Biography
Dr. Helene M. Burns, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, FAAN, is a nationally recognized nurse executive and executive coach with over 40 years of senior healthcare leadership experience spanning health system operations, workforce transformation, patient safety, and healthy work environment innovation. Her executive coaching practice is grounded in the foundational principles of veracity, compassion, and accountability.
Dr. Burns retired in 2026 from her role as Chief Nurse Executive at AtlantiCare, a five-time Magnet® designated integrated health system serving southern New Jersey, to launch Helene Burns Executive Coaching, LLC. As an executive coach, she partners with C-suite officers and healthcare leaders to clarify strategic goals, build enterprise capacity, and lead with purpose.
During her transformative tenure at AtlantiCare, Dr. Burns spearheaded large-scale workforce stabilization initiatives, successfully reducing nursing vacancy from 13.7% to under 5% and nurse turnover to below 4%. She restructured leadership span of control, introduced innovative clinical management roles, achieved a phenomenal 93% nurse manager retention rate, and aligned system-wide nursing key performance indicators directly with organizational strategy.
Prior to AtlantiCare, Dr. Burns served as Senior Vice President and Regional Chief Nursing Officer at Jefferson Health New Jersey. There, she spearheaded multiple Magnet® designations and led a decade-long zero-harm sepsis initiative that saved over 2,000 lives and achieved over $2 million in healthcare cost avoidance.
Beyond health system operations, Dr. Burns is a past President and long-standing Board Member of the Organization of Nurse Leaders–New Jersey (ONL-NJ). She was a key architect of the landmark Nursing Workplace Environment & Staffing Council framework—a breakthrough model now adopted by over 60% of New Jersey hospitals and replicated nationally. She also served on the Board of Directors for the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL).
Education & Credentials
- Executive Certificate in Leadership Coaching, Georgetown University (ICF Level 2 Accredited Program)
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Health System Executive Leadership, University of Pittsburgh
- Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) in Nursing Administration, Widener University
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Widener University
- Certificate in Servant Leadership
- Board Certified Nurse Executive Advanced (NEA-BC)
- Adjunct Clinical Professor, Rutgers University–Camden School of Nursing
Honors & Recognition
- University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing's 2026 Distinguished Alumni Service Award
- Fellow, American Organization for Nursing Leadership (FAONL) — Class of 2024
- New Jersey League for Nursing (NJLN) Nursing Recognition Award (2024)
- Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (FAAN) — Class of 2023
- Organization of Nurse Leaders New Jersey (ONL-NJ) Nurse Executive Award (2023)
- Recognized in SJ Biz Magazine's 'Who's Who in Health Care' (2023)
Endorsements
“Helene is an accomplished nurse executive with over 40 years of healthcare leadership experience. As my mentor, supervisor, and peer on the ONL-NJ Board, she has exemplified integrity, visionary leadership, and an unwavering commitment to advancing executive excellence.” — Diane Juliano, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer, Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional
“Helene has a unique ability to connect leadership concepts with the realities of healthcare practice. She doesn't simply teach from a textbook—she teaches from decades of experience leading complex healthcare organizations while keeping quality at the center of every decision.” — Kimberly Edson, DNP, MBA, MS, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, Chief Nursing Officer