Caitlin Litchfield has never been one to follow a conventional path. A second-career nurse who started out in kinesiology and exercise physiology, Litchfield now finds herself on the leading edge of nursing education and leadership—both at the bedside and on the global stage. As a student in the George Washington University School of Nursing’s Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Management program, she is using every opportunity to expand her skills, support her colleagues, and revolutionize the field she loves.
Currently living in Virginia and set to graduate in Summer 2025, Litchfield’s journey into nursing began in her hometown of Philadelphia. After earning a BSN from Holy Family University, she launched her nursing career in one of the most challenging environments: the intensive care unit (ICU) at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC.
“It was a blessing to start in the ICU,” Litchfield said. “I cared for the most complex, highly acute patients—and I had mentors who helped shape my passion for nursing education.”
Now working as a Clinical Nurse Educator, she is using the lessons from her own training and GW coursework to prepare the next generation of nurses.
A Leader Who Walks the Walk
For Litchfield, leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about action. She credits her GW coursework, particularly instructor Esther Emard’s classes in Nursing Leadership and Coaching, with helping her refine her leadership style.
“Ms. Emard emphasized that to be an effective leader, you have to be authentic and present,” she explained. “You need to walk the walk and talk the talk.”
Litchfield takes that message to heart. She regularly picks up bedside shifts so she can maintain her clinical skills and better understand the real-world challenges nurses face. Her approach is grounded in hands-on support and humility.
“If I’m going to ask nurses to perform a skill, I need to be able to do it too,” she said. “That kind of leadership builds trust and improves patient care.”
Supporting New Nurses from Day One
Litchfield lights up when talking about mentoring new graduate nurses—especially in the ICU, where the learning curve is steep.
“There’s nothing better than seeing a new nurse, terrified to even turn a patient on a ventilator, grow into a confident clinician,” she said. “Many of them become preceptors and leaders themselves.”
This focus on education as empowerment is a theme that runs throughout her career—and her academic journey at GW has only strengthened it.
She especially appreciated the Nursing Leadership and Coaching class, which gave her tools to navigate one of the most difficult aspects of leadership: having crucial conversations.
“That’s an area where I’ve always wanted to improve,” she said. “This program has helped me give feedback in a way that supports growth.”
Another favorite class, Healthcare Enterprise, allowed her to merge her passion for education with management strategies. With guidance from Dr. Joyce Knestrick, she explored innovative ways to improve nursing onboarding and retention.
From Virginia to Helsinki: A Global Perspective
Litchfield’s commitment to nursing education now extends well beyond the walls of her hospital. This summer, she will travel to Helsinki, Finland, to present at the International Council of Nurses Congress. Her topic: onboarding international nurses and how global strategies can be adapted to improve nursing transitions in the United States.
“GW opened my eyes to the global aspects of nursing,” she said. “Through courses like Healthcare Enterprise and Health Policy, I’ve realized that education is a global concern—and we have so much to learn from each other.”
She sees this opportunity not only as a career milestone but also as a way to promote collaboration across borders.
“Globally, improvements in nursing education can help reduce healthcare disparities,” she said. “And in the U.S., we can adopt practices from our international peers to strengthen our own workforce.”
Compassion Rooted in Personal Experience
Litchfield’s commitment to compassionate care is deeply personal. Her young son, Ronan, has a rare genetic condition known as CAGS and lives with epilepsy. The experience of navigating the healthcare system as a parent has given her unique insight into the patient and family experience.
“We’ve been incredibly lucky to have a fantastic care team for Ronan,” she said. “He’s the happiest kid, and he teaches me every day about strength and joy.”
She believes that being on both sides of the healthcare equation—provider and parent—has made her a more empathetic, understanding nurse.
“It’s important to raise awareness about rare conditions like CAGS,” she said. “Epilepsy can seem scary, but it doesn’t define what someone is capable of.”
Looking Ahead: A Vision for Change
Litchfield’s vision for the future of healthcare is rooted in education, compassion, and global collaboration.
“I truly love nursing education,” she said. “Whether it’s helping ICU nurses develop critical thinking skills or teaching students how to interpret labs, every moment is an opportunity to improve care.”
And thanks to her GW experience, she sees education not just as a local effort, but a global mission.
“We need to grow the nursing workforce and ensure everyone has access to quality care,” she said. “That starts with education—and that’s how we revolutionize healthcare.”
From Philadelphia to Virginia, from the ICU to international stages, Caitlin Litchfield is redefining what it means to lead, teach, and care.