Voices of Nursing: Innovation, Impact, and the Future of Care

In honor of Nurses Month, this Industry Perspectives piece highlights the voices of nurses who are driving change, embracing innovation, and shaping the future of healthcare. From advancements in nursing informatics to the evolving role of technology in patient care, these conversations provide a deeper look into the challenges, opportunities, and personal experiences that define modern nursing. Through this, we celebrate the dedication, expertise, and vision of nurses who are not only delivering care but also transforming the industry.

What inspired you to become a nurse, and what keeps you passionate about the profession?

Tracy Breece: I started my higher education as a television and radio major, with dreams of working in media. To support myself as a young adult, I worked as a nanny for a family, and it was there that I crossed paths with a mother who was an Emergency Department nurse. She saw something in me—my compassion, my ability to think on my feet and solve problems under pressure—and encouraged me to consider nursing. She shared stories of resilience, critical thinking, and the profound impact she had on patients, which sparked something inside me. The more I learned about nursing, the more I realized it was exactly the mix of science, service, and human connection I had been searching for.

What I didn’t expect, though, was how naturally I would connect technology to nursing practice. The internet became publicly available just as I was in my second year of nursing school, and that opened up a whole new world for me. I never imagined then how much technology would become a part of my journey in healthcare, but looking back, it’s clear that blending the two was the perfect path for me.

What keeps me passionate about the profession is the undeniable impact nurses have, not just at the bedside, but across healthcare as a whole. Every day, I see the power of nursing in shaping patient outcomes, driving innovation, and improving care delivery. I am especially energized by the opportunity to bridge technology and nursing, ensuring that advancements like AI enhance, rather than hinder, the human element of care. The resilience, dedication, and problem-solving spirit of nurses continue to inspire me, and I remain committed to championing technology solutions that empower them to provide the best care possible.

Nelita Iuppa: I was inspired to select nursing as a profession because I feel that every individual has the power to make the world a better place, and they should embrace this opportunity. I have always been drawn to helping others solve complex problems with innovation and tenacity, and I felt that providing compassionate care to someone with complex medical conditions in their most vulnerable of times was my own personal calling and opportunity to fulfill this mission.

Chad Carroll: I was inspired to become a nurse by my father, who saw something in me that I hadn’t yet recognized. He understood that nursing is a vital profession, always in demand and forever rewarding. It was his belief in me and his recognition of the significance of nursing that led me down this path. The constant change and evolution within the field of nursing keep my passion ignited. This dynamic nature demands ongoing personal and professional growth, ensuring that I continually strive to improve and adapt. It is this perpetual growth and the ability to make a meaningful impact that sustain my enthusiasm for nursing.

Surya Shenoy: I’ll be honest—I didn’t fall in love with nursing right away. I entered the profession because my grandmother told me it was a great job that would help me be independent. What I didn’t fully grasp at the time was the incredible effort it demands—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

But over time, I’ve come to believe the more important question isn’t why you became a nurse, but why you continue to be one.

For me, it’s the deep, soul-anchoring satisfaction of being present for someone during the toughest, lowest, and most vulnerable moments of their life. It’s not letting them be alone when they’re struggling to breathe—and the joy of witnessing that first breath on their own after extubation. It’s celebrating those first few steps after being bedridden, watching their face light up because they’re closer to normal again after everything they’ve endured.

In my current role, I’m incredibly grateful to combine clinical knowledge with technical expertise—to support my clinical partners in delivering better, safer, more human care. I’m passionate about using technology not to replace connection, but to reduce screen time and increase face time—so nurses can be more present, right where they’re needed most.

What’s a challenge in healthcare today that you think nurses are uniquely positioned to solve?

Tracy Breece: Nurses have consistently been recognized as the most trusted profession in the United States, ranking first in Gallup's annual Most Honest and Ethical Professions Poll for 23 consecutive years. In the latest survey, 76% of Americans rated nurses' honesty and ethical standards as "very high" or "high," reinforcing their credibility and influence in shaping healthcare systems. This trust highlights why it is essential to involve nurses in workflow engineering, when they have a voice in designing clinical processes, solutions are more practical, patient-centered, and aligned with the realities of care delivery.

One of the biggest challenges in healthcare today is the inefficiency and complexity of the work environment, which has contributed to nurse burnout. Nurses are uniquely positioned to address this challenge because they are the frontline coordinators of care, navigating patient needs, technology, and operational processes. They see firsthand where workflows break down, inefficiencies create barriers, and technology can either enhance or hinder care delivery.

By integrating nursing expertise into workflow design, healthcare organizations can reduce inefficiencies, improve patient outcomes, and ensure that technology serves as a helping factor rather than a barrier to high-quality care. Nurses are more than care providers; they are problem solvers, innovators, and key drivers of healthcare transformation. Their insights are critical to building sustainable, effective solutions that enhance both patient and provider experiences.

