Nursing the System

In this episode, I’m walking you through a pattern I’ve seen over and over again—not just in healthcare, but across all kinds of systems: the cycle of disempowerment. It’s what happens when we bring up ideas or try to push for change, and we keep hearing “no” until we eventually stop speaking up. I’ll break down why this cycle happens, how to recognize it, and what you can do to break out of it—both for yourself and the people around you.

• What the cycle of disempowerment looks like in action (and why it's so common in healthcare)
• The 5-stage framework that explains why we stop bringing ideas forward
• How our own protective responses unintentionally reinforce stagnant systems
• What to say to coworkers and leaders when you notice this pattern
• A practical, compassionate strategy to reclaim your voice—without burning out

• Repeatedly being told “no” changes our behavior—even when we care deeply.
• Emotional withdrawal is protective, but it also keeps our systems stuck.
• Sometimes the cycle isn’t a leadership issue—it’s a culture issue.
• Speaking up again requires both courage and strategy—and it's okay to start small.

If you’ve been feeling disengaged at work—or watching your team shut down—this episode might name something you’ve struggled to articulate. Listen with curiosity and self-compassion. You’re not broken. But there is a way forward.

• Ask yourself: “Where have I stopped trying—and why?”
• Share this episode with a colleague and start a real conversation about what’s keeping you stuck
• Use the scripts I share to name the pattern (with your team or your boss)
• Reframe “no” as data—not a reflection of your value
• Decide: is it time to shift your strategy… or shift your environment?

• Share this episode with a coworker and talk about where you’ve both felt shut down
• DM me on Instagram @nursing.the.system if you want help navigating this
• Subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss future mindset + leadership tools
• Leave a review if this helped you—it really does help the show reach more nurse leaders

If you've ever felt like you were handed the keys to a leadership role and left to figure it out on your own—this one's for you. In today’s episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the making of Nurse Leader HQ, a brand new 6-month mentorship and mastermind for nurse leaders who are done winging it and ready to lead with clarity, strategy, and support. You’ll hear why I built this, what makes it different, and what you can expect inside this high-touch container.

• The real gap in leadership support that Nurse Leader HQ is designed to fill
• Why private coaching alone isn’t enough to meet the growing needs of nurse leaders
• The 3-part structure of the program: private coaching, mastermind community, and leadership lab
• What’s included inside the program—and who it’s built for
• A behind-the-scenes coaching conversation with a graduating client (that might just make you cry)

• Being a great nurse doesn’t automatically prepare you to lead in complex systems.
• You’re not behind—you just haven’t had the right support yet.
• Leadership growth takes time, but you shouldn’t have to figure it out alone.
• The best leaders build their systems before they burn out.

Whether you're already in a formal role or you’re preparing to step into one, listen with an open mind to what kind of support you actually need—not just what you’ve been offered. Ask yourself: what would be different in your workday if you had a space to process, strategize, and grow?

• Join the Waitlist for Nurse Leader HQ: Applications open June 2 at 8am PT—waitlist members get first access
• Assess Your Leadership Support: Are you being mentored, or are you just managing?
• Block Time for Strategic Work: Start practicing what we teach inside NLHQ now—set aside calendar space for long-term thinking
• Reflect: What would your future self thank you for learning now?

🚨 Nurse Leader HQ Applications Open June 2

This is a small, high-touch cohort (only 5–7 spots). If you're even considering applying, get on the waitlist now so you can review all the details and be ready when the link goes live.

• ✅ Join the Nurse Leader HQ Waitlist
• 📩 DM me on Instagram @nursing.the.system with any questions

If you are curious how I juggle a corporate leadership role and run Nursing the System, this episode is for you!

In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and walking you through exactly how I structure my week—day by day, hour by hour. This is the behind-the-scenes of how I balance strategic leadership, client coaching, content creation, and actual human needs like sleep, fitness, and friendship.

Whether you’re in a high-capacity season yourself or just craving more intention in how you manage your energy and calendar, this episode is a deep dive into systems-thinking for your life.

