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About Duke Health Cary

Opening in Spring 2027, the next phase of this 85-acre, mixed use walkable Duke Health Cary campus will add emergency services, inpatient care, surgical services, imaging, specialty care, and infusion services, creating more than 230 career opportunities. Joining Duke Health Cary offers the opportunity to build something new, grow your career, and support our mission of advancing health across the communities we serve.

Nurse Manager, Operations – Emergency Department

Duke Health Cary – Cary, NC

Duke Health Cary is seeking an experienced, highly engaged Nurse Manager, Operations, to lead clinical and operational functions in our high-acuity Emergency Department (ED). This is an exceptional opportunity to join a nationally recognized academic medical center and guide a team committed to delivering exemplary, patient-centered care.

Job Summary

The Nurse Manager, Operations, provides 24/7 leadership for assigned clinical areas, ensuring high-quality patient care, regulatory compliance, and alignment with Duke Health’s mission and professional practice standards. This role oversees operations, supports staff development, plans strategy, and fosters a collaborative, supportive work environment.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Direction

Participate in the development and execution of strategic and operational plans.
Promote a professional practice model that encourages shared decision-making and evidence‑based standards.
Serve as a visible, supportive leader and role model, fostering accountability and positive change.

Patient Care & Advocacy

Champion safe, high-quality, patient-centered care.
Advocate for patients, families, and staff to ensure care delivery aligns with expectations and standards.
Ensure consistent use of the nursing process from admission to discharge.

Team & Staff Development

Recruit, coach, evaluate, and support nursing staff to develop clinical competency from novice to expert.
Promote diversity, inclusion, and positive team culture.
Assure staff participation in councils, committees, and departmental initiatives.

Operations & Quality Management

Oversee day-to-day management of the unit, ensuring efficient workflows, staffing, and resource use.
Monitor quality metrics and lead unit-based Performance Improvement initiatives.
Coordinate development and implementation of policies and procedures that enhance operational efficiency.

Fiscal Management

Collaborate with the Director of Clinical Operations on budget planning and resource allocation.
Evaluate resource utilization and implement action plans, ensuring operational and fiscal responsibility.

Education Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) required
Master’s degree in Nursing strongly preferred

Experience Requirements

At least 3 years of Emergency Nursing experience required
1+ years of nursing leadership experience (e.g., Charge RN, Clinical Supervisor, Manager) preferred
Experience in a high-acuity ED of similar scope preferred

Preferred Leadership Competencies

Project management
Conflict resolution
Team building
Staff onboarding
Budget and finance management

Licensure & Certification

Current or compact RN licensure in North Carolina
BLS certification required

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions:

Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.

Duke University

Nurse Manager - Operations, Emergency Department

About the job