<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 focused clinical environment where the CVICU director operates at the center of the hospital's core mission. The position demands deep cardiac critical care expertise paired with proven nursing leadership, and offers relocation support and bonus eligibility for the right candidate.</p>
<h3>Perks and Benefits</h3> <ul> <li>Competitive base compensation commensurate with experience, with bonus eligibility</li> <li>Full benefits package (medical, dental, vision, and additional coverage)</li> <li>Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates</li> <li>Interview travel reimbursement provided</li> <li>Leadership role within a high-performing, highly engaged CVICU team</li> <li>Practice environment within a dedicated cardiovascular hospital focused exclusively on cardiac and vascular care</li> </ul>
<h3>Practice Highlights</h3> <ul> <li>Specialty heart hospital and acute care facility in Albuquerque, NM — clinical scope limited exclusively to cardiac and vascular patients</li> <li>Full-time leadership schedule (40+ hours per week as operational needs require)</li> <li>Director oversees staff management, scheduling, retention, recruitment, and performance management for the CVICU</li> <li>Responsible for quality metrics oversight, patient satisfaction initiatives, and employee engagement programs</li> <li>Physician relationship-building and interdisciplinary collaboration are core expectations of the role</li> <li>Director is expected to provide bedside clinical support when operationally needed — a hands-on leadership model</li> <li>CVICU handles the full spectrum of advanced cardiac critical care, including ECMO, LVAD management, open heart recovery, Impella device support, and intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) management</li> <li>Strong emphasis on quality improvement and operational management alongside direct clinical leadership</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 required — active New Mexico license or compact/state license with eligibility to obtain New Mexico licensure</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 title)</li> <li>Demonstrated proficiency with ECMO, LVAD, open heart recovery, Impella devices, and intra-aortic balloon pumps (IABP)</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 (MSN) or related graduate degree preferred</li> <li>Clinical specialty certification or nursing administration certification preferred</li> <li>Position requires a criminal background check 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, making it an attractive destination for clinicians who want urban amenities, easy access to nature, and affordable living in one of the Southwest's most distinctive cities.</p>