• My full weekly routine—from Monday meetings to weekend voice notes and podcasting
• How I break down work by energy level and environment (and why that matters)
• Why I’m intentionally not aiming for balance in 2025—and what I’m optimizing for instead
• The 3 types of work nurse leaders must design for: Recurring, Reactive, and Strategic
• How I protect space for long-term planning while still staying responsive

• Systems thinking isn’t just for patient care—it works for time management, too.
• If your calendar doesn’t reflect your goals, your weeks won’t produce the life you want.
• Nurse leaders often spend too much time in reactive mode. Carve out time for strategic work on purpose.
• Your week doesn’t have to be “balanced”—it has to be aligned with your season, values, and vision.
• Calendaring is leadership. And you can design your calendar to work with your energy instead of against it.

Start with these reflection questions:

• What’s recurring in your work and life? What days/times are best for those tasks?
• What’s strategic and needs deep thinking time? Where can you protect space for that?
• What’s reactive, and how can you buffer time to handle it without derailing everything else?

Then ask:

• When is my energy highest for focused work?
• Where do I need community, rest, or creative time to feel like a human?

Design around your own data—not someone else’s ideal week.

📝 Nurse Leader Headquarters – Join the Waitlist

• A high-touch, small-cohort leadership program for nurse managers who are ready to lead with clarity, strategy, and confidence. Applications open June 2.

📥 System Sunday Email List

• Weekly voice notes turned into grounded, honest emails—designed to help you reset and reorient each week as a nurse changemaker.

• Follow Claire on IG: @nursing.the.system

Episode Overview:

Today’s episode is personal and powerful. After a string of frustrating public encounters in my (usually peaceful!) Dutch city, I started thinking about bullies—and how very present they are in nursing and healthcare.

If you’ve ever been bullied, witnessed it, or had to manage someone who bullies others, this episode is for you.

We’re talking about:

• Why bullies act the way they do
• What bullying looks like in a professional setting
• How to hold the line (without losing yourself)
• Why rooting it out early matters—for the health of your team, culture, and leadership

• Why bullying is a reflection of their wounds, not your worth
• What workplace bullying looks like (hint: it’s not just “being mean”)
• How a zero-tolerance approach protects your team from dysfunction and disrepair
• What to say in the moment to shut it down with composure
• How to lead through bullying—whether you’re the manager or a team member

• Bullies thrive in silence. Speaking up is a service to your team.
• You don’t need to “fix” a bully—but you do need to hold your dignity and the line.
• You can feel empathy without excusing behavior.
• Boundaries are leadership tools, not just personal preferences.
• Culture is shaped by what we tolerate. If we don't stop bullying, it spreads.

• Where are you tolerating disrespect because it feels easier than confronting it?
• What’s one small boundary you can reinforce this week to flex that leadership muscle?
• How can you be part of a culture where bullies lose their power?

• “It seems like you’re having a rough day. I’m going to need you to handle that elsewhere.”
• “I’m surprised you felt comfortable saying that out loud.”
• “I understand you’re frustrated, but I will not allow you to speak to me like that.”

(These are calm. Direct. Non-negotiable.)

My new program Nurse Leader Headquarters is opening for applications in June! This is a high-impact program designed to give nurse leaders the strategic tools, support, and confidence you should have gotten when you first stepped into your role.

🎯 Get on the waitlist now to:

• Be the first to hear details
• Secure first dibs on limited seats
• Get insider-only updates and early access

👉 JOIN NOW

• Follow me on IG: @nursing.the.system
• Join the System Sunday email crew: For real talk, mindset shifts, and system-savvy strategy delivered weekly.

Welcome back! This week we’re diving into something that high achievers (like me and probably you) struggle with: saying no. If you’ve ever found yourself overcommitted, running on empty, or constantly feeling like the "go-to person," this episode is for you.

We’re unpacking why we struggle to say no, how to filter what you say yes to, and why setting boundaries isn’t selfish—it’s strategic leadership. If you’ve been stuck in overcommitment mode, let’s shift into something more sustainable.

• The cultural stories that make us feel like we have to say yes—and why they’re holding you back.
• A 3-part filter to help you decide what’s worth your time, energy, and attention.
• Why being overcommitted actually dilutes your impact (and how to stop it).
• How to use the Value Add Spectrum to figure out what’s no longer serving you.
• Real-life examples of how I’ve set (and held) boundaries—yes, even with the COO.
• How boundaries help you shift from a reactive leader to a proactive one who leads with intention.

