With 40% of nurses reporting intent to leave the profession within the next 5 years, the weight of the challenges facing nurses can seem daunting. But as we recently experienced at the American Organization for Nurse Leadership's (AONL) annual conference, our profession is filled with resilience, innovation, and collective strength. Connecting with nursing peers from across the country was inspiring and energizing. We saw firsthand the ways nurses are making a difference for their patients and teams. 

As we celebrate Nurses Week, we recognize that our power lies in unity, advocacy, and unwavering dedication. Together, we are stronger than we ever imagined. In that spirit, we want to share three key takeaways from AONL — insights that remind us of our ability to shape the future of nursing and continue leaning into our power.

Takeaway 1: We have the power to drive innovative change.

There is no single solution or perfect formula to keep nurses engaged. Yet, within that challenge lies an incredible opportunity: freedom (and the necessity) to innovate. By embracing change, we can create something stronger, more sustainable, and better suited to the evolving demands of healthcare.

Balancing competing priorities is never easy, and disrupting the status quo can feel daunting.  The temptation to wait for the perfect moment or the ideal strategy is real. But what matters most is that we begin.

Florence Nightingale reminded us, "never lose an opportunity of urging a practical beginning, however small, for it is wonderful how often in such matters the mustard seed germinates and roots itself." With that in mind, we encourage bold, intentional action — no matter how small — to initiate meaningful progress.

Check out these resources to help you lead innovative change: 

• Enterprise-wide leadership: 2 ways to foster a culture of collaboration and risk-taking
• The Manager's Guide to Leading Disruptive Change

And join us for our upcoming webinar series to learn how to effectively lead change initiatives:

• Change leadership: Identify the problem and align for success
• Change leadership: Get stakeholder buy
• Change leadership: Craft your communication plan

Takeaway 2: We have the power to shift the norms around workplace violence.

Workplace violence remains a growing concern for nurses, but as leaders, we hold the power to transform the environment that tolerates the conditions leading to harm. It's time to challenge outdated norms and foster a culture that prioritizes both physical and psychological safety.

At AONL, Renee Thompson, CEO and Founder of the Healthy Workplace Institute, reminded us that for decades, we have been normalizing deviant behavior — from incivility to bullying, with some incidents escalating to workplace violence. Too often, these behaviors are excused, dismissed as stress-induced reactions, or avoided in favor of more comfortable conversations. Over time, this avoidance leads to learned tolerance, allowing harmful behaviors to become ingrained in our workplaces.

The consequences of normalizing deviant behaviors extend beyond daily workplace interactions — they can contribute to moral injury, psychological distress, and ultimately, nurse retention challenges. When nurses repeatedly endure incivility or bullying, the emotional toll can lead to disengagement, burnout, and even departure from our profession. High turnover rates disrupt patient care and can place additional strain on remaining staff, potentially weakening the stability of healthcare organizations.

While we may not control the actions of every individual, we do have the power to redefine expectations, address destructive behaviors, and shape a work culture where safety is non-negotiable. By speaking up, setting clear standards, and committing to change, we can shift the narrative and create a healthier future for nursing.

Check out these resources to help you take the first steps in fostering a safer, more respectful workplace:

• 5 ways to prevent workplace violence and protect your staff
• 2 ways to break the cycle of incivility and bullying at work
• Need to give difficult feedback? Here are 4 ways to make it easier.

Takeaway 3: We have the power to shape the future of nursing.

In these uncertain times, we must stay grounded in the legacy of our profession. Florence Nightingale proved how the passion, purpose, and dedication of just one nurse could transform patient care and redefine nursing. 

Today, we see that same power magnified across the industry. At AONL, we witnessed how thousands of nurses are shaping the future within their organizations — driving change, advancing leadership, and strengthening the profession.

Just as we came together at AONL, let's continue to channel our creativity, determination, and collective strength to shape nursing — not only for our patients, but for the generations to come.

Join us in August at our nursing roundtable, a space designed to support nursing leadership and explore how to thrive in an evolving healthcare landscape. 

Looking to share your thoughts or takeaways? Contact us at ask@advisory.com — we'd love to hear from you.

Optum Advisory experts go beyond strategy design — we can help you develop a comprehensive roadmap and implement sustainable workforce solutions tailored to improve care processes, reduce care variation, enhance case management and drive throughput in your organization.  

*Advisory Board is a subsidiary of Optum. All Advisory Board research, expert perspectives, and recommendations remain independent.