Empowering Nurses Through Education: Reducing Burnout, Building Leadership, and Elevating Care

How can continuing education transform nursing practice, reduce burnout, and empower nurses to advocate for themselves? Nurses are essential to patient care, yet many struggle with limited access to high-quality education, workplace advocacy, and professional development. As CME professionals and medical writers, we have the power to create learning experiences that not only enhance clinical skills but also support nurse well-being and retention. In this episode, we dive into the evolving landscape of nursing education with Drs. Jennifer Shepard and Sean DeGarmo, two leaders from the American Nurses Association (ANA), who explore how we can design more impactful, outcomes-driven education for nurses. Discover how the 2025 Code of Ethics for Nurses is reshaping professional development and why it matters for your CME programs. Learn how continuing education directly combats burnout and improves nurse retention—and what that means for healthcare organizations. Gain insights into the challenges of funding and implementing nurse education, and strategies to advocate for protected education budgets. Press play now to learn how you can contribute to the future of nursing education and design CE programs that truly make a difference! Abbreviations Here are the acronyms mentioned in the episode along with their full forms: ANA – American Nurses Association CNE – Continuing Nursing Education CMS – Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CE – Continuing Education CME – Continuing Medical Education APP – Advanced Practice Provider DNP – Doctor of Nursing Practice PPE – Personal Protective Equipment PHI – Protected Health Information PI – Personal Information LACE – Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education GME – Graduate Medical Education OPP – Organizational Practice Policies AAPA – American Academy of Physician Associates LACE – Licensure, Accreditation, Certification, and Education Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Nursing Education Challenges 00:40 Meet the Experts: Dr. Jennifer Shepard and Dr. Sean de Garmo 01:54 The 2025 Code of Ethics for Nurses 08:02 Addressing Gaps in Nursing Education 10:41 The Importance of Continuing Education in Combating Burnout 16:40 Advocating for Nursing Education and Professional Development 24:04 Outcomes-Based Education and Interdisciplinary Collaboration 34:50 Conclusion: The Lifeline of Continuing Education