Nelita Iuppa: Nurses are uniquely positioned to solve most quality and safety concerns that happen in hospitals from falls, to pressure injury, retained foreign bodies, and hospital-acquired conditions. I've always loved the sentiment that the nurses are the last few feet of safety that stand between a patient and harm in the hospital. It is the nurse's proximity to these events and their ingenuity to solve these problems and so much more.

Chad Carroll: With so much uncertainty within the healthcare climate today, nursing, as well as other clinicians, are a constant. Nurses play a crucial role in ensuring the stability and reliability of patient care, adapting to ever-changing situations with resilience and expertise. Their unwavering dedication and ability to provide compassionate care are essential in navigating the complexities of modern healthcare. This commitment to excellence amid uncertainty is what makes nurses indispensable to the healthcare system.

Surya Shenoy: One of the greatest challenges in healthcare today is balancing the promise of technology with the need for human connection—all while navigating increasingly fragmented care. Nurses, especially those in nursing informatics, are uniquely positioned to lead this transformation.

We’re the ones who can champion “quiet tech”—systems and tools that work for clinicians, not against them. Technology that fades into the background, reducing digital noise, minimizing documentation burden, and allowing nurses to spend more time in face-to-face, heart-to-heart care.

As continuity navigators, nurses understand the full scope of a patient’s journey—from hospital to home, from crisis to recovery. We can leverage AI not just to predict outcomes, but to surface meaningful insights at just the right moment, keeping care personal, proactive, and precise.

Informatics nurses are the ones who can connect the dots—between people, systems, and data. We know that solving fragmentation isn’t just about better tech. It’s about restoring continuity, trust, and presence in every interaction.

When nurses lead with informatics, we’re not just innovating healthcare—we’re working to humanize it.

If you could implement one change in the healthcare system to better support nurses, what would it be?

Tracy Breece: If I could implement one transformative change in the healthcare system to better support nurses, it would be the creation of an AI-powered, personalized learning and workflow optimization ecosystem that continuously adapts to nurses’ evolving needs, fostering lifelong learning, adaptability, and professional growth.

Empowerment in nursing begins with fostering a mindset of lifelong learning and adaptability. In a rapidly evolving environment, nurses must be equipped with the right tools and education to lead change rather than react to it. By integrating AI-driven clinical decision support, ambient documentation, and real-time skill development resources directly into nursing workflows, we can ensure that nurses have the information they need, when they need it, without adding to their cognitive burden.

This innovation aligns with the art of the possible, where technology serves as a seamless partner in nursing practice. Imagine an intelligent system that not only streamlines administrative tasks but also provides on-demand, evidence-based learning opportunities tailored to each nurse’s experience level, specialty, and evolving practice needs. Whether through predictive insights, real-time coaching, or automated workflow adjustments, this approach would enhance efficiency, reduce burnout, and elevate nursing practice to new heights.

Nelita Iuppa: I would deploy AI Agents and robots in dozens of scenarios to help offset the manual work of nurses and be a digital colleague to unburden them from administrative work and lower-level tasks.

Chad Carroll: If I could implement one change in the healthcare system to better support nurses, it would be the continued advancement of technology specifically designed to improve nursing workflow by streamlining routine tasks and reducing administrative burdens. This would allow nurses to dedicate more time to direct patient care, thereby improving patient outcomes. Enhanced technology in nursing could also facilitate better communication among healthcare teams, ensuring that critical information is shared promptly and accurately. Ultimately, investing in technological advancements would empower nurses to deliver their best care, optimize their efficiency, and enhance the overall healthcare experience for patients.

Surya Shenoy: Let’s be honest—most nurses don’t want to leave the profession. But many are tired—physically, emotionally, mentally. They’re still deeply committed to the work but need a different way to show up without sacrificing their well-being. If we’re serious about building a balanced, sustainable workforce, there’s a lot we can do—like advocating for national clinician well-being and recovery days or simplifying documentation so nurses can focus more on care and less on clicks.

But one change I would love to see, through the lens of nursing informatics, is the strategic expansion of virtual flex roles for experienced nurses- hybrid or fully remote positions designed to extend careers, reduce burnout, and improve care equity across systems. These roles would allow seasoned nurses to step into outreach, education, virtual care coordination, post-discharge follow-up, triage, and mentoring. It’s not about stepping away—it’s about stepping into a space where their voice, experience, and heart can go even further. It gives seasoned nurses a way to keep doing what they love—without breaking their bodies. It strengthens teams by letting nurses support other nurses, easing the weight on bedside staff. It brings care and education to patients who might not otherwise have access—bridging gaps in health and tech equity. It transforms burnout into renewal, and retention into reinvention. With Virtual Flex Roles, we’re not just saving years of clinical wisdom—we’re honoring it. We’re telling these nurses: "Your experience still matters! Your care still counts!" There’s still a place for you here. The future of nursing isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter, more connected, and with intention.

