Northern Light Health seeks a visionary, agile executive to serve as its System Chief Nursing Officer (CNO). This is a unique opportunity for an experienced, forward?thinking nursing executive to lead nursing practice across Maine’s only fully integrated, statewide health delivery system.
About Northern Light Health
Northern Light Health is a $2.2B integrated health system comprising nine hospitals, 944 licensed beds, eight nursing homes, 37 primary care locations, five emergency transport members, and the state’s only air ambulance service. The organization employs more than 10,000 people and is committed to its brand promise: “Making healthcare work for you.”
Position Overview
Reporting directly to the System Chief Operating Officer, the System CNO serves as the senior nursing executive for Northern Light Health, responsible for advancing nursing practice, workforce strategy, and clinical alignment across all care settings. The role is evolving from a primarily operational focus to a strategic, enterprise?level leadership position, ensuring nursing is positioned as a key driver of organizational performance.
The CNO will lead system?wide efforts to standardize nursing practice, strengthen governance, reduce variation across sites, and build a sustainable nursing workforce. This highly visible, field?based leader will maintain a strong presence across all Northern Light facilities.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Nursing Leadership
Advance a unified, system?wide nursing practice model
Strengthen shared governance and professional practice structures
Lead clinical integration across acute, ambulatory, behavioral health, and home?based settings
Workforce Strategy & Development
Build a sustainable nursing pipeline
Support recruitment, retention, and integration of international nurses
Reduce reliance on contract labor while maintaining safe staffing
Digital Transformation & Innovation
Integrate AI and automation to reduce clinical burden
Leverage predictive analytics for workforce and patient outcomes
Quality, Experience & Operational Performance
Improve patient experience and quality outcomes across all hospitals
Enhance throughput, care coordination, and length?of?stay performance
Location
This role is based in Bangor, Maine, a state known for its natural beauty, four?season outdoor recreation, and vibrant communities. “There’s a reason our state motto is ‘The Way Life Should Be.’… Maine is a special place.”
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Nursing required
Master’s degree in Nursing, Healthcare Administration, Business Administration, or related field required
Current RN licensure (or eligibility) in Maine
Experience
10+ years of progressive nursing leadership, including senior?level roles in a multi?site or system environment
Demonstrated success improving quality, patient safety, and patient experience
Experience leading clinical standardization and workforce strategy
Operational and financial acumen, including labor management
Experience in unionized environments preferred
Leadership Competencies
Visible, hands?on leadership style
Ability to build alignment across diverse stakeholders
Strong relationship?building and communication skills
Strategic thinker with operational credibility
Commitment to an inclusive, engaged workforce culture
AMN Healthcare is the largest workforce solutions company in the market, which allows us to serve our clients more effectively across all levels of healthcare. We have the most extensive network of talent and a comprehensive portfolio of innovative technologies, recruiting expertise and talent solutions to help healthcare organizations optimize their workforce. We offer a full spectrum of services including travel nurse staffing, physician locum tenens, allied health professionals, and workforce technology solutions. Our personalized placement methodology ensures healthcare organizations are matched with professionals who enhance clinical, financial, and operational performance. With a proven track record, we have successfully placed tens of thousands of healthcare professionals nationwide. As part of AMN Healthcare, our network and access to talent has grown, our level of expertise reaches broadly throughout executive and physician leadership search and in multiple dimensions: academic medicine, integrated delivery systems, community hospitals, senior living, and anywhere leadership talent and healthcare intersect.?For more information, visit www.amnhealthcare.com