Conley Returns to BWH as New Associate Chief Nurse

Karen A. Conley, DNP(c), MS,  BSN, RN, AOCN, NEA-BC

No stranger to BWH, Karen A. Conley, DNP(c), MS, BSN, RN, AOCN, NEA-BC, began as associate chief nurse for the Connors Center for Women and Newborns in July.

"We are thrilled to welcome Karen back to BWH," said Jackie Somerville, PhD, RN, chief nursing officer and senior vice president of Patient Care Services. "Karen has years of experience as a practice nurse and is an accomplished nursing leader. We know she will thrive in her new role."

As associate chief nurse, Conley oversees 540 nurses in Labor and Delivery, Antepartum, Postpartum, Gynecology and Gynecologic Oncology, Neonatal Intensive Care and the Nurse Midwifery Service.

Conley began her career in 1989 at BWH. During the course of 12 years, she served as a staff nurse in General Medicine and Oncology, and as nurse in-charge and nurse manager in Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant. Conley then went on to become the program manager for Pediatric Oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where she served as a leader for the Jimmy Fund Clinic.

After five years at Dana-Farber, Conley moved on to the role of director of Medical/Surgical and Critical Care Services at South Shore Hospital. She most recently served as senior vice president of Patient Care Services and chief nursing officer at Quincy Medical Center.

"Once you're a Brigham nurse, you're always a Brigham nurse," Conley said. "Deep down, I always knew I'd come back. The BWH commitments to excellent patient care and to patient-and-family-centered care were significant reasons to return."

Conley knew she wanted to be a nurse from a young age but says she discovered her interest in nursing leadership while working at BWH in the early 1990s.

"My whole approach to leadership is being a servant leader," she said. "I have a responsibility to serve our patients, families and staff. I am committed to making sure I hear the voices of the staff and patients to be able to continuously improve processes of care."

Conley received her bachelor's degree in nursing from Boston College, and her master's in nursing administration from Northeastern University. She will receive her doctorate in nursing practice from the MGH Institute for Health Professions in September. She is a member of the American Organization of Nurse Executives, Organization of Nurse Leaders and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Conley also received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Northeastern University.