Ep. 187 - 2000 vs. 2026: The Modern Evolution of Med-Surg Nursing With Special Guests Summer Bryant and Julie Ann Poblete

About the Episode

Ever wonder how (and if) med-surg nursing has changed over the past 26 years? In this special 35th Anniversary of AMSN episode, the co-hosts welcome two generations of med-surg nurses, Summer Bryant and Julie Ann Poblete, for a reflective, at times emotional, and forward-looking conversation on how med-surg nursing has evolved from 2000 to 2026 — and what today's nurses need to know, embrace, and carry forward into the future of practice.

Special Guests

Summer Bryant, DNP, RN, CMSRN, CENP, FAMSN, is an associate partner at Chartis within the Performance Improvement practice, bringing more than 26 years of clinical nursing and leadership experience and over seven years in healthcare consulting. She leads clinical workforce performance improvement initiatives across academic health systems, community and rural hospitals, and children's hospitals, helping organizations improve productivity, resource utilization, and patient care delivery while coaching leaders through organizational change. Before joining consulting, Summer spent much of her nursing career at The University of Kansas Health System in a variety of clinical, operational, and leadership roles. She is a past president of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN) Board of Directors, has published peer-reviewed research, and is a frequent contributor to nursing publications and podcasts. Summer earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Nursing in Organizational Leadership, as well as her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, from The University of Kansas. She holds certifications in Executive Nursing Practice (CENP) and Medical-Surgical Nursing (CMSRN) and will be inducted as a Fellow of AMSN (FAMSN) this fall.

Julie Ann Poblete, RN, BSN, CMSRN, is a medical-surgical nurse, emerging nursing leader, and member of the AMSN Board of Directors, where she serves as the board's Emerging Professional. In this national leadership role, Julie brings the perspective of bedside nurses and early-career professionals to conversations around nursing practice, workforce wellness, professional development, education, and advocacy. Julie currently practices as a registered nurse with Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles. Previously, she served as a Clinical Nurse Coordinator and medical-surgical nurse at Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, providing care on a high-acuity medical-surgical unit while taking on leadership roles in precepting, shared governance, staff development, and performance improvement. A Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN), Julie is passionate about elevating the voice of frontline nurses, developing the next generation of nursing professionals, and demonstrating the opportunities for leadership and professional growth within medical-surgical nursing.

Meet the Co-Hosts

Kellye' McRae, MSN-Ed, RN, is a dedicated med-surg staff nurse and unit-based educator based in South Georgia, with 12 years of invaluable nursing experience. She is passionate about mentoring new nurses, sharing her clinical wisdom to empower the next generation of nurses. Kellye' excels in bedside teaching, blending hands-on training with compassionate patient care to ensure both nurses and patients thrive. Her commitment to education and excellence makes her a cornerstone of her healthcare team.

Marcela Salcedo, RN, BSN, is a floatpool nightshift nurse in the Chicagoland area, specializing in step-down and medical-surgical care. A member of AMSN and the Hektoen Nurses, she combines her passion for nursing with the healing power of the arts and humanities. As a mother of four, Marcela is reigniting her passion for nursing by embracing the chaos of caregiving, fostering personal growth, and building meaningful connections that inspire her work.

Hayley Sweetser, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, MEDSURG-BC, CPHQ, WTA-C, is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Newark, Delaware, who provides support to patients and caregivers within the acute medicine cervice line at ChristianaCare. She is working toward reducing overall patient harm events within the service line through collaboration with bedside nurses, physicians, and other specialties. Hayley has a strong passion for medical-surgical nursing and has spent her whole nursing career in this specialty. She strives to advance medical-surgical nursing practice by encouraging alignment with evidence-based practice.

Eric Torres, ADN, RN, CMSRN, is a California native that has always dreamed of seeing the world, and when that didn't work out, he set his sights on nursing. Eric is beyond excited to be joining the AMSN podcast and having a chance to share his stories and experiences of being a bedside medical-surgical nurse.

Sydney Wall, RN, BSN, CMSRN, has been a med-surg nurse for five years. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island in 2019, Sydney commissioned into the Navy and began her nursing career working on a cardiac/telemetry unit in Bethesda, Maryland. Currently she is stationed overseas, providing care for service members and their families. During her free time, she enjoys martial arts and traveling.

Trish West, DNP, MSN, CMSRN, PCCN, CEN, NEA-BC, FAMSN, is a passionate nurse leader whose career reflects both expertise and a heartfelt commitment to advancing patient care. Trish's credentials include being a Certified Medical Surgical Registered Nurse, Progressive and Emergency Nursing, Nursing Executive Advanced, and most recently, induction as a Fellow of Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses. She enjoys spending time with her husband Mark and their five children. Her favorite motto, "Never underestimate the difference you can make," truly captures the spirit with which Trish approaches both professional and personal endeavors.