MEET TODAY’S GUEST
Charlene Johnson, RN
Charlene Johnson, RN has recently retired as the Manager of Perinatal Services at South Sacramento Kaiser. She has been a nurse and nurse leader for over 30 years.. Experienced Nursing Leader of Perinatal Services skilled in transformative leadership, equity, inclusion, and diversity.
I excel in building teams that provide compassionate, human-centered care. With expertise in fostering relationships, I enhance team culture and drive quality outcomes. Additionally, I am a course creator and master facilitator for caring science and HeartMath, promoting holistic approaches to healthcare. As a dynamic speaker, I lead impactful discussions on race through storytelling. I am dedicated to transforming individuals and systems, prioritizing one leader, one caregiver, and one heart at a time.
Charlene is passionate about inspiring nurses and healthcare workers to reinvigorate and maintain their why in the midst of increased intensity in the workplace. Special certifications in Caring Science, Heart Math, & Healing Circle. Also very passionate in leading courageous, cultural conversations.
Hola!
You’re reading The Recalibrated Vision Newsletter, a resource for purpose‑driven physicians and healthcare visionaries transforming from career to calling. In this issue we explore how Charlene Johnson reclaimed her voice after decades in nursing and turned it into leadership that aligns with purpose and service.
- The Recalibrated Vision Team
Introduction & Background
I had the honor of speaking with Charlene Johnson who spent more than thirty years as a nurse before stepping into a leadership role defined by her voice and vision. Her journey from being heard only in routine practice to speaking up, being seen, and leading is a powerful example for healthcare professionals ready to shift from career to calling.
Why She Made the Shift
Charlene shared that early in her career she often held back, dimmed her voice, and accepted roles that did not reflect her full value. She realized that staying silent kept her from making the impact she felt called to make. That insight became the turning point—she chose to use her experience, her story, and her voice to step into leadership and help others do the same.
What Her Model Looks Like
Her model centers on voice, value and visibility. She mentors healthcare professionals to define what they bring, to speak it clearly, and to lead from that place. Instead of waiting for permission or fitting the mold, Charlene’s work helps professionals design roles where they are the driver of their impact. For physicians seeking to build purpose‑driven work this model highlights the power of presence and voice in creating change.
Building the Vision
Charlene described steps she took: clarifying her message, cultivating courage, creating a platform to mentor others, and developing frameworks where voice becomes leadership. She emphasizes starting small—sharing one truth, speaking in one forum, leading one initiative—and learning from each step. Then refining and scaling as confidence and clarity grow.
Impact and Experience
The outcomes are meaningful. Professionals working with Charlene report that their voice matters, their roles feel more aligned and they lead with greater confidence. Charlene herself shared that stepping into her voice brought deeper fulfilment, broader influence and a professional identity rooted in purpose. Her story shows that leadership is not just about title but about voice, value and visibility.
Advice for Healthcare Professionals Redesigning Their Work
Charlene encourages healthcare professionals to start by identifying the story they hold, the value they bring and the voice they have kept quiet. She invites them to use that voice in one space, to lead small and intentional, to refine through feedback, and to build visibility around their message. She stresses that leadership starts with speaking not being silent and growing into influence not waiting for it.
Key Takeaways
Your voice often holds your value and your next level of impact lies in using it
Purpose‑driven professionals move from doing work to leading work that reflects who they are
Designing a new role or practice requires clarity, courage and consistent small steps
When you step into your voice you unlock fulfilment, influence and alignment with your calling
TODAY’S WORKSPACE | NOMADIC FOUNDER
Live from Houston, Texas
I am in Houston, Texas filming a podcast with another client. I decided to take a dopamine break from social media and build out a resourceful extension to this podcast in newsletter form. Whenever and wherever you’re reading this enjoy!
- Bianca Ariel, MBA
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