ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú

Staff recruitment and retention remain the top concerns. Although slightly less pronounced than in previous years, these issues continue to demand our attention, with nearly half of the respondents citing it as a significant challenge. Staffing issues followed, noted by 37% of leaders, underscoring the ongoing adjustments we must make in our strategic focus to enhance workforce stability and operational efficiency.

Emotional health and well-being have shown some improvement, suggesting that efforts to address burnout and mental health are bearing fruit. Yet, the need for continued focus on these areas is undeniable. Workplace violence, financial constraints and the integration of new technologies are other challenges that nurse leaders continue to face, highlighting the multifaceted nature of our roles and the complex environments in which we operate.

The survey sheds light on distressing levels of incivility, intimidation and bullying in the workplace. With significant percentages of nurse leaders witnessing or experiencing these negative behaviors, we must strengthen our commitment to creating safer, more respectful work environments. It is our paramount duty to prioritize and champion these efforts, ensuring the well-being of our staff and fostering thriving work environments. This is essential not just for the immediate safety of our teams, but also for the overall integrity and effectiveness of the health care system.

Articles in this issue

The study also looks at the evolving role of nurse leaders over the next five years. The scope of nurse leadership is expected to expand significantly to address new care models and resource limitations. Nurse leaders also are likely to play a more significant role in community health by ensuring culturally competent care and addressing health disparities. This edition of Voice of Nursing Leadership explores community health partnerships, including articles on addressing food insecurity, leveraging paramedicine in underserved markets, and treating heat stroke among vulnerable populations, which illustrates the importance of innovative approaches to extending care beyond traditional settings.

The scope of nurse leadership is expected to expand significantly to address new care models and resource limitations.

Jodi Cichetti and Ann Kunkel share WellSpan Health’s multifaceted approach to addressing food insecurity and improving health outcomes. Food insecurity screenings are integrated into clinical workflows, while care navigation pathways connect patients with food pantries and nutrition support services. The development of mobile and online food pantries eliminates barriers to accessing healthy foods and helps identify and address the community’s special dietary and cultural needs.

Addressing unmet health needs within communities is a continued challenge for many health care organizations. Paul Micheletti and Amy Woodley discuss the paramedicine initiative in Posey County, Ind., which extends the role of paramedics within the community to include preventive care, chronic disease management and social support. The program enables vulnerable patients to receive timely, personalized care at home, often eliminating the need for emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

A rise in heat-related deaths prompted three hospital organizations to form a partnership with the Phoenix Fire Department to help first responders identify and effectively treat heat stroke. Michelle Guadnola and her co-authors detail how the hospital organizations worked with first responders to quickly identify the occurrence of heat stroke and effectively treat patients with cold water immersion before arrival at the hospital. This project demonstrates the importance of collaboration in addressing a community-specific health need to improve health outcomes.

Signs of hope

This year’s Nursing Leadership Insight Study highlights current challenges but also reveals areas of hope and opportunity. Though modest, the slight improvements in the sense of belonging and emotional health among nurse leaders are promising signs of the positive impacts of our ongoing efforts. As highlighted in the study, the advancements in technology and interdisciplinary collaboration offer pathways for redesigning health care delivery to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency.

As we reflect on these insights, our focus as a community should be on several key areas: enhancing workforce stability by implementing innovative recruitment and retention strategies; supporting the emotional well-being of our teams to build environments where every member can thrive; ensuring safety and respect within our workplaces by addressing violence and incivility through robust policies and training programs; and embracing technological advancements to reduce administrative burdens, improve patient care and improve the health of our communities.

The 2025 ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúNursing Leadership Insight Study provides a detailed snapshot of nurse leadership and its challenges. It also highlights our opportunities to shape the future of our profession and health care overall. By leveraging these insights, along with the thoughtful discussions presented in this Voice issue, we can enhance our leadership strategies, elevate our impact and continue to advance health for all.
Let us collectively harness the power of our insights and dedication to propel nursing leadership forward, ensuring we not only meet today’s challenges but also set the stage for a healthier tomorrow.