• Carl’s career journey and diverse nursing experiences, including his first manuscript submission, which was to the American Journal of Nursing (AJN)

• His new role as Editor-in-Chief of AJN and a focus on maintaining and growing the reputation of the journal while meeting the needs of the contemporary nurse; updates include new columns on diversity, equity, and inclusion and the wide variety of nursing specialties, as well as exciting changes to artwork

• Words of wisdom to nurses to “keep your options open” and “don’t be afraid of change.”

• Terry’s nursing career and the transition from acute care to community and public health,
• How the pandemic has taught us the value of community nursing,
• Important services that can be provided in a community clinic,
• Identifying barriers to care to help patients be more successful,
• And how a holistic view of patients in their community can improve outcomes.

• The power behind the standardization of clinical education and professional development and how it leads to enhanced patient care,
• Candice’s background in training and showing competitive obedience dogs and its impact on her career journey,
• The future of professional development, including microlearning and microcredentialing,
• And advice for those thinking of pursuing professional development, including using positive words, staying relevant, and using data to share our nursing story.

Candice Vaughan Griffin is Executive Director of Clinical Education and Professional Development with Banner Health. In this role, Candice leads strategic direction and execution to align clinical education and professional development resources to best support a large, integrated healthcare system. This includes leading an accomplished team providing all aspects of Clinical Education and Professional Development including education for ambulatory, acute, post-acute, home care/hospice, library service, and acute/ambulatory electronic medical record training for clinical staff, non-clinical staff, and providers across six states.

Professional Practice team includes oversight of Policies & Procedures, ANCC certification programs, Magnet Program, RN Residency Program (PTAP certified), Nurse Planner, National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators, professional enhancement programs, clinical professional ladders, awards and engagement programs.

A big believer in successful leadership, Candice supports transformational and servant leadership to help those around her reach their fullest potential. She is passionate about learning, organizational and process excellence and professional enhancement. Candice’s passions directly support excellent patient care and outcomes.

Candice is no stranger to healthcare, having spent 15 years as a Trauma, ICU, and interventional cardiology nurse in academic medical centers such as the Medical College of Virginia and Massachusetts General Hospital. She has spent the last 11 years cultivating her passion for leadership and enhancement of professional practice and patient outcomes through education. She has served with organizations such as Southwest Alliance for Excellence as an examiner and member of the Board of Overseers which demonstrates her dedication to enhancing the growth and sustainability for quality outcomes and leadership.

When Candice is not leading Banner Health’s incredible education team, you can find her outdoors running, showing her border collie, Stirling, in competitive obedience and spending time with her husband, who is a certified Arborist in the tree care industry and an accomplished guitar player and musician.

• How structures and systems at Stanford have become more inclusive

• Why nurses have to participate in governance to use their voice collectively to change social policy and lead

• The importance of finding a mentor and getting involved in something you are passionate about.

• Growing services to meet the needs of the community, improving quality to meet the needs of patients, and attending to the needs of the workforce.
• How being visible and communicating with the front line allows more informed decision-making.
• Advice for nurses interested in leadership and board membership, including being intentional, identifying mentors, and taking risks.

Dr. Wheatley joined Wake Forest Baptist Health in September of 2014 as System Chief Nurse Executive and was named President of the flagship 885-bed academic medical center in April of 2019. As President, she is responsible for the overall performance of operations at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center inclusive of Brenner Children’s Hospital and the Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dr. Wheatley brings disciplined leadership to bear on complex issues where clinical expertise, strategic thinking and organizational savvy are essential. As a leader, she uses experience and insight to provide structure, order, and clarity to enable teams to make rapid and lasting progress on critical issues.  Her naturally holistic and global perspective was enhanced when she served as the first Corporate Nurse Executive of Abu Dhabi Health Services Company in the United Arab Emirates, a position she held prior to joining Wake Forest Baptist Health. There she was responsible for the professional practice and development of more than 9,000 Nursing and Allied Health professionals from over 72 countries.  Earlier in her career, she held senior leadership positions at Dekalb Regional Health System in Atlanta, Ga., including Senior Vice President, Chief Clinical Operating Officer, Chief Nurse Executive, and Chief Quality Officer.

Dr. Wheatley earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Nursing at Georgia State University and her Doctorate in Nursing Practice at the University of Central Florida. She is a Fellow of the prestigious American Academy of Nursing, is board certified with the American Organization of Nurse Leaders as a Certified Executive in Nursing Practice and completed the Nurse Leader Program at the Wharton School of Business. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, N.C. Nurses Association, the American Academy of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, American Organization of Nurse Leaders, N.C. Organization of Nurse Leaders, and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Active in professional organizations, Dr. Wheatley currently serves as immediate Past-President of the Board of the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research (FNINR) and Board Member-at-Large for the North Carolina Nurses Association. She is a member of the Beryl Institute CNO Council and the HealthLeaders CEO Exchange, and serves on the Advisory Board for Capella University School of Nursing and the Board of Visitors for the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.

Dr. Wheatley’s philanthropic interests include the economic independence of women in developing countries and educational preparatory programs with a global focus. She is a current sponsor of Women for    Women International and a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Atlanta International School.

Highlights of the conversation include:

• The evolution of his career, from being “tapped on the shoulder” to fill certain roles and learning with each one of them to be a better leader
• The rewards of being a nurse executive
• How the partnership of UCSF Health with the Nurses on Boards Coalition empowers nurses to get involved
• Advice for nurses interested in leadership and board membership, including these encouraging words, “You have a lot to say. You don’t know the power of your voice…”