In this episode, Kacey Edwards, Senior Strategy Analyst at TennCare, shares her path with Dr. Lisa Beasley. They explore her story from bedside nursing to shaping healthcare policy at the state level. Kacey reflects on her early nursing experiences, the realities and lessons of working through the COVID-19 pandemic, and how those moments pushed her toward advocacy and systems-level change. She highlights why nurses are essential voices in policy design, value-based care, and improving rural and urban access across Tennessee. Kacey also opens up about the challenges and rewards of working in state healthcare programs and offers encouragement for nurses who feel called to leadership roles. Her story is a powerful reminder that frontline experience isn’t just valuable—it’s necessary in building better, more equitable healthcare systems.