Nurses Leading Change to Support Well-Being

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Presenter(s): Cynda Hylton Rushton, PhD, RN, FAAN; Debbie J Brinker, RN, MSN; Stephanie Meyer, MSN, RN, FNP, NEA-BC

Date
Sep 16, 2026 - Dec 01, 2026

Location

Virtual

Topics: Healthy Work Environment, Leadership

Role: Manager, APRN, Staff

Contact

Laurali Uxa
Contact Email

Misc Fee

$379 for AACN members
$479 for nonmembers

Register

131 days left to register

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Event Summary

The physical, psychological, social, spiritual and moral impacts of our complex work environment can be debilitating, ultimately affecting patient outcomes. However, evidence shows that by taking an active role in creating a better, more supportive work environment, nurses can enhance their own well-being and that of their colleagues. But where do you start?

AACN’s “Nurses Leading Change for Well-Being,” a live virtual course, provides knowledge and strategies to help nurses in all roles generate workplace change focused on the art of leading yourself before leading others. This four-part, interactive online experience shares implementation science and well-being concepts to foster a renewed emphasis on self-worth, compassion and integrity through peer-to-peer connections.

Course Focus and Objectives

Participants will receive expert instruction, coaching and mentoring from experienced leadership faculty. The course provides experiential learning – including small group work – with faculty providing guidance and serving as a resource throughout. Course objectives include the following:

  • Deconstructing the current environmental stressors and impact on yourself, nurses and peers in your units, and creating a new narrative/vision for a future that emphasizes well-being and belonging.
  • Identifying the intersectionality of personal and professional roles and creating a plan to enhance well-being.
  • Understanding how a healthy work environment can help realign your well-being.
  • Identifying strategies to design and lead change that enhances the health of each nurse’s well-being in the workplace.

What You Get:

  • Four three-hour virtual workshops
  • Expert coaching and consultation
  • Small group breakout time
  • Downloadable resources and toolkits

Registration and Fees

Registration will remain open until the first session begins on Sept. 16, unless the course sells out (75 participants maximum).

AACN member: $379 per person
Nonmember: $479 per person

Schedule

The course consists of four virtual sessions (three hours each), as well as independent learning on an online platform. All group sessions take place from 7-10 a.m. PT on the following days:

  • Wed, Sept. 16
  • Wed, Oct. 14
  • Tues, Nov. 3
  • Tues, Dec. 1

What do Nurses Leading Change (NLC) alumni have to say about their experience?

“All of the information presented on various tools and charts/graphs to help assess and bring change were extremely beneficial. I also think that the small groups and hearing others’ ideas was extremely useful to spark new ideas and relationships.”
- 2025 NLC alumni

“All of the information presented on various tools and charts/graphs to help assess and bring change were extremely beneficial. I also think that the small groups and hearing others’ ideas was extremely useful to spark new ideas and relationships.”
- 2025 NLC alumni

Interested in a customized course for a large group?

CSI Academy faculty offer a variety of options for larger groups, such as state and regional nursing organizations, hospitals and healthcare systems. From keynote speeches to all-day workshops, CSI Academy faculty will find the right fit for your audience.

More Information

Access the FAQ for this course.

Presenters

Cynda Hylton Rushton, PhD, RN, FAAN

Cynda Hylton Rushton, PhD, RN, FAAN

Cynda Rushton is the Anne and George L. Bunting Professor of Clinical Ethics and Professor of Nursing and Pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins University Berman Institute of Bioethics and Schools of Nursing & Medicine. Dr. Rushton is an internationally recognized leader in nursing ethics, moral resilience and workforce issues and a long-time contributor to ground-breaking work on these topics.

Debbie J Brinker, RN, MSN

Debbie J Brinker, RN, MSN

Brinker is a pediatric nurse who is a clinical instructor on the Child Health faculty at Washington State University’s Intercollegiate College of Nursing in Spokane. She has also been a staff nurse, a nurse manager and a supervisor, as well as a nurse with the U.S. Air Force. A member of AACN since 1988, she served on the AACN Board of Directors from 2000 to 2003 before returning to the board last year as president-elect. She was a member of the AACN Certification Corporation Board of Directors from 2001 to 2003. In addition, she has been a member of the FIPSE Grant Project Advisory Board, Education Work Group, Board Advisory Team, Nominating Committee, NTI Work Group, Research Work Group, Professional Development Work Group, Pediatric Advisory Team, CCNS Exam Development Committee, Pediatric CCRN Item Writer Committee and Pediatric CCNS Item Writer Committee. Brinker is a member and past president of the Spokane (Wash.) Chapter of AACN.

Stephanie Meyer, MSN, RN, FNP, NEA-BC

Stephanie Meyer, MSN, RN, FNP, NEA-BC

Stephanie Meyer is senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. She has served as adjunct faculty for University of Kansas and William Jewell College, teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. Meyer has presented at AACN’s National Teaching Institute & Critical Care Exposition (NTI), and she is an expert on leadership.