CHIEF NURSING OFFICER (CNO) - ABUJA
Department: Nursing Services
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: On-Site
Reports To: Chief Medical Officer / Hospital Management
Supervises: Nursing Managers, Matrons, Nursing Officers and other nursing personnel
Monthly Salary: ₦2,087,447 – ₦2,296,192
Minimum Experience: 10–15 years of relevant nursing experience, including substantial nursing leadership and management experience.
Job Purpose
The Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) will provide strategic, clinical and administrative leadership for nursing services across the hospital. The role is responsible for maintaining high standards of nursing practice, patient safety, workforce management, clinical governance and professional development, ensuring that nursing services align with hospital policies, regulatory requirements and patient-centred care objectives.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strategic leadership and direction for all nursing services across the hospital.
- Develop, implement and monitor nursing policies, clinical protocols and operational procedures in line with professional standards and regulatory requirements.
- Oversee nursing workforce planning, recruitment, deployment, scheduling and performance management to ensure adequate staffing across clinical units.
- Monitor the quality of nursing care, patient outcomes, infection prevention and control, and compliance with patient-safety standards.
- Supervise and evaluate nursing managers, matrons and other nursing personnel, promoting accountability and professional excellence.
- Lead nursing audits, quality-improvement initiatives, incident reviews and corrective actions to improve clinical outcomes.
- Ensure compliance with Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) requirements and applicable hospital accreditation standards.
- Coordinate nursing orientation, continuing professional development, competency assessments and leadership development programmes.
- Collaborate with the Chief Medical Officer, consultants, department heads and other healthcare professionals to strengthen multidisciplinary care delivery.
- Manage nursing resources, equipment, supplies and departmental budgets efficiently.
- Review patient complaints and nursing-related incidents, ensuring timely investigation, documentation and resolution.
- Promote ethical nursing practice, confidentiality, compassionate care and effective communication with patients and their families.
- Prepare and present nursing performance reports, staffing updates, audit findings and improvement plans to hospital management.
- Support emergency preparedness, disaster response planning and continuity of nursing services.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Compliance with nursing standards, hospital policies and relevant regulatory requirements.
- Achievement of approved nursing staffing levels and effective management of duty rosters.
- Reduction in preventable nursing-related incidents, medication errors and avoidable patient complications.
- Compliance with infection prevention and control protocols.
- Completion of nursing audits, performance appraisals and competency assessments within agreed timelines.
- Improvement in patient satisfaction and resolution of nursing-related complaints.
- Completion of mandatory training and continuing professional development programmes.
- Effective utilisation of nursing resources and adherence to approved departmental budgets.
- Timely reporting, investigation and closure of patient-safety incidents.
- Improved staff engagement, retention and professional development across nursing teams.
Academic Qualifications
Essential
- Bachelor of Nursing Science (BNSc) or equivalent recognised nursing qualification.
- Relevant postgraduate qualification in Nursing Administration, Nursing Management, Public Health or a related field is highly desirable.
- Additional management or healthcare leadership qualifications will be an advantage.
Professional Registration / Licence / Certification
Essential
- Current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
- Valid practising licence in accordance with applicable NMCN requirements.
- Evidence of continuing professional development and compliance with professional practice standards.
Desirable
- Relevant specialist nursing certification or postgraduate professional qualification.
- Training in healthcare quality management, patient safety, infection prevention and control, or clinical governance.
- Certification in leadership, healthcare administration or management.
Required Experience
- Minimum of 10–15 years of relevant nursing experience, with substantial experience in a hospital or comparable healthcare environment.
- Demonstrable experience in senior nursing leadership, nursing administration or clinical management.
- Proven ability to supervise nursing managers, matrons and multidisciplinary nursing teams.
- Experience in nursing workforce planning, staffing allocation, performance management and professional development.
- Strong experience in clinical governance, nursing audits, patient safety and quality improvement.
- Demonstrable knowledge of infection prevention and control, risk management and regulatory compliance.
- Experience developing and implementing nursing policies, clinical protocols and operational procedures.
- Experience preparing management reports, monitoring departmental performance and managing nursing resources.
Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
- Strong strategic leadership and nursing management capabilities.
- Excellent knowledge of professional nursing standards and healthcare regulations in Nigeria.
- Sound understanding of patient safety, clinical governance and quality assurance.
- Strong staff supervision, mentoring, coaching and performance-management skills.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and conflict-resolution abilities.
- Strong organisational, analytical and decision-making skills.
- Competence in workforce planning, resource management and operational reporting.
- Ability to lead change, manage competing priorities and improve service delivery.
- Proficiency in electronic medical records and relevant hospital information systems.
- High standards of integrity, professionalism, accountability and patient confidentiality.
Working Relationships
Internal: Chief Medical Officer, hospital management, consultants, heads of department, nursing managers, matrons, medical officers, pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, human resources, quality assurance and infection prevention and control teams.
External: Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, relevant professional associations, healthcare accreditation bodies and other regulatory or healthcare partners.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is an experienced nursing leader with strong clinical judgement, proven management capability and a track record of improving nursing standards in a hospital environment. The candidate must be able to lead large nursing teams, strengthen clinical governance, optimise workforce performance and foster a culture of accountability, professional development and compassionate, patient-centred care.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their updated CV and relevant professional credentials to [email protected], using Chief Nursing Officer - Abuja as the email subject.
Only candidates who meet the stated qualifications and experience requirements will be considered.