'The career path for a nurse leader has traditionally led up to the CNO. Nurses can add value in many different roles in healthcare because they bring a passion for our patients.' – Flo Spyrow, RN, MSN, MPA, MHA, JD, FACHE, president and CEO at Northern Arizona Healthcare in Flagstaff, Arizona.

Raise your hand if you've heard the phrase, "All nurses are leaders." Now, think about how many nurses you know who are leading healthcare though positions in the C-suite. Most organizations include chief nursing officers in their group of executive leaders. But over the past few years, I've noticed that nurses are also being tapped for executive leadership roles beyond CNO. This includes chief executive officer, vice president of business development, and chief operating officer. In this issue's feature story, nurses in these "non-traditional" nursing roles talk about their experiences and share how other nurses can take advantage of opportunities they may never have dreamed of when they went to nursing school.

Also, in this issue:

Nurses Rise to New Levels in the C-Suite

No longer are nurses limited in the senior leadership positions to which they can aspire. Nurses have the skills and knowledge for success in a variety of C-suite roles to make healthcare better.

Make the Leap to the C-suite

Do you have a desire to move into an executive role that falls outside the pillar of nursing? While there's no one way to do it, here are some tips from nurses who have done just that.

True Toll Of COVID-19 On U.S. Healthcare Workers Unknown

The CDC says 27 health worker deaths have been recorded, based on a small number of test-result reports.

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Growing Threats to Hospital Margins Lead to Strategic Partnerships and a Digital Overhaul

The HealthLeaders report “Growing Threats to Hospital Margins Lead to Strategic Partnerships and a Digital Overhaul,” explores these trends as well as results from a recent Buzz Survey that polled 113 senior-level industry leaders on the top pain points impacting their bottom line.

California Shies Away From Calls To Eliminate Restrictions On Nurse Practitioners

California allows nurse practitioners to work only under the supervision of a doctor, and most limitations on their practice are likely to hold.

How to Establish Coronavirus Employee Wellness Support Teams at Hospitals

Surges of coronavirus patients, patient deaths from the virus, and hospital cutbacks to cope with financial pressures during the pandemic strain workforces.

Must Reads

Inova bars workers from bringing their own medical equipment – The Hill
A Brooklyn ICU nurse on why she doesn't feel like a superhero – PBS Newshour
NYC nurses protest new policy cracking down on absences amid pandemic – New York Post
Nurses suspended for refusing COVID-19 care without N95 mask – KRON 4

That's it for today. Please continue to take good care of yourselves, and if you have any tips, thoughts or advice, send them my way at jthew@healthleadersmedia.com or Tweet @jen_NurseEditor.

Jennifer Thew, RN
Senior Editor, Nursing