Southern California University of Health Sciences seeks a National Director of Nursing Programs
Click here to view full position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SCU_Natl_Dir_NursingPrograms_Profile.pdf
Location: Whittier, California (Remote Opportunity) 

The Position:
Southern California University of Health Sciences is seeking a strategic, forward-thinking, growth-minded, National Director of Nursing Programs to lead the development and implementation of a suite of whole health focused, holistic nursing programs aligned with the University’s mission, vision, and values. SCU is a rapidly growing institution with programs across multiple healthcare disciplines. The University is excited to enter the nursing space, believing that nurses play a distinct and crucial role in advancing integrative, whole health.

This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic nurse educator and leader to drive the future of holistic nursing education at SCU. Under the direction of the Vice Provost of Academic Affairs, the Director will spearhead the design, launch, accreditation, state approval(s), and administration of a portfolio of nursing programs to position SCU as a recognized leader in holistic/whole health nursing. Current plans are to launch programs in the state of Arizona, including a post-licensure MSN/Nurse Practitioner program, a pre-licensure BSN for degree completers and/or baccalaureate graduates, and a pre-licensure entry-level Master of Science in Nursing. These programs will be offered in a hybrid format, maximizing online education and simulation-based learning in alignment with accrediting and state licensing board requirements.

A critical component of SCU’s historically successful track record in launching new programs is its Program Launch Planning committee (PLP). The PLP will work side-by-side with the National Director, offering support from both the Provost and Vice Provost, as well as others in the SCU community who garner expertise in accreditation, finance, registration, human resources, marketing, administration, and facility procurement. The University understands the significance of supporting new program launches by drawing on a team with diverse areas of expertise rather than working in silos. 

Responsibilities:
Strategic Program Development

• Collaborate with the Program Launch Planning (PLP) team to design, refine, and present a comprehensive program proposal and financial pro forma to the Provost.
• Conduct research and environmental scans to articulate the current nursing education landscape, workforce trends, market demand, and opportunities for institutional growth.
• Provide vision and strategy for new program creation and national expansion. 

Academic Leadership

• Provide academic oversight for curriculum development, program design, learning outcomes, and assessment frameworks.
• Ensure program compliance with institutional policies, programmatic accreditation standards, and all state regulatory requirements.
• Promote a culture of academic excellence, evidence-based practice, and whole-person health. 

Operational Management

• Lead needs assessment, strategic planning, program assessment, budgeting, faculty recruitment and evaluation, and accreditation preparation.
• Develop and manage program budget, faculty models, and resource allocation plans.
• Oversee accreditation preparation, self-study development, and site visit readiness. 

Faculty Recruitment

• Direct national recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of nursing faculty and key staff.
• Establish performance expectations, mentoring structures, and faculty development pathways.
• Promote a collaborative, inclusive, and mission-aligned academic culture. 

Simulation Strategy

• Develop and implement a comprehensive simulation strategy to align with curriculum outcomes, program accreditation, and best practices in experiential learning.
• Collaborate with simulation center leadership to ensure resources, technology, staffing, and standardization support high-quality clinical skills development. 

Clinical Site Procurement

• Lead national and regional efforts to secure clinical placement agreements across hospitals, community clinics, long-term care facilities, and specialty settings.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with healthcare partners to ensure adequate, high-quality clinical learning experience. 

Interprofessional Collaboration

• Foster partnerships across disciplines to support whole-person care and interprofessional education.
• Represent nursing within university-wide committees and collaborative projects.

Innovation and Growth

• Monitor emerging trends in nursing education, health systems, simulation, curriculum delivery, and regulatory change.
• Identify opportunities for program enhancement, innovation, and expansion into new markets or degree pathways.
• Ensure SCU remains a leader in integrative whole health, forward-thinking nursing education. 

State Licensing Board

• Serve as the primary liaison with state boards of nursing across approved states.
• Lead the preparation and submission of state applications, renewals, program changes, and compliance reports.
• Maintain ongoing awareness of regulations and ensure timely, accurate institutional reporting. 

Accreditation

• Guide all programmatic accreditation efforts (e.g., CCNE, ACEN), including preparation of self-study documents, evidence collection, timelines, and accreditation site visits.
• Ensure continuous compliance and readiness through routine monitoring and quality assurance processes. 

Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (USDE). The degree is not limited to Nursing.
• Current, unencumbered RN license with eligibility for multi-state licensure (Arizona, Illinois, California).
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) required; preference for candidates with a degree in nursing education or administration.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in professional nursing education.
• Minimum of three (3) years of direct patient care experience as a Registered Nurse.
• Demonstrated experience in administration, clinical oversight, curriculum development, faculty management, and new program development.
• Working knowledge of State Board regulatory processes and CCNE standards, including experience pursuing national accreditation.
• Strong communication, organizational, interpersonal, problem-solving, and advising skills.
• Knowledge of educational theory and methodology, instructional design, student evaluation, and outcome assessment.
• Proficiency in computer applications within a Windows OS environment, including Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint). 

