(727) 526-1294
MedBest is the Premier Team of
Director of Nursing Recruiters!
Director of Nursing Recruiters for Senior Living & Long-Term Care
MedBest Recruiting is one of the only executive recruitment firms in the US exclusive
to the Senior Living & Long-Term Care Industry!
The population in the US is aging faster than it has in the past. In fact, by 2040, about one in five Americans will be age 65 or older. The competition for senior living leaders is already fierce especially when it comes to the Director of Nursing role. The demand will just continue to increase.
In this ultra-competitive environment, senior living and long-term care facilities need to be very proactive when it comes to recruitment. At MedBest, our recruiters are ready and able to skillfully handle all your senior living recruiting needs including for the position of Director of Nursing, permanent and interim.
Directors of Nursing within the Senior Living and Long-Term Care Industry are essential to their everyday operation. A strong Director of Nursing will maintain high standards of care, ensure regulatory compliance, shape policy, lead nursing staff, and foster a safe supportive environment for both residents and staff. For these reasons, having the right Director of Nursing is of the utmost importance.
At MedBest, we take the time to understand your organization’s culture, values and specific requirements. Then, our recruiters get to work! We’re experts at the recruitment strategies needed to secure a Director of Nursing who is a perfect match.
MedBest has over two decades of experience, a vast network of industry connections, and a deep talent pool of DON candidates nationwide. We know what it takes to locate and land a Director of Nursing, and we leave no stone unturned.
We’re leading the way in senior living and long-term care executive recruitment. After all, we are Senior Living Executives placing Senior Living Executives. Your business has been our business
for decades
If you're ready to fill the role of Director of Nursing, we’re ready to make it happen. Connect with our senior care recruiters by completing the form below and let’s get started!
Why Engage MedBest as Your Senior Care Recruitment Partner for Director of Nursing Recruiting?
Unlike most senior living / long-term care recruiting firms, MedBest has a full-time research team and is exclusive to this industry. We know how and where to source, recruit, and secure the best talent, both perm and interim.
MedBest recruiters are relentless…reaching far beyond the typical executive recruiting process and toolbox. At MedBest, we have an extensive network and deep talent pool of top-industry talent plus a unique recruiting process along with personality assessments
We prioritize establishing long-term connections with clients and candidates. We aren't just about finding a Director of Nursing and placing them in a job. We take the time to understand your organization's talent needs and business goals as well as our candidate's career aspirations. This way, we can bring them together to create a perfect fit.
We reduce the time it takes to fill a key position. By streamlining the recruiting process, we save you valuable time, resources, and energy that can be better spent focusing on resident care
Many on our leadership team previously worked in the senior living and long-term care industry. Their deep knowledge, insights, and expertise are unparalleled
6 More Reasons to Engage MedBest
as Your Executive Search Partner:
Named to Business Insider's List of Top Recruiting Firms 2026
Named as Top 20 Executive Search Firm 2024
Named as Top 10 Interim Services Providers 2023
Inc 5000 Company
98% of Clients Recommend Us
96% are Very Satisfied with Our Services
Our Recruitment Process Was Designed to Take the Headache Out of Locating and Landing a Director of Nursing!
At MedBest, we like to think of ourselves not only as Recruiters but as “matchmakers,” locating and landing a highly qualified and experienced candidate who will be a successful placement for your permanent or interim leadership role. Our team of full-time senior living and long-term care recruiters hunt for those hard-to-find passive candidates that meet our high standards and your specific requirements. We only present you with a slate of qualified and elite candidates.
After being on both sides of the hiring process, our team members saw the need for a more streamlined and efficient process for filling open positions. MedBest's process helps your organization avoid a mismatch. With that in mind, MedBest offers two recruiting packages to solve your hiring headache.
MedBest Advantage
Consists of our proven multi-step process for finding, interviewing, and securing the perfect talent for each of our clients. Each Senior Care organization come with their own set of needs, which is why we go through a stringent system to ensure every requirement is met within a potential candidate. This process allows us to screen for qualifications, recommendations, certifications, and experience necessary to successfully fill any open position for the long-term.
MedBest Retained Executive Search
In addition to our MedBest Advantage package, we offer a Retained Executive Search package. Retained search is used when a client wants MedBest to manage the entire search process. This comprehensive search strategy includes personality testing to guarantee a successful long-term placement. This testing also eliminates potential workplace conflict and can assess how candidates handle different situations that may arise. When the full MedBest Retained Executive Recruiting Process is deployed, it boasts an astounding 92% long-term success rate.
