Director of Nursing (DON)

About the role

Charter Senior Living of Verona is seeking an experienced, confident, and hands-on Director of Nursing (DON) / Health & Wellness Director to lead our clinical operations, develop a strong resident-care team, and ensure exceptional standards of care throughout our senior living community. We're looking for more than a nurse who can manage daily clinical responsibilities. We need a proven clinical leader who can build and develop teams, establish accountability, maintain regulatory compliance, and create a culture where residents receive outstanding care and associates are supported in delivering it. This is an opportunity for an experienced nursing professional who enjoys both the clinical and operational sides of leadership and wants to make a meaningful impact on residents, families, and employees.

What We're Looking For

• Strong Clinical Leadership: You bring sound clinical judgment, strong assessment skills, and the confidence to oversee resident care, medication management, individualized care planning, and changes in resident condition.
• Team Development & Accountability: You know how to build and lead a dependable nursing and caregiving team. You set clear expectations, coach employees, address performance concerns, and create a positive environment where associates understand their responsibilities.
• Regulatory Excellence: You understand the importance of accurate documentation, medication safety, infection prevention, resident assessments, and maintaining compliance with applicable Wisconsin assisted living and CBRF requirements.

Responsibilities

Clinical Operations & Resident Care

• Lead and oversee resident-care and wellness operations.
• Conduct and oversee resident assessments, reassessments, and individualized service plans.
• Monitor resident conditions and ensure timely follow-up when changes occur.
• Oversee medication administration systems, medication documentation, and medication safety practices.
• Coordinate resident care with physicians, pharmacies, families, and outside healthcare providers.
• Ensure residents receive compassionate, individualized, and appropriate care.
• Maintain high standards for infection prevention, clinical documentation, and quality assurance.

Leadership & Staff Development

• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop nursing and caregiving associates.
• Support hiring, onboarding, orientation, training, scheduling, and performance management.
• Establish clear department expectations and hold associates accountable.
• Identify training opportunities and strengthen clinical competencies.
• Address staffing and resident-care concerns proactively.
• Foster a culture of teamwork, communication, professionalism, and resident-centered care.
• Serve as a visible, hands-on clinical resource for the team.

Compliance & Operational Excellence

• Maintain compliance with applicable Wisconsin assisted living regulations, CBRF requirements, and company policies.
• Support regulatory inspections, survey readiness, and corrective-action processes.
• Maintain accurate resident records and clinical documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve clinical workflows, resident-care practices, and departmental efficiency.
• Partner closely with the Executive Director and department leaders.
• Communicate effectively with residents, families, associates, and regional leadership.
• Monitor clinical department performance and follow through on identified improvement opportunities.

Requirements

• Active Wisconsin RN or LPN license in good standing, or appropriate eligibility to practice in Wisconsin.
• Strong clinical assessment and resident-care coordination skills.
• Experience providing nursing care in a senior living, assisted living, memory care, or comparable healthcare environment.
• Strong knowledge of medication management, clinical documentation, and resident-care practices.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing clinical and operational needs.
• Ability to provide effective direction, coaching, and accountability to care staff.
• Compassionate, professional, and resident-centered approach to leadership.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Director of Nursing, Health & Wellness Director, Resident Care Director, Assistant Director of Nursing, or comparable nursing leader.
• Assisted living or memory care clinical leadership experience.
• Experience overseeing nursing and caregiving teams.
• Knowledge of Wisconsin CBRF regulations and assisted living compliance.
• Experience with regulatory inspections, survey readiness, and quality improvement.
• Demonstrated success developing employees, improving care processes, and strengthening department performance.

Skills

• Hands-on leader, not someone who manages exclusively from an office.
• Confidently assess residents and make sound clinical decisions.
• Experience leading and developing nursing and caregiving teams.
• Believe in coaching employees while maintaining clear accountability.
• Organized, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
• Communicate professionally with residents, families, physicians, and staff.
• Address concerns early rather than allowing problems to continue.
• Understand the importance of regulatory compliance and documentation.
• Take ownership of the clinical department and follow through on commitments.
• Balance compassion for residents with operational accountability.
• Willing to step in and support your team when needed.

Pay

• Starting salary: $90,000/year
• $7,500 sign-on bonus (subject to applicable eligibility and payment terms)

Benefits

• Pay-on-Demand with ZayZoon
• Free medical insurance plan options
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid training
• Paid time off and holiday pay
• Career growth and advancement opportunities
• Supportive community and company leadership
• An environment where your experience, expertise, and ideas are valued
• The opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of seniors every day

Why Charter Senior Living?

Our mission is simple: To Enhance the Human Spirit. We believe exceptional senior living starts with strong leadership, compassionate care, and meaningful relationships. As Director of Nursing at Charter Senior Living of Verona, you'll have the opportunity to lead a clinical team, develop associates, strengthen care practices, and make a