About Southern California University of Health Sciences:
Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is a regionally accredited, nonprofit institution specializing in healthcare education. SCU is dedicated to its core values of integrative whole health, evidence-based practice, health equity, and inclusivity.

Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) is one of the world’s only integrative, whole health universities with a mission to educate students as competent, caring, and successful healthcare practitioners and professionals. An SCU education equips students with the necessary skills and knowledge for their chosen profession while also teaching students to blend the best of conventional medicine with proven complementary approaches, and to treat the whole person (body, mind, and spirit). Founded in 1911, SCU has been challenging convention and pushing healthcare forward for more than 100 years. Today, the institution offers graduate, undergraduate, and certificate programs in a wide range of disciplines, including Chiropractic, Sports Medicine, Physical & Occupational Therapy, Genetic Counseling, Genetics & Genomics, Medical Science, Physician Assistant, Ayurveda, Acupuncture & Chinese Herbal Medicine, Clinical Psychology, Whole Health Leadership, and beyond.

Recently, SCU and Pacific College of Health and Science (Pacific College) jointly announced that they have signed a definitive agreement through which SCU will assume Pacific’s Chicago and San Diego programs. In addition to SCU’s current flagship campus in Whittier, CA and its learning site in the Metro Phoenix area, SCU will also take over Pacific Center for Lifelong Learning, PCHS’s online Acupuncture Program, and Pacific Symposium, the nation’s largest and most respected Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) conference. Leaders from both institutions emphasized that this change builds on the shared strengths of two recognized leaders in integrative health education.

The strategic programmatic expansion allows SCU students, staff and faculty to benefit from expanded program offerings, enhancing access to new resources, broader interprofessional learning experiences and professional development options and a unified alumni network across the country. SCU is committed to preparing the next generation of transformative, forward-thinking healthcare professionals, ensuring a more resilient and impactful future for the SCU community and the healthcare industry as a whole. The University holds institutional accreditation with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) as well as several programmatic accreditations. Click here to learn more about SCU.

SCU’s enrollment has increased 79% since 2020. During this same period, the percentage of students from underrepresented minorities in health-related sciences increased 36% and now represents 44% of the student population. The University is at an exciting inflection point as it intentionally positions itself to become one of the leading integrative health institutions in the nation. This is an exciting time to join an institution on the move as SCU continues a trajectory of deliberate, strategic and thoughtful growth, which is unprecedented in the current higher education landscape. 

Why Consider the Opportunity:

• Dynamic university with integrative, whole health emphasis. SCU is experiencing significant enrollment growth, which has led to diversified programmatic offerings with an emphasis on interprofessional education and collaborative practice.
• Build an innovative Holistic Nursing program with purpose. The national director will be at the forefront of developing a dynamic nursing program that incorporates holistic nursing practices in line with SCU’s whole health mission while filling a critical shortage of nurses in the region.
• New transformative leadership on campus. The University has hired several new administrative leaders and together they have transformed academic programming, technology, marketing, enrollment, student services, and more offering incredible support for new program development.
• SCU is a great place to work. SCU has been recognized as an exceptional place to work for by the Great Colleges to Work For program, earning honor roll status in six of ten categories. Achieving Honor Roll status means an institution is among the best in the nation in fostering a positive, supportive, and highly rated environment for its employees. The university community lives its core values of kindness, integrity, determination, and humor. The culture is healthy and upbeat. People treat each other with collegiality and respect.
• Virtual position flexibility. This position can be primarily remote, lending itself to a unique blend of educating with a mission and maintaining a high quality of work-life balance. Building strong relationships across the University and at future learning sites may require occasional travel to attend key events and/or meetings. Travel costs will be budgeted for and covered by the University. 

To Apply:
Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled; parties who apply by February 15^th will be given first consideration. Please submit a PDF version of your resume and cover letter outlining your interest and suitability for this position.

To apply online go to https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su492 

For more information please contact:
Andrea Martinez
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
Direct: (919) 357-8766
amartinez@summitsearchsolutions.com

Salary Range: The broad range is $140,000 to $190,000. This is a newly created position and, as such, compensation will reflect the individual’s depth of knowledge and experience.

This administrative position offers 100% remote flexibility and is targeted to begin early spring of 2026. 

Southern California University of Health Sciences is an equal opportunity employer. Members of underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.