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Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long
Join nurse and healthcare leader Kimberly C. Long as she sits down with top nursing executives to uncover the defining moments that shaped their careers. In each 10-minute episode, guests share the challenges, breakthroughs, and insights that helped them grow as leaders. From inspiring team culture to improving patient care and navigating complex healthcare systems, Kimberly brings out practical lessons and actionable strategies that nursing leaders can apply every day. Whether you’re a seasoned CNO or an emerging leader, these conversations offer a front-row seat to the wisdom and experiences that drive success in nursing leadership.
Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long
Dr. Nancy Blake – Nurse Scientist & Retired CNO, Los Angeles General Medical Center
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In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Dr. Nancy Blake, a distinguished nurse scientist and recently retired Chief Nursing Officer of Los Angeles General Medical Center. Dr. Blake reflects on her remarkable 45-year career in nursing leadership, sharing insights on resilience, purpose, and navigating pivotal moments in healthcare administration.
From early experiences in pediatric nursing to leading during the pandemic and guiding her hospital to Magnet designation, Dr. Blake offers candid advice for aspiring nurse leaders and shares the lessons she wishes she could tell her younger self. This conversation is a masterclass in leadership, career strategy, and the importance of self-care in high-pressure roles.
Tune in for inspiration, practical wisdom, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to lead one of Southern California’s most critical hospitals.
[0:00 - 0:15]
Kimberly: Hello, everybody. I am so excited to have Dr. Nancy Blake here with us today. She is a nurse scientist and recently retired chief nursing officer for Los Angeles General Hospital Medical Center, correct?
[0:16 - 0:17]
Nancy: That's correct.
[0:17 - 0:43]
Kimberly: Wonderful. Thank you, Dr. Blake, for taking time to spend with us this morning. I have about four questions that I'd like to ask you just to get your perspective on some things, and the first one is related to your career. Give us a little bit of a summary of what your career has looked like. And then I'd also like to ask you if your career currently is aligned with what you thought you would be doing.
[0:43 - 1:14]
Nancy: So I graduated from nursing school in 1980... [continues with career summary].
[3:35 - 4:02]
Kimberly: You know, it's kind of interesting because the name of this podcast is Pulse Check. Has there been a time...that you really had to pause and actually do a pulse check and see if you were on the right track, if there was something else that you were interested in?
[4:02 - 5:29]
Nancy: A couple of times... [continues sharing reflections on pulse checks during career, pandemic, and self-care].
[5:29 - 5:49]
Kimberly: Absolutely. You're absolutely right. And that's something that we as nurses struggle with oftentimes. How do you find purpose in what you're doing in your work? And what advice would you give your younger self based on what you've learned?
[5:49 - 7:18]
Nancy: My younger self is to really, you know, look at any opportunities that come around... [continues sharing guidance, values, and leadership principles].
[7:19 - 7:29]
Kimberly: Yeah, you absolutely did. And it was quite fruitful. And I'm so glad that you took the time to spend with us and me today. I really appreciate it.
[7:29 - 7:30]
Nancy: OK.
