• 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.”

Highlights of the conversation include:

• The story of Andrea’s career journey
• The impact of virtual learning on student success both in the classroom and after graduation
• Recognizing students at risk and helping them be successful
• Stresses observed among colleagues and how they’ve supported one another
• Advice for the future

• 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.