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How much do interim cno jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for interim cno 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Interim Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), and why are they important?

To thrive as an Interim Chief Nursing Officer, you need extensive leadership experience in nursing, a BSN or MSN (often with a current RN license), and a strong background in healthcare administration. Familiarity with hospital management systems, regulatory compliance software, and quality improvement tools is typically required. Exceptional communication, crisis management, and change leadership skills help navigate organizational transitions and foster team engagement. These skills and qualifications ensure effective oversight of nursing operations and support continuous improvement during periods of leadership change.

How does an Interim Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) typically integrate into an existing leadership team and address organizational challenges quickly?

An Interim CNO is expected to rapidly assess the organization's culture, leadership dynamics, and operational priorities upon arrival. They often focus on building trust with nursing staff, collaborating with executive leadership, and identifying immediate areas for improvement such as patient care quality or staffing concerns. Effective Interim CNOs rely on clear communication and adaptability to lead through periods of transition, ensuring continuity in nursing operations while supporting both short-term goals and long-term strategic planning. This role requires a proactive approach to problem-solving and the ability to foster engagement across multidisciplinary teams.

What are Interim CNOs?

Interim Chief Nursing Officers (CNOs) are experienced nursing leaders who temporarily fill the executive nursing role in a healthcare organization during periods of transition, such as when a permanent CNO is being recruited or is on leave. They are responsible for overseeing nursing operations, ensuring quality patient care, and maintaining compliance with healthcare regulations. Interim CNOs provide stability and leadership, implement best practices, and often help with organizational change or improvement projects. Their expertise helps healthcare facilities continue to operate smoothly without disruption to patient care.

What is the difference between Interim Cno vs Director of Nursing?

AspectInterim CnoDirector of Nursing
CredentialsRN license, leadership experienceRN license, leadership experience
Work EnvironmentTemporary leadership in healthcare facilitiesPermanent leadership role in healthcare facilities
Employer UsageUsed for short-term staffing needsUsed for ongoing management
Search IntentInterim Cno vs Director of NursingInterim Cno vs Director of Nursing

The main difference between an Interim Cno and a Director of Nursing is that the Interim Cno is a temporary leadership role filled during transitions or staffing gaps, while the Director of Nursing is a permanent position overseeing nursing operations. Both roles require RN licensure and leadership experience, but their employment duration and purpose differ significantly.

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Interim Cno jobs near you
Infographic showing various Interim Cno job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 7% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $155,833 per year, or $74.9 per hour.
Corporate Project Director of Nursing (DON) Remote w/Travel

Corporate Project Director of Nursing (DON) Remote w/Travel

Acadia Healthcare

Franklin, TN • Remote

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Acadia Healthcare rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 183 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

707th of 864 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Overview

Corporate Project Director of Nursing (DON)Remote | Nationwide Role | 95-100% Travel

Lead With Purpose. Make an Immediate Impact Across Behavioral Health.

Acadia Healthcare is the largest standalone behavioral healthcare provider in the United States, operating 313+ locations across 42 states and Puerto Rico. Our purpose is simple but powerful: Lead Care With Light - combining clinical excellence, compassion, and innovation to elevate mental health and addiction treatment nationwide.

About the Role

The Corporate Project Director of Nursing (Project DON) is a highly visible, missioncritical leadership role responsible for delivering interim nursing leadership and operational support across Acadia facilities nationwide. This role is ideal for a seasoned nursing executive who thrives in fastpaced environments, excels in change leadership, and is passionate about improving patient outcomes and stabilizing teams.

Important:

This role requires prior behavioral health experience in an inpatient psychiatric setting.

What You'll Do

  • Serve as interim CNO or DON at facilities experiencing leadership transitions
  • Provide handson operational and clinical support during critical periods
  • Partner with local leadership to stabilize teams, improve performance, and ensure compliance
  • Support onboarding and transition of permanent nursing leadership
  • Drive quality, safety, staffing optimization, and regulatory readiness initiatives
  • Act as a trusted leader during high-acuity, high-impact situations

Key Responsibilities

  • Oversees daily nursing operations to ensure safe, highquality patient care
  • Ensures compliance with Joint Commission, CMS, and state regulatory standards
  • Leads staffing and workforce planning based on acuity and census
  • Drives quality improvement, patient safety, and performance initiatives
  • Manages budgets, productivity, and resource utilization
  • Coaches and develops nursing leaders and frontline teams
  • Conducts rounding, supports crisis response, and ensures operational continuity
  • Contributes to strategic planning and organizational performance goals

What Makes This Role Unique

  • 95-100% travel across the U.S. (including occasional weekends)
  • Opportunity to impact multiple facilities and teams
  • Exposure to diverse behavioral health environments
  • Backed by strong corporate support and leadership resources
  • Ideal for leaders who enjoy turnarounds, stabilization, and high-impact work
Qualifications

Requirements:

  • Master's degree in Nursing (Psychiatric/Mental Health preferred) required
  • 6+ years of nursing experience required; 10+ years strongly preferred
  • Prior experience working with the target patient population required
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience at the Director of Nursing level or higher required
  • Active RN Compact License required
  • Experience in a freestanding inpatient psychiatric setting required.
    • Experience in a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) environments would be a bonus. 
  • Current RN license in good standing required
  • CPR and deescalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire)
  • First Aid certification may be required based on state or facility guidelines

 

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.

We're committed to inclusion and equity.

Acadia Healthcare is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and strive to create an environment where every team member feels valued and supported.

Your time matters to us.We appreciate every application and review each one carefully. While we may only contact candidates whose experience most closely matches the role, we're grateful for your interest and for considering us in your career journey.

#LI-SG1 

 AHCORP

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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About Acadia Healthcare

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Acadia Healthcare is a leading provider in the healthcare and hospital industry, based in Franklin, Tennessee, United States. The company is recognised for its commitment to creating a behavioural health network that provides accessible, high-quality treatment options for individuals suffering from mental health issues, addiction, eating disorders, and PTSD. Acadia Healthcare was founded in 2005, with the mission to create a world-class organization that sets the standard of excellence in the treatment of specialty behavioural health and addiction disorders.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Franklin, TN, US

Year founded

2005

Social media

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