Nursing leadership turnover remains high, and the pool of qualified DONs continues to shrink. Facilities that wait too long, move slowly, or rely on “post and pray” hiring lose out immediately.
What matters now:
- Speed
- Proactive outreach
- Relationships with passive candidates
- A clear value proposition
The Best DONs Are Not Applying Online
The leaders who can actually stabilize a building are almost always employed, performing well, and not browsing job boards.
To reach them, organizations need:
- Direct sourcing
- Confidential outreach
- Personalized conversations
- A recruiter who understands DON psychology and motivations
Compensation Has Shifted
2026 expectations include:
- Competitive base salary
- Manageable span of control
- Strong ADON support
- Reasonable staffing ratios
- Predictable schedules
Facilities offering unrealistic workloads struggle the most.
Culture Matters More Than Ever
DONs want:
- Respect from administration
- A voice in decision-making
- Stability
- Clear communication
- A leadership team that is aligned
Culture is now a top-three deciding factor for almost every strong candidate.
⭐ Ready to hire a Director of Nursing?
Premier Search helps Skilled Nursing and Senior Living facilities secure the strongest DON leaders in today’s competitive market.
👉 Contact us today to discuss your hiring needs.
310-247-8900 or
bernie@premiersearch.com