Director Nursing - Women's & Children's Service Line

Meritus Health is seeking a dynamic Director of Nursing - Women's & Children's Service Line to lead one of the most impactful areas of care in our organization. This leader will guide clinical excellence across Labor, Delivery, Recovery & Postpartum (LDRP), Special Care Nursery, and Pediatric/Medical-Surgical services, supporting families and children through some of life's most important moments. Reporting directly to the Chief Nursing Officer , the Director will oversee a high-performing team and play a critical role in advancing patient-centered care, strengthening clinical operations, and supporting strategic growth for our Women's and Children's programs. This is an exciting leadership opportunity for a nurse executive passionate about advancing maternal and pediatric care, developing teams, and driving continuous improvement in a collaborative healthcare environment. About the Women 's & Children's Service Line Our Women's & Children's service line supports a vibrant and growing community with approximately 2,000 births annually and a multidisciplinary care team committed to delivering exceptional outcomes for mothers, newborns, and pediatric patients. The service line includes: * 24-bed Labor, Delivery, Recovery & Postpartum Unit (LDRP) * 12-bed Special Care Nursery (SCN) * 26-bed Pediatric / Medical-Surgical Unit The Director provides leadership for approximately 75 -80 FTEs, including two Clinical Managers and an Assistant Nurse Manager , while partnering closely with physicians, clinical educators, and operational leaders to deliver high-quality care and enhance service line performance. Key Leadership Responsibilities The Director of Nursing will provide strategic and operational leadership across the Women's & Children's service line. Key priorities include: * Leading and developing clinical leaders and staff to support high-quality, patient- and family-centered care * Advancing nursing practice standards consistent with AWHONN perinatal guidelines * Overseeing clinical operations for LDRP, Special Care Nursery, and Pediatric/Med-Surg services * Driving service line growth, operational efficiency, and performance improvement initiatives * Supporting implementation of enhanced clinical capabilities including cesarean-section program operations * Developing and monitoring operational dashboards and quality metrics * Ensuring compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and professional practice standards * Partnering with physician leadership and interdisciplinary teams to improve outcomes and patient experience * Managing departmental budgets, staffing models, and fiscal performance * Supporting innovation in maternal-child health programs, including initiatives such as donor milk programs What We 're Looking For We are seeking a collaborative and forward-thinking nursing leader with a strong background in maternal-child health and service line leadership. Ideal candidates will bring: * Experience leading Women 's & Children's or maternal-child health programs * Expertise in LDRP and perinatal care environments * Knowledge of Special Care Nursery or neonatal services * Pediatric and/or adult medical-surgical leadership experience * Demonstrated ability to develop leaders, build strong teams, and drive operational improvements * Experience managing quality dashboards, performance improvement initiatives, and clinical operations Minimum Qualifications * Bachelor's in Nursing required * Master's degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, or related field preferred * Minimum five years of progressive management experience in a complex healthcare environment * Current Registered Nurse license eligible for practice in Maryland * Professional certification in nursing leadership or maternal-child specialty preferred * Experience with AWHONN perinatal standards preferred Why Join Meritus Health? At Meritus Health, our mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve. Our Women's & Children's team is dedicated to delivering safe, compassionate care while continuously advancing the quality of maternal and pediatric services. As Director of Nursing, you will have the opportunity to: * Lead and shape a vital service line within a growing health system * Mentor and develop emerging nurse leaders * Advance maternal-child health initiatives that directly impact families in our region * Collaborate with an engaged leadership team committed to clinical excellence ** Caring for Our Team* *We offer a comprehensive benefits package to support our employees' well-being and professional growth. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance available starting the 1st of the month following date of hire, along with life insurance, & short and long-term disability coverage. Paid Time Off begins accruing from day one, and we also provide a 401k plan, an education assistance program, and an employee assistance program. Additionally, employees working evening, night, or weekend shifts may be eligible for a shift differential, adding even more value to your role. Happy to Help** At Meritus, we believe in a collaborative and caring work environment. Interactions are an opportunity to learn, listen and to be there for one another. Therefore, we provide warm welcomes, hospitality-driven closures, and are always Happy to Help.