Emerging Nurse Leader

A leadership development blog

Questions to Ask New Graduates During Interviews

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By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN We are entering the time when organizations begin hiring for their nurse residency programs. I am a firm believer that nurse managers need to be involved in the selection process, as the manager-nurse relationship is critically important. Transitioning from a student to a professional nurse is a high-stakes period, and as we have … [Read more...]

What is Trending Now for Nurse Leaders

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By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN The first quarter of 2026 is over, yet the healthcare environment remains turbulent, with some strong headwinds ahead as health systems continue to evaluate the potential financial impact of HR-1. Here is what I see trending now as I meet with nurse leaders across the country. Union activity continues to increase across the … [Read more...]

Why Patient Safety Feels Harder Today

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By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN CNOs quietly tell me that they are under enormous pressure from their C-Suite colleagues. Nurse staffing improved in almost every health system in the country in 2025, yet these staffing gains are not translating into improved care and performance metrics. Despite our sophisticated technology and increased staffing, our "Never Event" … [Read more...]

Moving Beyond My Assignment: Promoting Team Backup

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By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN The scenario is a familiar one that I hear all the time in our leadership development workshops. Charge nurses look around their unit and see some of their staff standing in the hall, scrolling on their phones. Meanwhile, call lights are on, and the unit is busy. When asked why she or he is not jumping in to help others, the nurse … [Read more...]

Why Gen Z Nurses are Ghosting Your Unit Councils (and How to Fix It)

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By Rose O. Sherman, EdD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN The landscape of our workforce has shifted dramatically, yet many of our professional governance structures remain frozen in a 1990s time capsule. When I talk to nurse leaders across the country, a common frustration emerges: "We have the councils, but we can't get anyone to show up—especially our younger nurses." Press Ganey data in … [Read more...]