NPD Forecast

Hosted by Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD)

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May 2026

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About the show

Join Stephanie Zidek, PhD, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, and Naomi Fox, DNP, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN, your personal environmental scanning forecasters, for NPD Forecast, a podcast that analyzes information gathered through environmental scanning and discusses NPD implications that you can apply to your daily practice. Visit www.anpd.org for more information.

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May 26, 20261 hr 2 min

Live from Aspire – Mentoring Magic

In this episode of the NPD Forecast podcast, which was recorded live at ANPD Aspire Conference, guests Kim Ashe, BSN, MSN, Linda Bub, MSN, RN, GCNS-BC, NPD-BC, Amy Hu, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN, and Ambra Starr, RN, BSN, dive into mentorship and the value it holds for both nurses and nursing professional development (NPD) practitioners. Drawing from their experiences—on both sides of the mentor and mentee relationship—they reveal the magic behind building a mentorship program that goes far beyond healthcare skills. The discussion highlights: How NPD leaders can design and implement a mentorship program in their organization Common questions and not-so-common answers about what it takes to be a good mentor Unexpected ways the mentorship relationship can show up

March 11, 202637 min

Celebrating Certification: The Impact of NPD Credentialing

In this episode of the NPD Forecast podcast, guests Mary Smith, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NC-BC, AMB-BC, C-EFM, CCE, Jo-Ann Robison, DNP, APN-BC, RNC-OB, NPD-BC, and Arisha Chase, MSN-Ed, RN, NPD-BC, PCCN, discuss the value and process of earning nursing professional development certification in recognition of National Certified Nurses Day on March 19. Drawing from their diverse experiences—as a leader promoting certification, a longtime certification instructor, and a newly certified NPDBC practitioner—they share perspectives on why certification matters for both individuals and the broader NPD specialty. The discussion highlights: How NPD leaders can promote certification readiness through environmental scanning and intentional preparation strategies Common misconceptions about the NPD certification process and how education and mentorship can support candidates How achieving certification can shift professional mindset, build confidence, and strengthen the ability to influence practice and outcomes

January 26, 202615 min

Quick Doses of NPD: Expanding Access Through a National Virtual Learning Platform

In this episode of the NPD Forecast: Quick Doses of NPD miniseries, Grace Carcich and Gracie Holmberg discuss the PrimE Academy, a virtual learning community created to support Prime Healthcare's nationwide network of hospitals. They share how the platform evolved from pandemic-era COVID-19 training into a comprehensive virtual learning environment offering education and resources across multiple care settings. The discussion highlights: How the NPD leader implements a project and advocates for resources to bring that project to the future How virtual learning can enhance accessibility to policies, procedures, best practices, and education to help with all of the throughputs that the NPD practitioner is responsible for About the Miniseries: The Quick Doses of NPD miniseries offers brief, practical snapshots of a throughput in action within nursing professional development.

January 23, 202612 min

Quick Doses of NPD: Leveraging QR Codes and Microlearning at the Point of Care

In this episode of NPD Forecast: Quick Doses of NPD miniseries, Ashley Simpson joins the conversation to discuss throughput education and collaborative partnerships, as well as technology in nursing professional development. Ashley shares insights from her work overseeing multiple surgical units and describes how QR code resources and microlearning tools are being used to support nursing staff at the point of care. The discussion highlights: How these tools address high-risk, low-frequency metrics and clinical practice; The positive outcomes of the QR code initiative—including strong satisfaction among nurses; And how presenting this work at the 2025 Aspire Convention created opportunities for professional connection and knowledge sharing. About the Miniseries: The Quick Doses of NPD miniseries offers brief, practical snapshots of a throughput in action within nursing professional development.

January 13, 202616 min

Quick Doses of NPD: Improving Code Response Through In Situ Simulation

In this episode of NPD Forecast, Annie Johnson kicks off our Quick Doses of NPD miniseries to discuss the throughput education by sharing her work that strengthens staff responses to a medical emergency code. Johnson shares insights from the "Shock and Awe" project, an initiative focused on improving nurses' performance during codes and increasing adherence to American Heart Association (AHA) metrics by using in situ simulations. The conversation explores: How monthly simulations conducted within nursing units support real-world learning; The importance of psychological safety and flexible training approaches; And how skills-based education has led to improved response times—while also addressing common challenges, including caregiver confidence with defibrillator use. About the Miniseries: The Quick Doses of NPD miniseries offers brief, practical snapshots of a throughput in action within nursing professional development.

