Developing Confident, Practice-Ready Nurses: Data-Driven Insights for Academic and Health System Leaders

July 9, 2026 at 12:00 pm CT

Developing Confident, Practice-Ready Nurses: Data-Driven Insights for Academic and Health System Leaders

New graduate nurses are arriving at the bedside ready to practice—but emerging data reveals important opportunities to better support their transition into professional environments. The Nursing Catalyst’s 2025 New Graduate Nurse benchmarking study, which surveyed more than 2,300 new graduate nurses, uncovered a new, consistent pattern: nurses begin their first year with evolving needs in emotional readiness, professional identity formation and preparation for the technologies reshaping care delivery. The result is a workforce that meets clinical expectations on paper while needing support to build confidence. Oftentimes it’s confidence, not competency, that is a key predictor of nurse retention.

This AACN and AONL joint webinar, in collaboration with The Health Management Academy,  examines findings from the study, which reveals what it takes to develop and sustain confidence across year one. Academic and health system leaders will explore how curriculum, clinical experience and transition-to-practice design can work together to better support early-career nurses, including how intentional alignment can improve outcomes for both nurses and the systems they serve.

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the relationship between confidence and intent to stay in new graduates, and explain why confidence—not clinical competency alone—is a leading indicator of early-tenure retention
• Examine the growing gap between health system investment in AI and virtual nursing and new graduate readiness to work in these environments, and how earlier academic exposure can accelerate readiness
• Identify opportunities for academic and health system leaders to strengthen academic-practice alignment around emotional preparation, professional identity and technology readiness

About the Presenters

Nelda Godfrey PhD, ACNS-BC, RN, FAAN, ANEF, Professor, Professional Practice and Director of Nursing Career Success, Identity and Innovation, Sinclair School of Nursing

Dr. Godfrey is a nationally recognized thought leader in nursing innovation, education, ethics and professional identity, Dr. Godfrey’s seminal work is helping transform how nurses, health care professionals and society understand what it means to “think, act and feel like a nurse.” Her scholarship and leadership include advancing professional identity in nursing, supporting implementation of the AACN Essentials, creating the KU Community College Nursing Program, and serving on the American Nurses Association Ethics and Human Rights Advisory Board.

Lauren Rewers, Managing Director, Nursing Catalyst, The Health Management Academy

Lauren Rewers is Managing Director of Nursing Catalyst at The Health Management Academy, an innovation incubator for nurse leaders that brings proprietary research and the hands-on Frontline Nurse Leader Labs. Her recent research spans new graduate nurse retention, nurse manager span of control and AI in nursing, drawing on the learnings and data of 50+ health systems.

Tiffany Murdock, DNP, MBA, RN, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing and Clinical Excellence Officer, Ochsner Health

Dr. Murdock serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing and Clinical Excellence Officer at Ochsner Health, where she leads more than 10,000 nurses and nurse leaders and oversees system strategy for clinical excellence, quality and safety, patient experience, throughput and post-acute care. Since joining Ochsner in 2023, she has advanced care delivery innovation, expanded virtual nursing to more than 615 beds, reduced administrative burden through quality and scheduling tools and helped drive strong nurse retention and workplace recognition. An experienced executive nurse leader and former health system CEO, Murdock brings deep expertise in nursing leadership, healthcare operations and professional practice transformation.

Susan Corbridge, PhD, APRN, FAANP, FCCP, FAAN, Chief Academic & Innovation Officer, American Association of Colleges of Nursing

Dr. Corbridge is Chief Academic and Innovation Officer at the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), where she leads the organization's national academic and innovation portfolio, including competency-based education, academic–practice partnerships, faculty development and emerging technologies. A nationally recognized leader in nursing education and advanced practice, she is Professor Emerita at the University of Illinois Chicago with more than 37 years of experience as a clinician, educator, researcher and healthcare leader.

Joni L. Watson, DNP, MBA, RN, OCN, Senior Director, Professional Practice, American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)

Dr. Watson serves as Senior Director of Professional Practice at AONL, where she advances nursing leadership and professional standards nationwide. With a strong background in clinical practice, education and organizational leadership, she is dedicated to improving patient outcomes and strengthening the nursing workforce. Dr. Watson is recognized for her commitment to healthcare innovation, mentorship and the development of future nurse leaders.