Overcoming Geographic Challenges to Place a Director of Nursing
When a long-standing client approached us with an urgent need for a new Director of Nursing in a remote Cape Cod location, we knew this search would present unique obstacles. With the facility positioned at the tip of the Cape, attracting candidates willing to relocate to a small, isolated community—or endure a grueling daily commute—was no easy task. Compounding the challenge was a limited local talent pool, with only a handful of nearby healthcare facilities to source from.
To overcome these barriers, we took a creative and strategic approach. By broadening our search parameters beyond specialty experience and focusing on candidates with transferable skills, we were able to tap into a wider array of talent. We worked closely with the client to recalibrate expectations—prioritizing clinical leadership and management capabilities over niche expertise. This allowed us to target professionals from hospital settings, home health, and other relevant areas, ultimately leading us to the ideal candidate.
Through our expanded outreach efforts, we connected with a local nurse manager already living on Cape Cod. Her deep clinical experience, proven leadership background, and proximity to the facility made her an outstanding fit—eliminating relocation challenges and ensuring a seamless onboarding. We discovered her via Indeed, and her qualifications aligned perfectly with the client’s top priorities.
This placement not only delivered an exceptional leader but also helped the client avoid hiring an interim director, saving time and resources. Most importantly, we helped them stay compliant with state board requirements, avoiding operational disruption as the outgoing DON approached their departure date.
One key takeaway from this search was the power of urgency and agility. What began as a daunting challenge quickly turned into a success story when everyone involved acted decisively. From first contact to offer, the entire process took less than 48 hours. This search was a reminder that even the toughest roles can be filled efficiently when flexibility, communication, and speed align.
