In this episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted, Dr. Kellie Bryant speaks with Dr. Paul Smith about nursing leadership, advocacy, and negotiation from a dean’s perspective. Dr. Smith shares strategies for advocating for faculty resources, including using data, aligning requests with institutional priorities, and clearly demonstrating impact on student success and workforce outcomes. The conversation highlights the challenges of recruiting and retaining nursing faculty, especially amid salary disparities and evolving educational demands. Dr. Smith emphasizes the importance of collaboration, relationship-building, and persistence in effective negotiation, noting that it is an ongoing process rather than a single event. The episode also underscores the need for innovative approaches to student support, inclusive excellence, and preparing the next generation of nurses in a rapidly changing educational landscape.

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

This episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted explores the urgent Black maternal health crisis, highlighting stark disparities in outcomes and the systemic factors that contribute to them. Host Dr. Kellie Bryant is joined by Dr. Kandis McLean and Dr. Marie Wilson, who share their work in simulation, clinical practice, and community health to address inequities in maternal care. The conversation examines how bias, social determinants of health, and gaps in provider education impact the quality of care Black women receive. The guests emphasize the critical role of nursing education in preparing future clinicians to recognize disparities, provide culturally responsive care, and advocate for patients. Through practical strategies and real-world insights, the episode underscores how nurse educators can help drive meaningful change and improve maternal health outcomes.

Learn more about Black maternal disparities:

• Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). www.AWHONN.org
• National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH). www.NPWH.org

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of NLN Nursing EDge Unscripted, the conversation centers on the impact of interprofessional education (IPE) in preparing health professions students for collaborative, team-based care. Guests Katie Branch and Ashley Parikh share how the University of Texas Medical Branch has developed a robust, structured IPE program that includes a seven-activity core curriculum required across five schools. Students complete a selection of interactive learning experiences prior to graduation, with additional opportunities such as an annual symposium and a scholars program that extend learning beyond the core requirements. The discussion clarifies what interprofessional education is—and what it is not—emphasizing intentional collaboration, role clarity, communication, and shared accountability for patient outcomes. Throughout the episode, the guests highlight how thoughtfully designed IPE strengthens patient safety, improves quality of care, and fosters a culture of collaboration across disciplines.

Learn more about the University of Texas Medical Branch Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice: https://www.utmb.edu/ipep

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.