AACN Voices in Nursing Podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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