← Nurse Converse, presented by Nurse.org
Apr 8, 2026 · 32 min
In this episode of Nurse Converse, Linda Filipczak shares how over 40 years in nursing shaped her approach to leadership in Plymouth, Michigan. From bedside care to city hall, she explains how skills like listening, crisis management, and relationship-based care translate directly into serving a community. This conversation challenges what leadership looks like and why nurses are uniquely equipped to step into it. Because whether it’s one patient or an entire city, it all comes down to people. >>From Bedside to City Hall: How One Oncology Nurse Became Mayor of Plymouth, Michigan Jump Ahead to Listen: [00:02:16] Early calling to nursing at age four [00:02:51] Father’s cancer diagnosis shapes oncology focus [00:04:43] First nursing job on post‑op unit in Detroit [00:06:17] Becoming a mentor and preceptor on the floor [00:07:03] Moving into recruitment and executive leadership [00:09:20] National oncology committees and presenting to leaders [00:11:29] Recruited onto local Historic District Committee [00:12:59] Running for city commission and path to mayor [00:14:30] Applying nursing skills to nonpartisan city leadership [00:18:34] Balancing full‑time cancer center role with being mayor Connect with Jana on LinkedIn and social media: Instagram: @gentlyusedrn For more information, full transcript and videos visit Nurse.org/podcast Join our newsletter at nurse.org/join Instagram: @nurse_org TikTok: @nurse.org Facebook: @nurse.org YouTube: Nurse.org