• Saying no is not selfish—it’s a leadership skill that protects your capacity to lead well.
• If everything’s important, nothing is. You have to filter and prioritize to show up fully.
• Boundaries don’t just happen—you build the muscle by practicing (yes, even when it’s uncomfortable).
• You are your best systems change asset—don’t dilute your power with misaligned yeses.

1. Mission Fit: Does this align with where you’re headed?
2. Capacity Check: Can you do this well without draining yourself or hurting your bigger goals?
3. Fun Factor: Will this bring meaning, satisfaction, or joy to your life? (Not everything has to be a grind.)

• Rate your current commitments from -10 to +10 based on how much value you actually bring.
• Anything below a +5? Reevaluate.
• Anything at 0 or negative? Let it go.

Use this episode as a gut check. What are you holding onto out of guilt, fear, or habit? Grab a notebook, list your current commitments, and run them through the filter. You’ll walk away with more clarity—and maybe fewer things on your plate.

• Professional Mission Clarity: Download my free Professional Mission Statement Blueprint to get laser-focused on where you’re headed.
• New Program Alert: A leadership program for nurse leaders is coming soon. If you want to build boundaries, lead strategically, and stop drowning in everyone else’s priorities—join the interest list now to get first access.

• Follow on Instagram: @nursing.the.system
• Subscribe to System Sunday: Sign Up Here
• DM Me: What’s something you’re saying no to this week? Let me know how this landed for you.

Welcome back to the pod! Today’s episode is for nurse leaders who’ve ever felt like they’ve lost themselves in the demands of leadership. Whether you're burning out trying to fill every gap for your team, or you’ve drifted too far from the bedside and feel disconnected from why you started—this is for you.

I’m walking you through why this happens and how to get back to yourself, without stepping away from your role. You’ll learn how to realign your personal priorities with your organization’s mission, so you can lead with clarity, purpose, and energy again.

We’ll get practical with two reflection questions you can use today, plus I’m sharing a sneak peek into something special I’ve got brewing for nurse leaders like you.

• Why so many nurse leaders feel like they’ve lost themselves in the role—and how to tell if you’re one of them
• The difference between being dedicated and being depleted, and how to stop sacrificing your own needs for the team
• How to reconnect with why you became a leader in the first place, even in a high-pressure environment
• Two powerful questions to help you realign your personal goals with your leadership responsibilities
• What it means to be a systems thinking leader—and how to show up for your team and yourself at the same time

• Leadership without self-connection leads to burnout. You matter in the equation too.
• You can care deeply about your team and still have personal goals that fuel your work.
• Aligning your organization’s mission with your own priorities will center you and help you lead sustainably.
• Leadership isn’t about losing yourself—it’s about bringing your whole self to the role, strategically and intentionally.

1. What is the primary organizational priority that your team needs to focus on right now?
2. How does this organizational priority connect to a personal priority you have as a professional?

Start here. Get honest. Then build your leadership plan around BOTH.

This isn’t just something to listen to passively. Grab a notebook or open your notes app and answer those two questions. Come back to them weekly if you need to. When your goals and your organization’s goals are running parallel, you don’t lose yourself—you grow.

If this episode resonated with you, and you’ve been craving more support as a nurse leader, I’ve got something exciting on the horizon. A new program just for nurse leaders is in the works. If you want to be the first to hear about it (and get your first clue), join the super secret nurse leader waitlist.

• Follow on Instagram: @nursing.the.system
• Subscribe to System Sunday: Sign Up Here

🎙 Episode Overview:

This episode started with a Free Advice Friday question about time management—but the real issue? A much deeper systems problem. I take you through a real-world case study of an ICU nurse floated to an ED observation unit with a 1:7 ratio, and use it as a launch point to unpack the real layers behind “not enough time.” This one’s for the nurses doing their best inside broken systems—and for the leaders ready to do better.

🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why time management strategies won’t fix a misaligned workload
• How to differentiate between sufficient and optimal care
• Practical mindset shifts and strategies for overwhelmed nurses
• What nurse leaders can do right now to reduce team burnout
• The 3 levels every sustainable staffing strategy needs to address

🧠 Key Ideas to Take With You:

• You are not failing—your system might just be misaligned.
• Sufficient care isn’t substandard care. It’s the right care for right now.
• Managing stress is a clinical skill, not just self-care.
• Leaders need to define, communicate, and defend realistic standards.
• Sustainable systems are designed. They don’t happen by accident.

