Shannon Cronin-Patel, DNP, APRN, NEA-BC, CPHQ
Shannon Cronin-Patel, DNP, APRN, NEA-BC, CPHQ, is a nursing leadership executive with more than 30 years of experience in healthcare, currently serving as System Associate Vice President of Nursing Education and Professional Development at Inspira Health in Absecon, New Jersey. Her journey into nursing began unexpectedly—initially enrolling in college as a journalism major with aspirations of becoming a reporter. After an early internship in the field, she realized it was not the right fit, though her path soon shifted in a meaningful direction through the insight and encouragement of her mother, who recognized her natural strengths in math, science, and caregiving. Acting on that insight, her mother applied to nursing school on her behalf, leading to her acceptance and a scholarship. What began as a chance opportunity quickly became a lifelong calling, and over three decades later, she continues to describe nursing as the most fulfilling and defining work of her life.
Throughout her career, Dr. Cronin-Patel has served in a wide range of clinical, operational, academic, and leadership roles across healthcare systems. She practiced as a nurse practitioner before earning her doctorate and transitioning into nursing leadership and healthcare operations. Her work has included launching and leading clinical programs such as heart failure initiatives, developing system-based care models, and advancing quality and patient safety efforts. Early in her career, she was deeply influenced by a nurse leader who introduced her to the principles of servant leadership—emphasizing that effective leaders focus not on giving everyone what they want, but on providing what they need to succeed. This philosophy has remained the foundation of her leadership approach and continues to guide her commitment to nurse development, workforce engagement, and the creation of healthy work environments.
In her current role at Inspira Health, Dr. Cronin-Patel leads system-wide efforts to align nursing practice across newly integrated hospitals within the network. Her work focuses on standardizing clinical practice and policy based on current evidence-based standards to ensure consistency, safety, and high-quality outcomes across all sites of care. She plays a key role in supporting organizational transformation, reducing variation in practice, and strengthening professional nursing infrastructure across the system. While she acknowledges that the work is ongoing and evolving, she remains focused on advancing toward a fully aligned, evidence-driven practice environment where nurses are supported, empowered, and equipped to deliver the highest level of patient care.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ)
• Nurse Executive Advanced (NEA-BC)
• AGPCNP-BC
• CMC
• CCRN-K
• Rutgers University - Camden - BSN
• Rutgers University - Camden - DNP-AGPHM
• National Association for Healthcare Quality (NAHQ)
• American Nurses Credentialing Center
• ANCC American Nurses Credentialing Center
• AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses) - AACN (American Association of Critical-Care Nurses)
• City of Atlantic City
• NWESC Committee- Organization of Nurse Leaders New Jersey
• Organization of Nurse Leaders of New Jersey
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to relentlessly chasing my passion. It's really about staying passionate and letting that passion evolve over time. I was really focused on nurse well-being at one point, and then I got really interested in healthy work environments - there's always something that draws me in and helps me aspire to do even more for the nurses under my care. The most impactful advice I received early in my nursing career came from a leader who introduced me to servant leadership. She gave me the idea that as a leader, you can't focus on giving everyone what they want because you'll never be successful and never be satisfied. You need to focus on giving them what they need. That really inspired me, and as simple as it was, it has been my compass for my leadership. It's gotten me to gravitate toward being involved in nurse development, workforce development, and healthy work environments - all the things that I do to advocate for nurses, making sure that all nurses have what they need to be successful and to find the same passion in the profession as I was able to find. I try to be as transparent and down-to-earth and understanding as I can while holding everyone accountable to trying to do their best every day. I also didn't figure this out on my own - I had amazing mentors throughout my entire career, and for at least the last 15 years, I have never gone any time without being a mentor and having a mentor. I feel like that is the secret, especially in nursing. You need to always be working on yourself and helping to grow others.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The most impactful career advice I received early in my nursing career came from a nurse leader who really introduced me to servant leadership. She gave me the idea that as a leader, you can't focus on giving everyone what they want because you'll never be successful and never be satisfied. You need to focus on giving them what they need. That really inspired me, and as simple as it was, it has been my compass for my leadership. It's gotten me to gravitate toward being involved in nurse development, workforce development, and healthy work environments - all the things that I do to advocate for nurses, making sure that all nurses have what they need to be successful and to find the same passion in the profession as I was able to find. It's funny - I'm actually working with her again 30 years later. She reached out to me to work with her and help her rebuild a health system, which is how I got to where I am in my current position right now. She made a big impression on me, and I guess I made an impression on her as a new leader.