Head Nurse Jobs

Head Nurse jobs are open across hospitals, long-term care, outpatient clinics, and behavioral health settings, from staff nurse supervisor to department director, with specializations in critical care, oncology, and perioperative nursing. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles70
Top stateNew York
Top employerNYC Health + Hospitals
Top cityNew York, NY
Work type100% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 70+ Head Nurse jobs

Assistant Head Nurse - Cardiac telemetry
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New 1h ago
Assistant Head Nurse - Cardiac telemetry
Allina Health
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Social Work & Counseling
$49.12 - $81.77/hr
BLS Certification
10,000+

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Head Nurse (40 Hour) (Office/On-site)
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Added 1d ago
Head Nurse (40 Hour) (Office/On-site)
State of Connecticut
Middletown, Connecticut
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
$96k - $127k/yr
On-Site
Managed Registered Nurses (RNs)
10,000+

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RN-Head Nurse
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Added 2d ago
RN-Head Nurse
Baptist Memorial Health Care
Covington, Tennessee
Administrative & Office Support
Business Operations
Project Management
Managed Registered Nurses (RNs)
10,000+

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Head Nurse - Medicine/Surgery
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Added 3d ago
Head Nurse - Medicine/Surgery
NYC Health + Hospitals
New York, New York
Healthcare Administration
Nursing
Patient Services & Wellbeing
Managed Registered Nurses (RNs)
1,001-5,000

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Head Nurse-Procedural, Radiology
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Added 3d ago
Head Nurse-Procedural, Radiology
NYC Health + Hospitals
New York, New York
Business Development
Executive Leadership & C-Suite
Partnerships & Business Development
Managed Registered Nurses (RNs)
1,001-5,000

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Head Nurse Jobs by Experience Level

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Head Nurse Job Market

Who's Hiring

  • NYC Health + Hospitals21
  • Baptist Memorial Health Care13
  • University of Miami5
  • UAB Medicine3
  • Catholic Health2

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • Education
  • Government & Public Sector
  • Non-Profit & Social Services

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in head nurse jobs.

  • Active registered nurse license with no restrictions in the state of practice
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing required, Master of Science in Nursing preferred by most employers
  • Three to five years of clinical nursing experience with at least two in a supervisory or charge role
  • Demonstrated experience managing staff scheduling, performance reviews, and disciplinary processes
  • Proficiency with electronic health records platforms used in inpatient and outpatient settings
  • Current BLS certification required, ACLS or PALS required for critical care and emergency unit roles

Tips for Your Head Nurse Job Search

Tailor your resume to unit metrics

Head nurse hiring managers want to see staff-to-patient ratios you managed, turnover rates you reduced, and budget figures you oversaw. Pull those numbers from your performance reviews before you apply and lead with them in your summary.

Get your nursing leadership certifications current

Many postings explicitly require or prefer credentials like NE-BC or CENP alongside your RN license. If yours are expired or pending renewal, complete them before applying because hiring panels screen credentials before they read your resume.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists head nurse openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Target postings by unit specialty, not just title

A head nurse role in a cardiac ICU requires different clinical fluency than one in a med-surg unit. Search by unit type alongside the title so you apply to roles where your clinical background is a direct match, not just an overlap.

Prepare for behavioral questions on staffing crises

Interviewers for head nurse roles consistently probe how you handled short-staffing emergencies, policy violations by subordinates, and interdepartmental conflicts. Prepare two or three specific stories for each scenario using the situation, action, and result structure.

Negotiate scope before you negotiate salary

Before accepting an offer, clarify your direct reports, your budget authority, and whether you retain patient care duties. Misalignment on scope is the most common reason new head nurses exit within twelve months, so nail it down during the final interview.

Head Nurse Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most head nurses?

The most active employers for head nurses right now are NYC Health + Hospitals, Baptist Memorial Health Care, and University of Miami, and the most openings are in New York, Tennessee, and Mississippi, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Health system consolidation has concentrated hiring at large regional hospital networks, so checking those employers directly can surface openings before they appear elsewhere.

How many head nurse jobs are remote?

About 0% of head nurse openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting that most head nurse duties require on-unit presence for staff oversight and patient safety compliance. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements are utilization management, case management leadership, and telehealth nursing supervision roles.

How do you become a head nurse?

Start by earning your registered nurse license after completing an accredited nursing program. Build clinical experience in your target unit specialty, then move into charge nurse or assistant nurse manager roles to develop supervisory skills. Pursue a leadership certification such as NE-BC to signal readiness, and apply for head nurse or nurse manager postings that match your unit background.

Can you get hired as a head nurse with limited leadership experience?

Some employers will consider candidates with strong charge nurse experience even without a formal management title, particularly in smaller facilities or units with high turnover. Framing your charge shifts in terms of staff coordination, conflict resolution, and policy enforcement rather than clinical duties helps bridge the experience gap. Targeting community hospitals or long-term care settings is a practical first step into a formal head nurse role.

What does the head nurse interview process look like?

Most head nurse interviews run two to three rounds. The first is typically a screening call with HR focused on credentials and culture fit. The second is a panel interview with the director of nursing and sometimes unit staff, emphasizing leadership scenarios and staffing decisions. A final round may include a tour of the unit and a conversation with senior administration before an offer is extended.

Where can I find and apply to head nurse jobs?

You can find and apply to head nurse jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from hospitals, clinics, and care facilities across the United States. Search for roles that match your specialty and experience level, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background and location preferences.

See All 70 Head Nurse Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Head Nurse Jobs