Have you ever gone through a major life change and felt like a part of you was suddenly missing? Maybe you just graduated from college, left a job, or went through a divorce. It's like waking up and realizing that the role you once played every day no longer defines you. In this episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, host Alice Benjamin, clinical nurse specialist and family nurse practitioner, dives deep into the topic of identity fusion and how we tie our self-worth to our jobs, roles, and the communities we belong to. Alice shares her personal story of navigating career transitions and the impact it had on her mental and physical well-being. This episode explores the reasons why we identify with our roles and the challenges we face when those roles change.

With relatable stories and practical advice, Alice offers guidance on how to reclaim your identity and self-worth after life changes. This episode is your guide to rediscovering who you are and thriving through life's transitions. Don't miss out—your journey to a healthier, happier you starts here.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] Welcome to the Ask Nurse Alice Podcast

[00:01:30] Introduction: Identity and Self-Worth

[00:03:00] Nurse Alice's Personal Story of Career Transitions

[00:05:00] Understanding Identity Fusion

[00:08:00] The Impact of Role Changes on Mental and Physical Well-being

[00:10:30] Why We Identify with Our Roles

[00:12:00] Practical Steps to Reclaim Your Identity and Self-Worth

[00:15:00] Diversify Your Identity, Set Personal Goals, Build a Support Network

[00:17:00] Practice Self-Compassion, Mindfulness, and Self-Reflection

[00:20:00] Seek Professional Help When Needed

[00:25:00] Conclusion: Embrace Your Intrinsic Value and Thrive Through Transitions

Connect with Nurse Alice:

Website: AskNurseAlice.com

Social Media: @asknursealice

Contact us: [email protected]

Are you stuck in a toxic work environment that's draining your energy and affecting your well-being? You're not alone—and there's hope.

In this episode of Ask Nurse Alice podcast, host Alice Benjamin tackles the all-too-common issue of workplace toxicity and its profound impact on mental and physical health. Joined by integrative health coach Tracy Holder, this episode dives deep into the traits of toxic work environments, shares relatable personal stories, and offers practical strategies to identify and address these challenges.

Learn how to spot the signs of burnout, prioritize self-care, and create a healthier work-life balance. With actionable advice and real-world insights, this episode is your guide to reclaiming control over your well-being and thriving despite workplace stress. Don’t miss out—your journey to a healthier, happier you starts here.

Episode Highlights:

[00:00:00] Welcome to the Ask Nurse Alice Podcast

[00:01:30] Overview of Workplace Toxicity

[00:03:00] Identifying Signs of a Toxic Work Environment

[00:04:45] Attributes of a Toxic Workplace

[00:05:44] Strategies for Addressing Workplace Toxicity

[00:08:00] The Impact of Toxicity on Mental and Physical Health

[00:10:30] Importance of Taking Mental Health Days

[00:12:00] Tools for Assessing Workplace Burnout

[00:15:00] Practical Tips for Self-Care and Mindfulness

[00:17:00] Conclusion and Encouragement to Seek Help

Connect with Tracy Holder:

• LinkedIn

Contact us at [email protected]

Feedback or questions? We love hearing from you. Share your thoughts on social media!

This episode tackles the taboo of menstrual health. Through real-life stories, Alice highlights conditions like endometriosis and uterine fibroids, shedding light on their debilitating effects and the importance of a timely diagnosis. With a blend of medical expertise and personal experience, Alice advocates for open conversation and support for menstrual health in our communities and workplaces. Tune in to empower yourself and start the conversation on menstrual health.

Episode Highlights:

[00:01:30] - Addressing the silence around menstrual challenges

[00:05:45] - Raising awareness and debunking myths about menstrual cycles

[00:10:20] - Providing resources and accommodations at work

[00:15:10] - Encouragement to seek support from healthcare providers

[00:17:45] - Conclusion and a call to action for listeners

Contact us at [email protected]

Feedback or questions? We love hearing from you. Share your thoughts on social media or in the comments!

