Director of Nursing(RN) – Cardiovascular ICU

Director of Nursing – CVICU / Cardiovascular Critical Care Leadership (Heart Hospital)

Location: Albuquerque, NM
Salary: $130,000 - $150,000 + bonus eligibility
Shift: Day Shift | Full-Time

What’s In It for You?

• People-first culture focused on employee well-being, inclusion, and support
• Strong leadership development pathways and career growth opportunities
• Advanced clinical environment with high-acuity cardiovascular specialty care
• Exposure to complex cardiac procedures including ECMO, LVAD, Impella, open heart, and balloon pump cases
• Collaborative physician partnerships across cardiothoracic and interventional service lines
• High-performing nursing team with strong engagement and quality outcomes
• Competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, retirement, and wellness programs
• Relocation assistance available for eligible candidates
• Bonus eligibility based on performance

Overview

Join a high-acuity cardiovascular critical care environment as the Director of Nursing for CVICU. This role provides 24-hour leadership accountability for nursing operations, clinical quality, staffing, and employee engagement within a specialized cardiac care unit. The position plays a key role in driving patient outcomes, nurse development, and operational excellence within a nationally recognized heart-focused facility.

What You Will Be Doing

• Provide 24/7 leadership and oversight for CVICU nursing operations
• Lead staffing, scheduling, recruitment, and retention initiatives
• Ensure high-quality patient care and compliance with clinical standards
• Oversee quality metrics, chart audits, and patient satisfaction initiatives
• Partner with physicians and cardiothoracic teams to coordinate care delivery
• Support nurse development, mentorship, and performance management
• Manage operational workflows including staffing coverage and timekeeping
• Participate in leadership meetings and cross-functional hospital initiatives
• Address census variability and support operational efficiency improvements
• Drive continuous improvement in patient outcomes and team engagement

What You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN required; MSN preferred)
• Active RN license in New Mexico or eligible compact state license
• Minimum 3–5 years of CVICU clinical experience
• At least 2 years of nursing leadership experience (manager-level or higher)
• Strong background in cardiovascular critical care nursing
• Ability to work in high-acuity environments and support bedside care when needed
• Experience with ECMO, LVAD, Impella, open heart, and balloon pump cases preferred
• Strong leadership, communication, and team development skills
• Proven ability to manage staffing, quality, and operational performance

Ideal Candidate Profile

This role is best suited for a clinically strong CVICU nursing leader who can balance operational management with hands-on critical care expertise, while driving team performance, quality outcomes, and physician collaboration in a complex cardiac specialty environment.