About the Episode

In this special episode, we explore the newly released AMSN Staffing Guidelines designed to address the mounting pressures medical-surgical nurses face nationwide. The co-hosts welcome special guests Monica van der Zee and Kristi Campoe to break down what these guidelines mean for bedside nurses, nurse leaders, and healthcare systems alike. Discover how AMSN’s evidence-based framework could serve as a roadmap toward safer staffing, improved patient care, and a more sustainable nursing workforce.

Special Guests

Dr. Kristi Campoe, PhD, RN, CMSRN, CPHQ, sMBA, has dedicated her life and career to creating supportive spaces that ignite confidence, foster growth, and inspire transformations. Now, with over 30 years of experience spanning medical-surgical nursing practice, academia,and healthcare innovation, she is a nationally recognized healthcare leader, scientist, and educator. She serves as treasurer to the AMSN Board of Directors and works as a consultant in the device industry and as adjunct faculty at Colorado Technical University. She served as the board liaison to the AMSN Nurse Staffing Task Force and will share insights today on AMSN's new recommendations.

Monica van der Zee, BSN, RN, CMSRN, has been working in healthcare for over 20 years, starting her career in a nursing home as a CNA. She presently serves as a care management nurse in the Remote Physiological Monitoring Program at the University of Kansas Health System. Monica is passionate about advocacy, believing nurses can and should speak up for their patients, their communities, and themselves. She has served with the AMSN Legislative team and has been active in the Professionalism & Engagement Council and in unit and clinic level practice councils throughout her 10 years at the University of Kansas Health System.

Meet the Co-Hosts

Samantha Bayne, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NPD-BC, is a nursing professional development practitioner in the inland northwest specializing in medical-surgical nursing. The first four years of her practice were spent bedside on a busy ortho/neuro unit, where she found her passion for newly graduated RNs, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional governance. Sam is an unwavering advocate for medical-surgical nursing as a specialty and enjoys helping nurses prepare for specialty certification. 

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.

Eric Torres, ADN, RN, CMSRN, is a California native who 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.

Maritess M. Quinto, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN, is a clinical educator currently leading a team of educators who is passionately helping healthcare colleagues, especially newly graduate nurses. She was born and raised in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States with her family in Florida. Her family of seven (three girls and two boys with her husband who is also a Registered Nurse) loves to travel, especially to Disney World. She loves to share her experiences about parenting, travelling, and, of course, nursing!

Sydney Wall, RN, BSN, CMSRN, has been a med-surg nurse for 5 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.