Empowering Nurses to Speak Up About Infection Risks: A Conversation With Colleen Becker, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN-K

Empowering nurses to raise infection prevention concerns starts with consistent, open communication. In this third installment of an interview with Infection Control Today^® (ICT^®), Colleen Becker, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, highlights the importance of sharing data, involving staff in goal setting, and keeping patient safety at the center of discussions. When concerns are framed around process improvement rather than blame, speaking up becomes less intimidating. Diverse clinical backgrounds strengthen teams when aligned around shared goals. This collaborative approach helps prevent burnout, reinforces accountability, and ensures infection risks are addressed proactively rather than reactively.

ICT: What strategies work best to empower nurses to speak up about infection risks without fear of blame or burnout?

Colleen Becker, PhD, MSN, RN, CCRN-K: It’s that ongoing, open communication that is routine and consistent, not episodic. It’s inviting the team into the discussion, sharing the data and the facts, and having the team participate in goal setting. We may come from different clinical backgrounds, but that diversity makes the team stronger.

If you keep the focus on the patient and on outcomes that the team developed together, supported by data and facts, then bringing concerns forward is less scary. We are bringing it forward to support the patient and keep them safe.

(Transcript has been edited for clarity and length.)