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The Global Health Workforce Podcast

Welcome to the "Care Anywhere Podcast: The Global Health Workforce Podcast." Our series delves into the dynamic world of global health workforce development. Join us as we engage with subject matter experts, thought leaders, and practitioners in insightful discussions on the evolving practices, addressing workforce shortages, and meeting the global demand for healthcare talent. Explore the critical intersections shaping the future of healthcare worldwide with us.

TruMerit

Healthcare

The Whole Nurse: Design Thinking, Self-healing, and Transformational Belonging

Lea Sims
September 2, 2025
belonging
burnout prevention
Care Anywhere
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In this episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims, Chief Marketing Officer of TruMerit, welcomes Kathryn Shaffer, EdD, RN, MSN, CNE, CCFP, Director of Innovation at Thomas Jefferson University’s College of Nursing. Kathryn brings a distinctive perspective on reimagining nursing education and practice through a holistic, self-healing lens.

The conversation explores her “Whole Nurse” approach—an integration of design thinking, self-healing practices, and a deep sense of belonging that addresses the profession’s most urgent challenges. Drawing from her academic leadership and front-line experience, Kathryn discusses how reframing the nurse’s role as both caregiver and innovator can transform patient outcomes and career satisfaction alike.

Lea and Kathryn also examine how cultivating psychological safety, creative problem-solving skills, and supportive communities can counter burnout, strengthen workforce retention, and inspire the next generation of nurse leaders. From embedding wellness strategies into curricula to fostering collaboration across disciplines, the episode offers actionable insights for building a sustainable, empowered nursing workforce.

With equal parts inspiration and practical guidance, this conversation challenges the traditional boundaries of nursing, showing how personal well-being and professional excellence are not competing priorities but essential partners in advancing care.

Tune in to the full episode at trumerit.org/podcast or on your favorite podcast platform

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