🎧 How to Get the Most Out of This Podcast:

If you’ve ever left a shift feeling like you barely kept your head above water, this episode is for you. Listen with curiosity—not self-blame—and take note of which level (nurse, unit leader, or system leader) you have influence over. Spoiler: it’s probably more than you think.

📣 Special Announcement:

If you’re not already getting my System Sunday emails, make sure to sign up. Each week I send out quick, actionable insights to help nurse leaders and changemakers lead with strategy, clarity, and a little bit more calm.

📲 Call to Action:

• Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review—it helps other nurses find this free resource.
• Share this episode with a colleague or leader who needs to hear it.
• DM me on Instagram with your own workplace challenge—I might feature it in a future episode. You can also fill out the form here to have you question featured on the pod!
• Sign up for System Sunday to get weekly tips and stories straight to your inbox.

🛠️ Practical Actions You Can Take:

1. Reframe your shift with the “Sufficient vs. Optimal” lens

Before beating yourself up for not doing more, ask: What does sufficient look like today? Did I hit that bar? Great—job done.

2. Take a two-minute reset mid-shift

Stress compounds. Set a reminder to hydrate, breathe, and check in with your thinking. Ask: Am I moving fast… but thinking less clearly?

3. Identify your guilt voice—and challenge it

If you’re expecting inpatient-level care on a transitional unit with no tech support… that guilt isn’t yours to carry. Write it down. Release it.

4. Ask leadership-level questions (even if you’re not in leadership)

Is this unit designed for sufficiency? Are expectations aligned with reality? Am I intervening where I have influence?

5. If you’re a nurse leader: get clear, get vocal, and get upstream

Define sufficiency for your team. Monitor the signs of burnout. Coach your people through the hard days—and advocate where you can make change.

🎙 Episode Overview:

In this episode, I’m diving into one of my favorite (and most important) topics: workplace conflict. Whether you’re in healthcare or corporate, conflict is inevitable—and yet most of us never learned how to handle it well. I’ll walk you through a simple framework I use to navigate and coach others through conflict, the hidden trap of triangulation, and how leaders can shift from emotional labor to real coaching.

🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• How to recognize the difference between indirect and direct repair—and why it matters.
• What triangulation looks like in real life and how it quietly erodes trust and team culture.
• Scripts and strategies you can use to navigate hard conversations with more clarity and confidence.
• Why conflict avoidance creates more stress (not less), and what to do instead.
• How to coach your team through conflict without carrying it for them.

🧠 Key Ideas to Take With You:

• Indirect repair might feel easier in the moment, but it weakens relationships over time.
• Triangulation often looks like “processing,” but it’s really avoidance in disguise.
• Direct repair doesn’t have to be aggressive—it’s often soft, grounded, and kind.
• As a leader, your ability to model and coach conflict resolution sets the tone for your entire team.

🎧 How to Get the Most Out of This Podcast:

Think back to a recent moment of tension at work. As you listen, reflect on how you typically handle conflict—then ask yourself what it would look like to try a different approach. If you lead a team, keep your coaching hat on.

📲 Call to Action:

• Subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode.
• DM me on Instagram and tell me what this episode brought up for you—I’d love to hear it.
• Share this episode with a teammate or leader who needs a fresh perspective on handling conflict.
• Sign up for System Sunday for more tools, stories, and strategies each week.

👉 Resources Mentioned:

• System Sunday Newsletter – Your weekly dose of strategy and sanity for leading change
• Changemaker Essentials – Learn foundational leadership skills, including conflict resolution
• Map Your Impact Mini Course – Reflective tools for building your leadership identity

Hey friends, welcome back to Nursing the System. Today’s episode is a bit different. Instead of my usual deep dive into leadership frameworks or strategies, I’m sharing something more personal—a real talk moment from my System Sunday email series.

This week, I’m reflecting on my worst week at work so far—one where I dropped balls, struggled to communicate clearly, and just didn’t feel like I was on my game. I’ll read you the email I sent to my list, and then share some insights on why giving yourself grace during tough weeks is essential for long-term resilience as a leader.

