Engaging and Retaining Gen Z Nurses: Insights for Today’s Nurse Leaders from AONL & Laudio

Thursday, April 30 2026 at 12:00 pm CT

Engaging and Retaining Gen Z Nurses: Insights for Today’s Nurse Leaders from AONL & Laudio
Gen Z is now the fastest‑growing cohort in the nursing workforce, bringing new expectations for communication, connection and career development. This live, virtual session from AONL shares findings from a recent national analysis of almost 100,000 RNs and highlights how Gen Z nurses differ in their work patterns, early‑career trajectories and engagement needs. Nurse leaders and executives will come away with practical, data-backed strategies to strengthen retention, support early career growth and adapt leadership practices to meet the needs of this emerging generation in the nursing workforce.
 

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify and interpret key Gen Z–specific engagement and work‑pattern indicators that influence satisfaction and retention, including connection frequency, shift patterns and early‑career support needs.
2. Design system-level approaches that combine proven leadership frameworks, training and technology to create consistent, meaningful support structures for Gen Z nurses.
    

About the Presenters

Tim Darling, President, Laudio Insights

Tim Darling is a co-founder of Laudio and President of Laudio Insights. With over 20 years of experience in health care technology, Tim has a real passion for using data and analytics to serve the challenges facing health care organizations. Laudio Insights, the analytics and research arm of Laudio, provides unique perspectives on some of health system leaders’ most complex challenges.

Joni L. Watson, DNP, MBA, RN, OCN, Senior Director, Professional Practice, AONL

Joni Watson, DNP, MBA, RN, OCN®, is a health care executive, oncology leader, author, consultant and developer. Joni is the Co-Founder and Chief Vision Officer of The Creating Collective, a health care and leadership consulting firm; the Editor of the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing; and holds a Consulting Associate Faculty appointment at the Duke University School of Nursing, teaching in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Executive Leadership Specialty.

Angie Wright, RN, MSN-L, Chief Nursing Executive, Brown University Health

Angie Wright, RN, MSN-L, is chief nursing executive at Brown University Health. Wright serves as a systemwide strategic leader for nursing services and as the chief nursing officer for Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s. 

Wright joined Brown University Health from Banner University Medicine in Tucson, Arizona, where she served as chief nursing officer for four years at a Magnet-designated medical center. Her experience included oversight of two academic medical centers, a cancer center and 32 ambulatory sites. Recognized by Becker’s as a Hospital and Health System CNO to Know for 2023, Wright has a wealth of experience in uniting and leading multi-site health systems.

Joel Ray, COL, USAF, NC, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Clinical Advisor, Laudio

Joel Ray is Chief Clinical Advisor at Laudio, where he brings a CNO perspective to a wide range of cross-functional initiatives and is a key contributor to Laudio Insights. With 42 years in health care and over 23 years in executive leadership roles, including Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Operating Officer, Joel brings a wealth of operational leadership experience to Laudio. He understands the needs of executives and frontline leaders. He is passionate and pragmatic about empowering frontline leaders to focus on what matters most: building meaningful connections with their teams to enhance engagement and secure the delivery of high quality, safe care and an excellent patient experience. 

Previously the Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer at UNC Rex Healthcare under his guidance, the hospital obtained its 4th Magnet designation, CMS 5 Star and Leapfrog A ratings. He served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force Nurse Corps, retiring with the rank of Colonel. He earned a BSN from Arkansas State University and MSN from Arizona State University.
 

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