Over half of new graduate nurses face distress, and 91% report burnout—putting both their well-being and patient safety at risk. In this episode, Dr. Cory Church of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center shares groundbreaking research on the challenges new nurses face, from financial stress to unsafe staffing levels.

Dr. Church highlights how leadership, peer support, and organizational commitment to well-being can make the difference between burnout and resilience. He offers practical strategies, such as daily check-ins, peer connection opportunities, and rethinking sick time as "well-being time."

Whether you're a nurse leader, educator, or clinician, this conversation offers actionable insights to help new nurses thrive—and ensure safer, more stable healthcare environments for all.

GUEST: Cory D. Church, PhD, RN, NPD-BC
Associate Professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing

Dr. Cory Church is an Associate Professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing with a background in nursing education leadership, professional development, and workforce research. His work centers on the well-being and retention of newly licensed nurses, with a focus on how organizational systems influence the transition to practice. He has published widely on nursing workforce trends and well-being, serves on national committees focused on advancing transition to practice, and holds board certification in Nursing Professional Development.

https://www.nursingoutlook.org/article/S0029-6554(25)00058-2/abstract

Supporting nurses is our priority. Visit https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp to explore our resources for new graduate nurses and beyond.