Starting January 1, 2026, a significant shift is coming to healthcare standards. The Joint Commission’s new National Performance Goals will officially take effect, and for the first time, staffing will be recognized as a defined standard of care.
Expert Editorials
Leadership Alignment: Your Organization’s Routine Stress Test
In the OR, surgeons call for a “timeout” before the first incision—everyone confirms they’re about to operate on the right patient, with the right plan. No one argues that the “timeout” slows things down; the timeout prevents harm. Executive teams need the same discipline.
Inspire. Lead. Own it: Nurse Leaders as Champions of Accountability
Nursing accountability refers to the obligation of nurses to answer for their professional actions and outcomes. This includes being responsible to patients, colleagues, employers, regulatory bodies and society at large. It encompasses…
How Healthcare Can Create Sustainability for the Future
Sustainability isn’t just a spreadsheet outcome, it’s a mindset. One that values people as the most essential investment we can make. Because when we sustain our people, we sustain the quality of care. And when care is high-quality, efficient, and trusted, financial sustainability follows
Transitional Leadership: The Catalyst for Disruptive Change
Transitional Leadership in healthcare is emerging as a key driver of disruptive change. As organizations continue to face growing unprecedented challenges, Transitional Leadership is a crucial strategy to skillfully navigate disruptive change.
Data, Data Everywhere – How to Correlate Data Effectively to Positively Impact Performance.
To minimize confusion, correlate data points to provide insight into why adverse events take place. This insight leads to more specific actionable interventions that can positively impact performance.
How a Nursing Excellence Journey Impacts RN Engagement, Nurse Sensitive indicators, and Patient Satisfaction
The culture created by a Nursing Excellence Journey leads to better patient quality outcomes, increased Patient Satisfaction results, and improved nurse engagement.
From Great Nurses to Great Leaders: Growing the Next Generation with Goals & Feedback
Nurses frequently land in their first leadership role because they are the best nurses and progress to become the best charge nurses. They are the go-to people for everything, as they always seem to know the answer. The challenge is that this new leadership journey often lacks a formal leadership development plan. Without a plan, many new leaders eventually begin to flounder.
Navigating Healthcare Leadership in a New Presidential Term
As the nation transitions into a new presidential term, nursing leaders stand at a critical juncture. This moment brings fresh challenges and opportunities for healthcare, with public discourse around the system’s strengths and shortcomings growing louder.
The Business of Healthcare – How Hospitals and Providers Are Paid
As I researched and prepared to write and communicate the vast scope and complexity surrounding how hospitals and providers are paid within our healthcare system, I simply asked Google why healthcare is considered a business and its AI generated response is outlined...
Exploring a Healthy Work/Life Blend – Can it Exist? Expert Editorial
Nursing is not a typical profession. It is impossible to turn off being a nurse and separate professional existence from the personal world. This idea is magnified as a nurse leader. Nurse leaders are accountable for large groups of employees responsible for delivering care with expertise and compassion to people every moment of every day. The burden of that responsibility is massive.
Mandatory Staffing Ratios: Are we responding with solutions or solution bombs?
Do I agree with the concept that appropriate staffing results in safer care, better patient outcomes, and greater satisfaction for both patients and nurses? YES! 100%. Will government mandates on staffing achieve this? NO! Here’s why:
