The Power of Advocacy in Healthcare – Rachel Spalding, DNP, RN, NEA-BC

In today’s episode of Compassion & Courage, Marcus Engel speaks with Dr. Rachel Spalding, a nurse executive and consultant, about her journey in nursing, the importance of compassionate care, and the role of advocacy in healthcare. Rachel shares her experiences transitioning from bedside nursing to leadership, the impact of mentorship, and the significance of professional organizations in empowering nurses.  We discuss the evolving role of virtual nursing and its impact on patient care, emphasizing the importance of communication and collaboration between virtual and bedside nurses. 

Key Moments

• 00:00 - Introductions
• 01:05 - Rachel's Journey into Nursing
• 05:24 - Transitioning from Bedside to Leadership
• 08:55 - The Role of Mentorship in Healthcare
• 11:25 - Advocacy and Professional Development in Nursing
• 18:00 - Understanding Virtual Nursing
• 29:17 - Witnessing Compassion
• 34:50 - Leadership Development in Nursing
• 38:00 - Messages of Kindness
• 41:30 - About Rachel’s Work
• 45:05 - Conclusion and Thank Yous

 

Resources for you: 

• More communication tips and resources for how to cultivate compassion: https://marcusengel.com/freeresources/
• Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcusengel/
• Connect with Sr. Spalding on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-spalding-spalding-healthcare-solutions
• Learn more about Spalding Healthcare Solutions: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spalding-healthcare-solutions-llc
• Learn more about Marcus’ Books: https://marcusengel.com/store/
• Subscribe to our podcast through YouTube: https://bit.ly/Youtube-MarcusEngelPodcast

 

About Rachel Spalding, DNP, RN, NEA-BC:

Dr. Rachel Spalding has served as a Chief Nursing Officer and nurse executive since 2014. She holds a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Capella University, a Master's of Science in Nursing from the University of Southern Indiana, and a Bachelor's degree from Morehead State University. Dr. Spalding is an advanced board-certified nurse executive and serves as a board member, and license plate chair for the Indiana Organization for Nursing Leadership and most recently served as a Director on the Indiana State Nurses Association Board. She sits on the Advocacy Committee for both ISNA and for the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, and the Nurse Leaders in Action. Through these roles is where she plays a vital role in shaping healthcare policy for nurses at state and federal levels. She also earned a practice exemplar from the Magnet Commission for her innovative approach to virtual nursing and her most recent work, “Virtually integrated nursing care: A case study in diffusion,” will be featured in the Management in Healthcare Journal’s most recent publication. 

Rachel is deeply committed to legislative advocacy, recognizing the critical role that nurses play in shaping policy that affect nursing practice, workforce, and healthcare outcomes. 

Dr. Spalding is an independent healthcare consultant through her company Spalding Health Care Solutions, that specializes in virtual nursing, professional practice, patient experience, employee engagement, and workforce development. 

 

Date: 1/13/2025 
Name of show: Compassion & Courage: Conversations in Healthcare 
Episode number and title: Episode 160 – The Power of Advocacy in Healthcare – Rachel Spalding, DNP, RN, NEA-BC