Trauma shapes patient behavior and nurse well-being in ways we often overlook. Dr. Melanie Gray explains how trauma-informed care helps nurses recognize triggers, recognize and avoid personal prejudices and respond with intention. Learn practical strategies to manage secondary trauma, strengthen communication and create safer, more supportive care environments. A trauma-informed approach not only improves patient outcomes but also builds resilience, retention and healthier teams across healthcare settings.

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.

Nurse leaders face relentless demands that often leave little room for self-care. In this episode, Dr. Robbin Young shares practical strategies to address leader burnout, from structured well-being initiatives to fostering a culture where rest and support are prioritized. Explore how investing in leadership health creates a ripple effect: strengthening teams, improving retention and elevating patient care outcomes across organizations.

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

Caring for a pregnant patient in the ICU can feel overwhelming — after all, you're supporting two lives at once. In this episode, Julie Kruithof breaks down a simple, memorable framework — the 3 Ps — to help you stay grounded in high-stakes moments. From understanding normal physiologic changes to building the best partnerships and plan, you’ll gain practical insights to provide support safe, confident care throughout the stages of pregnancy and postpartum.



This episode is sponsored by AACN’s Career Center, offering career resources, free resume reviews and personalized job alerts, with information available at www.aacn.org/careercenter

Bullying and incivility remain persistent challenges in healthcare, affecting nurses’ well-being, team dynamics and patient safety. In this episode, AACN podcast hosts speak with Dr. Renee Thompson, founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute, about why disruptive behaviors occur and how they differ from bullying. She shares practical strategies for nurses and leaders to address harmful behaviors, strengthen accountability, and build cultures grounded in respect, professionalism and psychological safety.

This episode is sponsored by AACN’s online course Fundamental Skills for Preceptors, with information available at www.aacn.org/preceptorskills

Night-shift fatigue increases the risk of nurse burnout, patient errors and drowsy driving, yet many hospitals still prohibit on-shift rest. In this episode, Dr. Pamela Linds and PJ Eschbach share how they implemented a research-based nurse napping program to improve patient safety, retention and night-shift wellness. Learn how to overcome policy barriers, engage HR and leadership, and use a practical fatigue mitigation toolkit in your organization.

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

Dr. Karen Cox, president of Chamberlain University and former president of the American Academy of Nursing, reflects on a leadership journey shaped by empathy, curiosity and a commitment to nurse well-being. In this episode, she explores the power of listening, shared governance and bold advocacy. Discover how her early experiences continue to guide her leadership style and why amplifying the nursing voice, especially in times of crisis, continues to guide her approach to leadership.

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

At 23, Erika Breivogel, an ICU nurse, experienced a sudden illness that made her a patient. In this episode, Erika recounts her harrowing experience with delirium, including vivid hallucinations and fear, and how her story reveals critical gaps in symptom recognition, prevention and care. Learn why early mobility, reorientation and compassionate nursing are key not only to managing patients in the fog, but also preventing the onset and severity of ICU delirium. 



This episode is sponsored by AACN’s Certification, offering specialty, subspecialty or advanced practice board certification, with information available at www.aacn.org/getcertification

This gripping episode follows Andrea Schmitt, a critical care nurse who faced sudden heart failure days after delivery. Diagnosed with postpartum cardiomyopathy, she went from caregiver to patient in a heartbeat. Her story reveals how easily this rare condition can be missed and how nurses can save lives by recognizing the signs early. Tune in for lifesaving insights every nurse should bring to their next shift.



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

Virtual nursing is transforming healthcare delivery, but misconceptions remain. Paul Malito, University of Alabama at Birmingham eMedicine, talks about real-world examples of how virtual nursing strengthens rather than replaces bedside care. This episode explores how virtual nursing improves workflow, mentoring, nurse satisfaction, retention and patient outcomes while giving bedside nurses more time for direct patient 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

Explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in nursing with two visionary nurse leaders, Dr. Olena Svetlov and Dr. Fiona Winterbottom. From early-warning systems to wearable tech and even robotics, the conversation dives into how AI can reshape clinical workflows, improve patient outcomes and empower nurses. 

This episode is sponsored by the award-winning quarterly journal AACN Advanced Critical Care, with information available at www.aacn.org/advancedcc