EP. 159: How to Build Stronger Nursing Teams Across Generations

Strong healthcare teams are built when leaders take the time to understand the people behind the roles. In this episode, Dr. Nikki Gruebling, Senior Vice President of Member Networks and Operations at Vizient, joins Dr. Renee Thompson to discuss why relationship-building is one of healthcare’s most important leadership skills. Nikki shares how trust, curiosity, and genuine listening have helped her navigate complex environments, solve problems, and bring people together, while exploring how different generations in nursing can learn from one another. She encourages leaders to move beyond focusing on generational differences and instead recognize the strengths each generation brings, creating environments where experienced and emerging nurses can grow and succeed together. Tune in to learn how curiosity, relationships, and cross-generational collaboration can help leaders build stronger teams and healthier work cultures. **About Dr. Nikki Gruebling:** Nikki Gruebling, DNP, RN, FAONL, is a healthcare executive with extensive experience in leadership, strategy, healthcare improvement, and professional development. She currently serves as Senior Vice President of Member Networks and Operations at Vizient, supporting healthcare organizations and leaders nationwide. Throughout her career, Nikki has helped lead initiatives including nurse residency, transition-to-nursing-leadership programs, and regulatory and accreditation services. She serves on the Board of Directors of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and is an AONL Fellow. Nikki holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice focused on systems leadership and healthcare quality. Her leadership philosophy centers on developing others, building strong relationships, and helping people use their strengths to reach their full potential. **Source** **What You’ll Learn In This Episode:** - Building strong relationships helps healthcare leaders establish trust, solve complex problems, and work more effectively across teams. - Leaders can strengthen relationships by asking thoughtful questions, listening to understand rather than respond, and showing genuine curiosity about the people they lead. - Healthcare leaders should remember that they are leading whole human beings, not simply employees or nurses performing a role. - Generational differences can become strengths when experienced nurses share relationship-building skills while younger nurses help colleagues adapt to new technology. - Investing in emotional intelligence and relational skills early in a nurse’s career can help prepare them for stronger communication with patients, colleagues, and leaders. - Younger generations bring courage, openness, entrepreneurial thinking, and a willingness to challenge outdated practices, all of which can benefit the nursing profession. - Teams become stronger when leaders focus on people’s strengths, recognize how those strengths complement one another, and encourage generations to learn from each other. Links & Resources: - Connect with and follow Dr. Nikki Gruebling on LinkedIn. - Follow Vizient on LinkedIn and visit their website. - Learn more about Vizient’s Nurse Residency and Transition to Nurse Leader programs. - Learn more about the Framework here! - Learn the 33 Scripts 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. Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share with your colleagues. Your support helps us reach more healthcare leaders working to create better work environments.