United States is $155,833.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $126,000.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a chief nursing officer do?

As a chief nursing officer (CNO), your duties are to organize and plan the development or improvement of a health care facility’s nursing services and, along with managers and coordination officers, implement changes in patient care at the facility. Your other responsibilities include coordinating the daily operations at the facility. This includes reviewing scheduling, conducting performance reviews, reaching out to patients to understand what they perceive as the strengths and weaknesses of the staff, and modifying care provision based on your assessments. You also perform some administrative tasks, such as hiring new nurses and approving budgets.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief nursing officer?

To thrive as a Chief Nursing Officer, you need advanced clinical knowledge, leadership experience, and at least a master's degree in nursing or healthcare administration. Familiarity with hospital management systems, quality assurance tools, and certifications like Nurse Executive-Board Certified (NE-BC) are typically required. Strategic thinking, strong communication, and the ability to inspire and mentor teams are standout soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for setting nursing standards, driving organizational goals, and ensuring exceptional patient care across the institution.

What are some common challenges faced by a chief nursing officer in balancing administrative duties with patient care priorities?

Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) often face the challenge of balancing their extensive administrative responsibilities—such as policy development, budgeting, and regulatory compliance—with ensuring high standards of patient care. This role requires strong time management and delegation skills, as well as the ability to advocate for both nursing staff and patients. Regularly engaging with frontline nurses and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams helps CNOs stay connected to patient care needs, while also meeting organizational objectives. Open communication and strategic planning are key to navigating these competing priorities.

Is it hard to become a chief nursing officer?

Becoming a chief nursing officer (CNO) typically requires extensive experience in nursing, often 10 or more years, along with advanced education such as a master's or doctoral degree in nursing or healthcare administration. Strong leadership skills, clinical expertise, and often certification in nursing leadership are also important for reaching this executive role.

What cities are hiring for Chief Nursing Officer jobs?

Cities with the most Chief Nursing Officer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Chief Nursing Officer jobs?

The most popular types of Chief Nursing Officer jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Chief Nursing Officer jobs?

The top employers for Chief Nursing Officer jobs are:

What states have the most Chief Nursing Officer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Chief Nursing Officer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Chief Nursing Officer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 56% Full Time, 17% Part Time, and 23% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $155,833 per year, or $74.9 per hour.

$180K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Chief Nursing Officer Career Opportunity


Honored and esteemed for your Chief Nursing Officer expertise
Are you seeking a transformative nursing leadership opportunity that feels close to home and heart? Encompass Health invites you to step into the role of Chief Nursing Officer at one of our 150+ in-patient rehabilitation hospitals, where we redefine the meaning of a fulfilling career. In our dynamic healthcare environment, experience the warmth of a welcoming community from the start. This role allows you to contribute to patients' well-being by providing compassionate care and support while playing a pivotal role in achieving inspiring healthcare outcomes. As a Chief Nursing Officer, you'll understand that even small victories can yield substantial impacts, taking responsibility for the quality of nursing care provided by the staff. Join us on a journey where your leadership transforms lives, offering a career that combines professional excellence with a deep connection to your roots.

A Glimpse into Our World
At Encompass Health, you'll experience the difference the moment you become a part of our team. Being at Encompass Health means aligning with a rapidly growing national inpatient rehabilitation leader. We take pride in the growth opportunities we offer and how our team unites for the greater good of our patients. Our achievements include being named one of the "World's Most Admired Companies" and receiving the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® Award, among other accolades, which is nothing short of amazing.

Starting Perks and Benefits
At Encompass Health, we are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive, and caring environment where you can thrive. From day one, you will have access to:

  • Affordable medical, dental, and vision plans for both full-time and part-time employees and their families.
  • Generous paid time off that accrues over time.
  • Opportunities for tuition reimbursement and continuing education.
  • Company-matching 401(k) and employee stock purchase plans.
  • Flexible spending and health savings accounts.
  • A vibrant community of individuals passionate about the work they do!
  • Join a vibrant community of individuals who are passionate about what they do. Yes, we consider this a valuable benefit.

Be the Chief Nursing Officer you've always aspired to be

  • Collaborate with all medical, clinical, and therapeutic disciplines to foster a patient-focused, team-oriented culture that delivers superior service and outstanding outcomes.
  • Develop patient care programs, policies, and procedures that outline how patients' needs for nursing care, treatment, and services are assessed, evaluated, and met.
  • Act as a representative for nursing on various committees, including the Governing Body, Quality Council, Med Exec, Infection Control, Education, and Ethics Committees, as needed.
  • Support cultural diversity and maintain an inclusive, respectful work environment.
  • Cultivate an environment and culture that empowers the hospital to fulfill its mission by exceeding its goals, communicating the hospital's mission to all staff, holding staff accountable, motivating the team, and taking charge of measurement and assessment.
  • Implement Joint Commission, CMS, State, rehabilitation nursing, and hospital standards.
  • Utilize a staffing matrix that factors in patient acuity and adjusts staffing to meet budgeted NHPPD. Integrate complex data to make informed decisions, develop programs and plans that optimize health, promote wellness, manage illness, and prevent patient complications.
  • Celebrate the achievements of your staff and patients along the way.

Qualifications

  • Possess a current RN licensure as required by state regulations.
  • Hold BLS certification (ACLS preferred).
  • Commit to obtaining CRRN certification within a year of meeting the eligibility requirements.
  • Possess a Bachelor's Degree in Nursing or a related field, unless a higher degree is mandated by state regulations.
  • Advanced Degree, plan to receive an advanced degree, or knowledge and skills associated with an advanced degree required unless otherwise specified by state regulation.
  • Five years of experience in an inpatient hospital setting.
  • Two years of recent (within the last 5 years) Nursing Management experience, with responsibilities including 24-hour accountability, FTE management, policy, procedure, and budgetary oversight, as well as conducting disciplinary action.
  • May be required to work weekdays and/or weekends, evenings and/or night shifts.
  • May be required to work on religious and/or legal holidays on scheduled days/shifts.

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The Encompass Health Way
We proudly set the standard in care by leading with empathy, doing what's right, focusing on the positive, and standing stronger together. Encompass Health is a trusted leader in post-acute care with over 150 nationwide locations and a team of 36,000 exceptional individuals and growing!
At Encompass Health, we celebrate and welcome diversity in our inclusive culture. We provide equal employment opportunities regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, color, creed, age, mental or physical disability, or any other protected classification.