Caring for All: From Abu Ghraib to FCN - Sharon Owen MBA, BSN, RN

Love Frontline Nursing? Let us knowIn this episode, Florida Center for Nursing’s new Chief of Staff Sharon Owen, MBA, BSN, RN, discusses how her work caring for terrorists in Iraq led to her current role. Sharon is a seasoned health care executive, former Army Captain, and the current Chief of Staff for the Florida Center for Nursing (FCN). In this strategic role, she drives organizational alignment, cross-functional initiatives, and long-term planning to advance FCN’s mission and strategic plan.  Sharon began her career in uniform, serving seven years on active duty as an Army nurse, including two deployments to Iraq. Her leadership and clinical expertise in trauma, ER, and clinic operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom earned her the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. She was awarded the Humanitarian Service Medal for her relief efforts during Hurricane Katrina.  Transitioning to civilian healthcare, Sharon launched a successful legal nurse consulting business before stepping into executive leadership. In 2017, she became the Administrator of the Ambulatory Surgery Center at Tampa General Hospital. Under her leadership, the center decreased expenses, grew surgical case volumes, and successfully navigated a high-profile change of ownership. Most recently, Sharon served as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the USF College of Nursing, where she executed the college’s strategic plan and launched innovative programs, including the Registered Nurse First Assistant program and the Nurse Leadership in Sustainability course.  Sharon holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Capital University (2004) and a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Florida (2017).  Links Florida Center for Nursing Subscribe to FCN’s newsletter Find FCN on social media The Florida Center for NursingThe Florida Center for Nursing is established to research and address issues of supply and demand for nursing, including issues of recruitment, retention, and utilization of nurse The vision of the Florida Center for Nursing is to ensure that the health care needs of the residents and visitors of Florida are met by a competent and sufficient nursing workforce.The Florida Center for Nursing is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.