It’s always interesting to learn the different paths nurses take in their careers. In a recent conversation with Mary Beth Kingston, the Chief Nursing Officer at Advocate Aurora Health in Milwaukee, I learned about the turns her career has taken over her 41 years as a nurse, as well as her big jump from Philadelphia to Milwaukee just six years ago to accept her current leadership position.

I was impressed with Ms. Kingston’s typical day as a Chief Nursing Officer, although we know that in nursing there really is no such thing as a “typical day.” Most of her time is spent focusing on patient safety, quality of care, the patient experience, and workforce issues; making sure staff is highly educated and engaged; and working with shared governance teams. She has worked with the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) both through her involvement in the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), a member organization of which she’s currently President-Elect, and through sponsorship of the NOBC by Aurora Health.

Her best advice when it comes to board membership? When someone taps you on the shoulder and says, “I think you’d be good at ____,” listen. Sometimes others recognize qualities and talents that you might not recognize in yourself.

Please listen to our full conversation here.



Mary Beth Kingston is Chief Nursing Officer at Advocate Aurora Health in Milwaukee, the 10th largest not-for-profit, integrated health system in the United States and a leading employer in the Midwest with more than 70,000 employees, including more than 22,000 nurses. A national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience, and value-based care, the system serves nearly 3 million patients annually in Illinois and Wisconsin across more than 500 sites of care. In her position, Kingston co-leads the strategy for integrated services, and provides strategic direction for nursing and clinical education. Read more…