<p>A specialty heart hospital in Albuquerque, New Mexico is recruiting an experienced Director of Nursing to lead its Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). This is a full-time, permanent leadership role at a facility dedicated exclusively to cardiac and vascular patients — a rare environment where the entire institutional mission aligns with your clinical expertise. The position offers direct oversight of a high-performing CVICU team, operational authority across staffing and quality, and the professional weight of leading one of the most technically demanding critical care units in the region.</p>
<h3>Perks and Benefits</h3> <ul> <li>Competitive base compensation commensurate with experience, with bonus eligibility</li> <li>Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates</li> <li>Interview travel reimbursement provided</li> <li>Full benefits package (medical, dental, vision, and additional coverage)</li> <li>Leadership role within a focused cardiovascular hospital — no competing service-line priorities</li> <li>Opportunity to build and sustain a highly engaged, specialized CVICU nursing team</li> </ul>
<h3>Practice Highlights</h3> <ul> <li>Dedicated specialty heart hospital with an exclusive focus on cardiac and vascular patient care</li> <li>CVICU unit managing the full spectrum of advanced cardiac critical care, including post-operative open heart recovery</li> <li>Unit-level proficiency required in ECMO, LVAD management, Impella devices, intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP), and open heart recovery</li> <li>Director maintains ability to provide direct bedside clinical support when operationally needed</li> <li>Full-time leadership schedule (40+ hours per week as operational demands require)</li> <li>Scope of leadership includes staff management, scheduling, retention, recruitment, and performance management</li> <li>Accountability for quality metrics, patient satisfaction scores, and employee engagement initiatives</li> <li>Strong emphasis on physician relationship-building and interdisciplinary collaboration across the cardiovascular service line</li> </ul>
<h3>Qualifications</h3> <ul> <li>Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) required from an accredited program; candidates actively enrolled in an accredited BSN program with a confirmed completion date will be considered</li> <li>Current RN licensure in New Mexico, or eligibility to obtain a compact or state nursing license</li> <li>Minimum 3–5 years of recent CVICU nursing experience required</li> <li>Minimum 2 years of formal nursing leadership experience required (Nurse Manager, Supervisor, Director, or equivalent)</li> <li>Demonstrated proficiency with ECMO, LVAD, Impella devices, IABP, and open heart recovery protocols</li> <li>Current BLS certification required (must be obtained within 14 days of hire if not already held)</li> <li>Master of Science in Nursing or a related graduate degree preferred</li> <li>Clinical specialty certification (e.g., CCRN) or nursing administration certification (e.g., NEA-BC, NE-BC) preferred</li> <li>Background check required as a condition of employment per state law</li> </ul>
<h3>About the Community</h3> <p>Albuquerque is New Mexico's largest city, set at 5,300 feet elevation along the Rio Grande with the Sandia Mountains rising dramatically to the east — offering year-round outdoor recreation including hiking, skiing at Sandia Peak, and world-class mountain biking. The city combines a low cost of living relative to other major metros with a vibrant arts scene, diverse cuisine, and a strong sense of Southwestern culture. Albuquerque is home to the University of New Mexico and a growing healthcare corridor, providing both professional resources and a dynamic community for clinicians relocating from higher-cost markets.</p>