Ask Nurse Alice

There is a nursing shortage that we all know about. But did you ever think to realize that in addition to direct patient care, we also have an even more significant shortage of nursing in the world of academia and research? Did you know there's a distinct difference between being a Research Nurse and Nurse Researcher, also known as a Nurse Scientist? 

In this episode Nurse Alice speaks with Dr. Kelly Wierenga of Indiana University and Dr. Timiya Nolan of Ohio State University, both assistant college professors, Jonas Scholars and nurse scientists. They clarify what it means to be a Nurse Scientist; share their nursing journey from bedside to academia and research; discuss the importance of having more Nurse scientists; discuss how the Jonas Scholar Program supported their doctoral journeys and encourage other nurses to pursue the specialty.

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Many of us have been inspired to work in healthcare. You wanted to make a difference. You had so many ideas, so much ambition, so much passion then over the years of unanticipated trauma and drama, healthcare took its toll. You got burned out.  You've been spending more time with equipment and documentation than you have with the patient. You don't feel appreciated. You sometimes don't even like being a nurse anymore. You sometimes wonder if you made a mistake in your career choices.

In this episode Nurse Alice speaks with Dr. Emily Silverman, internal medicine physician and Volunteer Assistant Professor of Medicine at UCSF and the creator of The Nocturnists, a vibrant community of healthcare workers who are celebrating their humanity through storytelling. 

By airing clinicians’ stories in a safe and generative public forum, The Nocturnists helps shatter the myths of the invincible healthcare provider and reveal the truth: that healthcare workers are human, just like everyone else, and that our humanity is our strength, not our weakness.

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So many times healthcare workers are focused on life-saving interventions for their patients. But what happens when the goals of care shift to providing comfort care only? What does that really mean? Do you clearly understand the difference between palliative care and hospice care? Do you know what a POLST is? This is a topic we don't talk enough about until we're in those situations. 

In this episode Nurse Alice speaks with Beth Cavenaugh, RN, BSN, CHPN who knows all too well what nurses are up against, not only during this overwhelming era but always. With over twenty-five years in internal medicine, short stay surgery, and hospice care, she understands firsthand that compassion in health care can sometimes be elusive. She shares her expertise in palliative care and hospice, as well as her new book, The Power and Pain of Nursing, which aims to arm both new and seasoned nurses with the tools necessary to care for themselves in the face of one of the most demanding professions in the world. 

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Have you ever had a poop and looked at it after you wiped? If not, you should! Our colorectal health is not something we should ignore. Why is it so taboo to know what healthy poop should look like? Why does it sometimes float and sometimes sink? What does it mean when it changes colors or consistency? How many times should we be going? Discover the power of pooping.

In this episode Nurse Alice speaks with Nurse Susan Wong, a nurse of over 40 years specializing in colorectal health. She is the host of Butt Talks TV and is affectionately dubbed the “The Rear Admiral” and the “Butt Whisperer.” She is also the author of  The Power of Pooping: A Cheeky Diet and Lifestyle Guide to End Constipation and Transform Your Health, a guide to living your best poop life. 

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After working tirelessly at the bedside caring for patients and working in high-stress conditions, many nurses have families they must return to and continue to care for. How can I as a nurse protect myself, my time, and energy so I can enjoy my life outside my shift? How does one successfully juggle the stressors and demands of work and still have the energy to take care of our family at home?

In this episode Nurse Alice speaks with Diana Page, an outpatient neurology nurse practitioner, burnout expert, and mentor helping exhausted nursing professionals have optimal work-life balance through mentorship, education, empowerment, and community. She founded Selfcare Catalyst LLC in 2020 and has helped dozens of nurses find fulfillment outside of work and clarity on their place in nursing.

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Nursing is a great career choice due to the high demand for nurses, career stability and growth opportunities, well as a high average salary and work-life flexibility. It's also a profession that has historically been predominately female. And while that's changing - has it changed fast enough considering only 12% of nurses are male? What is it like being a male nurse? And why does it seem like many gravitate to certain specialties? 

