RN Clinical Leadership Program | Director of Nursing in Training
Gateway Healthcare Nebraska | Ensign Services
You're already a great nurse. Are you ready to become a great nurse leader?
Gateway Healthcare Nebraska is looking for motivated Registered Nurses (RNs) who are ready to take the next step in their careers through our Director of Nursing in Training (DIT) Program.
This is more than management training. It's a hands-on leadership development opportunity designed to prepare experienced nurses to become successful Directors of Nursing in skilled nursing and post-acute care.
You'll work alongside experienced clinical and operational leaders while developing the skills needed to lead a nursing department, build an exceptional clinical team, improve resident outcomes, and successfully manage the clinical operations of a skilled nursing facility.
If you've thought, "I know I could make a bigger impact if I had the opportunity to lead," this program may be your next step.
Program Details
Full-Time | Paid Leadership Development Program
Participants receive hands-on training and mentorship within a skilled nursing environment while preparing for future Director of Nursing opportunities within Gateway Healthcare Nebraska.
Following successful completion of the program, flexibility to consider opportunities throughout Nebraska is strongly preferred. Placement will depend on organizational needs and available leadership opportunities at the time of program completion.
From RN to Director of Nursing
Being a great DON requires more than strong clinical skills.
It requires knowing how to develop people, manage systems, drive clinical outcomes, navigate regulations, solve problems, and build a nursing culture people want to be part of.
That's exactly what this program is designed to teach.
You'll gain hands-on experience in:
- Nursing department leadership and operations
- Clinical team development and coaching
- Staffing and workforce management
- Recruiting and retaining nursing employees
- Quality measures and clinical outcomes
- State and federal regulatory compliance
- CMS survey preparation and response
- Infection prevention and control
- Risk management
- Resident assessments and care planning
- Quality assurance and performance improvement
- Managing clinical systems and processes
- Employee accountability and performance management
- Resident and family communication
- Interdisciplinary leadership
- Budget and labor awareness
- Partnership with the Nursing Home Administrator and facility leadership team
You'll learn both the clinical and leadership sides of running a successful nursing department.
Who Are We Looking For?
You don't need to already be a Director of Nursing.
We're looking for an RN with the potential, curiosity, and drive to become one.
You may be a great fit if you:
- Love nursing but are ready to impact more than your individual assignment
- Naturally step up when your team needs leadership
- Enjoy coaching and helping other nurses grow
- Aren't afraid of accountability or difficult conversations
- Stay composed when things get complicated
- See a problem and immediately start thinking about solutions
- Care deeply about clinical quality and resident outcomes
- Want to understand the operational side of healthcare
- Are eager to learn from experienced leaders
- Want a defined pathway into nursing leadership
Previous experience as a Charge Nurse, Unit Manager, MDS Nurse, Clinical Coordinator, ADON, Nurse Manager, or other nursing leadership role can be valuable, but previous DON experience is not required.
Qualifications
- Active Registered Nurse (RN) license required
- Skilled nursing, long-term care, post-acute, rehabilitation, or related nursing experience strongly preferred
- Leadership experience preferred but not required for the right candidate
- Strong clinical judgment and communication skills
- Ability to coach, motivate, and hold others accountable
- Willingness to learn both clinical and operational aspects of skilled nursing leadership
- Flexibility to consider future Director of Nursing opportunities within Nebraska strongly preferred
What Happens After Training?
The goal of the DIT Program is simple:
Prepare you to become a Director of Nursing.
After successfully completing the program and demonstrating readiness for independent clinical leadership, participants may be considered for available Director of Nursing opportunities within Gateway Healthcare Nebraska.
As you move into a DON role, you'll have the opportunity to continue developing your leadership skills while taking ownership of:
- Clinical outcomes
- Nursing department culture
- Staffing and retention
- Regulatory readiness
- Resident care
- Team development
- Overall clinical performance
And becoming a DON doesn't have to be the final stop. For ambitious nurse leaders, it can open the door to continued growth in regional clinical leadership, healthcare operations, education, quality, and other executive-level opportunities.
Compensation & Benefits
DIT participants receive a competitive salary during training along with a comprehensive benefits package.
Benefits may include:
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Life and disability insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Tuition reimbursement
- Leadership mentorship and development
- Career advancement opportunities
- Dependent care and transportation FSAs
- Employee discount programs
Why Gateway Healthcare Nebraska?
We believe great clinical outcomes start with strong nursing leadership.
Our goal isn't simply to teach you how to manage a nursing department. We want to help you develop into the kind of leader who can build an exceptional team, create accountability, improve systems, and make a meaningful difference for residents and employees.
Our culture is grounded in our CAPLICO values:
Celebration
Accountability
Passion for Learning
Love One Another
Intelligent Risk Taking
Customer Second
Ownership
Gateway Healthcare Nebraska is affiliated with Ensign Services and is part of a network of healthcare operations across the country.
Ready for More Than Your Next Nursing Job?
If you're an RN who knows you're capable of leading, developing others, and influencing care on a larger scale, we want to hear from you.
You don't have to already be a DON.
You just need to be ready to start becoming one.
Apply today to learn more about the Director of Nursing in Training Program with Gateway Healthcare Nebraska.
Gateway Healthcare Nebraska is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Pre-employment background screening is required. All inquiries will remain confidential in accordance with EEO guidelines.
Pay: From $88,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
