Donna Watridge

Donna Watridge, MBA, BSN, RN, CCRN brings more than three decades of diverse clinical and leadership experience to her roles at Atlantic Health. As System Director, Nursing Operations, she focuses on system-wide project management, leading and executing Atlantic Health’s strategy to advance nursing and patient care operational efficiency. In partnership with leaders across the system, Donna oversees initiatives that move care forward, improve outcomes and strengthen the workforce experience for more than 4,700 nurses. Donna assumed this new role in April 2025.

In addition, Donna was named the Interim Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for Atlantic Health Morristown Medical Center in June 2026. Donna’s leadership ensures the continued delivery of extraordinary nursing care, as well as nursing education and professional development, at the 750+ bed, 6-time American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet® designated medical center.

Beginning her career as a staff nurse at Atlantic Health Morristown, Donna was previously the Regional CNO and Chief Operations Officer for both Atlantic Health Newton Medical Center and Atlantic Health Hackettstown Medical Centers. As CNO, Donna led Atlantic Health Newton to its first ANCC Magnet® designation and Atlantic Health Hackettstown to the ANCC Pathway to Excellence designation.

Donna holds a Master of Business Administration from Seton Hall University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from William Paterson University. She is a member of the Organization of Nurse Leaders New Jersey (ONL NJ), the American College of Cardiologists and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. In 2022, Donna received the ONL NJ Nurse Executive Award.