• How to recover from a rough week at work without spiraling
• The importance of self-compassion when you care deeply about doing good work
• Why taking one small action to repair a mistake can make a big difference
• How to reframe failure and move forward with confidence
• Three reflection questions to help you reset after a tough week

• You don’t have to be perfect to be impactful—own your mistakes, repair what you can, and keep moving forward
• Self-compassion is essential for anyone doing hard work and leading change
• One small act of repair can stop an imposter spiral and help you end your week on a more grounded note
• Reflect and reset—don’t let one bad week make you question your entire professional journey

Think about a time when you had an off week. How did you handle it? Did you give yourself grace, or did you let guilt linger? As you listen, reflect on how you can practice self-compassion the next time things don’t go as planned.

1. Acknowledge the Mistake: Own it without over-apologizing.
2. Repair and Move On: Take one small action to make amends and reduce your mental load.
3. Reflect Without Judging: Ask yourself what you learned from the experience rather than dwelling on what went wrong.
4. Reset for the Week Ahead: Treat Monday as a fresh start—leave last week’s guilt behind.
5. Use Self-Compassion Questions:

• What would it look like to give yourself grace for how you showed up?
• What’s one lesson you can take from the hard moments?
• If you walked into tomorrow guilt-free, how would that change your day?

💌 If this episode resonated, make sure you’re subscribed to my System Sunday emails. They’re short, honest reflections designed to give you clarity and energy for the week ahead. Sign up via the link in the show notes!

• Follow me on Instagram: @nursing.the.system
• Subscribe to System Sunday: Sign up here
• Share Your Story or Ask a Question: DM me or fill out the Google form if you want to share your own tough week story or as a question for a chance to be featured on the pod!

🎙 Episode Overview

Hey there, changemakers! In this episode, I’m diving into a career path that doesn’t get talked about enough for nurse leaders—working at a scale-up. If you’re feeling stuck in a bureaucratic system or frustrated by the slow pace of change in healthcare, this episode will give you a fresh perspective.

I’ll share insights from my own journey into the scale-up world, how these companies differ from startups and corporations, and why nurses who thrive on innovation can make a huge impact here.

• What a scale-up actually is and how it fits between a startup and a corporation
• Why nurses are uniquely equipped to thrive in a scale-up environment
• The types of work you’ll do—from building systems to cross-functional collaboration
• How to know if a scale-up is right for you based on your personality and work style
• My personal experience transitioning from hospital leadership to a health tech scale-up

• Scale-ups thrive on innovation—if you’re tired of hearing “That’s how we’ve always done it,” this might be the space for you
• You’ll see the impact of your work right away—no 18-month pilots or 12-person committees
• Professional development is a priority—leadership growth happens now, not five years from now
• You’re building the scaffolding for future growth—not just brainstorming ideas but making real, scalable systems
• Cross-functional influence is key—you’ll work with diverse teams like marketing, engineering, and product design

Think about your current work environment. Are you feeling stifled by red tape? Do your ideas often feel ahead of your team’s pace? Are you craving a faster, more flexible environment where you can test new ideas? This episode is all about finding the right context to match your energy and innovation mindset.

1. Self-Reflect: Ask yourself if you enjoy fast-paced environments and building something from the ground up.
2. Research Scale-Ups: Look into local and remote opportunities that align with your skills.
3. Reach Out: Connect with nurse leaders working in scale-ups to hear firsthand what it’s like.
4. Explore Professional Development: Seek out companies that actively invest in leadership and innovation training.
5. Take the Leap: If a scale-up sounds like your jam, don’t be afraid to make a bold career move.

💡 Got questions about working at a scale-up or navigating your own career path?

I’d love to hear from you! Fill out the Google form linked in the show notes to share your thoughts or ask questions. Your input helps shape future episodes!

• DM me on Instagram at @nursing.the.system with your thoughts on today’s episode.
• Join my Systems Sunday email list for your weekly dose of strategy and sanity for nurses leading change in healthcare.
• Subscribe, Rate & Review the podcast—it helps me reach more nurse changemakers.
• Explore the Map Your Impact Mini-Course: Use code MYI10Off to get it for just $29.

• Map Your Impact Mini-Course: Get it here
• Follow me on Instagram: @nursing.the.system
• System Sunday Newsletter: Sign up here
• Google Form for Questions: Submit here