Is a human-AI partnership possible for the future of pediatric critical care? Explore how a groundbreaking pediatric tele-critical care program transformed one of the nation’s busiest cardiovascular ICUs. Guests Menchee Berris and Kellie Swink discuss the challenges behind high-acuity pediatric cardiac care and the constant pressure created by staffing shortages. Listen as they reveal how their tele-ICU model transformed the environment from reactive crisis management to predictive and proactive surveillance.This episode is sponsored by AACN’s online course, Fundamental Skills for Preceptors, with information available at www.aacn.org/preceptorskills
As legalization increases, patients are using cannabis more than ever and not always telling you. Pharmacist Dr. Meagan Good joins Voices in Nursing to unpack the hidden risks, gray areas and clinical blind spots that come with caring for cannabis users. If you've ever felt unprepared to respond, this conversation will change how you assess, advocate for and protect your patients.This episode is sponsored by the award-winning quarterly journal: AACN Advanced Critical Care, with information available at www.aacn.org/advancedcc
When nurse leadership at her health system felt fractured, Dr. Holly Muller, Chief Nursing Officer at Presbyterian Healthcare Services, didn’t start with a plan. She started by listening. Learn how she sparked a culture shift by trusting the voices closest to the bedside. This episode of Voices in Nursing dives into the messy, meaningful work of rebuilding trust, restoring purpose and making shared governance real again.This episode is brought to you by AACN Clinical Scene Investigator Academy, providing the knowledge, skills and tools to lead innovation, with information available at www.aacn.org/csiaacn
ECMO saves lives, but at what emotional cost? In this episode of Voices in Nursing, Christina Block, an ECMO transport nurse, and Jennifer Popies, an ICU clinical nurse specialist, share findings from their CVICU research on moral distress. They discuss prognostic uncertainty, the burden of treatment, and the emotional toll of high-stakes decisions. Explore themes of identity, teamwork and resilience, and learn strategies to support care teams on the front lines of ECMO’s toughest challenges.This episode is sponsored by The ECMO Course, providing nurses with a comprehensive understanding of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, with information available at www.aacn.org/ecmo-course
Nurses face long shifts and sleepless nights, but fatigue creates real risks for clinicians and patients. In this episode of Voices in Nursing, Dr. Susan Weaver and Dr. Terri Wurmser discuss their research on nurse fatigue, drowsy driving, and the impact of poor sleep on care. They also share practical strategies such as power naps, improved scheduling, and organizational support to promote nurse well-being, reduce errors, and strengthen patient safety.This episode is sponsored by AACN’s Membership, offering members special discounts, clinical resources, and unlimited free CEs, with information on how to join available at www.aacn.org/discoveraacn
Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping healthcare, but what does that mean for nurses? In this episode, Dr. Carl Goforth, retired Navy nurse and educator, joins AACN’s Dr. Vicki Good and Andrea Schmitt to explore the promise and pitfalls of AI in nursing. From clinical decision support to ethical safeguards, Dr. Goforth shares how nurses can use AI as a supportive tool without losing their human touch at the bedside. Learn how to stay informed, safe and engaged in this new era.This episode is brought to you by AACN’s Knowledge Assessment Tool, helping educators identify knowledge gaps and educational needs of nurses new to the unit, or new to ICU or PCU patient care, with information available at www.aacn.org/assessnewnurse
Could silence in healthcare be as dangerous as a clinical mistake? Joseph Grenny, co-founder of Crucial Learning and co-author of “Crucial Conversations,“ joins AACN’s Dr. Vicki Good and Brandee Pak to unpack the updated Silence Kills 2.0 study. Together, they reveal why speaking up matters more than ever, how behavioral agility drives innovation, and practical ways nurses and leaders can build psychologically safe teams that strengthen care, trust and collaboration.This episode is sponsored by AACN’s Beacon Award for Excellence, offering unit-level recognition for exceptional units, with information available at www.aacn.org/unitrecognition
What if well-being wasn’t a program but a practice embedded in every corner of a health system? Kristi McClure shares how OhioHealth created a long-term, data-informed strategy for clinician well-being — years before the pandemic made it urgent. She discusses how they’ve scaled support across 16 hospitals, leveraged the power of peer connection, and how dog therapy can become a symbol of care culture that starts from within an organization.This episode is brought to you by AACN’s online course, Essentials of Critical Care Orientation or ECCO, providing modular, interactive case-based orientation for ICU or PCU patient care, with information available at www.aacn.org/orientationcc
Technology can be a powerful tool — especially if it truly supports the people using it. Dr. Sarah Rossetti, nurse informaticist and researcher, shares her work designing and studying digital systems in critical care. She discusses what happens when nurses shape technology from the ground up, why documentation fatigue matters, and how human-centered design can improve care delivery and nurse satisfaction.This episode is brought to you by AACN’s Online Nursing Community Forums, offering support, inspiration and sharing of best practices online, with information available at www.aacn.org/aacncommunities
Human trafficking often goes undetected — even in clinical settings. Forensic nurse Ashley McAree shares how healthcare professionals can recognize signs of trafficking, debunk common myths and offer trauma-informed care. Learn how her team in Maryland transformed their SAFE program to meet the needs of some of society’s most vulnerable patients and how nurses everywhere can take part in building safer, more responsive systems of care.This episode is sponsored by AACN’s award-winning, online leadership course, Fundamental Skills for Nurse Managers, with information available at www.aacn.org/managerskills
What if the key to reducing patient mortality lies in the workplace? Dr. Margo Brooks Carthon shares compelling research on how Healthy Work Environments empower nurses to deliver better outcomes—especially for patients facing social and economic barriers. This episode highlights how nurse-driven care, support, and advocacy can make a critical difference for underserved patients during health crises like COVID-19. A must-listen for every nurse-leader and changemaker.This episode is sponsored by AACN’s Certification, offering specialty, subspecialty or advanced practice board certification, with information available at www.aacn.org/getcertification
Authentic leadership is personal. In this episode, Allison Steuber and Ryan Miller share how they tailor recognition and support to meet each team member where they are — from new parents who are adjusting work hours to nurses preparing for advanced practice. Join hosts Andrea Schmitt and Dr. Vicki Good for a conversation on leading with intention and empathy. When we see the individual, we lead with authenticity — and that’s where real connection begins.This episode is sponsored by AACN’s online course, Fundamental Skills for Preceptors, with information available at www.aacn.org/preceptorskills
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 award-winning quarterly journal AACN Advanced Critical Care, with information available at www.aacn.org/advancedcc
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 change how you see your role.This episode is brought to you by AACN’s Clinical Scene Investigator Academy, providing the knowledge, skills and tools to lead innovation, with information available at www.aacn.org/csiaacn
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 identify knowledge gaps and the educational needs of nurses new to the unit, or new to ICU or PCU patient care. Information available at www.aacn.org/assessnewnurse
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 Community Forums, offering support, inspiration and sharing of best practices online, with information available at www.aacn.org/aacncommunities
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, and unlimited free CEs, with information on how to join available at www.aacn.org/discoveraacn
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 making.This episode is brought to you by AACN’s Online Nursing Community Forums, offering support, inspiration and sharing of best practices online, with information available at www.aacn.org/aacncommunities
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 Award for Excellence, offering recognition for exceptional units, with information available at www.aacn.org/unitrecognition
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-winning, online leadership course, Fundamental Skills for Nurse Managers, with information available at www.aacn.org/managerskills