From scrubs to white coats: Investing in nurse leadership at AdventHealth

More than 300 assistant nurse managers (ANMs) across Flagler, Lake, and Volusia counties recently gathered to celebrate the completion of a yearlong professional development program designed to strengthen nursing at the bedside.

AdventHealth’s East Florida Division, which includes seven hospitals in those three counties, launched the initiative last year to better equip the leaders who guide patient care every day.

Over 12 months, participants engaged in classroom learning, group discussions, and self-reflection — all rooted in AdventHealth’s philosophy of whole-person care, addressing physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

The graduation celebration, marked by the presentation of white coats, symbolized not only academic achievement but also a pledge to lead with purpose, compassion and courage.

“This was our first group of ANMs to complete the program, and it is a remarkable achievement,” said Michele Goeb-Burkett, senior vice president and chief nursing officer for the East Florida Division. “We created this training specifically for the bedside nurse leader — those who connect with patients, support team members, and bring AdventHealth’s mission to life.”

Across Florida and the nation, hospitals are navigating nursing shortages and high turnover, making strong leadership more important than ever. By investing in this program, AdventHealth is ensuring nurses in the East Florida Division are prepared to lead clinical teams where families need them most.

“When ANMs are confident and supported, that positivity flows to every nurse on the floor and every patient in the unit,” said Goeb-Burkett. “It means steadier teams, stronger care and a better experience for our community.”

For many, the program provided tools and reassurance as they navigated leadership for the first time.

“I started here as a graduate nurse,” said Maria Salgado, ANM on the surgical progressive care unit at AdventHealth Daytona Beach. “Moving into leadership was a whole new world. This program gave us the skills to lead with empathy, while also understanding how budgeting, staffing, and efficiency affect our teams and patients.”

Others, like Desiree Day at AdventHealth Palm Coast, discovered leadership potential through mentorship.

“I was shy. I just wanted to care for patients,” she recalled. “But my mentors believed in me and walked with me through every tough conversation. That kind of encouragement makes all the difference.”

Even with years of experience, Day said she found new insights. “I learned so much, especially around communication and leading people with different personalities,” she said.

Now an ANM in medical telemetry at AdventHealth Palm Coast, Day believes this development program gave her the tools that complemented her experience.

The program also created lasting bonds among ANMs across hospitals.

“I made real friends here,” said Salgado. “We’ve stayed in touch and support each other. It’s like a built-in network.”

Day agreed: “Now, when something comes up, I have peers I can reach out to. We’ve built connections that make us stronger leaders.”

The graduation ceremony closed with each ANM receiving a traditional white coat, representing a gift, an honor, and a responsibility.

“They earned that moment,” Goeb-Burkett said. “It wasn’t just about completing a program. Our ANMs form the backbone of care, connecting daily with families, bedside nurses, and physicians. For our community, that’s the true graduation gift: nurse leaders prepared to not only treat illness but also guide teams with empathy and strength.”