Ask Nurse Alice

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 Her nursing license was revoked by the Tennessee Board of Nursing in 2021 but seeks nursing license reinstatement.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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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In this episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, Nurse Alice discusses her transition to working remotely as a family nurse practitioner. She discusses her extensive experience working in various healthcare settings and the challenges faced along the way. Despite her love for patient care, she needed a change and is thrilled to have found a remote opportunity.

Working remotely offers numerous benefits for both mental and physical health. Nurse Alice highlights her favorite aspects, and although the positives surpass the negatives, she also candidly discusses the challenges associated with working remotely as a nurse.

 >>Read more on nurse.org

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:01:58] Remote nursing positions. 
[00:04:37] Flexible schedule. 
[00:07:12] Saving money working remotely. 
[00:10:34] Clothing advantages in healthcare. 
[00:14:39] Customizing my work environment. 
[00:18:50] Working remotely benefits mental health. 
[00:23:46] Working remotely pros and cons. 
[00:27:00] Changes in eating habits. 
[00:29:28] Lack of physical interaction. 
[00:33:15] Lack of separation from work. 
[00:37:41] The need to get out. 

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In this episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, Nurse Alice talks about a recent situation where she saved a life at the airport baggage claim. Nurse Alice discusses Good Samaritan laws and the challenges healthcare professionals face when providing care outside of their clinical setting. She shares a personal experience of rendering care while off duty and highlights the importance of understanding the legal protections and limitations when providing aid in emergencies. Tune in to learn more about the role of healthcare professionals in helping others and navigating legal responsibilities.

>>Read more about Nurse Alice's lifesaving experience at the airport on nurse.org

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:01:30] Rendering care while off duty. 
[00:05:30] The Good Samaritan Law. 
[00:14:24] Assessing without proper equipment. 
[00:15:23] Head injury and bleeding. 
[00:19:36] Good Samaritan laws in different states. 
[00:26:36] In-flight medical emergencies. 
[00:30:25] Saving someone's life. 

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In this episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, host Alice Benjamin welcomes nurse Casey Green, BSN, RN, CCRN-CMC, CTRN, CFRN, CEN, TCRN, CPEN, CNRN, NRP. They discuss the importance of nursing certifications and emphasize how they can enhance a nurse's career, increase their knowledge and skills, and how they contribute to better patient outcomes. Casey shares her exceptional personal experience with having five emergency certifications from the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. Tune in to learn more about the significance of nursing certifications and the opportunities they present for nurses.

>>Read about Nurse Casey on nurse.org!

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:04:00] Traditional nursing certificates.
[00:08:59] Critical care and emergency nursing.
[00:12:08] The good part about transport.
[00:15:07] Obscure nursing certifications.
[00:19:21] Questioning current nursing practices.
[00:22:17] The benefits of certification.
[00:28:09] Supporting people on their journey.
[00:30:30] Failing certification tests and resilience.
[00:33:57] Continuing professional development.
[00:37:37] Givers of knowledge and support.
[00:39:12] Staying current in nursing.

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In this episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, host Alice Benjamin welcomes hospice nurse Hadley Vlahos of @nursehadley as a guest. Hadley shares her experiences and insights as a hospice nurse, discussing the importance of providing compassionate end-of-life care and the challenges healthcare professionals face in these situations.

Alice and Hadley also touch on the role of hospice nurses in supporting patients and their families, as well as the impact of social media in raising awareness about the death and dying process. Nurse Hadley highlights her book titled "The In-Between: Unforgettable Encounters During Life's Final Moments." It serves as a valuable resource for both healthcare professionals and the general public, aiming to initiate conversations about death. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of hospice care and the value it brings to both patients and healthcare providers.

>>Read about Nurse Hadley on nurse.org!

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:00:33] Dealing with death as a nurse. 
[00:04:20] Choosing the specialty of hospice. 
[00:09:32] Miraculous recoveries and unexplainable events. 
[00:11:04] Hallucinations and deceased loved ones. 
[00:17:03] Being prepared for death. 
[00:19:24] Failing as a hospice nurse. 
[00:22:44] Starting conversations around death. 

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In this episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, host Alice Benjamin is joined by Andrew Lacy, founder & CEO of Prenuvo, a transformative healthcare company growing fast across North America. They discuss their experience using Prenuvo, a comprehensive whole body MRI scan and emphasize the differences of this specialized scan compared to traditional MRIs. They also highlight the challenges patients face in accessing timely imaging and stress the importance of early detection. Tune in to learn more about the Prenuvo full body MRI and its potential impact on healthcare.

>>Read about Andrew Lacy and Prenuvo here!

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:01:09] Pernuvo full body imaging MRI. 
[00:03:29] Advanced health scanning technology. 
[00:09:42] Catching cancer at earlier stages. 
[00:12:30] Late-stage cancer diagnosis. 
[00:15:07] Preventive health programs and insurance. 
[00:19:00] Preventative care importance. 
[00:23:41] Advocating for your own health. 
[00:28:34] Making healthcare more accessible. 
[00:30:29] Accessing healthcare challenges before diagnosis. 
[00:33:04] $300 off promo code.

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