"Department Head of Nursing"

Job Details

DEPARTMENT HEAD OF NURSING

UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

For more information, please see the full profile here: https://myersmcrae.com/skins/userfiles/files/UtahState_NursingDeptHead_FINAL.pdf

Utah State University seeks an experienced professional and demonstrated leader to serve as the Department Head of Nursing in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

The main campus for Utah State University (USU) is located in Logan, Utah with 30 statewide locations and 60+ online degrees. USU is known as one of the nation’s premier student-centered land-grant and space-grant universities. Founded as an agricultural college in 1888, USU enrolls 28,900 students who go by Aggies.

Utah State Aggies create transformational impacts through meaningful research, particularly in space, water, land, air, and quality of life questions. Aggies affect change locally, nationally, globally, and even galactically.

At Utah State, one finds award-winning faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, and career-driven degree programs. In fact, USU has six colleges plus the School of Graduate Studies, offering more than 130 majors and programs. USU offers 370 degrees and certificates in its undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. With a student to faculty ratio of 19 to 1, its most popular majors are Economics, Psychology, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, Kinesiology, Elementary Education, and Speech and Hearing Sciences.

Known for its national rankings, USU has been ranked among the top 25 for its online bachelor program for nine straight years by U.S. News and World Report. It was also the recipient of the 2020 Award for Undergraduate Research Accomplishments by AURA; listed as the #5 most engaging college social media in nation by Rival IQ in 2023; the best employer in Utah by Forbes in 2023; and was named #18 best public university in the nation by Washington Monthly for 2023. USU has had 38 Goldwater Scholars as well.

USU Mission

Utah State University is a premier land- and space-grant institution committed to excellence, access, and inclusion.

USU Vision

We empower all people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact.

USU Strategic Direction

We champion exceptional education, research and discovery, and community contribution.

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services

Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is committed to academic excellence in research, teaching, and service activities across a wide array of education and human service fields. The college is home to eight academic departments with approximately 200 faculty who are engaged in innovative research and high-level graduate and undergraduate education. The college is consistently ranked by US News and World Reports as one of the top Graduate Colleges of Education in the country, ranking 26th among public institutions of higher education in 2025 and 1st in the state of Utah for the past 25 years. The college’s programs and outreach missions are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers, including the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence.

Faculty, students, and staff within the college also engage with a broad range of community partners to both provide opportunities for community-engaged research projects and learning, which enhances the overall quality of education and human service programs throughout the state of Utah.

Degrees with a focus on healthcare and wellness at Utah State University prepare students for professions that assist individuals across the lifespan, including nursing, public health, physical therapy, sports psychology, fitness, and many more. Degrees include Nursing AAS, Nursing BSN, and a certificate in Practical Nursing.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Utah State University is currently seeking a qualified and dynamic Department Head of Nursing in the Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services. The successful candidate will provide effective leadership including, but not limited to, responsibility for communication, ongoing program planning and assessment, and fiscal management. This opportunity includes working with college leadership in planning and directing increased funding aimed at facilitating growth in the nursing program, including hiring new faculty and increasing enrollment.

Minimum Qualifications

• Current RN license in Utah or eligibility for compact state licensure.
• Earned doctoral degree (PhD, DNP, or EdD) with at least one graduate degree in nursing OR master’s degree in nursing (doctoral degree preferred).
• Minimum of six years of full-time nursing education experience, including three years in an academic leadership role.
• Demonstrated record of teaching, curriculum development, and service meriting faculty appointment at associate or professor rank.
• Substantial experience in academic leadership, program development, and faculty oversight within an accredited nursing program.
• Knowledge of ACEN/CCNE accreditation standards, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Commitment to student-centered education and creating a diverse, equitable learning environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification or advanced degree in nurse leadership, nursing education, or administration, OR national recognition as a leader by a professional nursing organization (e.g., NLN, AACN, AONL/UONL).
• Proven record of university or community service.

Strategic Leadership & Vision

• Lead the Nursing Department’s mission, strategic planning, and academic operations across all campuses.
• Oversee the delivery and continuity of the BSN, RN to BSN, and ADN programs, ensuring curricula are current, high-quality, and aligned with the university’s objectives.
• Shape the future of the department by developing new programs and expanding existing ones to meet the evolving needs of nursing education.
• Integrate emerging technologies—such as simulation, telemedicine, and artificial intelligence—into teaching and clinical training to strengthen student readiness and relieve the burden on clinical sites.

Academic & Faculty Leadership

• Supervise the faculty, statewide campus operations, academic support staff, part-time clinical teachers, and skills lab teams, promoting a positive, care-driven culture. Support faculty in delivering an outstanding student experience, including regular evaluation and feedback on best practices in teaching and learning.
• Mentor faculty and provide professional growth opportunities.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-quality faculty and staff.
• Oversee curriculum design, workload management, academic scheduling, and quality program delivery.

Student Success & Program Outcomes

• Be accountable for student persistence, graduation rates, first-time NCLEX pass rates, and overall satisfaction.
• Monitor and evaluate program outcomes, implementing data-driven improvements.
• Oversee clinical operations for coordination of clinical placements and expansion of simulation-based learning opportunities.
• Promote an inclusive and welcoming learning environment that supports students from diverse backgrounds.

Accreditation & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with ACEN accreditation standards, state/national regulations, and university policies.
• Lead accreditation preparation, institutional reporting, and continuous quality improvement processes.
• Serve as a liaison between local, state, and national organizations to ensure programs meet all regulatory requirements.

Resource & Operations Management

• Develop and manage budgets for academic operations, ensuring adequate resources to fulfill the department’s mission and goals.
• Lead strategic investment in facilities, staffing, and innovation.
• Collaborate with USU PR and Marketing to grow enrollment and implement targeted advertising strategies.

Skills and Abilities

The ideal candidate will:

• Lead with integrity and transparency.
• Build partnerships inside and outside the university.
• Communicate clearly and effectively.
• Adapt to change and guide others through it.
• Promote student success and belonging across varied life experiences.
• Balance strategic vision with hands-on support for faculty and staff.

Community & University Engagement

• Represent the Nursing Department at institutional, state, regional, and national levels.
• Build strong partnerships with healthcare organizations, alumni, and community stakeholders.

Teaching & Service

• Teach 1–2 nursing courses annually.
• Engage in service activities aligned with professional expertise.
• Contract Term: Tenured Track, 12 months