Polly King, MSN, RN, is a nurse leader with extensive experience in maternal–child health, ambulatory and acute care clinical operations, and healthcare leadership. She is currently a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with academic work focused on healthcare leadership, population health, and systems-level improvement.
Ms. King has spent the majority of her nursing career advancing care for pregnant and postpartum patients, leading initiatives designed to improve maternal and neonatal outcomes through interdisciplinary collaboration, quality improvement, and innovative care models. Her leadership experience includes developing programs that support high-risk pregnancy management, strengthening discharge coordination, and improving care across the perinatal continuum. She has also led multidisciplinary efforts to implement quality dashboards, care coordination strategies, and system-level approaches that address complex maternal health needs.
In addition to her operational leadership roles, Ms. King is actively engaged in healthcare policy and professional leadership. She has served on the Boards of Directors for ACNL and MONL, contributing to regional discussions on healthcare delivery, workforce development, and public health priorities.
As an educator in graduate nursing programs, Ms. King focuses on transformational leadership principles, emphasizing vision, collaboration, and the empowerment of healthcare teams to lead meaningful change. She integrates real-world leadership experiences with leadership theory to help prepare future nurse leaders to navigate complex healthcare systems and improve outcomes for patients and communities.
What are your specific areas of interest in your field?
Women’s Health Leadership, Health Policy, Health Care Technology
Why USD?
I am drawn to teaching at the University of San Diego because of its strong commitment to developing nurse leaders who can influence healthcare systems, policy, and patient outcomes. The school’s mission focuses on preparing graduate-level nurses to optimize health, promote healing, and lead meaningful change in healthcare environments. I value the university’s focus on mentorship, collaboration, and the integration of real-world leadership experience into the curriculum. The MSN Nursing Leadership program is designed to help practicing nurses develop advanced leadership, operational, and strategic skills to lead change and are the future of our health care systems.
Favorite quote?
It costs you nothing to be kind; a simple smile goes a long way.
What advice do you have for anyone interested in advancing their nursing career?
I encourage anyone interested in advancing their career in nursing leadership to focus on three key areas:
- Develop strong relationships and mentorships – Seek out mentors and peers who can guide you, challenge your thinking, and help you grow. Leadership is as much about connecting with people as it is about managing systems.
- Be curious and embrace continuous learning – Stay engaged with evidence-based practice, healthcare innovation, and leadership development. Take opportunities to lead projects, quality initiatives, or committees that stretch your skills.
- Lead with integrity and kindness – Transformational leaders influence through vision, collaboration, and empathy. Ms. King reminds aspiring leaders that “a simple smile goes a long way,” and small acts of kindness and authenticity can have a big impact on teams, patients, and the culture of care.
Lastly, I advise emerging leaders to seek experiences outside the typical workflow, whether it’s joining professional organizations, participating in system-wide initiatives, or exploring global perspectives, as these experiences broaden understanding and strengthen leadership capacity. This work has changed my career more than anything else.