LIVE WEBINAR
Co-Presented By:

Rewriting the Playbook: Building Confident Nursing Leaders and Competent Teams

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 16

When: 1 p.m. Eastern

The nursing workforce is at an inflection point—and forward-thinking organizations are turning challenges into a competitive advantage.
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While 49% of nurse leaders seek stronger competency frameworks and 75% recognize opportunities to better prepare new graduates for clinical success, innovative CNOs are building the leadership pipelines and development systems that drive clinical excellence, retention, and operational performance.

Join us for a candid discussion with CNOs and industry experts who are rewriting the playbook on leadership development, sharing insights on how to create thriving cultures where emerging leaders gain confidence, new nurses accelerate their clinical readiness, and organizations build sustainable talent pipelines—transforming today's workforce gaps into tomorrow's strategic strength.

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Learning Objectives

Close Readiness Gaps Fast

Identify workforce readiness gaps and blueprint strategies to build confidence and accelerate clinical readiness from day one.

Streamline Onboarding Efficiency

Map out efficiency strategies for managers and staff that reduce onboarding timelines and administrative burdens.

Turn Competency Data Into Strategy

Leverage real-time competency data as a strategic asset to design sustainable leadership pipelines and drive improved retention, staff engagement, and measurable quality outcomes.

Our Presenters

Larissa Africa MBA, RN, CENP, FAONL, FAAN

Vice President, Healthcare Workforce Solutions HWS and StaffGarden, by Ascend Learning

Larissa Africa is a visionary leader in healthcare, known for transforming the industry through innovative workforce development strategies.  

As the former President and CEO of Versant Healthcare Competency Solutions, Ms. Africa conceptualized and executed a nationwide NRP implementation strategy and conceived a nursing workforce development model beyond new graduate nurses, transforming how healthcare organizations build their workforce. She led the development of a TTP-specific web-management system, the first of its kind in the early 2000 garnering a Microsoft award.

In her current role as a Vice-President for Ascend Learning, she advises on the organization’s strategic direction, product development, and implementation of thought-leadership strategies for the healthcare workforce’s onboarding and professional development.
 
She is well-published and presents internationally on topics around NRPs and workforce development.  

Her commitment to serve the nursing profession extends beyond employment. She co-founded two non-profit organizations: the Versant Center for the Advancement of Nursing and The National Collaborative for Transition to Practice. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of The National Collaborative dedicated to supporting organizations and nurses implementing transition to practice programs. Additionally, Ms. Africa serves as the deputy editor of the Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing. Ms. Africa actively serves on several national boards and professional organization committees.   

Larissa is a Fellow with the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and the American Academy of Nursing.

Joel Ray, COL, USAF, NC, MSN, RN, NEA-BC

Chief Clinical Advisor at 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 healthcare 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.

Julie Holland DNP, RN, NEA-BC

Senior Director System Nursing Professional Practice & Clinical Learning Texas Health Resources

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Dr. Janice Walker, DHA, MBA-HCM, BSN, RN, NEA-BC

Chief Nursing Executive, Formerly of Baylor Scott & White Health & Advocate Atrium Health

Dr. Janice Walker is an experienced Chief Nursing Executive. She holds a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration focused on Executive Female Healthcare Leadership from University of Phoenix, an MBA in Healthcare Management, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing.  

Dr. Walker most recently served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer - Southeast Region of Advocate Health and was responsible for providing strategic leadership for all nursing and other designated patient care functions and services for Atrium Health. Prior to Advocate Health, Dr. Walker held roles as System Chief Nursing & Chief Operating Officer at Baylor Scott & White Health (BSW) and Texas Health Presbyterian in Texas, Freeman Health System in Joplin, Missouri, Slidell Memorial Hospital in Louisiana, and National Park Medical Center (Tenet) in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Dr. Walker’s work has been published on driving to zero patient harm; tactics for strong candidate-centric nursing recruitment and retention; workplace violence; interdisciplinary team dialogue; and driving service scores through programs as open visitation, hard-wiring service, and patient advocacy service councils.

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