A director of nursing is a high-ranking management position that oversees the entire nursing department at a hospital or health care organization. This position requires an advanced degree in nursing, such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
Additionally, candidates for this role need to pass the Certified Director of Nursing Exam (CDONA) from the National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long-Term Care or acquire the Director of Nursing Services-Certified (DNS-CT) credential from the American Association of Post-Acute Care Nursing.