Bold Brief Insights: Problem Solving

Real-World Problem Solving, Your Competitive Advantage

Author

Dr. Kristi Campoe
March 05, 2025

In partnership with

Welcome to The Bold Brief—

You are a member of this community of top-notch expert nurses and healthcare professionals who aspire to be “bold” in career and life.

You’re here because you’re not just any nurse or healthcare expert. You are the kind of professional who sees beyond the bedside, who knows that problem-solving is second nature, and who craves more—more autonomy, more impact, more career possibilities.

Each week, The Bold Brief delivers evidence-based success tips to help you take bold action in your career and life. Today, we are sharing a reader’s story of problem-solving and sharing what we’ve learned from you.

The best part? You’re not on this journey alone.

Currently 10,000+ nurses and healthcare professionals are right here with you.

Together we are growing and stepping into new opportunities. We are being bold in life and career choices to live with purpose, and to live with authenticity, balance, and meaningful challenges, driving forward with confidence.

The Bold Brief - Insights

The Turning Point: A Problem-Solving Breakthrough

Maya had been a nurse for six years—long enough to feel confident in her clinical skills but restless in her career. The night shift and family-life routine was crushing, and she wasn’t alone.

One night in her Medical PCU, Maya found herself solving a familiar problem: A high-risk patient needed a transfer, but the chain of communication had broken down—again. Calls were unanswered. Orders delayed. The entire situation teetered between chaos and resolution, risk and frustration.

Maya didn’t struggle. She also didn’t wait.

  1. She stepped in as the bridge—coordinating between providers, nurses, bed-management, and transport teams.

  2. She analyzed the system failure—not just in the moment but in how this kept happening.

  3. She tested her solution—a standardized escalation process that was later adopted by other units.

It was a problem solving move. It changed patient outcomes. And —it changed Maya.

She suddenly saw what she had been missing:

✅ Her ability to think critically under pressure.

✅ Her collaboration skills that brought multiple teams together.

✅ Her leadership potential—even though she wasn’t in a leadership role.

Consider this: How many of us have stepped up like Maya—without fully recognizing our potential?

What if Maya had ignored her skills? What if she had waited for someone else to step in?

Over 55% of Bold Brief poll respondents say they struggle with problem solving and decision-making—yet these are skills they use daily and often … potentially not realizing their abilities or value for career growth.

The biggest challenge for nurses transitioning to industry? Highlighting transferable skills. Yet, Maya’s moment in the Medical PCU proved she had exactly what non-clinical and leadership roles needed.

She just hadn’t seen it yet.

Now, it's your turn.

Problem solving is the process of identifying a challenge and implementing strategies to overcome that challenge. Problem solving is a critical skill throughout the healthcare system, where decisions often need to be made (a) quickly and with precision, and (2) strategically over the long term. Effective problem solving involves clear thinking, creativity, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. In both your professional and personal life, problem solving is key to navigating complexities and achieving your goals.1

Which problem-solving strength do you think is most underappreciated in nursing, or your workplace?

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Take 2 minutes to reflect: Think back to a moment when you solved a problem at work. What skills did you use? How did it impact your team or patient care? Reply to this email or comment below!

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Problem Solving Polls: What The Bold Brief Learned from You

Last fall, The Bold Brief asked a few poll questions in the Bold in Problem Solving edition.

We already know that problem-solving is a competitive advantage—and our Bold Brief community members like Maya prove it. The insights below reveal where nurses and other healthcare professionals excel, where support is needed, and how we can grow together.

Why are poll insights important?

  1. See where you align with other professionals

  2. Uncover hidden strengths you may not recognize

  3. Identify gaps that, once addressed, make problem-solving easier

⬇️These real-world takeaways help you think, adapt, and lead—whether at the bedside, in leadership, or beyond. Now, let’s explore what we’ve learned from you! ⬇️

🧐What’s your go-to problem-solving approach?

  • 30%: Research or gather data before acting.

  • 22%: Implement a structured problem-solving technique (free download below).

  • 17%: Brainstorm solutions first.

🧐Where do you need the most support? 

  • 52%: Decision-making & collaboration—both essential skills for industry roles.

  • 17%: Critical thinking & creativity.

  • 13%: Stress management.

📌 Key Poll Takeaway: These poll results confirm that expert nurses and healthcare professionals are solving complex problems daily with a variety of tools. The challenge - when considering a new job or role away from the bedisde isn’t learning new skills—it’s recognizing and leveraging the skills you already have.

📊 Want to put these insights in action? Download the FREE Problem Solving tool in the Bold in Problem Solving edition.

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Your Next Bold Move

Your challenge this week: Share one problem-solving insight with a colleague, online, or in your workplace. Tag The Bold Brief on LinkedIn!

📩 P.S. Want more? Join The Bold Nurse Academy for coaching, career tools, and mentorship.

💗P.P.S. If you find this content useful for your life, career, and happiness, please use your Referral Link share & earn!

Remember that this is a dedicated space for you, the nurses at the bedside and beyond, the committed healthcare professionals ready to explore transformative career paths beyond traditional roles. Every week, we'll dig into evidence-based strategies, insights, and stories designed to empower you to take bold steps toward a fulfilling career and life outside the hospital setting.

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