Chief Nursing Executive

Chief Nursing Executive (CNE)

Baystate Health is seeking an accomplished Chief Nursing Executive (CNE) to provide visionary, system-wide leadership for nursing practice, patient care, quality, safety, and innovation.

As a pivotal member of the executive leadership team, the CNE will establish and advance a comprehensive nursing strategy aligned with Baystate Health's mission while fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, professional development, and continuous improvement across the health system.

This leader will work closely with senior executives, physicians, clinicians, and nursing leaders across Baystate Health to advance evidence-based practice, strengthen patient outcomes, optimize care delivery, and shape the future of nursing.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, the CNE will guide regional and enterprise nursing leaders in establishing standards for nursing practice, orientation, development, and long-term strategic planning. The CNE will collaborate closely with the Chief Physician Executive, Chief Medical Officer, and other executive leaders to advance Baystate Health's strategic objectives.

The role also serves as a key partner in capacity management and patient throughput, working across clinical and administrative teams to identify opportunities, address bottlenecks, and optimize the movement of patients throughout the health system.

Key Areas of Leadership

• Develop and implement a system-wide nursing strategic plan aligned with Baystate Health's mission and strategic priorities.
• Champion nursing excellence and Magnet/Pathway recognition, advancing evidence-based practice and professional nursing standards.
• Lead initiatives focused on patient safety, quality, patient experience, and clinical outcomes through data-driven improvement.
• Advance innovative nursing and care delivery models that improve outcomes, efficiency, and patient experience.
• Establish strategies that support safe staffing, resource optimization, care management, and operational excellence.
• Partner with clinical and administrative leaders to improve patient flow, capacity management, admissions, transfers, and discharges.
• Foster strong interdisciplinary collaboration among nursing, physicians, allied health professionals, and operational leaders.
• Promote professional development, education, mentorship, research, recruitment, retention, and nursing leadership development.
• Build and strengthen relationships with academic institutions, professional nursing organizations, and community partners.
• Serve as a strong advocate and voice for nursing while representing Baystate Health externally.
• Lead strategies that create an inclusive, engaging, and supportive environment where nurses and other caregivers can thrive.

Location

• 280 Chestnut St, Springfield, MA
• Travel to Westfield, Palmer, and Greenfield

Qualifications

• Master's degree at minimum; if the master's is not in nursing, a bachelor's or doctoral degree must be in nursing.
• PhD or Doctorate in Nursing, strongly preferred
• Current Massachusetts RN license, required
• Certification in executive nursing leadership, strongly preferred
• Previous experience as a Chief Nursing Officer or Chief Nursing Executive within a multi-campus health system, strongly preferred
• Minimum 10 years of administrative responsibility within a complex academic healthcare organization, with progressive nursing leadership experience.
• Experience within a Magnet-designated facility and involvement in Magnet designation or redesignation.
• Extensive clinical nursing and management experience with progressively responsible leadership roles.
• Demonstrated ability to lead effectively within a complex, highly matrixed organization.
• Strong operational, financial, strategic, and data-driven decision-making capabilities.
• Proven ability to develop and execute operating and financial plans.
• Contemporary knowledge of care delivery models, healthcare policy, research, and industry trends.
• Strong commitment to nursing excellence, evidence-based practice, and patient-centered care.

Why Baystate Health?

This is an opportunity to shape the future of nursing across a complex health system while advancing quality, safety, innovation, professional practice, and patient-centered care.

The CNE will help establish Baystate Health as a center for nursing excellence, build integrated team-based models of care, strengthen academic partnerships, and create an environment where nurses are empowered to lead, innovate, and make a lasting difference.

If you are a transformational nursing leader ready to influence care delivery, develop people, and advance nursing excellence at the system level, we invite you to explore this opportunity with Baystate Health.

Education:

Masters Degree in Nursing (Required)

Certifications:

Registered Nurse - State of Massachusetts

Compensation

Note: The compensation range(s) in the table below represent the base salaries for all positions at a given grade across the health system. Typically, a new hire can expect a starting salary somewhere in the lower part of the range. Actual salaries may vary by position and will be determined based on the candidate's relevant experience. No employee will be paid below the minimum of the range. Pay ranges are listed as hourly for non-exempt employees and based on assumed full time commitment for exempt employees.

Minimum - Maximum

$446,200.00 - $568,600.00

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Baystate Health is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.