Office/On-site
Recruitment #260917-4356FL-001
| Location |
Middletown, CT
|
|---|---|
| Date Opened | 9/21/2026 12:00:00 AM |
| Salary | $95,809 - $126,746/year |
| Job Type | Open to the Public |
| Close Date | 9/28/2026 11:59:00 PM |

Are you a Registered Nurse with two (2) years of experience looking to make a difference in the lives of children and their families in Connecticut? If so, we invite you to take this opportunity to join our team at John Dempsey Hospital!
The State of Connecticut, Department of Children and Families (DCF) – John Dempsey Hospital – is currently recruiting for multiple Head Nurse positions located in Middletown, CT.
New! Connecticut has joined the Nurse Licensure Compact effective October 1, 2025. Visit Nurse Licensure Compact for more details.
Are you an experienced nursing professional ready to take on a leadership role while making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families? We are seeking dedicated and compassionate Head Nurses to lead nursing operations and provide high-quality, individualized care to those we serve.
In this vital role, you will lead professional and paraprofessional nursing staff, coordinate unit workflow, establish priorities, oversee assignments, and promote high standards of nursing practice. You will also play a key role in staff development by providing training, guidance, and clinical direction while supporting the delivery of safe, effective, and consistent care.
As a Head Nurse, you will remain engaged in direct clinical care by conducting comprehensive nursing assessments, developing and evaluating health care plans, managing an assigned caseload, providing nursing consultation, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to promote continuity of care. You will also help ensure compliance with applicable regulations and standards, oversee the safe management of medications and controlled substances, and respond to emergencies as needed.
If you are a confident nursing leader who is passionate about quality care, staff development, teamwork, and improving outcomes for children and families, we encourage you to bring your expertise to DCF and make an ImpaCT! Apply today and become part of a team dedicated to strengthening families and creating brighter futures.
IN ADDITION TO THE BASE ANNUAL SALARY, YOU MAY BE APPROVED FOR AN ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION BONUS:
Each Registered Nurse who is permanently assigned to the second or third shift shall receive a “recruitment and retention” yearly bonus of three thousand dollars ($3,000.00). This bonus shall be prorated for part-time.
In order to be eligible for this bonus, the employee must have completed one year of service in the registered nurse classification.
Position Highlights:
PCN 154808
PCN 44838
PCN 44591
PCN 44620
What we can offer you:
We believe that:
Working together with families and communities to improve child safety, ensure that more children have permanent families, and advance the overall well-being of children is the central focus of the Department of Children and Families (DCF). DCF protects children who are being abused or neglected, strengthens families through support and advocacy, and builds on existing family and community strengths to help children who are facing emotional and behavioral challenges, including those committed to the Department by the juvenile justice system.
About John Dempsey Hospital (JDH):
JDH is widely recognized as a center of excellence for family-centered treatment of children and youth with serious emotional disturbances. This state-administered Psychiatric facility and hospital provides comprehensive care to children and adolescents under the age of eighteen, with severe mental illness and related behavioral and emotional problems who cannot be safely assessed or treated in a less restrictive setting.
About the State of Connecticut:
Living in Connecticut allows you to live with mountains, forests, ocean fronts, rivers, and a wonderful green countryside right at your doorstep. The state has charm, elegance, and a high standard of living. Our school systems offer an outstanding education, and our communities are among the safest in the country. Connecticut experiences all four seasons and gives you the option to choose living in sophisticated country-life or living in the center of a lively city.
We encourage you to come see all that Connecticut has to offer by joining the DCF team!

FOR THOSE WHO HOLD AN RN LICENSE IN A STATE OTHER THAN CONNECTICUT AND DO NOT HOLD A MULTISTATE OR COMPACT REGISTERED NURSING LICENSE, AND WISH TO APPLY FOR A CONNECTICUT LICENSE, PLEASE:
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
AFTER YOU APPLY:
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 Rocky Young at Rocky.Young@ct.gov
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
In a state agency this class is accountable for administrative and clinical supervision of professional nurses, paraprofessionals and other staff involving direct nursing care of individuals or performing specialized professional nursing work in the areas of community or therapeutic nursing. At the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities or Connecticut Technical Education and Career System this class is accountable for providing primary nursing care for students and facility staff.
WORKING LEAD:
DIRECT CARE:
SCHOOL NURSE:
Incumbents in this class may be required to lift and restrain individuals; may have exposure to communicable/infectious diseases and risk of injury from assaultive/abusive individuals; may be exposed to disagreeable conditions.
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.
Click on a link below to apply for this position:
| Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. |