Head Rn Jobs in Connecticut (NOW HIRING)

Head Nurse (40 Hour)

Office/On-site

Recruitment # 260828-4356FL-001

Location Middletown, CT

Date Opened 9/2/2026 12:00:00 AM

Salary $95,809 - $126,746/year

Job Type Open to the Public

Close Date 9/11/2026 11:59:00 PM

Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)

• Introduction

Are you a Registered Nurse looking to make a difference in the lives of children and their families in Connecticut? If so, we invite you to take this opportunity to join our team at the Albert J. Solnit Children’s Center!

The State of Connecticut (https://portal.ct.gov/) , Department of Children and Families (DCF (https://portal.ct.gov/dcf) ) – John Dempsey Hospital – is recruiting for multiple first, second and third shift Head Nurse (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/specs/classspecdisplay.asp?ClassNumber=4356FL&R1=&R3=) positions in Middletown, CT.

New! Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. Visit Nurse Licensure Compact (https://www.nursecompact.com/) for more details.

DCF is seeking dedicated and experienced nursing leaders to join our team as Head Nurses. In this critical role, you will lead professional and paraprofessional nursing staff in delivering high-quality, person-centered care while ensuring the highest standards of nursing practice are maintained. You will have the opportunity to shape daily operations, coordinate care, mentor and develop staff, and promote a collaborative environment focused on the health, safety, and well-being of the individuals we serve.

As a Head Nurse, you will bring your clinical expertise and leadership skills to planning and implementing the nursing process, establishing unit priorities and workflow, overseeing staff performance, and supporting professional development. You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to promote continuity of care, respond to emergencies, ensure the safe management of controlled medications, and contribute to the development of policies and standards. This is an opportunity to lead with purpose, support a dedicated nursing team, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, youth, and families served by DCF.

IN ADDITION TO THE BASE ANNUAL SALARY, YOU MAY BE APPROVED FOR AN ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION BONUS: Each Registered Nurse who is permanently assigned to the second or third shift shall receive a “recruitment and retention” yearly bonus of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00). This bonus shall be prorated for part-time. In order to be eligible for this bonus, the employee must have completed one year of service in the registered nurse classification.

Position Highlights:

PCN 154996

• Location: Acadia Unit

• Full-time | 40 Hours per week

• First Shift | 7:00 am – 3:30 pm

• Days off:

• Week One: Friday, Wednesday

• Week Two: Saturday, Sunday

PCN 154997

• Location: Acadia Unit

• Full-time | 40 Hours per week

• Second Shift | 2:45 pm – 11:15 pm

• Days off:

• Week One: Friday, Tuesday

• Week Two: Saturday, Sunday

PCN 154998

• Location: Manhassett Unit

• Full-time | 40 Hours per week

• Second Shift | 2:45 pm – 11:15 pm

• Days off:

• Week One: Friday, Monday

• Week Two: Saturday, Sunday

PCN 154999

• Location: Passaic Unit

• Full-time | 40 Hours per week

• Second Shift | 2:45 pm – 11:15 pm

• Days off:

• Week One: Friday, Monday

• Week Two: Saturday, Sunday

PCN 15000

• Location: Sachem Unit

• Full-time | 40 Hours per week

• Third Shift | 10:45 pm – 7:10 am

• Days off:

• Week One: Monday

• Week Two: Friday, Saturday, Wednesday

What we can offer you:

• View our State Employee Benefits Overview (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) page!

• Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities.

• A healthy work-life balance (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6n9M1Qd5fo) to all employees!

• The State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service. Click here (https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service) for more information.

We believe that:

• Children and adolescents with serious emotional disorders can lead productive and satisfying lives.

• Children, youth and their families have the right and responsibility to participate in their treatment.

• No child will be refused treatment based on their ability to pay for services.

• Our services work best when integrated with community care.

About the State of Connecticut:

Living in Connecticut allows you to live with mountains, forests, ocean fronts, rivers, and a wonderful green countryside right at your doorstep. The state has charm, elegance, and a high standard of living. Our school systems offer an outstanding education, and our communities are among the safest in the country. Connecticut experiences all four seasons and gives you the option to choose living in sophisticated country-life or living in the center of a lively city.

We encourage you to come see all that Connecticut has to offer by joining the DCF team!

Selection Plan

FOR THOSE WHO HOLD AN RN LICENSE IN A STATE OTHER THAN CONNECTICUT AND DO NOT HOLD A MULTISTATE OR COMPACT REGISTERED NURSING LICENSE, AND WISH TO APPLY FOR A CONNECTICUT LICENSE, PLEASE:

• Review the eligibility and documentation requirements for CT license by endorsement of an out-of-state license;

• Complete a CT DPH online application online (expand the ‘Public Health Practitioners’ grouping, select ‘Registered Nurse’ and then ‘Start’;

• Request verification of your out-of-state license(s) electronically through the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s : Nursys® System. To send verification of your license(s) to CT, read and agree to the terms, enter your biographic information, select your license type and select ‘SEARCH’. Review the results and select the ‘Next’ button. Check the box next to ‘Connecticut’ and complete the transaction. Once the transaction is completed, you will receive a confirmation email from Nursys and the verification will be available to the DPH. Note that PA and MI verifications are not provided through Nursys. Please contact those state boards for information on obtaining verification.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library (https://portal.ct.gov/das/home/services-for-state-employees/statewide-human-resources/applicant-reference-library?language=en_US) for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.

• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/pa/pdf/2021PA-00069-R00SB-00056-PA.pdf) , resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.

• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.

• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

• Note : The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!

• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.

• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Rocky Young at Rocky.Young@ct.gov

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for administrative and clinical supervision of professional nurses, paraprofessionals and other staff involving direct nursing care of individuals or performing specialized professional nursing work in the areas of community or therapeutic nursing. At the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities or Connecticut Technical Education and Career System this class is accountable for providing primary nursing care for students and facility staff.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

WORKING LEAD:

• Leads the planning of care and implementation of the nursing process;

• Plans unit workflow and determines priorities;

• Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work;

• Makes recommendations for personnel actions such as selection, discipline and performance;

• Conducts or assist in conducting performance evaluations;

• Leads professional and paraprofessional nursing staff in provision of patient/individual care;

• Maintains and promotes standards of nursing;

• Ensures controlled drugs are properly stored, administered and ordered;

• Identifies staff development needs;

• Provides staff training and assistance;

• Instructs staff regarding policies and procedures;

• Participates in interdisciplinary meetings to promote and ensure adjustment and continuity of patient/individual care programs;

• Responds to emergencies;

• May make recommendations on policies and standards;

• May prepare reports or correspondence;

• May serve as Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP);

• Performs related duties as required.

DIRECT CARE:

• Independently develops, implements and evaluates nursing and/or health care plans;

• Provides nursing consultation in the assigned specialty program;

• Conducts nursing assessments;

• Provides admission and discharge nursing assessments including plans for continuing care;

• Maintains records and makes reports;

• Provides for nursing services to comply with intermediate care facility (ICF) regulations and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards;

• Maintains records of stored and secured medications;

• Ensures controlled drugs are properly stored, administered and ordered;

• Independently manages and provides direct care to patients/individuals;

• Participates in individual, group or family therapy;

• Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team in the assessment, development, implementation and evaluation of patient/individual treatment or health care plans;

• Manages an assigned caseload of other appropriate clinical