Her Story
About Bonnie
Bonnie Fecowicz, MSN, RN, is a nursing executive and healthcare workforce strategist with nearly 50 years of experience in the nursing profession. She currently serves as Vice President of Nursing Workforce Solutions at Nightingale Solutions, part of Nightingale Education Group, where she helps healthcare organizations develop sustainable nursing pipelines by investing in and educating employees already within their workforce. Her work focuses on workforce development, nursing education, rural healthcare, leadership development, and creating stronger partnerships between healthcare systems and educational institutions.
Throughout her career, Bonnie has held a range of senior healthcare leadership positions, including Chief Nursing Officer, System Director of Education, Director of Quality, Practice and Outcomes, and senior consultant. Her experience includes leadership roles with Tewksbury Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Covenant Health, and Fecowicz Leadership. She began her nursing career through a hospital-based diploma program and continued advancing her education, earning her BSN and MSN before pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Administration at the University of New Hampshire. She is particularly passionate about helping health systems address workforce shortages by developing local talent and creating accessible pathways for existing employees to advance their nursing careers.
Beyond her executive responsibilities, Bonnie remains deeply committed to nursing leadership, professional development, mentorship, and community service. She serves as a faculty member with Nurses International, supporting nursing programs in developing nations, and participates in professional organizations including the National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers, Organization of Nurse Leaders, and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. Her professional philosophy emphasizes connection, compassion, perseverance, lifelong learning, and service. After nearly five decades in nursing, she continues to advocate for building—not simply recruiting—the next generation of nurses.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Bonnie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to lifelong learning, perseverance, meaningful relationships, and a willingness to continue growing throughout my career. Nearly 50 years in nursing have taught me that meaningful transformation begins with people and genuine connection. I have continued to learn, adapt, and take on new challenges, from working at the bedside to serving in executive leadership and now focusing on nursing workforce development. Staying connected to others, remaining open to learning, and continuing forward through challenging circumstances have been fundamental to my success.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most important lesson I have learned throughout my career is to never lose sight of the human side of the work. Transformation does not begin with a spreadsheet; it begins with connection. An authentic smile, a genuine compliment, and taking the time to connect with others can make a lasting difference. I have also learned that difficult days are inevitable, but they provide opportunities to learn, grow together, and continue building something better.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
There will be difficult and challenging days, but those moments should not define your entire career. Nursing provides the privilege of forming meaningful relationships not only with patients but also with their families. Some of the most important things you do may be the quiet and compassionate moments that stay with you for the rest of your life. Hold onto those moments, rely on your team, recognize what you accomplish together during difficult days, and continue building from those experiences. I have never regretted becoming a nurse, and I encourage the next generation to find the same sense of purpose in this profession.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The greatest challenge is the structural nursing workforce shortage. Healthcare systems cannot recruit their way out of a shrinking workforce when organizations are competing for the same limited pool of nurses. At the same time, there is a tremendous opportunity to develop the talent that already exists within healthcare organizations and local communities. Rather than continually competing for experienced nurses, organizations can educate CNAs, LPNs, medical technicians, and other employees already on their payroll and create pathways into nursing. This is particularly important in rural communities, where healthcare organizations often cannot compete with larger metropolitan systems. Building local nursing pipelines and strengthening partnerships between higher education and healthcare can create a more sustainable workforce.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Connection, compassion, perseverance, service, and a commitment to people are central to my values. I believe authentic human connection is fundamental to both leadership and healthcare. I also value grit—the ability to remain engaged during difficult circumstances, take responsibility for the situation, support the people around you, and keep moving forward. Above all, I believe in creating environments where people can learn, grow, contribute to their communities, and ultimately provide better care to others.
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