The Ambitious Nurse | Career Strategy for High-Performing Nurses Ready to Advance in Leadership

Here's something people don't believe when I tell them: I became president of my state nurses association, and it did not start with a big, dramatic decision. It started seven years ago with something almost embarrassingly small. I showed up to one convention meeting, then one regional event, then volunteered for one tiny committee right there in the space where I already worked. That's how real career growth happens. Not in the bi...

I'm back. My last episode dropped in November 2025, right as I was stepping fresh into my presidency — and then life got busy in ways I couldn't have predicted. You don't really know the time and capacity you have until you're juggling all of it at once and have to recalibrate. So in this comeback episode, I catch you up on where I've been, what I've been building behind the scenes (a one-on-one coaching offer that goes deep ...

I recorded this one live on Election Day, and I couldn't wait to get it out. It's my unscripted call to every nurse who's ever claimed the title "patient advocate" — and then stayed silent at the ballot box. It started in the simulation lab: a pediatric scenario with a baby admitted for hypoglycemia and a mother diluting formula to make it stretch. A scenario I'd written months earlier and run many times before. But during th...

You love being a nurse—but lately, something feels off. Maybe your nursing job isn’t giving you the same sense of purpose it once did. In this episode, Bonnie explores why passion for nursing alone isn’t always enough to keep you fulfilled in your career—and what you can do to bring meaning, clarity, and direction back into your professional life.

She shares how to evaluate your current nursing role through t...

In this episode, Bonnie shares a simple 5-minute reflection exercise that helps you gain fresh perspective on your career path. Whether you’re an RN, APRN, or nurse leader, this quick practice guides you to notice the moments that bring the most fulfillment—and points you toward nursing job opportunities that truly fit.

Key Takeaways:

• Why clarity doesn’t require hours of career planning
• A 3-step journaling exerci...

In this episode, I introduce the Nurse Career Growth Roadmap, a practical guide to help you identify your current stage and take the right next step.

You’ll learn:

• The 5 stages every nurse experiences
• Why even highly educated nurses struggle with clarity
• Action steps to create momentum in your career (without waiting for permission)

Whether you’re an RN, APRN, or nurse leader, this episode will help you gain clarity...

If your entire professional identity is tied to one nursing job, you might be limiting your growth — and your joy. In this episode, I share why putting all your eggs in one job basket could be holding you back and how to expand your skills, network, and opportunities without burning out.

Whether you’re an RN, APRN, or nurse leader, you’ll learn how to diversify your career, grow your influence, and create new possi...

In this style-meets-leadership episode, we’re talking about what your outfit says before you even introduce yourself. 

Bonnie is joined by certified image consultant and color specialist, Heather Riggs, who shares expert tips on how RNs, APRNs, and nursing leaders can align their personal style with their professional goals. Whether you're stepping into a boardroom, a Zoom interview, or a networking event—your wardr...

Feeling stuck in your nursing career—even with years of experience or an advanced degree? You’re not alone. In this episode, Bonnie breaks down the real reasons nurses feel uncertain about what’s next—and introduces a simple tool to help you get clear. Whether you're an RN, APRN, or nurse leader, discover how self-awareness and career reflection can reignite your purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• Common causes of ca...

This podcast was #1 one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025.

How do I find my nursing niche? How do I advance my career as a nurse? Have you asked these questions before? 

There are so many career paths for nurses that we get stuck. It's a good problem and a bad problem to have. It's good because it gives us options. It's bad, because we ...

This podcast was one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025.

The blueprint for developing your nursing career is right here. Founded on the principles of Professional Ascension, the Ambitious Nurse Podcast is about helping nurses grow professionally. Professional Ascension provides career coaching and mentoring for nurses with experience. <...

This podcast was one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025.

There are red flags that indicate it's time to move on from your current job, but many people stay longer than they should. This episode is to help the nurse consider whether to stay at the bedside or leave.

Should they stay in nursing or leave nursing? 

Should they stay in healthca...

This podcast was one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025.

Can you imagine finding joy in your nursing career while maintaining financial stability, even during the strenuous summer months? 

By establishing boundaries, you can achieve greater flexibility and autonomy, focusing on what truly matters professionally and personally.

This podcast was one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025. 

Are you tired of feeling stuck in your nursing career despite having advanced degrees and qualifications?

 Join me, Bonnie Meadows, as I reveal essential strategies for overcoming career stagnation and moving into leadership roles. Discover why your resume might hold ...

This podcast was one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025. 

Are you stuck in analysis paralysis, endlessly weighing the "what ifs" of your nursing career? In this episode, Bonnie Meadows, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, shares her own experiences with overcoming perfectionism and fear to take decisive action.

Bonnie challenges the "checklist mentalit...

What a milestone!! This is my 50th episode. I decided to get a little personal and controversial even for me. I pray it blesses you and directs you on your next steps in advocating for your patients, families, and yourself. 

This episode discusses the current political climate and its effects on nursing. You must advocate for yourself and your patients. I also stress the role of faith and prayer in navigating difficult time...

There is a lack of clarity when it comes to nursing career goals. The majority of nurses know what they want to do when they join the nursing profession. However, for some, their thoughts about what they want to do begin to change after they've been in the profession for a while. Exposure to more influences their desire to follow a different path. Often, they don't know what that path will be.  It is my goal to make you feel l...

Join me,  as we celebrate Black History Month by exploring how these figures' can invigorate your own approach to leadership in healthcare. This episode is a treasure trove of insights into leading with love, kindness, and assertive strategies when necessary, all aimed at empowering you to make a real difference in advocating for patients.

Explore the secrets to amplifying your influence in the nursing field without rel...

This podcast was one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025. 

This week's episode peels back the layers of why embracing a career mindset in nursing benefits personal growth and improves the nursing profession. 

We also discuss the impact of a career-focused approach on workplace morale and patient care. Actionable advice is pro...