Guided by mentors, driven by passion: A nurse leader's journey to excellence
Drawing on support from her mentors and a dedicated team, Tacia Bullard has accomplished many milestones in her nursing career, including a Magnet® designation and recognition as a DAISY Nurse Leader Award.
Many leaders draw inspiration for their leadership philosophies from renowned business trailblazers or management training programs. For Tacia Bullard, MSN, RN, CNL, however, her leadership journey has been shaped by mentors who guided her and the extraordinary passion she observes in the nursing profession every day.
"What motivates me every day is knowing that we’re part of something bigger—something that genuinely impacts patients, families, and communities," says Bullard. "It’s the people, from my mentors to my colleagues, who inspire me to keep striving for excellence."
Bullard serves as Magnet® program director for UI Health Care. Under her guidance, the nursing team achieved its fifth consecutive Magnet® recognition in 2023—a milestone that underscores their dedication to excellence. At the time of designation, fewer than 2% of hospitals had accomplished this, and the university was the first in Iowa and in the Big Ten to reach this remarkable achievement.
“Our pursuit of Magnet® designation is not about the recognition itself but about the deeper commitment to improving patient outcomes and ensuring nurse engagement,” she shares. “Someone once said to me, ‘Magnet® reveals our excellence,’ and I think that’s a powerful way to frame it. We strive for these rigorous standards because it’s the right thing to do and we’re always pushing to do better.”
Excellence in action
Throughout her career, Bullard has tackled opportunities that have tested her resolve and fueled her passion for growth. She has cared for the university campus’ first patient with a total-artificial heart, contributed to a nursing textbook, and participated in Magnet4Europe, a four-and-a-half-year Horizon 2020 EU-funded project (Grant Agreement 848031) that aimed to improve mental health and wellbeing among health professionals in Europe.
Bullard’s exceptional leadership hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2024, she was honored with a DAISY Nurse Leader Award and was recognized as one of the 100 Great Iowa Nurses. Nominated by her mentor, Lou Ann Montgomery, PhD, MAN, RN, NPD-BC, FAAN, associate chief nursing officer, Bullard was described as having “a unique blend of humanistic compassion and exemplary leadership.”
“Bullard is an extraordinary leader, nurse, mentor, and colleague,” Montgomery writes in her nomination. “Her dedication to nursing excellence remains steadfast and we are very fortunate to have her leading UI Health Care on our journey to become Magnet®-recognized for the sixth consecutive time.”
"Nursing is such an inspiring and encouraging profession," Bullard says. "There are so many opportunities to develop and grow, whether that's in direct patient care, research, education, or administration. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of a team that is truly making a difference in the lives of our patients and our community.”
