SCCM Pod-535: Professional Development for Early-Career Healthcare Workers

In this episode of the SCCM Podcast, host Diane C. McLaughlin, DNP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, is joined by Heather Meissen, DNP, FCCM, to discuss the importance to nurses of publication and navigating the academic publishing process. They discuss how nurses at the bedside are uniquely positioned to identify trends and gaps in patient care that can be addressed through research and publication.

This podcast aims to raise awareness for nurses and other critical care practitioners wanting to enter the research and publishing fields. This unique professional development topic is designed for healthcare workers at the beginning of their research and publishing journeys. Dr. Meissen stresses that publishing is vital for advancing nursing practice and improving patient care, urging clinicians to “just get started” on their research and writing journeys.

She emphasizes the importance of finding a mentor to help refine research questions, structure projects, and navigate challenges. She provides practical advice on identifying a research topic, conducting a literature review, and selecting the appropriate journal for submission. The discussion also highlights imposter syndrome among new writers and how overcoming self-doubt is crucial to getting published.

The conversation touches on the peer review process, including how to handle feedback constructively and spot predatory journals that seek publication fees without legitimate editorial oversight. Dr. Meissen also discusses the role of AI in writing and research, cautioning against its misuse while acknowledging its potential benefits.

Finally, she encourages nurses to participate in the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Reviewer Academy, which aims to train a community of trusted, skilled, and diverse peer reviewers to perform high-quality reviews for the SCCM journals (Alexander P, et al. Crit Care Med. 2023;51:1111-1123). Learn more about the SCCM Reviewer Academy at sccm.org/journals.

Diane C. McLaughlin, DNP, AGACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, is a neurocritical care nurse practitioner at University of Florida Health Jacksonville. She is active within SCCM, serving on both the APP Resource and Ultrasound committees, and is a social media ambassador for SCCM.

Heather Meissen, DNP, FCCM, is a nurse practitioner and associate clinical professor at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, Georgia.