Chief Nurse Executive
Recruitment # 260505-2753MP-001
Location Wethersfield, CT
Date Opened 5/11/2026 10:32:00 AM
Salary $135,082 - $184,186/year
Job Type Open to Agency Employees
Close Date 5/18/2026 11:59:00 PM
Go Back Apply View Benefits (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits)
+
+
+
Introduction
Looking to advance in your career with the Connecticut Department of Correction? Check out this great opportunity!
The Connecticut Department of Correction (https://portal.ct.gov/DOC) is seeking a Chief Nurse Executive to lead statewide nursing services within the Health Services Unit.
POSITION DETAILS
This is a full-time, 40 hour position on first shift. Schedule is Monday-Friday between 8:00am and 4:00pm and is located in Wethersfield, CT.
This position provides executive leadership, oversees 24/7 nursing operations, and ensures delivery of quality patient care across all correctional facilities. Duties include, but are not limited to:
Administer and direct statewide nursing services operations.
Ensure 24/7 delivery of comprehensive nursing care across DOC facilities.
Develop, implement, and monitor nursing standards, policies, protocols, and staffing plans.
Oversee nursing performance expectations, competency assessments, and staff development.
Lead continuous quality improvement and ensure compliance with all regulatory and accreditation requirements.
Identify operational issues, implement solutions, and support system wide nursing initiatives.
Prepare or assist with nursing budgets and resource planning.
Mentor, coach, and evaluate nursing staff; recommend corrective actions as needed.
Lead recruitment and hiring of nursing personnel.
Protect the rights and safety of patients and staff.
Represent DOC Health Services in professional meetings and accreditation activities.
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/jobs/?b=Benefits) page to learn about our medical and dental insurance plans, sick/vacation/personal leave accruals, state holidays, tuition reimbursement and more!
A healthy work/life balance to all employees (https://www.jobapscloud.com/ct/sup/EVPPDF123020.pdf) .
Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests (https://ctparks.com/) , to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here (https://www.ctvisit.com/) .
ABOUT US
Our Mission: The State of Connecticut, Department of Correction shall strive to be a global leader in progressive correctional practices and partnered re-entry initiatives to support responsive evidence-based practices aligned to law-abiding and accountable behaviors. Safe and security shall be a priority component of this responsibility as it pertains to staff, victims, citizens and offenders.
For an inside look at how nurses can Make an ImpaCT in a correctional setting, watch the video below!
Selection Plan
In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library (https://portal.ct.gov/das/home/services-for-state-employees/statewide-human-resources/applicant-reference-library?language=en_US) for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69 (https://www.cga.ct.gov/2021/act/pa/pdf/2021PA-00069-R00SB-00056-PA.pdf) , resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates - such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links - please check your Personal Status Board (https://www.jobapscloud.com/CT/newregpages/IDPassfind.asp?from=existing) regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board as select "Update My Contact Information."
Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jake Ferrari at jake.ferrari@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
In the Department of Correction and the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Connecticut Valley Hospital and Whiting Forensic Hospital this class is accountable for administering all nursing services by ensuring that nursing professional practices comply with appropriate standards of delivery for evidence-based patient-centered care.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Administers staff and operations of nursing services on a statewide basis;
Ensures coordination and provision of comprehensive nursing services delivered twenty-four (24) hours per day and 7 days per week;
Directs development and implementation of nursing standards, procedures, protocols and policies;
Directs development, implementation of nursing services staffing plan policies;
Develops and monitors nursing performance expectations;
Ensures all facilities implemented an effective system that certifies competence to perform nursing duties including performance of physical assessments and outpatient urgent and emergency protocols;
Develops and maintains an ongoing program to deliver, monitor, evaluate, and improve quality and appropriateness of all nursing care;
Ensures continuous quality improvements and sustainable constitutional levels of nursing care;
Ensures nursing services well-functioning and timely delivery of patient care available to all patients in accordance with appropriate standards of nursing care;
Assesses professional training needs and participates in development of staff development and education programs;
Identifies operational and organizational issues and implements solution;
Prepares or assists in preparation of nursing budget and makes decisions or recommends a course of action with regard to management of nursing budget;
Performs competency assessments;
Mentors and coaches nursing personnel throughout the State;
Oversees evaluation of nursing staff and recommends corrective action;
Protects human and civil rights of patients and staff;
Directs and oversees health care accreditation/re-accreditation process;
Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
Considerable knowledge of
and ability to apply management principles and practices;
relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and accreditation guidelines;
nursing principles and practices in appropriate specialty;
nursing administration;
current developments in field of nursing including current complexities of healthcare industry;
Knowledge of
and ability to develop strategic plans;
behavioral health nursing;
interviewing and counseling techniques;
research procedures as applied to nursing;
trend variance analysis;
governmental accounting and budgeting;
marketing;
Considerable
interpersonal skills;
oral and written communication skills;
leadership skills and ability;
Considerable ability to problem-solve;
Ability to multi-task and coordinate a high level of activities under various conditions and constraints.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
A Master's degree in nursing, public health administration, health care administration, hospital administration or a related field and three (3) years of experience in a health care organization and/or facility or psychiatric hospital working in a managerial or administrative capacity.
NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Director of Nursing 1.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience leading nursing operations in correctional, acute care, or complex clinical settings.
Experience with and knowledge of nursing administration, regulatory requirements, and current clinical practice standards.
Experience developing policies, staffing models, and quality improvement systems.
Experience or ability supervising large, diverse nursing teams across multiple sites.
Experience with budgeting, strategic planning, and data driven decision making.
Demonstrated leadership, communication, and interpersonal abilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced, secure environment.
Ability and willingness to travel statewide.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Incumbents in this class must possess and retain a license as a Registered Nurse in Connecticut OR hold a Multistate or Compact Registered Nurse license.
Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
Conclusion
AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.
Click on a link below to apply for this position:
Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
