Amal joined Providence Swedish First Hill as a travel nurse five years ago. Today, she’s a charge nurse in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), helping lead patient care, mentor colleagues and support families through some of their most challenging moments.

Her growth didn’t happen because of a single promotion or leadership program. It happened through everyday opportunities to step up, learn from experienced teammates, build new skills and contribute ideas that improve care.

At Providence, leadership isn’t reserved for people with management titles. Nurses are encouraged to lead conversations, projects, quality improvements and teams throughout their careers.

Here are five ways Amal says Providence helped her grow from bedside nurse to nurse leader.

1. We give nurses opportunities to lead every day

Amal found opportunities to lead early in her time as a staff nurse, supported by a culture that encouraged her to take on new challenges and contribute beyond her immediate role.

Informal leadership opportunities can include:

• Speaking up with an idea to improve a process
• Leading an educational conversation with colleagues
• Precepting a new nurse
• Joining a committee you’re passionate about
• Mentoring a nurse who is new to the team or specialty

These experiences help nurses strengthen communication, decision-making and collaboration skills while learning from experienced leaders around them.

Amal sees that commitment to growth reflected in the way nurses support one another.

“The preceptors are really good at bestowing their knowledge to the next generation of nurses. They’re really caring, and newer nurses get to learn in an environment that is very supportive.”

She has also had opportunities to contribute to projects that improve patient care and unit operations.

“Recently I’ve focused on projects that improve how we set up rooms, how we are ready for patients,” Amal says. “We are given autonomy and support to be part of the conversation to improve care and our day-to-day work.”

In addition to on-unit leadership development, Providence offers structured programs for caregivers who want to build their skills. The Providence Leadership Academy helps caregivers strengthen communication, emotional intelligence and strategic thinking.

Amal has also expanded her perspective through opportunities that connect caregivers across the organization.

“I went to the Providence shared leadership retreat, and I think there are a lot of exciting things that are going to be happening,” she says. “I’m really excited to be part of it.”

The message is simple: you don’t need a leadership title to lead. You can lead a project, a conversation, a team or a meaningful change in care.

2. We invest in education and professional development

Whether nurses are pursuing a specialty certification or preparing for the next step in their careers, continuing education plays an important role in professional growth.

Providence Swedish gives Amal access to educational resources through HealthStream and supports conferences, specialty interests and professional certifications.

“I have my CCRN, and Providence Swedish paid for my testing and course,” Amal says.

By helping nurses earn credentials such as the Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) certification, Providence Swedish makes professional development more accessible and helps caregivers build expertise they can bring directly to patient care.

3. We foster a culture of mentorship and collaboration

Strong leaders don’t grow alone. They learn from mentors, colleagues and interdisciplinary teams that encourage questions, knowledge-sharing and continuous learning.

Amal works alongside nurses, providers, child life specialists, nutritionists and other caregivers who collaborate to support patients and families.

“It’s an environment where I think people feel supported to grow and learn, and you don’t feel scared to talk to your colleagues and reach out and say, ‘Hey, I haven’t done this procedure before. Can you walk me through it?'”

She says the culture is built on trust and support.

“There’s no judgment. It feels very safe and supportive.”

That sense of belonging creates an environment where nurses can ask questions, develop their clinical judgment and gain confidence without fear of being judged.

As Amal puts it:

“On a hard day, nobody lets you drown.”

It’s the kind of teamwork that helps nurses grow into leaders while ensuring patients receive the best possible care.

4. We support long-term career growth

Leadership development is a journey, and building a lasting nursing career requires flexibility and support along the way.

On Amal’s unit, self-scheduling helps caregivers balance professional responsibilities with life outside of work.

“On our unit, we do self-scheduling, so we are able to plan out life and work,” she says.

For Amal, that flexibility, combined with a strong team culture, has helped make professional growth sustainable. Having the ability to manage work-life balance while continuing to develop new skills allows nurses to invest in their careers for the long term.

5. We create opportunities to serve beyond the bedside

Growth doesn’t stop at the hospital doors.

Amal says Providence Swedish gives caregivers opportunities to use their leadership skills in ways that benefit the broader community. One experience that stands out is volunteering at a vaccination clinic held in a school gym, where members of the pediatric team helped children feel more comfortable receiving their vaccinations.

“You can’t really say that about a lot of jobs,” she says.

Experiences like these allow nurses to make an impact beyond their daily responsibilities while strengthening their connection to the communities they serve.

Grow your nursing career at Providence

Amal’s journey from travel nurse to charge nurse reflects a belief shared across Providence: leadership isn’t defined by a title. It’s built through mentorship, continuous learning, collaboration and the opportunity to make a difference every day.

Through leadership development opportunities, educational support, strong team relationships and meaningful community involvement, Providence helps nurses build careers that continue to grow alongside their ambitions.

“Providence Swedish is a place where you can grow, provide patient-centered care and do some really rewarding work and feel appreciated and supported,” Amal says.

Whether you’re just beginning your nursing career or looking for your next leadership opportunity, Providence offers the support, resources and community to help you take the next step.

Interested in growing with us? Explore nursing opportunities at Providence and discover where your experience, ideas and leadership goals can take you.