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Chief Nursing Officer

Dominican Hospital Santa Cruz, California
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The posted compensation range of $105.37 - $147.52 /hour is a reasonable estimate that extends from the lowest to the highest pay CommonSpirit in good faith believes it might pay for this particular job, based on the circumstances at the time of posting. CommonSpirit may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range as permitted by law.

Requisition ID 2026-485769 Employment Type Full Time Department Administration Hours/Pay Period 80 Shift Day Weekly Schedule Mon - Fri Remote No Category Executive

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As our Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), you will provide executive leadership and strategic direction for nursing practice across the hospital and assigned business entities. Your primary responsibility will be to ensure consistent, high-quality standards of patient care while advancing nursing excellence throughout the organization. You will lead the development and implementation of nursing policies, objectives, and initiatives while ensuring departmental operations align with established clinical, regulatory, and organizational standards.

Every day, you will lead the effective management of nursing resources, including staff, materials, and finances, while planning and directing nursing activities across the facility. You will champion the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective patient care, oversee nursing performance, and foster an environment focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. You will also play an integral role in developing the competency and capabilities of the nursing workforce and leading quality enhancement and process improvement efforts that strengthen patient care and operational performance.

To be successful in this role, you will bring significant nursing and progressive leadership experience along with the ability to lead within a complex healthcare environment. You will be an influential and collaborative nursing executive who can balance clinical excellence with operational and financial stewardship, develop and empower nursing teams, and drive meaningful improvements in quality and patient care. Exceptional communication, sound judgment, and a commitment to creating an environment of professionalism, collaboration, and humankindness will be essential to your success.

Key Job Responsibilities:

  • Provides executive leadership and direction for nursing practice across the hospital and assigned business entities, maintaining consistent and high-quality standards of patient care.
  • Manages nursing resources, including staff, materials, and finances, and plans and directs nursing activities across the facility.
  • Develops and implements nursing policies, objectives, and initiatives while ensuring departmental operations remain compliant with established standards.
  • Drives the delivery of high-quality, cost-effective patient care and provides oversight of nursing staff performance.
  • Advances the competency and professional development of nursing staff to support a strong, high-performing nursing workforce.
  • Leads and coordinates quality enhancement and process improvement initiatives to strengthen clinical outcomes and operational effectiveness.
  • Establishes and maintains effective communication and collaborative relationships with colleagues, peers, leaders, and key stakeholders across the organization.
Job Requirements

Required

  • Bachelor's degree in Nursing or related field; must have either a BSN or MSN, upon hire.
  • Minimum of ten (10) years of nursing experience.
  • Master's degree in Nursing, MBA, MHA, Education, Public Health, or related field; must have either a BSN or MSN, upon hire.
  • Minimum of five (5) years of nurse leadership experience.
  • Current California Registered Nurse (RN) license, required upon hire.

#LI-CSH

Where You'll Work

Founded in 1941, Dignity Health - Dominican Hospital is a 188-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in Santa Cruz, California. Serving over 80,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including heart care, orthopedics, and a Family Birthing Center. Additionally, Dominican Hospital has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality High Performer by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center, and has been awarded the AMA/ASA’s Get the Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to providing the best stroke care.

One Community. One Mission. One California 

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CommonSpirit Health™ is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, parental status, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information about your EEO rights as an applicant, please click here.

CommonSpirit Health™ will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c). External hires must pass a post-offer, pre-employment background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with an arrest and/or conviction will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with federal and state laws, as well as applicable local ordinances, ban the box laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco and Los Angeles Fair Chance Ordinances. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by telephone at (415) 438-5575 and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). CommonSpirit Health™ participates in E-Verify.