How do you see the relationship between nurses and technology evolving in the next decade?

Tracy Breece: Over the next decade, the relationship between nurses and technology will evolve from one of adaptation to collaboration, where technology becomes a true partner in care rather than an additional burden. Advancements in AI, ambient intelligence, automation, and predictive analytics will shift the way nurses engage with technology, moving from reactive documentation and task management to proactive decision-making and workflow optimization. Innovations will not replace a nurse's human expertise; technology will augment and amplify the critical thinking, compassion, and clinical judgment that define nursing. Nurses who embrace digital dexterity will lead the transformation of care delivery, ensuring that technology serves as a force multiplier rather than an obstacle. The next decade is an opportunity for nurses to take the lead in shaping a future where technology empowers, rather than overcomes, the profession.

Nelita Iuppa: Nurses will begin to embrace technology more as a colleague and partner in care. They will not see digital solutions as a burden but rather as a respected, trusted, and valued member of the care team. Nurses will begin to drive transformative change with their innovative ideas for new applications of technology, and they will enrich countless lives because of it.

Chad Carroll: In the next decade, nurses and technology will complement each other, enhancing capabilities on both sides. Advanced AI, machine learning, and robotics will automate routine tasks, allowing nurses to focus on patient-centered care. Nurses will need to develop new skills to utilize these tools effectively. Continuous education and training will ensure proficiency and confidence in using technology. Embracing advancements will allow nurses to deliver personalized and precise care, transforming healthcare. As trust in technology grows, fear will lessen, empowering nurses to provide higher-quality care and maximizing their impact on patient health and well-being.

Surya Shenoy: The future is one of partnership between nurses and technology, where innovation is no longer something we react to—but something we shape. The relationship is shifting from mere adoption and adaptation to co-creation and leadership. Nurses are stepping up; not just as users, but as vocal advocates for what works and critical voices for what doesn’t. This feedback challenges technology (startups) to become more intuitive, more aligned with the core values of care. It may feel turbulent, but it’s also a turning point—one that will open up space for nurses to return to human connection, to presence, and to purpose. Technology will become less about screens and clicks, and more about connection, clarity, and clinical insight. We’ll see nurses take on expanded roles in informatics, systems design, and digital leadership. When nurses are part of the design, technology becomes a force that supports healing.

What’s one misconception about nursing or nursing informatics that you wish more people understood?

Tracy Breece: A common misconception about nursing informatics is that it’s just about data entry, fixing EHR issues, or working in IT. In reality, nursing informatics is a critical bridge between clinical practice, technology, and healthcare innovation. Informatics nurses leverage AI, predictive analytics, and workflow engineering to create efficient, evidence-based systems that enhance decision-making, reduce clinician burden, and improve patient safety. Nursing is not just a practice but a discipline of science that integrates evidence-based research, human-centered care, and advanced technology to improve patient outcomes. Nurses are trained to assess, analyze, and intervene in complex patient situations using clinical reasoning, data interpretation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Their expertise extends beyond bedside care to workflow optimization, policy development, and healthcare innovation. Nursing informatics leaders empower nurses to take an active role in digital transformation, AI integration, and care model redesign—ensuring that healthcare remains human-centered, data-informed, and innovation-driven.

Nelita Iuppa: Nursing Informatics isn't a desk job IT support role. This profession starts with the word nurse and that is at the core of our work. Being behind a computer screen in support of our official care assignment and role on the care team.

Chad Carroll: One common misconception about nursing informatics is that our role is limited to managing the electronic health record (EHR). While much of our work does involve the EHR, we are far more than just EHR nurses. Using a process akin to the nursing process, we leverage data to identify, solve, and evaluate problems that affect both patients and healthcare providers. By analyzing clinical and operational data, we develop strategies to enhance patient outcomes, streamline workflows, and improve overall healthcare delivery. Nursing informatics is about integrating technology into practice to create a more efficient, safe, and patient-centered healthcare system.

Surya Shenoy: One of the most discouraging misconceptions is the idea that nurses—particularly those in informatics—are there to be informed, not involved. Too often, nurses are excluded from key meetings, decisions are made without their input, and their clinical expertise is treated as secondary to technical knowledge. We're often brought in after the fact—expected to implement or explain systems we had no voice in shaping.