December 15, 202539 min

Collaboration that Counts: Designing Leadership and Development for the Future of Care

In this episode of the NPD Forecast podcast, Amy Trueblood, senior director of leadership development at AONL, joins our hosts to explore how collaboration between nurse leaders and nursing professional development (NPD) specialists can drive meaningful change in today's complex healthcare environment. Drawing from her experience developing leadership programming—and from past roles navigating care delivery model changes during the COVID-19 pandemic—Trueblood highlights how partnership with professional development practitioners supports successful implementation and sustained impact. The discussion also examines: The value of diverse expertise in shaping future programs; Common barriers to effective collaboration; And why understanding individual needs and fostering psychological safety are essential to moving our work forward.

September 8, 202533 min

Spilling the Tea in NPD: Celebrating NPD Week Together

In this episode of the NPD Forecast Podcast, Naomi Fox, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN; Stephanie Zidek, PhD, RN, AGCNS-BC, NEA-BC, NPD-BC; and guests Liz Cambier, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, and Mary Smith, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NC-BC, AMB-BC, C-EFM, CCE, come together to celebrate Nursing Professional Development Week by sharing their personal journeys into the NPD role. Together, they reflect on: What inspired them to pursue a career in nursing professional development. The challenges and lessons learned as they grow into the role. How embracing vulnerability, curiosity, and continuous learning shapes their practice. The pride they feel in supporting nurses and advancing the profession. Why NPD Week is a meaningful time to honor the impact of NPD practitioners everywhere.

July 18, 202539 min

Plugging Technology Into Leadership

In this episode of the NPD Forecast Podcast, Mandi Walker, DNP, RN, NPDA-BC, NEA-BC; Sarah Gibbons, PhD, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, CPN; and Danyel Germain, DNP, RN, CHSE, join host Naomi Fox, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN, and special guest co-host Jesse Scapinello, MSN, RN, to explore how technology and leadership can empower nurses and transform practice. Together, they discuss: · Strategies for integrating technology at the point of care to support clinical decision-making. · The role of nurse leaders in professional development, mentorship, and career growth. · How involving nurses in product design and workflow changes improves adoption and outcomes. · Innovative uses of VR, mobile apps, and embedded resources to enhance education and efficiency. · The growing impact of AI on nursing practice, safety, and leadership in 2025 and beyond. This podcast is sponsored by Elsevier.

June 17, 20251 hr 2 min

NPD Forecast: NPD Roles in Action (Live From the 2025 Aspire Convention)

Live from the ANPD Aspire Convention in Las Vegas, this special episode of the NPD Forecast discusses the roles of the nursing professional development practitioner: learning facilitator, change agent, mentor, leader, champion for scientific inquiry, advocate for NPD specialty, and partner for practice transitions. Hosts Stephanie Zidek, PhD, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, and Naomi Fox, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN, speak with guests Shara Rhodes, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, MEDSURG-BC, NPDA-BC®; Jenny Harshman, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CPN; and Rachel Senefeld Kromer, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BE, about how role clarity contributes to advancing the NPD profession, empowers the next generation of leaders, and more.

May 13, 202532 min

Being a Change Agent Through Grant Writing

In this episode of the NPD Forecast Podcast, Charlie Hawknuff, MBA, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CEN, TCRN, NE-BC, NPD-BC, and Cecilia Lopez, MSN, RN, share their experience securing and implementing a grant from the American Nurses Association to support the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing. Together with hosts Stephanie Zidek, PhD, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, and Naomi Fox, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN, they discuss: The meaning and impact of grants on achieving improved healthcare outcomes. The timeline, goals and challenges of creating the grant proposal. How they used their grant funding, including funding NPD specialists to deliver microlearnings. How grant writing aligns with NPD roles, especially Change Agent. Practical advice for NPD departments with limited grant writing experience or resources. This podcast is sponsored by Post University.