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Nursing Program Director Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Care Initiatives

Hospice Program Director

Council Bluffs, IA · On-site

$100 - $150/hr

... Program Director to lead our Council Bluffs team. Care Initiatives, created in 1989, is the largest ... With over 40 skilled nursing communities throughout Iowa and eight (8) hospice locations -- Des ...

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Nursing Program Director information

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$34.8K

$87.8K

$150.8K

How much do nursing program director jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for nursing program director in Iowa is $87,785.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,700.00 and $103,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a nursing program director?

Nursing Program Directors are senior administrators responsible for overseeing and managing nursing education programs at colleges, universities, or healthcare institutions. They develop curriculum, ensure compliance with accreditation standards, supervise faculty, and support student success. Nursing Program Directors also handle budgeting, staffing, and often represent their programs to external stakeholders. Their leadership is crucial to maintaining high educational standards and preparing students for nursing careers.

What are some common challenges faced by a nursing program director, and how can they be effectively managed?

Nursing Program Directors often encounter challenges such as balancing administrative responsibilities with the need to stay engaged in curriculum development and student support. Managing faculty workloads, ensuring accreditation standards are met, and keeping up with evolving healthcare practices can also be demanding. Effective management involves strong organizational skills, clear communication with faculty and administration, and ongoing professional development to stay current with industry trends. Building collaborative relationships within the institution and fostering a supportive team environment are key strategies to successfully navigate these challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a nursing program director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Nursing Program Director, you need advanced clinical knowledge, leadership experience, and typically a master's or doctoral degree in nursing or nursing education. Familiarity with accreditation standards, curriculum development software, and learning management systems is essential. Strong organizational, communication, and mentoring skills help foster faculty development and student success. These skills are vital for ensuring the quality and compliance of nursing programs and for guiding both faculty and students toward excellence.

What is the difference between Nursing Program Director vs Nursing Educator?

AspectNursing Program DirectorNursing Educator
CredentialsRN license, advanced degrees (e.g., MSN, DNP)RN license, often MSN or higher
Work EnvironmentAcademic institutions, overseeing nursing programsHospitals, colleges, or training settings, teaching students
Primary FocusProgram administration, curriculum oversight, accreditationTeaching, student assessment, clinical instruction
Employer & IndustryUniversities, colleges, nursing schoolsHospitals, colleges, vocational schools

The Nursing Program Director primarily manages nursing education programs, focusing on administration and accreditation, while the Nursing Educator concentrates on teaching and mentoring students. Both roles require nursing credentials and are vital in nursing education but differ in responsibilities and work settings.

What does a nursing program director do?

A nursing program director oversees the development, implementation, and evaluation of nursing education programs. They manage faculty, ensure curriculum compliance with accreditation standards, and coordinate clinical placements, often requiring a nursing license and advanced degree. Their role involves leadership, administrative duties, and ensuring students meet professional competencies.

What qualifications do you need to be a nursing program director?

A nursing program director typically needs a registered nurse (RN) license, a master's degree in nursing or a related field, and extensive experience in nursing practice and education. Leadership skills, curriculum development knowledge, and often a doctoral degree or higher are also preferred for this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Nursing Program jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Nursing Program jobs in Iowa are:

What are popular job titles related to Nursing Program Director jobs in Iowa?

For Nursing Program Director jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Nursing Program Director jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Nursing Program Director jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Nursing Program Director jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Nursing Program Director job openings:

Nursing Program Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nursing Program Director job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,785 per year, or $42.2 per hour.

Hospice Program Director

Care Initiatives

Council Bluffs, IA • On-site

$100 - $150/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Care Initiatives rating

5.2

Company rating: 5.2 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

204th of 245 rated social care providers

Job description

Join Our Growing Team at Care Initiatives Hospice!

Our Greenfield Hospice office is expanding to the Council Bluffs, Iowa area and we’recurrently looking for an experienced Hospice Program Director to lead our Council Bluffs team.

Care Initiatives, created in 1989, is the largest non-profit single operator of quality nursing homes in Iowa. With over 40 skilled nursing communities throughout Iowa and eight (8) hospice locations — Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Greenfield, Albia, Waterloo, Manchester, Sioux City, Omaha, Nebraska. We’re excited to expand our hospice care into the Council Bluffs, Iowa area! If you’re passionate about hospice and excited to lead a team that provides outstanding care, we want to hear from you!

As a Hospice Program Director, you will be at the forefront of developing and leading an interdisciplinary team dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate end-of-life care. You will play a key role in shaping the delivery of hospice services, ensuring both exceptional patient care and efficient operations. We are looking for an exceptional operational and clinical leader with strong hospice knowledge and experience who will cultivate teamwork, a culture of continuous improvement, compassionately serve others, and promote skill development and personal growth for staff.

What will the Hospice Program Director do? Here are some key responsibilities:
  • Work with leadership to create, implement, and evaluate Care Initiatives Hospice, and location’s strategic plans.
  • Market Care Initiatives Hospice services in conjunction with our Business Development team members to establish appropriate professional and public relationships that will encourage and develop short-term and long-term referral sources.
  • Accountable for planning, implementing, and monitoring location budgets.
  • Responsible for hiring, developing, coaching, and retaining competent staff by establishing and maintaining a professional work environment utilizing the interdisciplinary team approach.
What it takes:
  • Bachelor’s degree in nursing, business, healthcare administration or related field, preferred.
  • Two (2) years in a leadership position, required.
  • Two (2) years experience in the hospice industry, preferred.
  • Active RN license, perferred.
  • Experience interacting with physicians and health care providers related to patient care
Why choose Care Initiatives? Here are just a few reasons:
  • Unlimited vacation time.
  • Robust benefit options including medical, dental, vision, retirement savings, Basic Life and AD&D, Voluntary Life AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.
  • On-demand pay... and more!
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