Creating Healthy Work Environments (CHWE) is more than just a signature Sigma event—it's a movement dedicated to transforming nursing workplaces into spaces where healthcare professionals can thrive. CHWE offers attendees not only innovative ideas and actionable strategies but also an opportunity to connect with others who share a passion for driving positive change in the healthcare industry.
CHWE is designed to inspire nurses at every stage of their professional journey. First-time participants like Hannah Shipp are eager to learn strategies for leading cultural shifts in healthcare and returning participants like Emily Calabro are excited about sessions on evidence-based strategies for advocating systemic change. Through their shared insights, it’s clear that CHWE continues to serve as a powerful catalyst for creating healthier, more sustainable nursing environments. We hope you’ll consider joining Hannah, Emily, and hundreds of other nurses from 28-30 March 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona!
1. What does "Creating Healthy Work Environments" mean to you, and why is this concept important?
HANNAH: To me, "Creating Healthy Work Environments" means creating a workplace culture where nurses feel supported, valued, and empowered to provide the best care for themselves, their patients, and their communities. It incorporates providing nurses with necessary resources, appropriate staffing levels, and opportunities for professional growth. It also means fostering a safe and respectful workplace. Overall, this concept is crucial because a thriving, healthy work environment allows nurses to thrive personally and professionally while providing optimal patient care. It’s about prioritizing nurses' well-being so that they can, in turn, deliver compassionate, effective patient care.
EMILY: After 15 years in nursing, I've seen firsthand how a toxic work environment can drain even the most dedicated nurses. To me, "Creating Healthy Work Environments" means fostering a space where healthcare professionals feel valued, respected, and supported—not just physically, but psychologically and emotionally as well. It's about creating a culture where nurses can thrive, not just survive. This is crucial because a healthy work environment directly impacts patient care, nurse retention, and the overall quality of the healthcare system. My doctoral research focused on the impact of resilience on preventing burnout and PTSD. I learned that addressing these issues requires more than individual resilience; it demands systemic change. We need to create a culture where nurses can thrive, and that means addressing the systemic issues—like profit-driven models that prioritize efficiency and cost-cutting over the well-being of healthcare workers—that contribute to burnout and moral distress. These are the very problems CHWE seeks to address.
2. What sessions or activities are you most looking forward to, and what do you hope to learn?
HANNAH: I am most looking forward to sessions focusing on organizational-level approaches that create healthy work environments, particularly on how nurse leaders can introduce and implement policies and practices that prioritize nurse well-being, collaboration, and growth.
EMILY: As the sole clinical nurse scientist in my organization, I'm constantly navigating how to effectively build team-science within our 30,000+ person system. I'm eager to learn tips and tricks from those who have mastered this art.
3. How do you see attending CHWE impacting your work or career?
HANNAH: Attending CHWE will notably advance my professional goals because it supports my passion for nurses’ well-being and my PhD focus on nursing workforce issues. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of how organizational practices can support nurses' mental health, collaboration, and growth. This will positively impact my scholarly work and my ability to advocate for policy changes that improve the nursing workforce. Overall, I believe this experience will be instrumental in shaping my career as a PhD student, researcher, and nurse leader.
EMILY: CHWE provides cutting-edge knowledge. For three years, we've brought back evidence and resources from CHWE to support the creation of a system-wide peer support program. We've successfully built the program, deployed peer support rounders, and secured funding for its continued sustainability. For me, CHWE has been instrumental in my leadership development, enhancing my skills in advocacy, policy influence, leading change, and mentorship.
4. What role do networking opportunities at CHWE play in advancing your professional goals?
HANNAH: I believe networking at CHWE will be an invaluable opportunity to connect with nurses from diverse settings and specialties. By sharing experiences, discussing challenges, and gaining new perspectives, we can collectively learn from each other, gain mentors, and exchange ideas for improving work environments!
EMILY: Networking at CHWE is invaluable. It allows you to learn from experienced leaders and find partners for research or advocacy projects. Presenting my work and engaging in discussions has increased my visibility in the field. Twice now, I've connected with a regional scientific board through CHWE and am now an active member, attending planning sessions, and making regional scientific decisions to expand or create new initiatives that support healthy work environments. Through my involvement, I'm now leading a workshop on translating ideas into practical solutions and calculating ROIs on quality improvement projects.
5. What would you say to someone who is on the fence about attending CHWE?
HANNAH: Go for it! Attending CHWE is not just about enhancing your professional development, but also about contributing to the collective effort to improve the nursing workforce and patient care. Take this opportunity to empower yourself to become a catalyst for positive change by fostering healthy work environments.
EMILY: If you're passionate about improving the nursing profession and creating a more supportive and healthy work environment, CHWE is the conference to attend and present at. It's an investment in your well-being, career growth, and the future of nursing. I guarantee you'll leave CHWE with actionable strategies to improve your work environment, the opportunity to connect with inspiring leaders, and become part of a movement dedicated to positive change in healthcare.
Hannah Shipp, BSN, RN, SCRN, PCCN, is a doctoral student at East Tennessee State University and a Critical Care Registered Nurse. She is a member of Sigma’s Epsilon Sigma at-Large Chapter.
Emily Calabro, PhD, RN, CCRN, CHPN, CLNC, CCISM, is a Clinical Nurse Scientist and Healthcare Researcher.