Nursing’s Role in Leading Healthcare Transformation

Rear Admiral (RADM) Trent-Adams serves at the current Deputy Surgeon General and has prior experience as the Chief Nursing Officer for the US Public Health Service. RADM’s career highlights include advocating for improved healthcare access to the underserved and marginalized domestic and global populations.  RADM Trent-Adams also advocates for nursing as a healthcare leader and the belief that now is the time for nursing to be at the table and drive changes in healthcare policy.   

RADM Trent-Adams asked “So how do we make this happen?”  She shared her experiences as a novice nurse, novice leader and her current impact as a proficient Nurse Leader.   Mentoring has been a significant part of RADM’s nursing career and development as a leader.   She shared a story of how a nurse leader gave her a challenging project.  RADM Trent-Adams expressed concern on her ability to complete the task.  The nurse leader continued to push, support, believe and encourage noting that this leadership development was part of her succession plan.    RADM Trent-Adams noted that she was successful and uses mentoring as part of her succession planning and developing of the next generation of nurse leaders.

RADM Trent-Adams discussed why this leadership development is so important.  She challenges current and future nursing leaders to come together as a united voice to advance the profession and also advocate for patients across all settings and socioeconomic status.  She acknowledges that nursing should be involved and preparing for the coming changes.  These changes include influencing policymakers to allow APNs to work at the top of their license, having nursing at the “political” table and creating a “new normal” for the profession.