---
title: "CEO: A New Rung on the Nursing Career Ladder"
description: For many years, Chief Nursing Officer was seen as the pinnacle of a nurse’s career. Today, more and more nurses are promoted from CNO to Chief Executive Officer.
image: https://engage.healthtrustjobs.com/hubfs/Images/Blog/cno-to-ceo.png
---

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# CEO: A New Rung on the Nursing Career Ladder

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![CNO to CEO](https://engage.healthtrustjobs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Images/Blog/cno-to-ceo.png?width=850&name=cno-to-ceo.png "CNO to CEO") 

For many years, Chief Nursing Officer was seen as the pinnacle of a nurse’s career. Today, the field is changing as more and more nurses are promoted from CNO to Chief Executive Officer.

Becker Hospital Review [highlights](http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-management-administration/20-nurses-who-transitioned-to-hospital-ceos.html) 33 Registered Nurses who have transitioned into the role of CEO in hospitals or other health systems. In South Florida, three of the six Memorial Healthcare System hospitals are [run by RNs](http://www.hhnmag.com/articles/7982-rn-ceos-gaining-favor) who have embraced their new CEO roles. Not only are they all nurses, but they are also all women who are [working to close the gender gap](https://engage.healthtrustjobs.com/women-in-healthcare-leadership-what-hospitals-can-do-to-close-the-gender-gap) in healthcare leadership.

CEO Leah Carpenter, RN, recently spoke with HealthLeaders Media about what to expect when making the leap from CNO to CEO. Some key points include learning to balance the clinical and business mindsets, as well as finding a mentor. You can read more of her interview by [clicking here](http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/nurse-leaders/what-it-takes-be-nurse-and-ceo).

If you are a clinician interested in transitioning into a leadership role, please fill out the form below to speak with one of our recruiters about the Interim Leadership opportunities we have available.

*If you are unable to see the form above, please update your browser. *

 Topics: [Healthcare](https://engage.healthtrustjobs.com/topic/healthcare), [Nursing](https://engage.healthtrustjobs.com/topic/nursing)

  

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