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    Critical Care RecruiterA Division of The Clinical Recruiter
    The Clinical Recruiter logo featuring a letter M integrated with a caduceus medical symbol, representing healthcare nursing staffing and recruitment.
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    1 Opening

    Director of Nursing, CVICU

    Albuquerque, New Mexico Permanent Full Time Days

    The Opportunity

    This is a director-level opportunity for a registered nurse with deep CVICU roots who is ready to step into full operational command of a dedicated cardiac critical care unit. The role carries 24-hour accountability with no nurse manager in the structure, which means you own clinical quality, staffing, scheduling, recruitment, and team development directly. For the right candidate, that kind of scope is exactly the point.

    The unit is entirely cardiac and vascular. Sixteen dedicated beds, a census that includes open heart surgery, ECMO, LVAD, Impella, and balloon pump cases. A population with genuine complexity. The team has earned the metrics to match: HCAHPS scores near the 95th percentile and a self-driven nursing culture that ranks among the strongest the current leadership has encountered in two decades. This is a day shift position, full time, with a standard 40-hour week. Weekend presence is occasional and tied to operational need, not routine scheduling.

    This health system brings solid infrastructure behind the role: full benefits, a bonus-eligible compensation package competitive based on experience, and relocation assistance available for the right candidate. You would coordinate daily with CT surgeons, interventionalists, and a range of cardiac procedural service lines. Four full-time charge nurses on the unit carry significant day-to-day coordination weight, which gives the director real bandwidth to focus on development, quality outcomes, and longer-term strategy.

    To be considered, candidates must hold a current RN license, a BSN from an accredited program (or documented active enrollment with a confirmed completion date), and BLS certification obtained within 14 days of hire. A minimum of 3 to 5 years of CVICU clinical experience is required, along with at least two years of formal management. Charge nurse history alone does not meet this bar. Required clinical proficiency includes ECMO, LVAD, Open Heart, Impella, and Balloon Pumps. Candidates coming purely from a medical ICU without cardiac exposure will not be considered. An MSN or clinical/administrative certification is preferred.

    If this lines up with your background, reach out directly or apply now. We will talk through the specifics and determine together whether this is the right move.

    What You'll Own

    • Hold 24-hour accountability for a 16-bed dedicated cardiac and vascular ICU: clinical quality, staffing, scheduling, recruitment, and team development
    • Coordinate daily with CT surgeons, interventionalists, and cardiac procedural service lines
    • Direct clinical operations for a complex case mix including open heart surgery, ECMO, LVAD, Impella, and balloon pump patients
    • Leverage four full-time charge nurses to focus on quality outcomes, staff development, and long-term strategy
    • Sustain HCAHPS performance near the 95th percentile and a strong self-driven nursing culture

    What You'll Need

    • Current RN license required
    • BSN from an accredited program required (or documented active enrollment with a confirmed completion date)
    • BLS certification obtained within 14 days of hire
    • Minimum 3–5 years of CVICU clinical experience required
    • At least 2 years of formal management experience (charge nurse history alone does not meet this bar)
    • Required clinical proficiency: ECMO, LVAD, Open Heart, Impella, and Balloon Pumps
    • Candidates from a medical ICU without cardiac exposure will not be considered
    • MSN or clinical/administrative certification preferred

    The Package

    Permanent, full-time Director of Nursing role, days only with a standard 40-hour week
    Bonus-eligible compensation package competitive based on experience
    Relocation assistance available for the right candidate
    Full benefits package from a well-resourced health system
    Four full-time charge nurses providing day-to-day coordination bandwidth
    Unit with HCAHPS near the 95th percentile and a strong nursing culture

    Why Albuquerque?

    Albuquerque sits at roughly 5,300 feet in the heart of the Rio Grande valley, with the Sandia Mountains rising sharply to the east and high desert stretching in every direction. The city sees more than 300 days of sunshine a year, a climate that draws outdoor enthusiasts from across the country. Hiking and mountain biking trails are accessible from within the city, ski resorts are within an hour's drive, and the Rio Grande corridor offers year-round recreation. For families, the metro area combines genuine city amenities with a cost of living that is meaningfully lower than coastal and many Midwestern markets. Housing is affordable, commutes are manageable, and neighborhoods range from walkable urban to quiet suburban depending on what suits you.

    Albuquerque has a cultural depth that surprises people who have not spent time there. The Old Town district, the International Balloon Fiesta, a serious green chile food culture, and a thriving arts community give the city an identity that is hard to replicate anywhere else. The University of New Mexico anchors a strong academic and research presence, and the region's blend of Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo heritage creates a community with real character. Schools across the metro span a range of options from public magnet programs to private institutions. For healthcare professionals weighing a market change, Albuquerque is a place that rewards the decision, not just professionally, but as somewhere to genuinely build a life.

    Meet Your Recruiter

    Chris Monroe, Founder & CEO

    Your dedicated critical care recruitment team, led by a former Hospital CEO. We personally review every application and will help you find your dream role, confidentially and at no cost to you.

    Pick a time that is convenient to you from my calendar

    100% Confidential

    Your inquiry is never shared

    Specialized Recruiter

    Healthcare-only placement firm

    Direct Hospital Access

    Straight to hiring directors

    Immediate Review

    Applications reviewed daily

    Simple 4-Step Process

    How We Get You Hired

    No black holes. No ATS portals. No waiting weeks for a response. Here's exactly what happens when you apply.

    01

    Submit Your Info

    Fill out the quick application or upload your resume. It takes less than 2 minutes, no lengthy forms, no portal logins.

    02

    Book a Strategy Call

    Pick a time on our calendar for a confidential 15-minute call. We'll review your background, answer questions, and share opportunities.

    03

    Get Interviewed & Hired

    We submit you directly to hiring directors, bypassing HR gatekeepers. Most candidates get interview requests within 72 hours.

    04

    We Stay With You

    From first call to your first day, our team is in your corner, getting you timely answers, prepping you for interviews, and keeping the process moving so nothing stalls.

    Start Now, Book Your Call

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