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say to definitely have an open mind and always be looking forward, looking at what's next - whether it's improving your knowledge and practice in the area you're in or preparing for your next transition. Always have something to keep you motivated and engaged in your profession. Even at the beginning, when new nurses feel like they're sick of school and just graduated, there's a real big risk for becoming lost and not knowing what to do next and how to feel like they have goals. Without goals, you kind of get lost in the day-to-day, and nursing is really hard. If you allow yourself to not have something to get you through, then you're prone to moral distress and burnout and all of the horrible things that happen to healthcare professionals. So it's really important to have something that drives you, and it changes over time, so you have to be paying attention. I encourage them to get to know themselves and really pay attention to what parts of their work they enjoy. You need to find something that you really enjoy - an aspect of the profession that you really enjoy - so you can get to that point where most of what you do brings you fulfillment. I didn't figure this out on my own - I had amazing mentors throughout my entire career, and for at least the last 15 years, I have never gone any time without being a mentor and having a mentor. I feel like that is the secret, especially in nursing. You need to always be working on yourself and helping to grow others. You also need to stay in touch with your why - what made you think nursing was a good idea? Stay connected with that throughout your career, and it will help guide you into what you want to do. There are so many different things that can be done in the healthcare profession now, so many different avenues. You may pick one that works for now, and you may find something that works in the future, so nothing is set in stone. I think that's the beauty for the future generation who really like change and can't imagine doing the same thing for their whole life. Within the healthcare profession, you could literally change your job as many times as you want to.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges is avoiding burnout, especially when people focus on the negatives. There are a lot of hard things that you have to do in nursing, and if you focus on them and don't find things that bring you joy, those are usually the people that don't last in the profession. You have to find something that brings you into the healthcare profession and being a servant of others, because that's what we are - we're there to care for others. You've got to connect with that why and stay in touch with it throughout your career, and it will help guide you. At the same time, there are incredible opportunities emerging. There are so many different things that can be done in the healthcare profession now, so many different avenues. And there are jobs within nursing and healthcare that haven't even emerged yet - all of the virtual nursing and AI-induced nursing. There are so many different things that are going to be available in the next few years for new nurses and experienced nurses. We don't even have names for those jobs yet, but they're coming. Innovation, evolving roles, and new care models are creating pathways for growth and impact. You may pick one path that works for now, and you may find something that works in the future, so nothing is set in stone. Within the healthcare profession, you could literally change your job as many times as you want to.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I'm guided by a servant leadership philosophy in everything I do. I really try to be as transparent and down-to-earth and understanding as I can while holding everyone accountable to trying to do their best every day. Accountability is a core value that shapes how I lead teams and drive outcomes. I approach my work with empathy and understanding, ensuring that both nurses and patients feel supported and valued. I focus on giving people what they need to be successful, not just what they want, because that's what true leadership is about. I'm also very family-oriented - that's central to who I am. I have three sons, and my last one is a basketball player in high school graduating this year, so we enjoy traveling around watching him play. I have great nieces and nephews that are the center of my life, and I love to see the little ones. Despite my demanding role and long commute to work, I prioritize family time. We work hard and play hard - my wife is in healthcare too, so we like to go on vacation together. I also make time for restoration through yoga, which I've been doing since I was in college. It's a good stress relief and helps me stay health-conscious, even though I do plenty of things that are not healthy like everyone else. I try to maintain that balance and stay grounded in what matters most.