5 Nurse Leaders Driving Change in Public Healthcare Companies
Image sources: HCA Healthcare, Tenet Health, Surgery Partners, Davita, Brookdale
In recent years, the role of the Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) or Chief Nurse Executive (CNE) has gained increasing prominence in publicly traded companies, particularly within the healthcare sector. As the healthcare landscape evolves, CNOs are playing a crucial role in shaping organizational strategies, improving patient outcomes, and driving innovation in nursing practices.
Read on to meet five nurse leaders driving change at public healthcare companies as well as the education, qualifications, and career paths required to become a CNO or CNE in a public company setting.
1. Dr. Sammie Mosier – SVP & Chief Nurse Executive, HCA Healthcare (NYSE:HCA)
With a $77B market cap, HCA is one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers, owning and operating nearly 200 hospitals and 2,400 sites of care in 20 states. In her role, Dr. Sammie Mosier, DHA, MBA, BSN, NE-BC, CMSRN oversees nursing strategy and operations across the organization’s extensive network of facilities, focusing on advancing care quality, fostering professional development, and improving patient outcomes. With over 30 years of experience in healthcare, Sammie is a passionate advocate for evidence-based practices, nursing leadership, and innovation in clinical care. She also sits on the board of Galen College of Nursing.
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2. Judy Chabot – CNO & VP of Clinical Operations, Tenet Health/United Surgical Partners (NYSE:THC).
With a $12B market cap, THC is a leading healthcare services company operating over 500 ambulatory surgery/surgical hospitals, nearly 50 hospitals and over 150 outpatient centers. With decades of experience in nursing leadership, Judy Chabot is dedicated to fostering excellence in clinical care, driving patient safety initiatives, and supporting the professional development of nursing teams. She plays a pivotal role in aligning nursing practices with organizational goals, ensuring high-quality, compassionate care across Tenet’s diverse facilities.
Photo via: Tenet Health
3. Dr. Tamala Norris McJunkins – SVP & Enterprise Chief Clinical Officer, Surgery Partners (NASDAQ:SGRY)
Surgery Partners is a $3B market cap company operating surgical facilities and services across more than 200 locations and 30 states. With a strong background in nursing leadership and clinical operations, Dr. Tamala Norris McJunkins DHA, BSN, RN, CPHQ, HACP, LSSGB is committed to enhancing patient care quality and operational efficiency across the organization’s nationwide network of ambulatory surgical centers and hospitals. She has also been an advocate for inclusive healthcare and eliminating violence in the workplace.
Photo via: Surgery Partners
4. Tina Livaudais – Chief Nursing Officer, DaVita (NYSE:DVA)
DaVita is a $12B market cap company and global leader in kidney care and dialysis services. Tina Livaudais RN, BSN, MBA oversees nursing practices, drives quality improvement initiatives, and champions programs that support the professional development and well-being of nurses. Passionate about patient-centered care, Tina’s 25 years of clinical leadership started as a patient care technician, and today she works to ensure that DaVita continues to deliver innovative, high-quality, and compassionate care to patients with kidney disease. When asked what a nurse executive does in 2023, she said, “Being a good advocate for the people you oversee is the most important thing an executive does.”
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5. Camille Jordan is the SVP, Clinical Services at Brookdale Senior Living (BKD:NYSE)
Brookdale Senior Living is the nation’s largest operator of senior housing with a $1B market cap. With a deep commitment to enhancing the quality of life for seniors, Camille Jordan leads Brookdale’s nursing strategy, focusing on delivering compassionate, high-quality care and ensuring that more than 60,000 seniors receive personalized, dignified care in a safe and supportive environment. Camille said her “why” stems from her experience caring for her grandmother in her youth. This profoundly influenced her career path and strengthened her commitment to Brookdale’s mission of compassionate senior care.
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The journey to becoming a CNO typically begins with a solid educational background in nursing. While a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is often considered the minimum requirement, many organizations now prefer or require advanced degrees such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) for executive-level positions. These advanced degrees provide aspiring CNOs with a deeper understanding of healthcare systems, leadership principles, and evidence-based practices.
In addition to nursing-specific degrees, many successful CNOs have pursued advanced education in related fields such as healthcare administration, business, or public health. This interdisciplinary approach equips them with a broader perspective on healthcare operations and strategies, which is invaluable in executive roles.
Qualifications and Skills: Beyond the Nursing Degree
While education forms most any career foundation, becoming a CNO requires a unique blend of qualifications and skills honed through years of experience and continuous professional development.
First and most important, an active Registered Nurse (RN) license in good standing is essential. This ensures that CNOs maintain their connection to clinical practice and understand the challenges faced by frontline nursing staff.
Second, nurse executives must excel in areas such as leadership, strategic planning, team building, mentorship, and cultural competence. Effective communication is crucial, as CNOs often serve as the bridge between nursing staff and other executive leaders within the organization.
Third, technical proficiency, particularly with electronic health records (EHRs) and other healthcare technologies, is increasingly important as healthcare becomes more digitized. CNOs must be able to leverage these tools to improve patient care and operational efficiency.
The journey to becoming a CNO is often long and varied, typically spanning several decades of nursing practice and leadership roles.
Most CNOs begin their careers as registered nurses, gaining valuable clinical experience in various specialties such as critical care, pediatrics, or gerontology. This hands-on experience provides a deep understanding of patient care and the challenges faced by nursing staff.
After gaining clinical expertise, aspiring CNOs often move into management roles such as Nurse Manager or Director of Nursing (DON). These positions offer opportunities to develop skills in staff supervision, policy development, and operational management. Many organizations require a minimum of 5 years of experience in nursing management, with some roles demanding 10 years or more of leadership experience.
As nurses progress in their careers, they may take on more senior roles such as Assistant Chief Nursing Officer or Director of Nursing Operations. These positions further refine leadership abilities and provide experience in strategic planning and budget management.
Over time, future CNOs start assuming responsibility for the overall nursing operations of an organization. This includes developing and implementing nursing policies, collaborating with other executives to ensure cohesive care strategies, and overseeing the strategic direction of nursing practices.
Finally, many CNOs pursue professional certifications to validate their executive competence. Two notable certifications are the Certified Nurse Executive (CNE) and the Certified in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP). These valuable certifications demonstrate a commitment to professional development and a mastery of executive nursing competencies.
The role of CNO is not only professionally fulfilling but also financially rewarding. As of July 2024, the median annual salary for CNOs is approximately $147,192, according to PayScale. However, it’s important to note that salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as the size of the organization, geographic location, and the CNO’s level of experience and education.
CNOs of publicly traded companies also may receive equity compensation which can be particularly lucrative as the company grows. This equity often comes in the form of stock options, restricted stock units (RSUs), or performance shares, aligning their financial incentives with the company’s success. This equity compensation not only rewards their contributions to organizational growth but also motivates long-term commitment and strategic decision-making.
Beyond financial compensation, CNOs have the opportunity to shape the future of healthcare delivery, mentor the next generation of nursing leaders, and make a significant impact on patient care at a systemic level.
The journey to becoming a Chief Nursing Officer or chief nursing executive in a public company is long and demanding, requiring a combination of advanced education, extensive clinical and leadership experience, and the development of key skills and qualifications. However, for those passionate about nursing and healthcare leadership, it offers a unique opportunity to drive positive change and shape the future of healthcare delivery.
As the US healthcare landscape continues to evolve, the role of CNOs will likely become even more critical. Those aspiring to these positions should focus on continuous learning, seek out diverse leadership experiences, and stay abreast of emerging trends in healthcare and nursing practice.