Director of Nursing Recruiting: What to Expect
The Director of Nursing (DON) is accountable for clinical outcomes, survey readiness and nursing staff stability, so a DON search takes more than a job posting. In skilled nursing facilities, federal rules require a registered nurse to serve as the full-time Director of Nursing, and many states add their own experience or licensure requirements. Here is what to expect when you engage MedBest to recruit your next Director of Nursing.
What We Screen Director of Nursing Candidates For
- Active RN licensure in your state, plus any state-specific DON qualifications
- Long-term care leadership experience such as prior DON, ADON or Unit Manager roles in skilled nursing, assisted living or memory care
- Regulatory and survey track record, including survey outcomes, plans of correction and quality improvement
- Nurse staffing and retention results with nurses and CNAs
- Leadership and culture fit, validated with personality assessments
Facilities We Recruit Directors of Nursing For
- Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and post-acute rehabilitation centers
- Assisted living communities
- Memory care communities
- Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs / life plan communities)
- Multi-site senior living operators hiring Regional or Corporate Directors of Nursing
We recruit Directors of Nursing nationwide, including rural skilled nursing facilities where local DON talent is hardest to find.
Our Director of Nursing Recruitment Process, Step by Step
- Discovery: We learn your organization's culture, values, census, survey history and the specific requirements for the role.
- Research and sourcing: Our full-time research team identifies active and hard-to-find passive DON candidates.
- Screening: We verify qualifications, certifications, experience and recommendations, and use personality assessments to confirm fit.
- Candidate slate: You receive a slate of qualified, pre-screened Director of Nursing candidates, not a stack of resumes.
- Interviews and selection: We coordinate interviews and gather feedback from both sides.
- Placement: We help you secure your chosen candidate and stay connected to support long-term success.
Permanent vs. Interim Director of Nursing Placement
| Permanent DON | Interim DON | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Building long-term clinical leadership | Sudden vacancies, leaves of absence, survey or turnaround situations |
| Goal | The right long-term fit for your culture and residents | Immediate, experienced coverage while you search |
| MedBest option | MedBest Advantage or Retained Executive Search | Interim Director of Nursing placement |
| Outcome | 92% long-term success rate with our full Retained Executive Recruiting Process | Stable nursing leadership and a smooth handoff to your permanent DON |
Director of Nursing Recruiting FAQs
How long does it take to hire a Director of Nursing?
It depends on your market, compensation and requirements. MedBest shortens the timeline by drawing on a nationwide network of DON candidates and a full-time research team instead of waiting on job-board applicants. If you need coverage right away, an interim Director of Nursing can step in while the permanent search runs.
What qualifications should a Director of Nursing have?
At a minimum, an active RN license. Skilled nursing facilities must have a registered nurse serving as full-time Director of Nursing, and many states set additional experience or education requirements. Most organizations also look for prior long-term care leadership, a strong survey history and proven staff retention. Learn more about what a Director of Nursing does.
Does MedBest place interim Directors of Nursing?
Yes. MedBest places interim DONs to cover sudden vacancies, leaves of absence and survey or turnaround situations. See our interim Director of Nursing services.
What types of facilities does MedBest recruit Directors of Nursing for?
Skilled nursing facilities, assisted living, memory care, CCRCs and multi-site senior living operators across the US. MedBest is exclusive to the senior living and long-term care industry.
What is the difference between MedBest Advantage and Retained Executive Search?
MedBest Advantage is our proven multi-step process for finding, interviewing and securing talent. Retained Executive Search is a fully managed search that adds personality testing and boasts a 92% long-term success rate.
Director of Nursing Job Opportunities
For those who are looking for a position as a Director of Nursing, visit our Job Board and find the perfect match for your skills.
Find Opportunities
Here's What They're Saying About Us
"Julie and MedBest were recommended to me by a trusted colleague due to her vast industry experience. What I liked the most is that Julie took the time to understand our culture and was able
Read More
Raj Patel
CEO, Optalis Healthcare
“MedBest has been a huge help over the last 2 years when hiring staff. I would highly recommend MedBest Senior Care to other people working in the LTC industry.”
Craig Neiswanger, B.S., M.B.A., L.N.H.A.
COO, Vita Healthcare Group
“Your Interim DON did a great job stepping in! She had a passion to make a difference and a love for resident care. We were impressed by her knowledge base,...
Read More
Cathie Chabrier
Administrator, Westminster Suncoast
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Looking to fill a permanent or interim position?
We would love to tell you more about how we successfully fill senior living executive positions and what makes us different and unique.
Need more information?
Call (727) 526-1294
