Nurse Executive Podcast

In this episode, Nick Chmielewski speaks with Lindsay Iverson, DNP, APRN-NP, ACNP-BC, CHSE, an associate professor at Creighton University College of Nursing. They discuss Creighton's RX24 chatbot, designed to help nursing students master challenging antimicrobial pharmacology content by providing 24/7 evidence-based tutoring and feedback, and plans to expand its scope and accessibility. They also explore broader applications of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots and avatars in healthcare education and clinical practice, which aim to improve student outcomes, knowledge retention, and patient care.

In this episode, Nick Chmielewski speaks with Rich Bajner, a managing director and leader of BRG's Integrated Health Solutions practice. They explore current trends and challenges in the healthcare industry, emphasizing the importance of integrated health solutions and collaboration among providers and insurers. Their discussion highlights the evolving roles of clinical leadership, impact of demographic changes, and need for innovative business models to address workforce and care delivery demands.

In this episode, Nick Chmielewski speaks with Susan Stacey, MBA, RN, FACHE, chief executive of the Providence Inland Northwest Washington Service Area. They discuss strategies to sustain joy and resilience in demanding healthcare leadership roles, including focusing on solutions rather than problems occurring in the workplace.

In this episode, Nick Chmielewski speaks with David Corbin, CPP, CHPA, owner and principal consultant at Dynamic Security Strategies, LLC. They discuss his recent white paper "Ten Low to No Cost Ways to Prevent Violence" and topics including reporting violence; creating a supportive environment between staff and teams; and utilizing human resources, security, or an employee assistance program (EAP) when necessary.

Nick Chmielewski speaks with Garrett Hartinger, DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC, emergency department clinical nurse specialist at Henry Ford Warren Hospital in Warren, Michigan. They discuss improving sepsis outcomes, as sepsis is the leading cause of death in American hospitals. Dr. Hartinger explains that verifying the completion of SCP1 standards of care—the comprehensive approach to the management of sepsis—is an important initial step.

In this episode, Nick Chmielewski speaks with Bryan Cote, a managing director on BRG's Healthcare Transactions & Strategy team. They discuss market trends and factors affecting mental health, including cost, treatment, models, and developments over the years.

In this episode, Nick Chmielewski welcomes back James Ballinghoff DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, chief nurse executive (CNE) of the University of Pennsylvania Health System and assistant dean for Clinical Practice at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. They discuss leadership development strategies for the middle manager, including attending conferences, enrolling in online courses, earning advanced degrees, and mentorship.

In this episode, Nick Chmielewski speaks with Ernest J. Grant, PhD, DSc(h), RN, FADLN, FAAN, vice dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Duke University School of Nursing. He is a past president—and the first male to serve in this position—of the American Nurses Association. They discuss Ernest's personal perspective and the impact of being a male nurse, who make up about 12 percent of the nursing population.

In this Clinical Nurse Specialist Week episode, Nick Chmielewski speaks with Rick Bassett, MSN, RN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, FCNS, LSSGB, president of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS). They discuss leveraging clinical nurse specialists for organizational success, starting with creating workflows and protocols and ensuring staff has the tools, knowledge, and resources to succeed. Additionally, incorporating mentorship programs allows nursing staff to build professional and personal relationships.

Nick Chmielewski speaks with Alan Vierling, DNP, RN, CENP, a former administrator at Alaska Native Medical Center, the referral center for Alaska Native and American Indian people living in Alaska. They discuss leadership approaches when working with vulnerable patient populations, including listening to patients and understanding environmental impacts—in this case, food insecurity.

Nick Chmielewski speaks with Kory Scheideman, BSN, RN, CEN, CPEN, TCRN, FAEN, clinical nurse manager of UCHealth's Harmony Freestanding Emergency Department. They discuss the incidence and prevalence of opiate use disorder, as well as key attributes of successful medication-assisted treatment programs.

In this episode, Nick Chmielewski speaks with Jeff Leibach, a managing director and leader of BRG's Revenue Strategy Services team. They dive into the fundamentals of managed care, including revenue strategy, charge capture, volume and patient mix, and questions to consider when evaluating your facility departments.

In this episode, Nick Chmielewski welcomes back Lisa Wolf, PhD, RN, CEN, FAEN, FAAN, a tenured professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. They discuss her recently published study on "Medical-Legal Communication Among Emergency Nurses in States With Abortion Bans" in the Journal of Nursing Administration. The study focused on how emergency nurses receive and share information about practice concerns related to abortion bans.

In this episode, Nick Chmielewski speaks with Anna Valdez, PhD, RN, FAEN, FAADN, professor and chair of nursing at Sonoma State University and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Emergency Nursing. They discuss executive essentials in promoting peer-reviewed publications, focusing on strategies for leaders in nonacademic medical centers. Dr. Valdez notes that utilizing writing accountability groups, leveraging mentors and nursing staff, and creating team incentives are effective ways to begin the publication process.

Nick Chmielewski speaks with Jennifer Johnson, BSCN, RN, author of books including Nursing Intuition: How to Trust Your Gut, Save Your Sanity, and Survive Your Career. They discuss the importance of nurses connecting with their intuition—an essential tool for managing the high stress of the job, protecting mental health, and enhancing patient care.

In this episode, Nick Chmielewski speaks with David Wildebrandt, a partner and managing director at BRG. They discuss key findings from BRG's recent 2025 US Healthcare & Life Sciences Transactions Outlook report, including transactional evolution and industry disruptors.

Nick Chmielewski speaks with Caroline Segovia-Marquez, MBA, BSN, RN, ACM, CMAC, a managing consultant on BRG's Care Transitions team. They discuss how targeting lower case mix index (CMI) diagnostic-related groups (DRGs) can be effective to improve length of stay. Prior to admission, the team must manage all points of entry to ensure that patients are admitted appropriately and assigned the correct status.

In this Nurse's Week episode, Nick Chmielewski welcomes back Katie Boston-Leary, PhD, MBA, MHA, RN, NEA-BC, senior vice president of Equity and Engagement at the American Nurses Association (ANA). They discuss ANA's recently released document regarding the principles of virtual nursing—meaning leveraging technology and tools, including artificial intelligence, to deliver quality care through communication and collaboration across the continuum of care.

Nick Chmielewski speaks with Kamela Kolander, LMSW, CCM, a consultant on BRG's Care Transitions team. They discuss how targeting specific care units prior to providing care can be an effective strategy to reduce length of stay by considering patient data, facility and patient demographics, payer and provider mix, and potential unit barriers.

Nick Chmielewski speaks with Amanda Kirkpatrick, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate dean for Research and Innovation and a Criss and Beirne Endowed Professor of Nursing, a joint appointment by Creighton University College of Nursing and CHI Health. They discuss ways to bridge gaps between universities and health systems, including building connections between faculty and nurse leaders, developing formal education and workshops for professionals, and accessing research and expertise.