Podcast Episode Summary

Dr. Lyndsay Wright shares her journey from working as a CNA to becoming a bedside neurology nurse and ultimately an assistant professor of nursing with a focus on lifestyle medicine. She reflects on how her passion for teaching, prevention, and chronic disease management shaped her academic and clinical path. Dr. Wright highlights the critical role of scholarship and evidence-based practice in strengthening patient outcomes and nursing education, offering encouragement for nurses at all stages of their careers to stay curious, ask questions, and pursue their passions to advance the profession.

Guest Bio Lyndsay Wright, DNP, RN, CMSRN, CNE, DipACLM, NBC-HWC, is an assistant professor of nursing at Notre Dame of Maryland University, where she teaches fundamentals and adult health nursing across multiple undergraduate program formats. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a concentration in Lifestyle Medicine and is dedicated to promoting healthy self-care behaviors among nursing students. In addition to mentoring and precepting graduate students, Dr. Wright practices as a certified medical-surgical nurse at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, where she was recognized as Nurse of the Year in 2022.

Podcast Episode Summary

Dr. Kimberly Dunker shares her journey from bedside nurse to nationally respected nursing educator and scholar. She reflects on how her family’s legacy in nursing inspired her early career, her deep passion for acute and critical care practice, and the pivotal moments that drew her into education and research. Dr. Dunker highlights the role of mentorship, collaboration, and perseverance in building a scholarly career, offering practical encouragement for nurses at every stage to embrace evidence-based practice and remain engaged, empowered leaders in the profession.

Guest Bio Kimberly Dunker, PhD, DNP, MSN, RN, CNE, CNEcl, is a full professor and certified nurse educator and clinical nurse educator with more than 25 years of experience serving patients, students, and faculty. She currently serves as Director of the MSN/DNP Program at Loma Linda University and has practiced across multiple critical care specialties, including surgical oncology, neurology, and cardiac care. A published Sigma author, Dr. Dunker’s doctoral work centers on faculty empowerment and student–preceptor relationships, and her leadership is grounded in authentic transformational leadership, faculty development, and advancing nursing scholarship.

Podcast Episode Summary

Dr. Ronald Vance reflects on more than three decades of nursing practice and education, tracing his journey from a high school nursing assistant to a leader in undergraduate and graduate nursing education. He shares how embracing AI-enabled teaching strategies and experiential, interprofessional learning has transformed student engagement, professional identity, and clinical judgment. Dr. Vance also offers thoughtful guidance for emerging nurses, encouraging intellectual curiosity, evidence-based practice, and a passion-driven approach to shaping the future of the profession.

Guest Bio Ronald Vance, PhD, MSN, RN, CNE, is an Associate Professor of Nursing whose work focuses on nursing leadership and the scholarship of teaching and learning. His teaching and research examine how innovative approaches—including AI-enabled active learning and community-based, immersive experiences—support professional identity formation, clinical judgment, and interprofessional collaboration among nursing students. A leader in curriculum redesign aligned with the AACN Essentials, Dr. Vance has developed signature learning initiatives such as the Marine Corps Marathon medical volunteer pilot, reflecting his deep commitment to preparing compassionate, adaptable nurse leaders for an evolving healthcare landscape.