EP. 157: From Bedside to Leadership: What New Nurse Leaders Need to Succeed

Transition to practice doesn’t end when a nurse finishes residency; it happens every time a nurse steps into a new role.

In this episode, Dr. Lya M. Cartwright-Stroupe joins Dr. Renee Thompson to discuss why healthcare organizations need to rethink how they support nurses throughout their careers. Dr. Lya M. Cartwright-Stroupe explains that moving from bedside nursing into charge nurse, educator, manager, director, or executive roles creates new responsibilities and vulnerabilities that require intentional development. She shares how structured transition-to-practice programs, leadership fellowships, mentorship, and competency-based education can better prepare nurses for these changes. Drawing on her first career as a musician, Dr. Lya M. Cartwright-Stroupe also compares effective leadership to conducting an orchestra: leaders bring people with different skills together around a common goal while trusting each person to contribute their expertise.

Tune in to learn how stronger transition-to-practice programs can help nurses build confidence, leadership skills, and succeed throughout their careers.

About Dr. Lya M. Cartwright-Stroupe:

Dr. Lya M. Cartwright-Stroupe is Senior Director of Nursing Strategy and Professional Development at Vandalia Health. A Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and American Organization for Nursing Leadership, she has extensive experience leading initiatives in nursing development, evidence-based practice, patient safety, recruitment, retention, and transition-to-practice.

Before joining Vandalia Health, Dr. Lya M. Cartwright-Stroupe spent more than a decade at WVU Medicine in leadership roles including Director of Nursing Professional Practice and Education, Magnet Program Director, and Transition to Practice Director. She also has experience as a pediatric nurse practitioner and pediatric intensive care nurse and serves as adjunct faculty at West Virginia University.

Before nursing, Dr. Lya M. Cartwright-Stroupe earned a doctorate in piano performance and literature. Her background as a musician continues to shape her leadership philosophy, emphasizing relationships, preparation, trust, communication, and bringing diverse strengths together toward a shared purpose.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode:

• Transition to practice applies to nurses entering new clinical, educational, or leadership roles.

• New nurse leaders need preparation for budgeting, HR, communication, and managing former peers.

• Leadership competencies provide a roadmap for developing essential skills.

• Preceptors teach role-specific skills; mentors support long-term growth.

• Executive exposure and practice with difficult conversations build leadership confidence.

• Like musicians, leaders need to practice before high-stakes situations.

• Effective leadership is rooted in service, relationships, teamwork, and collaboration.

Links & Resources:

• Connect with and follow Dr. Lya M. Cartwright-Stroupe on LinkedIn.

• Follow Vandalia Health on LinkedIn and visit their website.

• Learn more about the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Transition to Practice programs.

• Check out the 33 Scripts Guide to Address Disruptive Behavior here!

• Buy Renee Thompson’s book Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility here!

• Grab a copy of Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! here.

• Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here!

Have a question for Renee?

Email us at wecare@healthyworkforceinstitute.com to have your leadership question featured in an upcoming Q&A episode!

Disclosure: The host may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to. As an Amazon Associate, Coffee Break earns from qualifying purchases.

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