CNO Roundtable 2026
Q7. What makes you most optimistic about nursing going forward?
BRIGHT FUTURE
Danielle Gabele • Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital
Seeing my colleagues have a voice not only in our hospital, but also in the community. Nurses are standing up for what they believe in, writing letters to legislators, marching in demonstrations, and advocating for their profession.
Karen Grimley • UCLA Health
I’m inspired by the strength and clarity I see in nurses at every level, and in how open nurses are to technological innovations as tools to elevate practice. I’m equally encouraged by the way the profession is coming together to articulate the true value of nursing.
Katie Hughes • Casa Colina Hospital
The next generation of nurses is tech-savvy and purpose-driven. They are passionate about innovation and improvement, which helps drive better patient outcomes, improved workflows, and greater safety.
Leila Ibushi-Thompson • Adventist Health White Memorial
The resilience and purpose I see in our nurses. This generation is mission-driven and deeply committed to patient advocacy. The future of nursing is strong because the heart of nursing is strong.
David Marshall • Cedars-Sinai
My daughter recently graduated from nursing school, and she and her peers are purpose-driven and tech-savvy. The new grads we’ve hired are comfortable with technology and still deeply patient-centered. We’re building a very “nurse” kind of future: practical, compassionate, and effective.
Stacie Miller • Henry Mayo
What gives me the most optimism is the resilience of nurses. There is very little that nurses cannot solve, which gives me the utmost confidence in the strength and future of the nursing profession.
Mark Mitchelson • Adventist Health Simi Valley
The voice of nursing in executive leadership and system strategy has never been stronger. That influence will continue to grow as organizations rely on nursing leaders to help drive operations and innovation.
Theresa Murphy • USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
The nursing students who entered or stayed in school during the pandemic represent a courage and fearlessness in the face of uncertainty that will be important for the future of nursing. The challenges we face today are making us more articulate about nursing practice and its value.
Jinhee Nguyen • Huntington Health
How readily nurses embrace innovation when they understand how it supports their work. I’m equally encouraged by the strength of our nursing community — both seasoned nurses with deep experience and newer nurses with fresh perspectives and energy.
Scholastica Ogomaka • Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park
The investments being made in onboarding, mentorship, and professional development. Organizations are also prioritizing nurses’ wellbeing. Together, these advances give me confidence that nursing will continue to thrive and make a meaningful impact on patient care.
Jaime Reiter • USC Care Medical Group
Seeing nurses go from a clinical labor force to intellectual, operational, and interpersonal leaders. Nurses are shaping workflow design, influencing staffing models, and leading quality improvement initiatives — designing the work rather than only doing it.
Helen Staples-Evans • Loma Linda University Health
I don’t believe there’s any challenge too great for our exceptional nurses, who draw strength from our collective passion for patient care. I am so honored to lead such amazing nurses in making a difference in the lives of those we serve.
Joyce Volsch • Redlands Community Hospital
We’re at a crossroads where technology intersects with clinical care. If used appropriately, technology can benefit both patients and clinicians. Nursing is leading this work: setting standards, strengthening workflows, and ensuring that the right safety measures are in place.
Lesley Wininger • Glendale Memorial Hospital
I am most optimistic about nursing’s unique positioning. The world increasingly recognizes nursing as an invaluable asset, which positions nurses to become not just crisis responders, but also leaders and innovators.
Alexis Zamarripa • PIH Health Downey Hospital
The rapid, meaningful integration of innovations like telemedicine. These new technologies and the possibilities they hold for clinical staff can do so much to enhance operational efficiency, streamline workflows, and enable nurses to better manage time and resources. ■
View this article in the May 2026 Flip Mag.
In this Article: Leadership and Management
