AACN Voices in Nursing Podcast

Sepsis survivor Rebecca Ferguson shares the hidden reality of post-sepsis syndrome and the years-long toll it took on her life. She reflects on the support that helped her survive, the gaps she encountered after discharge and the difficult path toward recovery. Her story urges nurses to look beyond the immediate crisis and recognize that healing may continue long after a patient leaves the hospital. 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

Sepsis remains one of healthcare's greatest challenges, because early recognition can change a patient's outcome. Sara McMannus of Sepsis Alliance discusses why awareness matters for every nurse, shares the personal experiences that fuel her advocacy, and explains how nurses can strengthen early identification through clinical judgment, education and teamwork. Learn practical takeaways that support safer care across every practice setting. This episode is sponsored by the award-winning quarterly journal: AACN’s Advanced Critical Care, with information available at www.aacn.org/advancedcc

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

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

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

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

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

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