Director of Nursing Jobs

As of Wednesday, January 7th 2026, Vivian has 99 listings for travel Nursing jobs. These jobs pay $2,526 per hour on average, and up to $4,300 per hour for the top-paying job listed.

Take a look at Vivian's Director of Nursing Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.

A director of nursing, also known as a nurse director, is a registered nurse who specializes in assuming the administrative and leadership responsibilities of a healthcare facility’s nursing staff. They guide the rhythm of the nursing department by overseeing all nursing personnel and determining the structure and standard of nursing care. Nursing directors also bridge the gap between the nursing staff, doctors, patients, and administration. DONs take on tremendous responsibility as both a lead nurse and an overall administrator, which can be a highly stressful yet rewarding career choice.

Some healthcare employers may prefer director of nursing job candidates with Basic Life Support (BLS), Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML), Certified Executive in Nursing Practice (CENP), Certified Director of Assisted Living (CDAL), Certified Director of Nursing Administration/Long Term Care (CDONA/LTC) or Director of Nursing Services–Certified (DNS-CT), and some may even require specific professional certifications.

Having a Certified Director of Assisted Living (CDAL) validates your knowledge and skills as a director of nursing and your dedication to continuing your education in your chosen field. All of which makes you a more desirable job candidate to healthcare employers.