nurse crying leaning against hospital wall

Burnout & Suicide in Nursing: What Nurses Need Now

Burnout remains high across U.S. nursing and is linked with elevated suicide risk for registered nurses compared with non–healthcare workers. Addressing this is both a moral imperative and a patient safety necessity.   By the numbers (latest high-quality sources) In a joint American Nurses Foundation/McKinsey survey (n=7,419; May 2023), 56% of nurses reported burnout symptoms […]
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a nurse is making a heart shape with her hands. In the background is colorful word bubbles turning into hearts.

What is Culturally Competent Care? Beyond an Interpreter and Venturing into Cultural Humility

After nearly two decades in the nursing industry, my default answer to the question of what constitutes culturally competent care is the use of an interpreter. Culturally competent care has been a repeated topic in hospital orientations and annual trainings, and the inclusion of cultural and linguistic competence in continuing medical education is required by […]
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Smiling healthcare worker in blue scrubs holds a tablet, standing next to a circular text graphic surrounded by red and blue bursts and stars. The text reads: “Stars, Stripes & Staff Autonomy. Celebrating Freedom in the Workplace Without Starting a Compliance Fire.”

Stars, Stripes & Staff Autonomy: Celebrating Freedom in the Workplace Without Starting a Compliance Fire

Ah, the Fourth of July—parades, fireworks, and the sweet scent of freedom in the air. While Americans celebrate independence, it’s a great time to ask: Are we giving our staff the workplace freedom they crave? You might be thinking, “Sure, but we’ve got policies, procedures, and about 47 compliance boxes to check.” Don’t worry—workplace autonomy […]
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Continuing Education: A Powerful Tool for Keeping Great Staff and Improving Patient Experience

In today’s healthcare landscape, hospitals are feeling the pressure on two fronts: keeping qualified, compassionate staff and improving patient satisfaction scores. These aren’t just HR or clinical issues, they impact culture, reputation, and reimbursement. Over time, I’ve come to believe strongly in one of the most underutilized tools for tackling both: continuing education. Let’s start […]
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National Hospital Week: Why Investing in Professional Development Strengthens Hospital Systems & Improves Patient Care

National Hospital Week (May 11–17, 2025) is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action for hospital leaders. As we honor the dedication of healthcare professionals under the American Hospital Association’s theme #WeAreHealthCare, this is a powerful time to reflect on how strategic investments in professional development directly bolster system performance, employee engagement, and patient […]
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Silhouetted nurse sitting in a hospital hallway, overlaid with the title text “Reducing Nurse Burnout Through Education.”

Reducing Nurse Burnout Through Education

In recognition of Stress Awareness Month As healthcare leaders, the responsibility to maintain a high-performing, financially sustainable organization while safeguarding the well-being of your staff rests squarely on your shoulders. During Stress Awareness Month, there’s no better time to evaluate one of the most pressing threats to both patient care and profitability: nurse burnout. Burnout […]
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Excellence in Social Impact Award Presented to ISYS, Parent Company of CareerSmart Learning

CareerSmart Learning is proud to share that our parent company, ISYS Solutions Inc., was honored at the California State University Fullerton (CSUF) Center for Family Business 2025 Hall of Fame Awards. ISYS was nominated in two categories—Outstanding Family Business Catalyst and Excellence in Social Impact—and received the award for Excellence in Social Impact. The CSUF […]
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Five Must-Read Healthcare Leadership Books (That Aren’t Boring Business Books)

The role of today’s healthcare executive extends far beyond operational management and fiscal oversight. Effective leadership in healthcare requires cultural intelligence, emotional resilience, ethical clarity, and the ability to navigate complex human systems. While traditional business literature offers foundational tools, it often falls short of addressing the nuanced challenges inherent in healthcare leadership. The following […]
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