Nurse Alice dives into the hot topic of weight loss injectables, shedding light on the increasing number of lawsuits surrounding them and what patients need to know before, and while, taking them. Discover benefits, side effects, and a holistic view on weight management. We tackle patient education, healthcare responsibilities, and the need for transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. Join us for a critical look at medication roles in health and happiness.

Episode Highlights:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Weight Loss Injectables & Growing Lawsuits

00:05:41 - Early Reports of Weight Loss Injectable Side Effects

00:06:16 - Base Line Assessments Before You Should Have Done BEFORE Starting Weight Loss Drugs

00:07:39 - Importance of Nutrition in Weight Management 

00:08:26 - How Mental Health Impacts Weight Loss

00:09:12 - How Sleep Impacts Weight Loss

00:11:00 - Expected Medication Side Effects You Should Report

00:12:33 - The Allegations Behind Many Weight Loss Medication Lawsuits

00:14:35 - The Pharmaceutical Company's Responsibility to Provide Medication Information

00:15:30 - When the Patient Doesn't Want to Talk/See the Healthcare Provider

00:21:38 - What is Gastroparesis and How it is Treated

00:23:09 - Suicidal Ideation Side Effects and Weight Loss Medications

00:25:00 - Proper Use of Medications Require the Supervision of a Healthcare Provider

00:26:35 - Semiglutide Variants Made at Compounding Pharmacies are Not FDA Approved

00:29:40 - What You Should Ask Your Healthcare Provider About Newly Prescribed Medications

00:30:45 - Understanding the Health Consumer's Responsibilities While on Medications

00:34:23 - The Healthcare Provider's Responsibilities When Prescribing Medications

00:35:41 - The Pharmaceutical Company's Responsibilities When Developing New Medications

00:36:33 - Post-Marketing Surveillance and Drug Labeling Updates 

00:37:23 - Promoting Health Literacy for Patient Understanding

Contact us at [email protected]

Feedback or questions? We love hearing from you. Share your thoughts on social media or in the comments!

Disclaimer: This episode contains a discussion on human trafficking, including sexual assault, domestic violence, strangulation, and human sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advised. If you, or someone you know,
 
 In this episode of Nurse Converse, Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN, also known as @offtheclocknurse, discusses the topic of human sex trafficking. As a forensic nurse examiner and sexual assault nurse examiner, Leah shares her expertise and experiences in working with patients who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, strangulation, and human sex trafficking. She debunks common myths about trafficking, provides statistics on its prevalence in the United States, and highlights the link between human sex trafficking and pornography. Leah also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the signs of trafficking in healthcare settings and offers guidance on how healthcare professionals can respond and provide support to victims. She concludes by sharing information about a human trafficking prevention program called Walking Wise, which aims to educate young people and adults about the issue. Listeners are encouraged to educate themselves, support advocacy efforts, and report any suspicions of human trafficking.

If you or someone you know is being human trafficked or in a human trafficking situation, please reach out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Or you can text INFO in all caps to 2-3-3-7-3-3.

>>>Read about human trafficking and recognizing the signs in healthcare settings

Jump Ahead to Listen:
00:02:30 - Definition of Human Sex Trafficking and the AMP Model
00:05:30 - Statistics on Human Trafficking in the United States
00:08:45 - Myths and Realities of Human Trafficking
00:12:15 - Grooming Process and Psychological Manipulation Tactics
00:15:45 - Reasons for the Existence of Human Trafficking
00:19:00 - Complicity and Normalization of Human Trafficking
00:22:30 - Link Between Human Trafficking and Pornography
00:25:00 - How Healthcare Workers Can Identify and Respond to Human Trafficking
00:29:00 - Conclusion and Resources for Help

Connect With Leah on social media:

Instagram: offtheclocknurse

TikTok: offtheclocknurse

FB: Off The Clock Nurse Travels

Nurse Converse, a collaborative podcast presented by Nurse.org. Picture this: In each episode, we bring you a fresh perspective with a rotating lineup of incredible nurse hosts from various backgrounds, specialties, and experiences. From seasoned nurse veterans to passionate newcomers, our hosts share the spotlight. What makes this podcast truly unique is that all of our hosts were selected by the nursing community. 

