CNO–CFO Dyads: Strategic Partnerships for Nursing Workforce and Value

CNO-CFO Dyads: Strategic Partnerships for Nursing Workforce and Value

Proceedings from the December 2025 AONL CNO–CFO Dyad Dialogue, with Support from HFMA.

On December 1, 2025, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), in support from the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA), convened Chief Nursing Officer/Executive and Chief Financial Officer dyads from health care systems across the United States. The convening explored how high-functioning CNO–CFO partnerships can strengthen workforce stability, care model innovation and long-term financial sustainability.

The dialogue built upon The Business of Caring: Promoting Optimal Allocation of Nursing Resources (Begley et al., 2020) and findings from the AONL Nursing Value & Impact session at the 2025 HFMA Thought Leadership Retreat. Dialogue participants represented diverse systems, yet shared a common reality: workforce instability, rising labor costs, technological complexity and tightening financial margins have made clinical-financial alignment essential.

Across discussions, several insights emerged. First, the strength of the CNO–CFO dyad frequently predicts organizational alignment. When dyads model trust, unity and shared accountability, alignment cascades throughout the enterprise. Second, workforce strategy is economic strategy. Retention, workforce pathways and care model redesign are core financial levers. Third, shared language and shared data are foundational. Misaligned definitions and dashboards delay decisions and strain relationships. Fourth, care model innovation requires joint sponsorship. Finally, executive alignment functions as a powerful cultural signal to the organization.