Director, Nursing Med/Surg
A Director, Nursing Med/Surg supports the Chief Nursing Officer and assumes 24/7 responsibility for assigned medical-surgical units, leading nursing practice at a multi-unit level to ensure safe, high-quality care. This is a sample job description from Excelon Associates that you can adapt as a template for your own hire.
What does a Director, Nursing Med/Surg do?
The Director, Nursing Med/Surg provides leadership and support to the Chief Nursing Officer, the senior executive responsible for all nursing and designated patient care services within the hospital organization. The role assists in assessing, planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating nursing practice at a multi-unit level, and assumes 24/7 responsibility for assigned areas.
The Director is accountable for supporting the CNO to ensure high-quality, safe, and appropriate nursing care, the competency of clinical staff, and the responsible management of patient-care resources. It is a senior clinical leadership role within the healthcare sector.
Medical-surgical (Med/Surg) nursing is the care of adult patients with a broad range of medical conditions and surgical recovery needs, one of the largest hospital nursing specialties. The CNO (Chief Nursing Officer) is the senior executive accountable for nursing across the organization. 24/7 responsibility means the director is accountable for assigned units around the clock, not only during a single shift.
Where does the Director, Nursing Med/Surg sit?
Key responsibilities of a Director, Nursing Med/Surg
- Assist the CNO in assessing, planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating nursing practice at a multi-unit level.
- Assume 24/7 responsibility for assigned medical-surgical areas.
- Support the delivery of high-quality, safe, and appropriate nursing care.
- Ensure the competency of clinical staff across assigned units.
- Manage patient-care resources appropriately and responsibly.
- Maintain an active and current registered nurse license in the state of residence or practice.
- Serve as a role model and advocate for the professional discipline of nursing, demonstrating effective interpersonal and communication skills and proven hospital operational capability.
What qualifications does the role require?
- Required: associate degree from an accredited nursing school with a bachelor’s degree in a healthcare-related field, or a BSN.
- Preferred: MSN or a master’s degree in a healthcare-related field.
- At least two years of progressive management experience in a hospital environment, as a manager or full-time charge nurse or related position.
- Currently licensed, certified, or registered to practice as required by law and regulation in the state of practice, plus current CPR certification.
Why is the Director, Nursing Med/Surg role important?
Medical-surgical units carry a large share of a hospital’s patients, so the director’s leadership reaches across a substantial part of daily care. Strong direction here shapes care quality, patient safety, staff competency, and the efficient use of resources, around the clock rather than shift by shift.
Because the role bridges bedside clinical standards and executive nursing strategy, the strongest directors pair real charge-nurse credibility with operational discipline. They keep units safe and well-staffed while supporting the CNO’s broader goals for the organization.
A hiring note from Excelon
Med/Surg director searches reward candidates who have actually owned 24/7 unit accountability, not just held a title. Through our healthcare practice, we look for nurse leaders who can show measurable results in quality and staffing alongside an active RN license and progressive hospital management experience, since that mix of clinical credibility and operational steadiness is what these units depend on.
The role bridges bedside clinical standards and executive nursing strategy, and the best directors carry both with equal confidence.
Related sample job descriptions
Director, Nursing Med/Surg: frequently asked questions
What does a Director, Nursing Med/Surg do?
A Director, Nursing Med/Surg supports the Chief Nursing Officer and assumes 24/7 responsibility for assigned medical-surgical units. The role assesses, plans, coordinates, implements, and evaluates nursing practice at a multi-unit level, ensuring high-quality, safe care, clinical staff competency, and sound resource management.
What qualifications does the role require?
This sample role requires an associate degree from an accredited nursing school with a bachelor’s in a healthcare field, or a BSN, with an MSN preferred. It also requires at least two years of progressive hospital management experience and current RN licensure plus CPR certification.
What is Med/Surg nursing?
Medical-surgical (Med/Surg) nursing is the care of adult patients with a wide range of medical conditions and surgical recovery needs. It is one of the largest hospital nursing specialties, and a Med/Surg director leads the units that deliver this care.
Who does this role report to?
The Director, Nursing Med/Surg reports to and supports the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), the senior executive accountable for nursing and patient care services across the hospital organization.
Why is this role important?
Med/Surg units carry a large share of a hospital’s patients, so the director’s leadership directly affects care quality, patient safety, staff competency, and efficient use of resources around the clock.
Hiring a Director, Nursing Med/Surg?
Excelon Associates places nurse leaders, directors, and clinical executives at hospitals and health systems across the United States through our healthcare recruitment practice. Retained executive search since 2007, headquartered in Asheville, NC, with offices in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, FL.
More Sample Job Descriptions
Templates you can adapt for your own roles.