In this episode Nurse Alice speaks with Jake Vizcarra and FelinoTaruc, hosts of The Murses Station where two murses talk about real nursing problems! They talk about their journeys as ICU travel nurses, what it's like to be a flight nurse, the male nurse experience, and how a bro fest day at work turned into their podcast show The Murses Station.

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I know toothaches can sometimes feel like emergencies but are they? The mouth is a major entryway for bacteria and infection and is clearly essential for a patent airway. So how do we as nurses know which dental issues are emergencies that need to be handled right away and which ones can wait for the outpatient dental office?

In this episode Nurse Alice speaks with  Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon, Dr. Porchia James who talks about acute oral and dental patient issues that require immediate attention that nurses shouldn't ignore. As well Dr. Porchia discusses how she balances ER consultations, her private practice, "About Face Oral & Facial Surgery", and being owner of PHRESH by Dr. Porchia, a luxury medical apparel line., wife and mother. 

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A day in the life of a nurse can involve long hours of standing, walking, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling heavy items from point A to point B, which can cause stress on our legs and feet. To avoid work-related health and feet problems, it's important that nurses take proper care of their feet. And while we're thinking about our own feet, let's not forget those of our patients. They may not come in for primary foot issues but the legs and feet can tell you a lot about your patient's health status. Do they hurt? Are they cold? Do they have numbness or tingling? Are they discolored? Are they swollen? Are the toenail beds pale, discolored, or thick? A patient's feet may give you important information you need to properly take care of your patient as a whole. 

In this episode Nurse Alice speaks with Dr. Ebonie is a licensed podiatrist aka foot and ankle surgeon behind the hit TLC television series “My Feet Are Killing Me.” She works with all types of foot and ankle ailments with a specialty in foot and ankle reconstruction and diabetic limb salvage.

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Have you ever wanted the ability to choose when and where you work and build your own flexible schedule? Maybe you have to work around a busy school or spouse schedule? Perhaps the babysitter isn't always available? Or maybe you work a full-time job and want to add a few shifts elsewhere? Or maybe you want to work when you feel like it and don't want to be bothered by a recruiter or administrative person asking for your availability weeks in advance and/or pressuring you to work on days that you were once available but on the day of, change your mind and don't want to work. Or the flip side of that is, the party plans changed and now you're available last minute. And most places ask for a minimum amount of shifts as a requirement that you don't want to commit to. What's the best way to work when this is you?

In this episode Nurse Alice speaks with Will Patterson, former ICU nurse, and CEO of CareRev, a marketplace platform that seamlessly connects healthcare facilities and local, flexible healthcare professionals. Hospitals, outpatient clinics, and skilled nursing facilities post open shifts. Qualified healthcare professionals discover and book shifts from the CareRev app. No staffing agencies. No travel contracts. No maximums or minimums. Will also shares his journey from ICU nurse to entrepreneur.

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Medical marijuana has been a hot topic for several years. First legalized in California in 1996, now more than two-thirds of U.S. states and the District of Columbia have legalized it for medical treatments and more are considering bills to do the same.  Then in 2012 Colorado and Washington became the first two states to legalize it for recreational use, and in a similar fashion, while only 18 states currently approve it recreationally, other states are expected to do the same. 

But sadly healthcare has not done a great job with educating our healthcare professionals with this changing policy. How many of us fully understand the benefits and risks of cannabis? How is it consumed? How is it dosed? How does it work? What are the side effects? When should it be added to the care plan? And even for our patients using it recreationally and even sometimes illegally - how do we educate people around usage to keep them safe?

In this episode Nurse Alice speaks with Ashley Wynn-Grimes BSN, RN is the Founder of Cannabis Nursing Solutions, LLC, Executive Director Of Cannabis Patient Advocacy Association. Wynn-Grimes, a registered nurse for more than 12 years,  is dedicated to empowering patients and nursing professionals to make informed medical cannabis care choices with impactful educational medical programs that also serve to promote diverse representation and medical equality in cannabis.

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