What happens when nursing reaches communities with little access to surgical care? Laura Tice shares how volunteering with Mercy Ships challenged her clinical skills and expanded her perspective. With her deepened commitment to compassionate care, her story offers a powerful reminder that nursing expertise can transform lives no matter where patients live or what resources are available. 



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

Meet AACN President Tonka Williams as she shares the story behind the AACN theme: Every Voice. Every Story. Every Table. Drawing on lessons from her mother’s kitchen table and her years at the bedside, Tonka reflects on what it means to create spaces where nurses feel they belong, where every perspective matters and where listening can be one of a leader’s greatest strengths.

This episode is sponsored by AACN’s award-winning, online leadership course, Fundamental Skills for Nurse Managers, with information available at http://www.aacn.org/managerskills

Recorded live at NTI, this special “Voices in Nursing” episode explores how care in an awake and walking ICU shaped one young patient’s recovery after a devastating stroke at age 23. Kali Dayton is joined by ICU nurse Kaira Miller and former patient Molly Kratzer, whose connection grew into a lasting friendship. Together, they discuss how communication, compassionate care and the ABCDEF Bundle helped Molly feel safe, seen and motivated to heal — and why deep sedation may not always be the best choice for critically ill patients.

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

AI is influencing patient care, clinical alerts and nursing workflows whether nurses realize it or not. Jerri Westphal, RN, breaks down what nurses need to understand about AI, where safety risks can emerge and why their clinical judgment remains essential. From alert fatigue to “hallucinations,” this conversation explores how nurses can confidently navigate the growing role of AI in healthcare.

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

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