Director of Nursing

Director of Nursing | School of Health, Science & Technology

Cornerstone University | Grand Rapids, Michigan

Cornerstone University invites applications for the position of Director of Nursing in the School of Health, Science & Technology. Cornerstone seeks a leader who can build on the strength of an established, state-approved baccalaureate nursing program and guide its next phase of development. This leader will serve as the nursing unit’s chief nurse administrator and provide strategic, academic, and operational leadership for Cornerstone’s nursing program.

This is a full-time, 12-month, tenure-track faculty appointment with academic rank, base faculty salary, and an administrative stipend. The Director of Nursing reports to the Dean of the School of Health, Science & Technology.

Cornerstone’s nursing program is positioned for continued growth. The university graduated its first BSN cohort in spring 2024 and is seeking a leader who can strengthen the existing program while helping shape future opportunities, including additional pathways in undergraduate and graduate nursing education.

About Cornerstone University

Cornerstone University is a vibrant interdenominational evangelical university that prepares students for lives of global influence in an academically rigorous, spiritually rich educational community. It is located minutes from downtown Grand Rapids, a dynamic city in Western Michigan that offers a wealth of outdoor and cultural activities. Learn more about Cornerstone at www.cornerstone.edu.

Position Responsibilities

The Director of Nursing will:

• Serve as the academic and administrative leader of the nursing program and provide effective leadership as the chief nurse administrator.
• Lead the continued development, implementation, evaluation, and improvement of the nursing curriculum and program outcomes.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with institutional, state, and professional accreditation standards and requirements.
• Provide leadership for assessment, program review, student success initiatives, licensure-readiness efforts, and continuous quality improvement.
• Recruit, supervise, mentor, and evaluate nursing faculty.
• Support strategic growth of the nursing program, including exploration and development of future offerings such as RN-to-BSN and graduate nursing pathways.
• Build and strengthen relationships with healthcare systems, clinical partners, community organizations, and other external stakeholders.
• Participate in student recruitment, faculty recruitment, academic advising, scholarship, and service appropriate to faculty leadership responsibilities.

Required Qualifications

Candidates should demonstrate:

• A graduate degree in nursing from an accredited institution.
• An unencumbered registered nurse license, with Michigan licensure in hand or eligibility for Michigan licensure by the start date.
• Significant professional experience in nursing practice and progressively responsible leadership.
• Experience teaching in higher education.
• Evidence of strong organizational leadership, communication, and team development skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to accreditation, assessment, regulatory compliance, and program quality.
• Ability to cultivate strong partnerships in the regional healthcare community.
• Commitment to excellent teaching, student formation, and program leadership within a Christ-centered university.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• An earned doctoral degree in nursing or a closely related field.
• Experience serving in nursing education leadership roles such as program director, chair, assistant dean, or dean.
• Experience with curriculum development, program assessment, faculty development, and accreditation.
• Experience teaching both in-person and online.
• Experience developing or launching new academic nursing programs.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is commensurate with credentials and experience. Cornerstone offers a competitive benefits package that includes health coverage, long-term disability, retirement benefits through a 403(b), and generous tuition remission benefits for employees and eligible dependents.

Cornerstone University is also a PSLF-eligible employer.

Essential Qualifications:

These core commitments convey who we are, what we believe and how we live and work together in community.

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an active Christian commitment.

• A theology that supports the values and mission of Cornerstone University core commitments evidenced by an ability to affirm and sign the university’s doctrinal statement, “The Cornerstone Confession.”

• Four other foundational pillars, along with the university’s mission and confession, form Cornerstone’s Core Commitments.

  • The Cornerstone Christian World View
  • The Cornerstone Academic Vision
  • The Cornerstone Beautiful Christian Community
  • The Marriage and Human Sexuality Position Statement

Employees are expected to faithfully attend an evangelical and biblical church whose core beliefs and practices are consistent with Cornerstone’s confession and core commitments.