What Makes a Great Director of Nursing? 6 Traits to Look For

Hiring the right Director of Nursing (DON) can completely transform a skilled nursing facility. A strong DON leads with clinical expertise, builds staff morale, ensures compliance, and helps stabilize your workforce during the most challenging times. Whether you’re a facility administrator, recruiter, or HR professional, knowing what traits to look for in a DON is crucial to long-term success.

In this post, we’re highlighting the six key qualities that make a Director of Nursing truly exceptional — and how to identify these traits during the hiring process.

1. Strong Clinical Leadership

A great DON must have more than a nursing license—they must possess a commanding knowledge of clinical procedures, best practices, and regulatory standards.

Why it matters:

• Ensures adherence to care plans and protocols

• Supports nursing staff with real-time decision making

• Helps reduce citations during state inspections

Interview Tip: Ask about a time they implemented a clinical improvement or corrected a protocol violation.

2. Excellent Communication Skills

The DON acts as a communication hub between administration, medical staff, residents, and families. Their ability to communicate clearly and professionally impacts everything from patient safety to staff retention.

What to look for:

• Transparency and confidence during interviews

• Experience handling difficult conversations

• Clear documentation and reporting habits

Red flag: Overuse of “I” with no team-focused language.

3. Staff Advocacy & Team Building

One of the most overlooked yet most powerful traits in a DON is their ability to support and uplift their staff.

Strong DONs:

• Recognize burnout early and adjust

• Celebrate team wins (big or small)

• Are accessible and approachable

• Build strong onboarding and mentorship for new hires

4. Regulatory & Compliance Expertise

Great Directors of Nursing are proactive—not reactive—when it comes to staying compliant with federal and state guidelines.

What this looks like:

• Preparing mock audits and survey readiness plans

• Reviewing documentation weekly

• Training staff on infection control, med administration, etc.

Bonus Trait: They track quality measures like falls, UTIs, and readmissions and adjust staffing or training as needed.

Ask During Hiring: “What’s your approach to preparing for a state survey?”

5. Calm Under Pressure

Nursing homes are fast-paced and high-stress. Whether it’s a sudden outbreak, a staff shortage, or a resident emergency, a DON must stay calm and lead with clarity.

Strong indicators of emotional intelligence:

• Past crisis management stories

• Use of “we” language during times of stress

• Ability to delegate effectively under pressure

6. Passion for Resident Care

Above all else, the best Directors of Nursing are driven by a deep passion for resident well-being. This ensures they remain ethical, compassionate, and highly engaged even on hard days.

Signs to look for:

• Resident-centered decision-making

• Advocacy for dignity and person-centered care

• Prior initiatives that improved resident satisfaction

Ask them: “What does resident-first care mean to you?”

Conclusion: Hire the Right DON—Build a Stronger Facility

Your Director of Nursing sets the tone for your facility’s culture, compliance, and care standards. Hiring someone with clinical expertise is important—but hiring someone with the right leadership traits is essential.

At MedBridge Talent Partners, we specialize in recruiting Directors of Nursing who not only meet the job description, but exceed the human expectation. We vet for values, leadership history, and proven team-building ability—because staffing your leadership team right changes everything.

Need help recruiting a qualified DON for your facility? Contact us today at info@medbridgetalentpartners.com