Speaking two languages fluently—nursing and technology—I’ve been fortunate to build a career translating one into the other. These two worlds may seem very different at first glance, but for me, they are deeply connected and powerful when combined.
From bedside to leadership
Being a nurse is an inseparable part of who I am. My mom saw it in me before I did, encouraging me to pursue a career in nursing. She was right (aren’t moms always?), and since 1997, I’ve never looked back. I started at the bedside, caring for pediatric patients and their families. Those years were rich with lessons. Nursing isn’t just about treating patients; it’s about empowering families, being their voice during uncertain times, and advocating for those who can’t.
Nursing extends far beyond clinical care. Working with pediatric patients meant I was often caring just as much for families as I was for the children—helping parents understand what was happening and equipping them to advocate for their child was as critical as the medical care we provided. The human story behind each interaction became a guiding principle in how I approach healthcare, even now.
Today, as the Chief Nursing Informatics Officer (CNIO) at symplr, my role allows me to bring two passions together. My work revolves around being a bridge—not just between nursing and technology but also between people and solutions. I help nurses see how technology can make their work easier and more meaningful, and I help technology teams understand the realities and challenges of the nursing profession. It’s about building tools that fit seamlessly into workflows, not creating extra burdens. Because behind every data point or technical update is a human story.
AI in nursing: a helping hand
I’ll admit, when I was a bedside nurse, the idea of AI might have seemed intimidating. But AI isn’t here to take away what makes us nurses; it’s a tool to help us work smarter, not harder. It lets us tackle some of our daily struggles and focus on the human side of care, where we truly make the biggest difference.
AI can also support decision-making, not by replacing our judgement, but by giving us that extra set of eyes. For example, it can identify early risks or alert us to changes in a patient’s condition that might otherwise go unnoticed. And then there’s staffing. We’ve all seen the juggling act that nurse managers face when trying to fill shifts. AI scheduling tools can help even the playing field, balancing workloads, and making sure shifts are distributed fairly.
What are the best AI tools for nurse scheduling?
The best solutions for AI nurse scheduling use predictive analytics and machine learning to forecast patient demand, match nurse skills to acuity, and generate optimized schedules that reduce overtime and staffing gaps.
These tools use machine learning to automatically generate optimized schedules, reduce overtime, and flag understaffing risks before shifts are published, replacing manual rule-based scheduling. Leading solutions also include real-time schedule adjustments, skills-based matching, and mobile self-scheduling, which hospitals report improves coverage and nurse satisfaction while maintaining labor and compliance rules.
Nurses as innovators & leaders
Through this career, I’ve come to appreciate adaptability as my secret strength. Being the youngest of seven siblings taught me how to ebb and flow, a skill that served me well as an ICU nurse during long 12-hour shifts. It’s the same agility I rely on now to drive meaningful change in healthcare systems.
Nurses are natural innovators. The work we do every day makes us quick thinkers, problem solvers, and connectors. But too often, our role is seen as limited to caregiving. I want to change that perception. Nurses are also leaders, decision-makers, and advocates who should have a seat at the table. We have the expertise to help design systems, shape policies, and influence the future of healthcare.
Every day, I’m inspired by nurses who show up, speak up, and make an impact. Whether it’s helping a single patient or shaping technology that benefits millions, our work matters even more than people realize. I want to see nurses step into these leadership opportunities and help redefine what healthcare can look like.
A message to my fellow nurses
To my fellow nurses, I see you, and I’m endlessly grateful for what you do. Your work is physically and emotionally demanding and often goes unnoticed. But your ability to show up every day changes lives. Whether it’s the quiet moments of comfort you offer or the bold decisions you make in the face of adversity, your impact ripples outward and makes our world a better place.
I’ve also learned how important it is to take care of ourselves. For me, this means being intentional about “clocking out” mentally at the end of the day. It helps me recharge, fend off burnout, and bring my best self to my work and the people who depend on me.
The future of healthcare is brighter when nurses fully step into their potential. We are caregivers and so much more—we’re leaders, advocates, and innovators who understand what people and systems need. Whether at the bedside or steering policy decisions, our voices matter.
