The Chief Nursing Officer Shared Leadership Model

We highlight the design, implementation, benefits, and challenges of an innovative shared nursing leadership model at the chief nursing officer (CNO) level. At St. John's Health, a 48-bed rural hospital in the Mountain West, 3 qualified, experi-enced clinical nursing directors were recruited to fill the CNO position. During the first 6 months, the CNOs solidified their leadership and communication styles, negotiated salary and benefits, transitioned into strategic thinking, became members of the administrative team, and maintained their specialty clinical directorships. St. John's Health retained strong nursing leadership talent and enhanced staff engagement, resulting in better staff wages and work-life balance, and continues to improve patient experience scores.