Description

The Position The Director of Nursing Science ensures that all nursing activities adhere to legal scope of practice, national and specialty nursing standards, Children’s National Policies and Procedures, as well as relevant laws and regulations. Within the framework of the Professional Model of Care, registered professional nurses take on responsibility and accountability for their own practice. In addition, the Director promotes an environment that encourages nurses to pose and answer critical nursing questions the outcome of which is innovative nursing practice.

Scholarship and Research Functions and responsibilities include:

Direct Children's National Nursing Research Program

Sustain evidence of leadership in research including role as principal investigator on studies relevant to nursing

Maintain a personal program of peer reviewed extramural funded research

Continue to secure successful extramural research funding

Continue peer-reviewed publication record with lead and senior author roles demonstrated

Provide strong evidence of mentorship of other investigators

Maintain success in long term collaborative relationships with other scientists across disciplines

Maintain research interests and scholarship activities that are aligned with priorities of Children’s National and of the Division of Nursing, and commitment to advancing the research strategic plan of Children’s National

Promote collaborative multidisciplinary research among nursing service personnel, physicians, affiliated nursing faculty and allied health professionals

Advance the process of nursing research proposal development and review, provide mentoring in the conduct of research and utilization of research findings, and monitor active nursing studies

Facilitate preparation of abstracts, manuscripts and paper/poster presentations
Teaching

Demonstrate excellence in teaching and mentoring with evidence of successful outcomes

Contribute to the development of curricula and careers for nurses and other health professionals at all career levels
Practice and Service

Maintain national reputation for scholarly contributions to the improvement of nursing practice and patient and family care

Contribute to an environment of inquiry by nurses

Participate in program(s) or initiative(s) that facilitate the application of evidence-based practice

Participate in the translation of new discoveries into improved care of children and families

Hold leadership roles in clinical and academic nursing

Demonstrate impact of leadership at national level

Leadership

Assume special assignments as delegated by the Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer

Serve as a member of the nursing leadership team

Participate on regional and national research committees

Facilitate the integration of the core competencies of patient/family-centered care, evidence-based practice and nurse sensitive/performance improvement into the delivery of nursing care

Supervise a department that currently includes two nurse scientists
Quality & Performance Improvement

Facilitate staff development programs in nursing research and quality improvement/performance improvement

Assist with the formulization, implementation and use of databases for clinical and administrative decision making
Grants

Disseminate information regarding grant opportunities and requests for proposals and abstracts

Support grant development for all nurses
Culture

Develop and maintain a nursing culture of scientific inquiry and work with staff to develop and conduct nursing research

Foster the development of a practice environment conducive to the conduct and utilization of nursing research

Provide support to nursing staff for clinical scholarship and dissemination of nursing research

Collaborate with clinical nursing leadership to plan and implement professional development opportunities for education, practice, and research

Work collaboratively with consultants and faculty and professional associations
Leadership Accountabilities
Deliver

Set and achieve departmental goals

Align budgets and resources to meet division goals

Monitor and support a safe and quality environment

Focus the team on service excellence and make the interdepartmental connections needed to ensure high service
Engage

Clearly communicate organizational strategies to the department

Ensure managers hold the team accountable for high performance

Support managers in maintaining a positive working environment

Represent the department in clearing obstacles to high performance

Look for and develop high-performing talent

Support supervisors and managers in engagement efforts
Grow

Look across departments for opportunities to make the organization more effective

Recognize and develop opportunities sought by nursing staff to support improvement and professional growth
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Represent the department in organization-wide innovation initiatives

Monitor and grow the Department’s capacity for change and continuing pioneering shifts in nursing practice

Requirements

The Director for Nursing Science must have a Doctor of Philosophy or doctoral degree in a relevant field. Candidates should have a comprehensive nursing background encompassing both clinical and research experience. Moreover, they must have showcased leadership in research that has advanced new knowledge into nursing and healthcare. Additionally, they must satisfy the criteria for appointment as senior faculty at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. Candidates must have the experience and academic pedigree to be eligible for consideration appointment to The William and Joanne Conway Endowed Chair in Nursing Research. The Director must have an active registered nurse license in the District of Columbia, to practice and supervise, along with current CPR certification.
The Director will have the ability to develop and deliver research and EBP education and training materials to diverse internal and external constituencies.
Required Skills/Knowledge

Evidence of peer reviewed research publications and an active participant on professional editorial boards and professional organizations

Evidence of ongoing extramural funded research

Demonstrated mentoring, teaching, and curriculum development skills for nursing staff and faculty

Experience developing, conducting, and coordinating single and multi-site research studies

Demonstrated knowledge of nursing practice and Magnet standards

Knowledge of clinical information systems, data retrieval and analysis
Personally, the ideal candidate will

Have the ability to be objective and data-driven in decision making.

Be a collaborative, inclusive, highly visible servant leader who respects others.

Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Show unquestioned high honesty and ethics.

Possess high integrity with humility, respect, and exceptional interpersonal skills.

Be comfortable building effective relationships in a highly matrixed environment.

Illustrate a commitment to equity and diversity, with demonstrated strength in fostering an environment that promotes, supports, and values cultural awareness and competency.