AACN Voices in Nursing Podcast

Across 135 nursing units in 45 hospitals, nurses, leaders and interprofessional teams are driving lasting, culture-based change — guided by AACN’s Healthy Work Environment Standards. Dr. Brenda Pun and Dr. Michelle Balas share the work of the HWE National Collaborative and how better work environments start with nurses — and create ripple effects across care teams. This episode is sponsored by the...

What does it mean for nurses to own their power? In this Voices in Nursing episode, Dr. Lisa Johnson shares her journey from ICU direct care to hospital leadership — and why empowerment is more than a concept; it’s a call to action. With personal stories, valuable insights and practical advice, she challenges nurses to lead from every level and shape the future of care. This conversation will chan...

What if we measured nursing by its healing impact — not only by harm avoided? Dr. Martha Curley shares a bold call to action to redefine the value of direct care nursing. Learn how a new blueprint aims to measure what matters most: advocacy, vigilance, human connection and the outcomes only nurses can deliver. This episode is brought to you by AACN’s Knowledge Assessment Tool, helping educators id...

From microaggressions to outright bullying, incivility in nursing takes many forms. Dr. Shalanda Perkins shares her personal journey, from experiencing workplace hostility to becoming a leader in promoting a culture of respect and civility. Hear her powerful insights and evidence-based strategies for creating a culture of respect in nursing. This episode is brought to you by AACN’s Online Nursing...

Dr. John Gallagher, DNP a critical care expert and former AACN board member, shares his journey as the only nurse on the NIH COVID-19 treatment panel—and how he worked to ensure nursing expertise influenced patient care at a crucial moment in both his personal life and in our nation’s history. This episode is sponsored by AACN’s Membership, offering members special discounts, clinical resources, a...

Have you ever considered yourself a last responder? While first responders are widely recognized, those who provide care in life’s final moments sometimes go unnoticed. In this episode, Clinical Nurse Specialist Melinda Mayorga shares the powerful story that led her to define this role and why it matters. Tune in to reflect, reframe and recognize the profound positive impact you may already be mak...

After the sudden and tragic death of her husband, Dr. Sue Hassmiller channeled her grief into a blog that later became her acclaimed book “Resetting: An Unplanned Journey of Love, Loss, and Living Again.” She reflects on her experiences as both a nurse and a grieving spouse, her advocacy for compassionate care, and living through unimaginable challenges. This episode is sponsored by AACN’s Beacon...

Yolanda G. Smith, a former critical care nurse and CNO, transformed personal tragedy into a powerful catalyst for change. In this inspiring episode, she shares her journey of resilience and how the loss of a beloved friend due to preventable errors motivated her to develop innovative programs that enhance nurse well-being and improve patient safety. This episode is sponsored by AACN’s award-winnin...

In celebration of Black History Month, we shine a light on the inspiring story of Dr. Virginia Allen and the 'Black Angels,' whose bravery and compassion transformed nursing and patient care during a time of fear and segregation. Their legacy has left an indelible mark on history and continues to inspire generations of nurses. This episode is sponsored by the award-winning quarterly journal AACN A...

Dr. Vicki Good and guest co-host Dr. Devin Bowers sit down with Dr. Sylvain Trepanier, chief nursing officer at Providence Health Systems, to explore how the innovative co-caring model is transforming nursing practice, supporting appropriate staffing and fostering joy in the work environment. This episode is sponsored by AACN’s online course, Fundamental Skills for Preceptors, with information ava...

Discover how direct-care nurses Annie Nguyen and Randy Padua teamed up to transform their unit’s infection management protocol. This episode explores their inspiring journey through AACN’s CSI Academy and how they created sustainable practices. Learn how structured guidance, teamwork, and innovative solutions empowered them to improve patient outcomes and drive change. This episode is brought to y...

Join hosts Vicki Good and Andrea Schmitt as they talk with Kelly Kester, nursing director at Duke University Health System, about fostering healthy work environments and improving staffing in critical care. Kelly shares her leadership journey and how AACN's Healthy Work Environment standards helped her enhance nurse retention and engagement. Discover strategies for onboarding new nurses and empowe...

In this premiere episode of "Voices in Nursing," Tim Dorman, managing partner of Dorman Leadership Group, and his daughter Abby Pledger share their experiences as a patient and family navigating critical care after a life-altering heart attack. The conversation unfolds as a story of resilience, the compassionate care of ICU nurses, and how their journey was recognized Through the DAISY Foundation;...