As 2025 winds down, I find myself reflecting on a year that challenged me, stretched me, and ultimately reminded me why this work matters. It feels like one of those years that will always stand out in my personal and professional story.
It started with a sprint, as I finished my Doctor of Nursing Practice program in Health Systems and Leadership at the University of Iowa College of Nursing. Between finishing my practicum hours, defending my project, attending numerous conferences, and shuttling my kids to AAU volleyball games, the spring semester was a whirlwind. In May, I finally crossed the finish line. Graduating felt amazing! Not just because I achieved a terminal degree (which, by the way, was never on my bucket list), but because it represented three years of hard work, perseverance, and growth.
Summer gave me the chance to slow down and appreciate that accomplishment before moving forward. The extra time allowed me to focus on my family and even enjoy the rare luxury of doing nothing from time to time. That slowness was exactly what I needed before the hustle and bustle of fall conference season, where things picked right back up again.
And then came one of the most defining moments of the year. This fall, our team received the American Academy of Nursing Edge Runner Award, one of the most prestigious honors in our profession. This recognition reflected 12 years of collective effort by the entire team to strengthen nurse residency programs and improve outcomes for nurses and patients alike, and I couldn’t be prouder. On top of that, we grew the program, brought on new organizations, and kept putting out episodes of the Beyond Nurse Residency podcast.
This year, we had incredible guests and conversations that connected theory, practice, innovation, and leadership. From Dr. Judy Boychuk Duchscher on transition stages (the foundation of our residency model), to Dr. Nelda Godfrey and Dr. Lindell Joseph on professional identity, to discussions with Dr. Kirsten Hanrahan and Dr. Laura Cullen on evidence-based practice, Dr. Beth Ulrich on preceptor development, Dr. Cory Church on clinician well-being, and the team from the NPD Collaborative on inclusion and belonging. Every episode taught us something new. We also featured voices from the Iowa Nurse Innovators Program and Simulation in Motion Iowa and heard directly from site coordinators and residents. In this month’s episode, our team sat down to reflect on what we learned this year, our favorite moments on the podcast, and what we hope to explore in 2026.
As we get ready to close out 2025, I realize this year was about coming full circle, honoring the past 12 years, celebrating the present, and preparing for what’s next. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to lead this program for nearly 12 years, and I can’t wait to see where 2026 takes our team and the nurses we serve. Here’s to the year ahead.
Browse all Beyond Nurse Residency podcast episodes here or wherever you get your podcasts!
Nicole Weathers, DNP, RN, NPD-BC
Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program Director
nicole-weathers@uiowa.edu
Wanting a Program Overview? Need to schedule a meeting? Book time with Nicole
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