Director Nursing Excellence and Professional Practice

Director of Nursing Excellence and Professional Practice

Kaweah Health is a publicly owned, community healthcare organization that provides comprehensive health services to the greater Visalia area in central California. With more than 5,000 employees, Kaweah Health provides state-of-the-art medicine and high-quality preventive services in our acute care hospital, specialized health centers and clinics. Our eight-campus healthcare district has 613 beds and offers comprehensive health services across a broad continuum of care.

It takes a special person to work for Kaweah Health. We serve a region where the needs are great, which makes the rewards even greater. Every day, we care for people facing unique challenges and in need of healing. Throughout it all, our focus is to make a difference, and we do in the health of our patients, our loved ones, and our community.

Benefits Eligible

Full-Time Benefit Eligible

Work Shift

Day - 8 Hour or less Shift (United States of America)

Department

8720 Nursing Administration

The Director of Nursing Excellence and Professional Practice provides strategic and operational leadership in the advancement of nursing practice, quality, and professional development. Oversees initiatives that drive nursing excellence, including Magnet and / or Pathway to Excellence designation, while aligning efforts with the organization's mission, vision, and strategic goals. The Director ensures regulatory compliance, promotes evidence-based practice, fosters innovation, and drives measurable improvements in patient outcomes and nurse engagement.

Qualifications

License / Certification

Required : CA RN license

Preferred :

Nurse Executive-Board Certified (NE-BC or NEA-BC)

Certification in Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC), Quality (CPHQ), or applicable specialty

Education : Preferred :

Master's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field

Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD

Experience : Required :

Minimum of seven years of progressive leadership experience in professional nursing practice, quality improvement, or Magnet / Pathway designation.

Demonstrated success leading interdisciplinary teams, managing complex projects, and improving nursing and patient care outcomes

Job Responsibilities

Essential

Advanced Practice Leadership & Engagement

Lead and support the engagement and integration of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), Nurse Practitioners, and Clinical Nurse Specialists into high-quality, collaborative care models.

Facilitate clinical practice development, scope of practice expansion, and interprofessional collaboration for advanced practice providers.

Nursing Excellence Program Oversight

Design, implement, and manage a comprehensive nursing excellence strategy in alignment with national standards, Magnet / Pathway to Excellence frameworks, and internal strategic priorities.

Guide the organization through Magnet or Pathway to Excellence recognition processes, including document development, site visit preparation, and ongoing compliance.

Quality and Performance Improvement

Monitor and analyze nursing-sensitive quality indicators; implement data-driven strategies to improve patient outcomes and nursing performance.

Ensure integration of quality and safety initiatives into clinical practice and education.

Professional Development & Practice

Oversee the development and implementation of programs to build nursing knowledge, leadership capacity, and evidence-based practice.

Foster a culture of life-long learning, clinical excellence, and professional advancement.

Staff Engagement & Retention

Lead initiatives to enhance staff satisfaction, engagement, and retention through recognition, shared governance, and career development pathways.

Promote a healthy work environment that supports psychological safety, diversity, and inclusion.

Innovation and Research

Support nursing-led research, quality improvement projects, and innovations in care delivery.

Collaborate with academic partners and internal stakeholders to advance nursing science and practice.

Data Management & Reporting

Oversee the collection, analysis, and dissemination of nursing-related data for internal dashboards, regulatory bodies, and performance benchmarking.

Prepare reports for executive leadership, board committees, and accreditation bodies.

Budget and Resource Management

Develop and manage budgets for nursing excellence, professional development, and Magnet-related activities.

Ensure efficient allocation of resources to support strategic nursing priorities.

Regulatory and Accreditation Compliance

Maintain compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and accrediting body standards related to nursing practice and patient care.

Serve as the organizational expert on nursing standards and Magnet / Pathway requirements.

Pay Range

$0.01 -$999.00

If you want to use your talents alongside people who face each day with courage and purpose, in an environment that empowers you to do your absolute best, this is where you belong.