NORTHWEST NAZARENE UNIVERSITY

College of Nursing
Chief Nurse Administrator

Description of Position

Northwest Nazarene University (NNU) seeks a mission-driven academic leader to serve as Chief Nurse Administrator. The Chief Nurse Administrator serves as the senior academic leader for all nursing programs, providing strategic, academic, and administrative leadership for faculty, staff, and students across the nursing enterprise.

This role is designed to lead Nursing through a season of institutional growth and structural alignment, with full authority over all nursing programs, including responsibility for academic quality, accreditation, faculty leadership, and program development. The Chief Nurse Administrator will advance program excellence, support student success, and cultivate strong partnerships with healthcare organizations and the broader community, while ensuring compliance with accreditation and regulatory requirements.

The Chief Nurse Administrator currently reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and serves as a member of the University’s Academic Leadership Team. Over the next several months, under the leadership of a new University President and a newly appointed VPAA, the University’s academic structure will likely evolve. Through these structural changes, the Chief Nurse Administrator will continue to serve as the senior academic leader for Nursing, with reporting relationships aligned to the University’s new organizational model.

Primary Responsibilities

Academic Leadership and Program Quality

• Leads development, evaluation, and continuous improvement of all nursing programs (BSN, MSN, FNP, DNP).
• Ensures alignment of curriculum, assessment, and outcomes with institutional mission and accreditation standards.
• Oversees accreditation, regulatory compliance, and reporting processes.
• Advances innovation and strategic program growth.

Faculty Leadership and Development

• Recruits, mentors, evaluates, and develops full-time and adjunct faculty.
• Oversees faculty review, rank and tenure processes, and professional development.
• Fosters a collegial, accountable, and mission-aligned faculty culture.
• Appoints and supervises program directors and academic leadership.

Student Success and Experience

• Promotes recruitment, retention, persistence, and graduation.
• Partners with faculty and staff to strengthen advising and student support systems.
• Addresses student concerns and academic issues.
• Cultivates an environment that supports professional and personal formation.

Operations and Resource Management

• Develops and manages program budgets in collaboration with university leadership.
• Allocates faculty workload and resources effectively and equitably.
• Supports institutional planning, assessment, and accreditation efforts.
• Maintains accurate catalog, scheduling, and program records.

Institutional Leadership and Collaboration

• Serves as a key academic leader within the University.
• Collaborates with Enrollment and Marketing to support program growth and sustainability.
• Partners across academic and student life divisions to enhance student outcomes.
• Communicates effectively across the institution.

External Engagement and Partnerships

• Develops and sustains relationships with healthcare organizations and community partners.
• Represents the University in professional, state, regional, and national settings.
• Promotes the strength and visibility of nursing programs.

Mission and Institutional Commitment

The Chief Nurse Administrator is expected to actively support and advance the mission of Northwest Nazarene University: “The mission of Northwest Nazarene University is the transformation of the whole person. Centered in Jesus Christ, the NNU education instills habits of heart, soul, mind and strength to enable each student to become God’s creative and redemptive agent in the world.” Therefore, candidates must demonstrate:

• Spiritual maturity and commitment to Christian higher education
• Alignment with the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition
• Ability to integrate faith and learning within nursing education

Supervisory Responsibilities

All Nursing faculty and staff, but in particular

• Staff Supervisor
• BSN Program Chair
• Graduate Program Directors

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned Doctorate in Nursing (or related discipline)
• Minimum four years of academic leadership experience
• Minimum four years teaching in accredited nursing programs
• Demonstrated knowledge of accreditation and regulatory standards
• Current RN licensure (Idaho or eligibility for licensure)

Preferred Attributes

• Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills
• Experience with budgeting, assessment, and data-informed decision-making
• Entrepreneurial mindset for program growth
• High emotional intelligence and relational leadership

Key Competencies & Dispositions

• Strategic leadership and execution
• Faculty development and team building
• Accreditation and regulatory expertise
• Student-centered decision making
• Collaborative leadership across the institution

Terms of Appointment

• Three-year term, renewable based on performance
• Serves at the discretion of the President

Application Process:

Please provide the following in order to be considered for the position:

• A complete curriculum vitae (CV)
• Cover letter
• Personal Spiritual Pilgrimage
• Membership in a Christian community of faith
• Philosophy of Christian Higher education
• Philosophy of Teaching
• Official Transcripts (unofficial transcripts will be accepted, however if offered the position we will need official copies)

Northwest Nazarene University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As an educational institution operating under the auspices of the Church of the Nazarene, Northwest Nazarene University is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (Title VII, Sections 702-703, United States Civil Rights act of 1964, as amended.)