Season 2 • Episode 70

Emory University: Unlocking the Power of Persuasion in Your Nursing Career (With Melissa Mills, Dr. Roxana Chicas, Dr. Sharron Close and Sofi Igyan)

Jan 6, 2026

56:16

Episode Description

Persuasion isn’t just for politicians and advertisers—it’s a core nursing skill.

In this episode of the Emory University series, host Melissa Mills sits down with Dr. Roxana Chicas, Dr. Sharron Close, and recent Emory School of Nursing graduate Sofi Igyan to explore how nurses can use the power of words to influence change from the bedside to the boardroom.

Together, they unpack what persuasion really means in health care—how it differs from simple education, and why it’s both an art and a science. You’ll hear how strategies like knowing your audience, framing messages, leveraging the “power of three,” and using data and stories together can move patients, policymakers, and the public to action.

The guests share real-world examples—from farmworker advocacy and climate health, to social media “nurse hacks,” to early-career experiences with therapeutic communication and mental health. They also dig into storytelling tools like the AIDS Memorial Quilt and the legacy of Cesar Chavez to show how narrative can humanize complex issues, build empathy, and shift policy.

Whether you’re a new graduate nurse, bedside nurse, educator, or emerging nurse leader, this episode will help you:

Claim your voice as a communicator and advocate
Use persuasion ethically and effectively
Turn everyday conversations into opportunities for impact

Listen in and rediscover your words as one of the most powerful tools you have as a nurse.

>>Unlocking the Power of Persuasion in Your Nursing Career

Jump Ahead to Listen:

[00:01:39] Persuasion in nursing communication.
[00:05:03] Core components of effective persuasion.
[00:09:14] Applying persuasive strategies in community settings.
[00:14:26] How nurses can influence public perception through media.
[00:18:09] The power of storytelling.
[00:20:40] Stories that drive meaningful change in healthcare.
[00:25:28] Creativity as a communication tool for nurses.
[00:30:05] Using multimedia platforms to expand reach.
[00:34:02] Elevating patient voices in care and advocacy.
[00:37:54] Fostering communication confidence among nurses.
[00:44:42] Creating space for vulnerability in nursing culture.
[00:48:13] Building confidence in clinical and professional expertise.
[00:50:13] Developing therapeutic communication skills.
[00:54:46] Embracing lifelong learning in nursing practice.

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