In each episode, we dive into the highs, lows, and in-betweens of the nursing journey. Expect laughter, tears, and a whole lot of wisdom as our hosts share their expertise, personal anecdotes, and invaluable advice.

Get ready for a dose of inspiration, a sprinkle of education, and a whole lot of community.

Learn more about the new Nurse Converse Podcast at nurse.org/podcast

In this episode, Nurse Alice revisits the case of Redonda Vaught, who was convicted of gross negligence in a medication error that resulted in the death of a patient. Her nursing license was revoked by the Tennessee Board of Nursing in 2021 but seeks nursing license reinstatement.

Nurse Alice discusses the importance of medication safety systems and the devastating impact of such errors on patients and their families. She emphasizes the need for exploration and investigation to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:00:31] Medication error and patient death. 
[00:04:23] Nursing license reinstatement. 
[00:10:46] Patient death and consequences. 
[00:13:37] Breach of standard procedures. 
[00:17:13] Public trust in healthcare. 
[00:22:29] The board of registered nursing. 
[00:24:19] Nursing license and public protection. 
[00:27:30] Revoking nursing license discussion. 

In this episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, host Alice Benjamin discusses the alarming increase in drug overdose deaths in the United States. With over 105,000 deaths reported in 2022 alone, the issue of counterfeit pill use is becoming a major concern. Alice highlights that these deaths are often a result of drugs being abused and sold illegally on the black market, such as opioids and benzodiazepines. She stresses the importance of distinguishing these fake prescription pills from legitimate medications used for conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. It is crucial to address this issue and take action to prevent further harm.

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:03:48] Counterfeit drugs and their dangers. 
[00:10:06] Fake medications and leftovers. 
[00:11:16] Medication abuse and misuse. 
[00:14:48] Prescription medication and addiction. 
[00:19:13] Substance use and managing pain. 
[00:21:44] Higher drug overdose death rate. 
[00:26:45] How to protect from counterfeit pills. 
[00:33:23] Prescribing intranasal Narcan. 
[00:36:14] Helping people manage pain.

In this episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, host Alice Benjamin discusses the story of Eliana Tinnenbaum, a 16-year-old who recently graduated from Arizona State University's accelerated nursing program. Alice shares how this achievement sparked controversy and divided opinions among people. While some praised Eliana's academic prowess, others questioned the appropriateness of someone so young entering the nursing profession. Alice explores the different perspectives surrounding this milestone and emphasizes the importance of congratulating individuals for their achievements, regardless of their age.

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:00:27] Controversy over young nursing graduate. 
[00:04:38] Young nurse's eligibility dilemma. 
[00:08:19] Adolescents as nurses. 
[00:11:23] Licensing and age requirements. 
[00:15:11] Emotional challenges for young nurses. 
[00:19:13] Job demands and adolescent maturity. 
[00:21:40] Incorporating adolescents into healthcare. 
[00:25:19] Younger nurses and professional growth. 
[00:29:48] Impact of 16-year-old nurses. 

In this episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, host Alice Benjamin welcomes Dr. Mitzi Saunders, the president of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. Dr. Saunders, who has 34 years of nursing experience and is a professor and graduate nursing coordinator, discusses the role of the clinical nurse specialist and its importance in healthcare. The conversation highlights the need to educate people about the CNS role and emphasizes its significance in providing specialized care. Tune in to learn more about the valuable contributions of clinical nurse specialists in the field of nursing.

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:01:56] What is a clinical nurse specialist (CNS)? 
[00:09:24] Impacting the population. 
[00:14:27] The problem with CNS title. 
[00:18:43] Harmony in leadership teams. 
[00:21:46] Demonstrating value in healthcare. 
[00:24:30] Nurse retention and shortages. 
[00:28:23] Career satisfaction during COVID. 
[00:31:13] CNS role and education.