AACN Voices in Nursing Podcast

AACN Voices in Nursing Podcast

Join critical care nurses in conversation with leaders, innovators and influencers as they discuss how nurses can and do shape healthcare.

Ep. 045: What It Takes to Nurse Through a Disaster
AACN Voices in Nursing Podcast
Ep. 045: What It Takes to Nurse Through a Disaster

Recent Episodes

45
Oct. 7, 2026

Ep. 045: What It Takes to Nurse Through a Disaster

When disaster strikes, nurses may have to build a field hospital and make high-stakes decisions far from familiar systems. Critical care nurse Mary Jo Kelly takes listeners inside a Disaster Medical Assistance Team, revealing what deployment really demands when resources are limited. She explains how ICU skills translate in the field, what nurses should prepare before answering the call and how they recover after serving communities on their worst days. It is nursing beyond routine. This episod
44
Sept. 15, 2026

Ep. 044: When Nurses Shape Technology

Mary Joy Garcia Dia traces the unexpected path that took her from the bedside to the forefront of nursing informatics. She reflects on what technology can make possible when nurses help shape it, why virtual nursing can create meaningful patient interactions and how bedside clinicians can influence the systems they use every day. Her message is clear: Technology should extend nursing care, not compete with it. This episode is sponsored by the award-winning quarterly journal: AACN’s Advanced C
43
Sept. 1, 2026

Ep. 043: Sepsis Recovery Beyond Discharge

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
42
Aug. 19, 2026

Ep. 042: Recognizing Sepsis Before It's Too Late

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 quarterl
41
Aug. 4, 2026

Ep. 041: A Nurse’s Journey With Mercy Ships

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, a
40
July 14, 2026

Ep. 040: Every Voice, Every Story, Every Table With Tonka Williams

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