Susan Widener, MSN, RN, NE-BC
Summary
Nurse leader with extensive experience in managing personnel and optimizing resources. Proven success in mentoring emerging leaders and balancing financial responsibilities while enhancing patient care quality through innovative strategies and collaborative leadership.
Overview
1
1
Certification
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
SENIOR DIRECTOR, Medical/Surgical Services
Children's Mercy Hospital
Kansas City
07.2025 - Current
- Managed $350 million operating budget and $42 million labor budget for nearly 600 FTEs across eight pediatric units.
- Directed financial and supply resources to elevate patient safety and care quality.
- Collaborated with organizational leaders to define strategic priorities and ensure their implementation.
- Applied evidence-based practices to enhance leadership and nursing standards.
- Modeled shared vision, mission, values, and service excellence within the nursing department.
- Analyzed departmental performance to identify process improvement opportunities.
SERVICE LINE DIRECTOR, Ambulatory
Children's Mercy Hospital
Kansas City
01.2021 - 07.2025
- Managed personnel for 56 full-time equivalents across urgent care and ambulatory float pools.
- Balanced multi-million-dollar budget, preparing monthly variance reports for financial oversight.
- Collaborated with specialists to identify educational gaps and improve clinic knowledge bases.
- Mentored new nurse leaders to facilitate seamless transitions into leadership positions.
- Achieved high NDNQI survey results while maintaining low staff turnover rates.
- Utilized innovative staffing strategies to enhance operational safety and reduce financial impacts.
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR, Urgent Care Blue Valley
Children's Mercy Hospital
Overland Park
11.2011 - 01.2021
- Opened new 8-bed urgent care center within nine weeks, expanding capacity to 14 beds.
- Managed clinical and operational functions, including hiring and training all staff members.
- Collaborated with various departments to optimize patient visit processes.
- Educated community on updated scope of care and available services.
- Established staffing float pool to address nursing and technician needs across urgent care division.
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR, 6 Henson
Children's Mercy Hospital
Kansas City
04.2005 - 10.2011
- Responsible for the clinical and managerial operations of a 27-bed medical/surgical unit with 80+ fte.
- Acted as a liaison between physicians, residents, and staff nurses.
- Worked with local hospitals on CHCA collaborative entitled Revitalizing Bedside Care.
- Chosen to mentor new assistant nurse managers while also acting as interim department director for three months on a unit caring for orthopedics, renal and rehabilitation patients.
CHARGE NURSE, 6 Henson
Children's Mercy Hospital
Kansas City
08.2003 - 04.2005
- Managed shift operations by making patient assignments, providing staff support, and maintaining fiscal responsibility.
- Acted as resource to staff nurses and ancillary staff.
- Collaborated with nursing and physician leadership to ensure positive patient outcomes.
STAFF NURSE, 6 Henson
Children's Mercy Hospital
Kansas City
05.2002 - 08.2003
- Specialized in management of complex diagnoses such as diabetes, gastroenterology, rheumatology, cystic fibrosis, and respiratory illnesses.
- Delivered safe, patient-centered care to diverse patient population, including newborns and young adults.
- Trained and mentored new nurses and care assistants, enhancing team competency and patient care delivery.
Education
Master of Science - Nursing
University of Mary
01-2011
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Avila University
01-2002
Skills
- Healthcare operations
- Clinical operations
- Patient care coordination
- Quality improvement
- Project management
- Financial oversight
- Strategic planning
- Team leadership
- Leadership development
- Collaborative leadership
- Effective communication
- Relationship management
Certification
- Registered Nurse, Kansas (multi-state) 13-89659-082
Awards
- Children's Mercy Hospital Leadership Excellence Award - Nursing, 2015
- Children's Mercy Hospital Clinical Excellence Award - Medical Surgical Nursing, 2005
- Children's Mercy Hospital Rookie of the Year - Medical Surgical Nursing, 2003
Timeline
SENIOR DIRECTOR, Medical/Surgical Services
Children's Mercy Hospital
07.2025 - Current
SERVICE LINE DIRECTOR, Ambulatory
Children's Mercy Hospital
01.2021 - 07.2025
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR, Urgent Care Blue Valley
Children's Mercy Hospital
11.2011 - 01.2021
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR, 6 Henson
Children's Mercy Hospital
04.2005 - 10.2011
CHARGE NURSE, 6 Henson
Children's Mercy Hospital
08.2003 - 04.2005
STAFF NURSE, 6 Henson
Children's Mercy Hospital
05.2002 - 08.2003
Master of Science - Nursing
University of Mary
Bachelor of Science - Nursing
Avila University