Carol Ann Gioia, DNP, MSN, RN Who's Who in Healthcare

Read the interview with Dr. Gioia here:

In health care, excellence lies in the safety, support and empowerment of those who provide for their patients. AtlantiCare’s Vision 2030 initiative reflects this by focusing on the well-being of nurses, ensuring they provide the best possible care. But how has AtlantiCare turned this vision into action? Dr. Carol Ann Gioia, Chief Nursing Officer, explains the heart behind this ambition, and believes when nurses have a space to thrive, their patients thrive as well. 

The vision behind Vision 2030… 

"One of our most important current initiatives is strengthening our workplace violence prevention approach. That means clear behavioral standards, hands-on descalation training so our nurses have real tools in the moment, and security response devices and protocols that ensure no one is ever handling a difficult situation alone. … We have worked hard to build spaces where nurses can speak up, raise concerns and genuinely be heard. 

Alongside physical safety, we are committed to fostering psychological safety by creating an environment where nurses feel empowered to speak up, raise concerns, and share ideas knowing their voices will be heard and valued." 

Promoting workforce excellence… 

"When I see someone I mentored early in their career now leading a team, shaping culture, advocating for their staff—that is the accomplishment that keeps giving. Building nurse residency fellowship and preceptor programs that improved first-year retention has been incredibly rewarding. Keeping new nurses in the profession—especially in those first critical months is one of the most important things we can do for the future of health care and for our patients." 

The evolving field of nursing… 

"The future of nursing is at a pivotal turning point, advancing beyond care delivery to full clinical leadership through nurse-led decision-making in care models, technology adoption, and innovation that improve outcomes and strengthen healthier communities. 

This is paired with intentional staffing models and investment in tools that reduce burden and enable nurses to practice at the top of their license, while creating clear pathways into advanced practice and leadership so they can grow professionally without losing connection to the work they value."