What does it take to go from ICU nurse to hospital CEO?

In this episode of Pulse Check, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Dr. Danielle Gabele, Chief Executive Officer of Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital, to discuss her unconventional journey into nursing leadership, the mentors who shaped her career, and the lessons she has learned leading at the highest levels of healthcare.

Danielle shares how an early career in business helped develop her leadership philosophy, why understanding every level of an organization matters, and how strong partnerships between healthcare systems and academic institutions can strengthen the nursing workforce pipeline. She also offers practical insights on balancing competing priorities, staying connected to a leadership "North Star," and advocating for the future of nursing through professional engagement and public policy.

Key topics include:
• Danielle's path from economics graduate to hospital CEO
• The leadership lessons she learned outside of healthcare
• Building stronger partnerships between academia and clinical practice
• Developing successful nursing workforce pipelines
• Navigating competing priorities as a healthcare executive
• The importance of mentorship in leadership development
• How nurse leaders can influence healthcare policy and regulatory decisions
• The role professional organizations play in career growth and advocacy

This conversation offers valuable insights for nurse leaders, healthcare executives, educators, and anyone aspiring to lead meaningful change in healthcare.

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Karen Rea, MSN, FNP, CCHP, to discuss leadership, correctional nursing, workforce development, and the importance of bringing nursing voices to the executive table.

Karen shares her journey from neonatal intensive care nursing to statewide correctional health leadership, including her work overseeing thousands of nurses across California’s prison system. She also reflects on the lessons that shaped her leadership style, the value of humility, and why investing in staff development is one of the strongest tools for retention, quality, and cost containment.

This conversation offers a powerful look at innovation in nursing leadership, the connection between healthcare and academia, and the often-overlooked impact of correctional healthcare.

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Garrett Chan to explore the future of nursing leadership, education, and workforce development.

Garrett shares the defining moments that shaped his journey from bedside nurse to executive leader, including the lessons he learned about leading through influence, emotional intelligence, and consensus building. He also discusses the growing need for stronger alignment between healthcare organizations, academia, and regulatory bodies to better prepare nurses for the realities of today’s healthcare system.

The conversation dives into the concept of creating a shared “North Star” for nursing education, the importance of real-world clinical preparation, and how nurse leaders can help shape legislation and policy that improve patient care and access across healthcare systems.

This episode is packed with insight for nurse leaders, educators, healthcare executives, and anyone passionate about advancing the future of nursing.