From the streets to echelons of power: Advocating for work spaces that promote nurses' relational praxis

How can a Chief Nursing Officer influence conversations about serious illness? In this episode, Patricia Strachan explores this question with Dr. Leigh Chapman, a dedicated nurse and leader who is advocating at the highest levels across Canada to improve working conditions for nurses—helping them not only stay in the profession but thrive. And when nurses thrive, patients benefit too. Leigh Chapman was appointed Canada’s Chief Nursing Officer in 2022, a positive outcome from the challenges posed by the pandemic, which caused severe nursing shortages and burnout. Since her appointment, Leigh has travelled across Canada—coast to coast—listening to nurses and using her platform to advocate for meaningful change. Her leadership is inspiring. In this wide-ranging conversation, Leigh shares insights from her diverse clinical experience, including her recent work in supervised injection sites, as well as her ongoing nursing advocacy efforts at the national level. She reflects on her work to create and sustain workplaces where therapeutic nursing relationships can develop and flourish. Leigh’s message is one of hope and inspiration, and we believe it will resonate with nurses both in Canada and beyond. For more information and to access resources visit: radicalnursetalk.com