AACN Voices in Nursing Podcast

Ep. 039: Beyond Sedation - Reimagining ICU Care Through the ABCDEF Bundle (NTI Recording)

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 http://www.aacn.org/ecmo-coursewww.aacn.org/ecmo-course [http://www.aacn.org/ecmo-course]

Ep. 037: The Truth About AI at the Bedside

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 http://www.aacn.org/orientationccwww.aacn.org/orientationcc [http://www.aacn.org/orientationcc]

Ep. 036: Trauma-Informed Care With Dr. Melanie Gray

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 http://www.aacn.org/aacncommunitieswww.aacn.org/aacncommunities [http://www.aacn.org/aacncommunities].

Ep. 035: Nurse Leadership Well-Being That Drives Retention

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 http://www.aacn.org/managerskillswww.aacn.org/managerskills [http://www.aacn.org/managerskills]

Ep. 034: A Nurse’s Guide to Obstetric Critical Care in the ICU

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 http://www.aacn.org/careercenterwww.aacn.org/careercenter [http://www.aacn.org/careercenter]