What does it take to build a nursing culture where people want to stay, grow, and lead?

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Cheryl Reinking, Chief Nursing Officer at El Camino Health, to explore Cheryl’s journey from bedside nursing to executive leadership and the lessons she has learned along the way.

Cheryl shares how trust became one of the most important skills in her leadership career, why strong partnerships between healthcare organizations and academia are needed to better prepare new nurses, and why investing in the workforce can have a direct impact on retention, cost, and patient outcomes.

She also explains how El Camino Health reduced nurse turnover, why shared governance matters, and how nurses can use data, evidence, and professional organizations to strengthen their voice in healthcare policy and legislation.

This conversation offers practical insight for nurse leaders who want to strengthen their teams, influence change, and create environments where nurses can thrive.

What happens when nurses move beyond simply doing the work and begin shaping the future of healthcare?

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Dr. Kimberly Perris to explore her journey from bedside nursing to academic leadership and the experiences that ultimately led her to build and lead nursing programs.

Dr. Perris shares why curiosity became a turning point in her career, how nursing education and clinical practice can work more closely together, and why healthcare leaders must be willing to rethink traditional approaches as the needs of students, nurses, and patients continue to evolve.

The conversation also explores navigating competing priorities with limited resources, remembering your "North Star" when day-to-day demands become overwhelming, and the importance of nurses having a voice beyond the bedside.

Dr. Perris also discusses why nurses do not need to be policy experts to participate in legislative conversations. By showing up, sharing their experiences, and telling the stories of nursing's impact, nurses can help decision-makers better understand the realities of healthcare.

This episode is a thoughtful conversation about purpose, partnership, advocacy, and preparing nurses to lead meaningful change across healthcare and education.

What does five decades in nursing teach you about leadership?

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Dr. Rosanne Raso to explore the defining moments that shaped her 50-year nursing career and her journey into executive leadership.

Rosanne shares how unexpected opportunities led her from clinical nursing into leadership, the lessons she learned while serving as a Chief Nursing Officer, and why achieving Magnet designation at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell became one of the proudest moments of her career.

They also discuss managing competing priorities without losing sight of personal wellbeing, the value of delegation, and how nurse leaders can have a stronger voice in healthcare policy and advocacy.

This conversation is filled with practical lessons for nurses and healthcare leaders looking to grow their influence, protect their wellbeing, and make a meaningful impact on the future of healthcare.

What does it take to grow from bedside nursing into executive leadership while staying connected to the people and purpose at the heart of healthcare?

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Dr. Jessica Laughlin, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President at UCI Health, to explore the experiences that shaped her path as a nurse and healthcare leader.

Jessica shares how an unconventional journey through music, education, technology, and other careers ultimately led her to nursing and gave her skills she continues to draw on as an executive. She and Kimberly discuss strengthening collaboration between academic institutions and clinical practice, creating opportunities for experienced bedside nurses to help educate the next generation, and the importance of nurses using their trusted voices to influence healthcare conversations.

Jessica also explores the responsibility that comes with representing the nursing profession, the power of storytelling in advocacy, and why understanding logical fallacies can help nurses become stronger critical thinkers and communicators.

This conversation is a thoughtful look at leadership, advocacy, education, and what it means to help move the nursing profession forward.

What does it take to lead nursing at the executive level while staying connected to the realities of care at the bedside?

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Long sits down with Robert Boesch, DNP, RN, CENP, CPHQ, FAONL, Chief Nursing Officer for Emory University Hospital and Emory University Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital.

Dr. Boesch shares his journey from pediatric nursing and bone marrow transplant care to executive nursing leadership, including the defining career decisions and unexpected opportunities that helped shape his path.

The conversation explores how healthcare organizations and academic institutions can better prepare the next generation of nurses, why emerging technologies need to become part of nursing education, and how nurse leaders can balance workforce investment, innovation, financial pressures, and patient care.

Dr. Boesch also explains why he intentionally returns to the frontline each week to work alongside clinical nurses - and why he believes nursing executives should never lose their connection to care delivery.

The discussion also turns to advocacy, healthcare policy, building strong leadership teams, and the importance of choosing work that brings meaning to your life and makes your community better.

For current and aspiring nurse leaders, this conversation is a reminder that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about staying connected, surrounding yourself with great people, embracing opportunities to grow, and never losing sight of why you chose nursing in the first place.

What does it take to lead nursing at the executive level while navigating workforce shortages, financial pressures, and an evolving healthcare landscape?

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Leah Gehri, Chief Nursing Officer at Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center, to discuss her journey from bedside nurse to executive leadership. Leah shares why solving system-level challenges became her mission, how investing in nurses is one of the most effective cost-containment strategies, and why healthcare organizations and academic institutions must work together to strengthen the future nursing workforce.

The conversation also explores legislative advocacy, nurse retention, leadership development, and the advice Leah would give to every nurse beginning their career: don't be afraid to ask questions, explore new opportunities, and embrace lifelong learning.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why nurse retention is a strategic investment—not just an HR initiative
• How healthcare systems and academic institutions can strengthen the nursing pipeline
• The leadership strategies that balance workforce investment, innovation, and financial stewardship
• Why nurses need a stronger voice in legislative and policy decisions
• Practical advice for emerging nurse leaders looking to grow their careers

Whether you're an aspiring nurse leader, seasoned executive, educator, or healthcare professional, this episode offers practical leadership insights for shaping the future of nursing.

In this episode of Pulse Check, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Dr. Heather Resseger, Senior Vice President, Chief Hospital Operations Officer, and Chief Nursing Officer at NorthBay Health, to explore the evolving role of nurse leaders in shaping the future of healthcare.

Heather shares her leadership journey from bedside nursing to the executive suite and reflects on the experiences that broadened her perspective beyond nursing operations. Together, they discuss the critical importance of strengthening partnerships between healthcare systems and academic institutions, creating sustainable workforce strategies, and expanding opportunities for students in community and rural healthcare settings.

The conversation also dives into the role nurse leaders play in influencing healthcare policy and legislation, highlighting why every leader must use their voice to advocate for patients, healthcare teams, and the future of the profession.

Whether you're an aspiring nurse leader, seasoned executive, educator, or healthcare professional, this episode offers valuable insights on leadership growth, advocacy, and paying it forward.

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Long sits down with Debra A. Flores, a seasoned healthcare executive and nurse leader with more than four decades of leadership experience across complex health systems.

Debra shares the defining moments that shaped her leadership journey - from early mentors who recognized her potential, to navigating personal loss, leading through the challenges of COVID-19, and embracing career opportunities far outside her comfort zone.

Together, they explore the critical need for stronger partnerships between academic institutions and healthcare organizations, discussing how earlier exposure, meaningful internships, and strategic collaboration can better prepare future nurses for the realities of healthcare.

Debra also offers valuable insights on how nurse leaders can become more effective advocates by engaging proactively with legislators and policymakers to influence the future of healthcare delivery.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that authentic leadership is built through resilience, lifelong learning, and a commitment to serving others.

Topics discussed include:

• Defining moments in executive leadership
• Leading through personal and professional adversity
• Strengthening academic and clinical partnerships
• Preparing the next generation of nurse leaders
• Influencing healthcare policy and legislation
• The importance of mentorship, growth, and lifelong learning