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Nursing Program Director Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

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Nursing Program Director information

See Kansas salary details

$33K

$83.4K

$143.1K

How much do nursing program director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for nursing program director in Kansas is $83,353.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,400.00 and $98,100.00 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 popular job titles related to Nursing Program Director jobs in Kansas?

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Nursing Program Director job openings in Kansas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,353 per year, or $40.1 per hour.

Graduate Nursing Program Director & PMHNP Lead Faculty

University of Saint Mary

Fort Leavenworth, KS โ€ข On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life

Re-posted 24 days ago


Job description

Graduate Nursing Program Director

The University of Saint Mary is conveniently located a short 30 minutes' drive from Parkville, Shawnee, Basehor and Kansas City, Kansas. USM offer all full-time employees Medical, Dental, Vision, University Paid Basic Life & AD&D, Short and Long-Term Disability along with a generous Tuition Remission for the employee, spouse and dependents under the age of 24 years old.

The University of Saint Mary is a Roman Catholic, liberal arts university located in Leavenworth, Kansas, just 25 minutes away from Kansas City. For over 100 years, the University of Saint Mary has helped students find their way to meaningful lives and careers through an education that blends the liberal arts and a focus on critical thinking with the development of key professional skills. USM serves about 1,400 students at its main campus in Leavenworth, its satellite location in Overland Park, as well as online.

Position Summary

The Graduate Nursing Program Director will be responsible for the overall leadership, management, and administration of the online MSN programs (educator and administrator tracks), MSN-FNP, and MSN-MHNP programs. The director will ensure program compliance with the Kansas State Board of Nursing's (KSBN) rules and regulations, as well as those of professional regulatory/accrediting agencies (i.e., CCNE). Additionally, the Graduate Program Director will lead the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner specialty concentration.

Essential Functions

Graduate Nursing Program Director

  • Curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation
  • Program admissions and recruitment
  • Compliance with KSBN rules and regulations
  • Serve as student advocate and mentor
  • Maintain professional licensure
  • Responsible for development of program policies and procedures, with faculty input
  • Plan, organize, implement, and evaluate all aspects of programs
  • Coordinate academic schedule
  • Coordinate and manage orientation of new faculty
  • Assign faculty and student mentors
  • Submit required annual reports and coordinate development of CCNE self-study as required for continued program accreditation
  • Maintain and update Student Handbooks to ensure accurate and relevant content. Ensure consistency between Student Handbooks, course syllabi, and KSBN regulations.
  • Coordinate departmental faculty committees and nursing advisory committees
  • Ensure continuous program evaluation
  • Perform other related duties assigned by the Division of Nursing chair
  • Assist Division of Nursing chair with hiring of faculty
  • Assist Division of Nursing chair with program budgets

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Lead Faculty

  • Provide quality oversight of the educational component of the PMHNP specialty concentration: advise on courses, review clinical documentation activities, and mentor new faculty, including adjuncts.
  • Ensure standardization of PMHNP specialty didactic and clinical courses.
  • Work closely with the MSN Program Director and Chair of the Division to ensure the program is in alignment with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), and state board regulatory standards and guidelines.
  • Serve as a liaison between the MSN Program Director and PMHNP faculty.
  • First contact for PMHNP students with course or program concerns; can escalate to program director if needed
  • Primary contact for clinical questions and assessing appropriateness for PMHNP clinical sites
  • Schedule, plan, and provide oversight for standardized patient experiences
  • Review applicants and participate in recruitment activities
  • Teach, mentor, and participate in departmental, university, and professional activities.
  • Orient and train new PMHNP adjunct faculty.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Requirements
  • Terminal degree (DNP, PhD, or EdD) from an accredited institution of higher learning
  • Current and unencumbered RN licensure in KS
  • Current PMHNP license in the state of practice
  • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with board certification
  • Actively practicing as a PMHNP
  • Three (3) years' academic teaching experience in a graduate program and/or pre- or post-licensure registered nursing program
  • Prior online teaching experience preferred, higher education teaching experience with experience teaching and leading at the graduate level
  • Familiarity with Typhon and working with multiple state boards of nursing (preferred)
  • Experience collaborating with and coordinating groups of diverse individuals
  • Experience with curriculum development, program planning and evaluation, and student learning outcomes assessment
  • Experience with CCNE accreditation requirements
  • Experience in coordinating and implementing programs in an academic setting
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent organizational skills
  • Ability to work in a collegial setting with faculty/staff at all levels
  • Demonstrate flexibility, integrity, and initiative

To apply: Submit a cover letter, resume and contact information for at least three current professional references.

Saint Mary is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Questions: email human resources at hr@stmary.edu