At the 2025 ANA Magnet & Pathway Conference in Atlanta, Compass Healthcare, alongside partners Press Ganey and the American Nursing Association (ANA), joined nursing leaders from across the country to explore innovative ways to strengthen one of the hospital’s most critical entry points: the Emergency Department (ED).
The discussion featured insights from an experienced panel of healthcare leaders, including Brian Ricci, Director of Client Success and Innovation at Morrison Healthcare; Marci Beason, National Director of Nursing Engagement at Compass Healthcare; Jennifer Kelly, Nurse Manager of the Adult Emergency Department at the Medical University of South Carolina; and Nicole George, Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Press Ganey.
Together, the panel shared practical strategies, real-world outcomes, and collaborative approaches focused on improving ED operations, supporting nursing teams, and enhancing the patient experience.
Q&A Highlights
Q: What was the focus of Compass Healthcare’s presence at the 2025 Magnet & Pathway Conference?
A: The focus was on supporting nursing teams by addressing key Emergency Department challenges, including wait times, workflow inefficiencies, and caregiver experience. Compass One Healthcare highlighted innovative, collaborative solutions designed to help nurses work at the top of their license while improving patient flow and outcomes.
Q: Why is the Emergency Department considered the “front door” of the hospital?
A: The ED is often the first point of contact for patients and families, setting the tone for the entire care experience. Improvements in this environment can have an outsized impact on patient satisfaction, clinical outcomes, and caregiver well-being.
Q: Brian, what were some key takeaways from the panel discussion?
A: Brian Ricci
“One of the biggest takeaways was that collaboration and listening to nursing teams must be at the core of everything we do. Understanding what nurses truly need—and helping them focus on clinical care at the top of their license—continues to be a major driving force.”
Q: How does communication play a role in improving ED operations?
A: Marci Beason
“When we talk about ED hospitality and challenges around food and nutrition, it really comes down to communication—communication, communication, communication. Breaking down silos between nurses and support staff allows teams to move quickly and implement customizable solutions that actually work.”
Q: What impact did these solutions have on frontline nursing leaders?
A: Jennifer Kelly
“Being part of this panel made me reflect on how much impact I’ve seen in my own department. What really stood out were the ‘aha’ moments from audience members—realizing that someone finally identified the problem and took meaningful action.”
Q: Why is measuring outcomes so important when implementing new initiatives?
A: Nicole George
“One of the most powerful moments was seeing nurses advocate for a need, leaders listen, and then partner with the right organizations to create meaningful change. Measuring outcomes—through patient experience data, nursing-sensitive indicators, and quality and safety metrics—is essential to ensuring those initiatives truly make a difference.”
Q: What is Compass Healthcare’s broader commitment to nursing?
A: Compass One Healthcare is a proud partner of the American Nursing Association’s Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation initiative and remains committed to delivering meaningful, measurable solutions that elevate nursing practice, enhance patient care, and empower caregiver well-being nationwide.
Partners
Compass Healthcare | Press Ganey | American Nursing Association – Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation
Want to hear more from our panelists? Click here to watch the full discussion.
Click here to view the ED Impact eBook.
