AACN Voices in Nursing Podcast

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

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

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

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

Thinking about a career in flight nursing? This episode is your liftoff. Veteran flight nurse Cindy Goodrich joins us to talk about the reality of caring for critically ill patients midair, how flight teams work together under pressure, and what nurses need to know before stepping into this high-intensity role. 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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