When it comes to nursing superpowers, Susan Grant, DNP, RN, FAAN, has one that stretches across every corner of healthcare: the ability to connect deeply with individuals. It’s no wonder a former colleague once nicknamed her “Elastigirl” from The Incredibles—because when someone needs support, Grant always reaches out.

Today, as Chief Clinical Officer at Symplr

, Grant’s mission is clear: lift nurses up, help them realize their full potential, and create better outcomes for every patient they touch. But this passion was born long before she entered the C-suite. Forty-five years ago, after one shift as a nursing assistant in a nursing home, she knew this was her calling.

“From the first day I was there, I knew I was meant to be a nurse,” Grant says.

What most people don’t see behind her day-to-day work is the profound inspiration that comes from watching nurses grow into their greatness. Helping others unlock their own power has been one of her most rewarding achievements—especially when one nurse she mentored led their hospital to Magnet designation, fueled by the confidence Grant helped instill.

“I recognized the potential in a nurse and gave them an opportunity to lead in an organization as their CNO,” Grant shares. “They later told me what I said to them fueled her drive for Magnet.”

Power in Action: Courage Under Pressure

Grant’s career has had no shortage of high-stakes moments. One of the most powerful? When she served as Chief Nurse Executive at Emory Healthcare during the 2014 Ebola outbreak—overseeing the team that cared for the first Ebola patients in the U.S.

“It was critically important to vocalize to and reassure the public that our team could safely care for these people,” she recalls. And who better to deliver that message than a nurse, one of the most trusted voices in healthcare?

Thanks to the Emory team’s leadership, all four Ebola patients were cared for safely—with zero compromise to caregivers or the public.

Secret Weapons and Life Lessons

Grant’s mantra for delivering care? Be present and listen. It’s a mindset sharpened by a painful lesson early in her career: a patient who knew something was wrong but wasn’t heard—until it was too late.

“I learned then that true patient-centeredness means that the patient must be an equal partner in care and that their voice must be heard to drive the best patient outcomes possible,” she says. It’s a principle she’s carried with her ever since.

Inside Her Power Kit

When Grant was providing direct care, she never started a shift without three essentials:

Her multicolored ink pen (black for day, green for evening, red for night),
A trusty “cheat sheet” tucked in her pocket,
A bottle of water (for those rare precious moments of a sip!).

Even off-duty, Grant’s nursing instincts shine through: compassion and meticulous organization are simply part of who she is.

Her Message to Every Nurse

Simple. Powerful. And heartfelt: “THANK YOU.”

After a tough day, Grant recharges by leaning on her community—talking and laughing with other nurses who truly get it. And when she thinks about the future of nursing?

“I hope that the power of every nurse is ignited and recognized,” she says, “so that the power of the nursing profession can be fully realized.”

A Day in Susan Grant’s Power? It’s about lifting others higher, listening harder, leading with heart, and stretching her reach as far as it takes to make an impact.

Just like a real-life Elastigirl would.

This Nurses Week, let’s honor the incredible power of nurses! Springer Publishing is celebrating by offering 20% off your purchase—and giving back, with 5% donated to the American Nurses Foundation to support nurses nationwide. Join us in making a difference.

The post From Nursing Rookie to Real-Life Elastigirl: How Susan Grant Powers a Stronger Future for Nurses first appeared on Daily Nurse.