This exclusion creates a domino effect, fueling another common myth: that nurses resist innovation. The truth is, we don’t resist change—we resist bad design. Nurses are often the first to adapt—when tools are safe, practical, and aligned with patient care. When we push back, it’s not about resisting innovation; it’s about protecting safety, quality, and connection.

What’s one innovation in healthcare that excites you the most right now?

Tracy Breece: One innovation in healthcare that excites me the most right now is the advancement of ambient documentation with conversational AI. This technology has the potential to significantly transform nursing practice by reducing the time nurses spend on manual documentation, allowing them to shift their focus back to what matters most: providing hands-on, compassionate care to patients.

By seamlessly capturing patient data during conversations between nurses and patients, ambient AI documentation has the potential to free up nurses' time, spending less time typing, managing charting. Instead, this technology enables real-time, accurate documentation that is integrated into electronic health records, freeing up valuable time for nurses to connect with patients, assess their needs, and deliver personalized care.

This technology is supporting the nurse to be a nurse, more time to listen, empathize, and engage with their patients, which is critical to healing and optimizing patient outcomes.

Nelita Iuppa: Autonomous AI Agents

Chad Carroll: One innovation in healthcare that excites me the most right now is ambient nursing documentation. As this technology continues to evolve and be refined, it will be a game-changer for healthcare. By capturing and documenting patient interactions in real-time automatically, ambient documentation reduces the administrative burden on nurses and allows them to focus more on direct patient care. As ambient nursing documentation becomes more sophisticated, it will enhance the quality of patient care by providing accurate, timely, and comprehensive records. This will improve decision-making and patient outcomes, significantly transforming the healthcare landscape. Embracing such innovations will empower nurses to deliver their best care, optimize their efficiency, and enhance the overall healthcare experience for patients. It underscores the importance of integrating technology into nursing practice, making healthcare more efficient, safe, and patient-centered.

Surya Shenoy: I believe the real innovation in healthcare is about new ways of thinking, working, and leading. As global healthcare systems face workforce shortages, rising complexity, and digital acceleration, the real transformation isn’t just in tech—it’s in who gets to shape it. When nurses lead, tech aligns with purpose. And that’s the innovation we’ve been waiting for, in a healthcare ecosystem that's demanding smarter, faster, more human care. clinical leadership in digital transformation isn’t optional. It’s essential.

How do you stay inspired and continue growing in your career?

Tracy Breece: I stay inspired and motivated in my career through a mix of podcasts, books, and continuous learning. Simon Sinek’s work is a big influence on me because his focus on transparency, purpose-driven leadership, and helping others find their "WHY" really aligns with my own values. His ideas remind me that understanding the deeper purpose behind our actions is a powerful motivator—especially in healthcare, where connecting to purpose is essential.

I also love Dave Stachowiak’s Coaching for Leaders podcast, where he talks to many authors and industry experts about how "leaders are not born, they are made." That really resonates with me because leadership is an ongoing process of growth. Mel Robbins Podcast helps me stay grounded and focused, especially when facing challenges in my personal and professional life.

In addition to podcasts, I read at least four books a year. My latest read was Dynamic Drive by Molly Fletcher, which has pushed me to explore new ways of building resilience and maintaining momentum in female leadership roles.

On top of all this, I make time to listen to music, which keeps me energized and inspired. Together, these resources help me grow as a leader and fuel my passion for nursing leadership that balances professional excellence with a deep sense of purpose.

Nelita Iuppa: I am very blessed to have chosen a nursing specialty in informatics that continues to challenge me every day. The demand for regularly advancing my understanding, obtaining new knowledge, and growing my skills to keep up with the pace of both healthcare and emerging technology is what inspires and motivates me every day.

Chad Carroll: To stay inspired and continue growing in my career, I surround myself with people who are highly motivated and producing great work. They inspire me to want to do more and be better. Additionally, I am committed to continuous learning, whether through formal education, attending conferences, or engaging in professional development opportunities.

Engaging with peers and mentors in the field allows me to exchange ideas and stay abreast of the latest advancements and best practices. Reading industry-related literature and participating in online forums and webinars also keeps me informed and motivated. Setting personal and professional goals helps me stay focused and driven, pushing me to achieve excellence in all aspects of my work.

Overall, it’s the blend of a supportive professional network, a commitment to lifelong learning, and the drive to constantly improve that fuels my passion and growth in my career.

Surya Shenoy: I see growth as an ongoing journey of expanding perspective, deepening impact, and staying rooted in purpose. It’s not just about titles or promotions—it’s about learning from others, challenging yourself, and showing up with intention. HIMSS has been an incredible platform for that kind of growth, offering connection, inspiration, and community. And through mentoring and being mentored, I continue to evolve—personally, professionally, and as a leader.