Chief Nursing Officer

About the Role

The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) is the senior executive responsible for the strategic direction, clinical quality, and operational oversight of all nursing services at Nashville General Hospital (NGH). As a key member of the executive leadership team, the CNO serves as the primary advocate for nursing practice and is accountable for establishing and maintaining the highest standards of patient care.

The CNO provides visionary leadership to foster a culture of clinical excellence, compassion, and continuous improvement across a broad portfolio of departments, including:

• All inpatient nursing units
• Core Clinical Operations
• Emergency Services
• Perioperative Services
• Care Transitions & Patient Throughput
• Nursing Education
• Nursing Quality Safety & Regulatory Compliance

The CNO works in close collaboration with Meharry Medical College to advance nursing practice and education, driving measurable improvements in quality, patient outcomes, and experience. This role includes executive oversight of nursing operations, financial resources, workforce planning, staffing, care coordination, clinical technology, and regulatory compliance.

The CNO builds and sustains a highly engaged nursing workforce through recruitment, retention, leadership development, succession planning, career pathways, education, competency management, and mentorship. The role also promotes research, innovation, and continuous professional growth while strengthening nursing education and interprofessional learning through student clinical placements and resident collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all nursing services, ensuring alignment with NGH’s mission and goals.
• Establish and maintain a professional practice and shared governance environment grounded in evidence-based care, clinical inquiry, patient and family engagement, ethical practice, and a strong culture of safety and accountability.
• Drive measurable improvements in clinical quality, patient outcomes, and patient experience.
• Oversee nursing operations, financial resources, workforce planning, staffing, care coordination, clinical technology, and regulatory compliance.
• Foster a highly engaged nursing workforce through recruitment, retention, leadership development, succession planning, and mentorship.
• Promote research, innovation, and continuous professional growth within the nursing team.
• Collaborate with Meharry Medical College and other academic partners to strengthen nursing education and interprofessional learning.
• Advance health equity, patient safety, and community well-being initiatives.

Requirements

• Minimum of 10 years of executive nursing leadership experience, with at least 5-7 years in a CNO role (e.g., CNO or Vice President) in a complex hospital setting.
• Experience in an academic medical center or teaching hospital is highly preferred.
• Proven track record of improving clinical quality and patient experience outcomes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead diverse clinical teams and manage complex budgets.
• Strong commitment to fostering a professional and engaging work environment for nursing staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree required.
• Master’s degree in Nursing (MSN), Healthcare Administration (MHA), Business Administration (MBA), or a related field required.
• Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA), or related field (Ph.D.) preferred.
• Active, unrestricted license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the State of Tennessee required.
• Certification in Nursing Administration or Executive Leadership (e.g., NEA-BC, FACHE) required.

About the Organization

Nashville General Hospital (NGH) is Nashville’s publicly owned essential hospital, playing a vital role in caring for the city’s most vulnerable populations while serving as a teaching hospital in partnership with Meharry Medical College. With over a century of service, NGH is committed to providing outstanding, comprehensive care to every patient—regardless of background or circumstance—with a focus on health equity, patient safety, and community well-being.

NGH has earned an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for Spring 2025, recognizing its excellence in protecting patients from preventable harm. The hospital also ranks Top 10 in the State of Tennessee for Health Equity and Inclusion, as awarded by the Lown Hospital Institute.

Location

Nashville, Tennessee—known as “Music City”—is the state capital and a vibrant hub for music, business, healthcare, and sports. The city offers a rich cultural scene, including historic venues like the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, and the Bluebird Cafe. Nashville is home to major sports teams such as the NFL’s Titans, NHL’s Predators, and MLS’s Nashville SC, as well as attractions like The Hermitage and a full-scale replica of the Parthenon.