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In this episode of Better Every Shift for Nurses we speak with Fiona Fitzgerald and Emily Daley.  From their small gesture of connecting two people a new friendship, collaboration and podcast has grown.  

Fiona and Emily celebrate the value of connection, collaborating and conversation about doing things better.  Their work is about helping leaders and teams explore what they do, what is working and what needs to change.  

They sit outside of the daily grind and this perspective allows them to step back from the dustbin fires so many of us are trying to put out, to see the bigger picture - that many of the fires we are fighting will put themselves out, but we may be missing other activity that we should develop and grow.  

In this episode we explore part A of our two part conversation.  We hope you are just as delighted as we are.

Grab the Tea Room Notes Here

The Clear Shift Consultation Diagnostic Tool will help you clearly articulate the gaps in language that connects the clinical experience with the executive impact.

"Is nursing turnover eroding your bottom line? Stop managing the crisis and start leading the culture. Book a Strategic Consultation at bettereveryshift.com.au/consultation to turn your clinical culture into a measurable business performance indicator." 

Text us here. We'd love to hear from you

This shift is a bit like that Early shift you arrive to only to find out you are actually rostered for the afternoon.  

Some technical difficulties has delayed production of the next episode.  We had a lot of fun recording, this is some of our fun.  

"Is nursing turnover eroding your bottom line? Stop managing the crisis and start leading the culture. Book a Strategic Consultation at bettereveryshift.com.au/consultation to turn your clinical culture into a measurable business performance indicator." 

Text us here. We'd love to hear from you

This episode uncovers the real cost of avoiding feedback, how “being nice” can sabotage growth, and why clear conversations—however uncomfortable—are the greatest kindness. This episode dives into the messy, human side of feedback in healthcare, exploring what happens when we sidestep tough conversations and the ripple effects on individuals and teams, and the care they provide 

Through candid stories and practical wisdom, we unpack why feedback often fails to land, how emotions shape our willingness to speak up, and the consequences of letting patterns persist. You’ll hear how clarity, curiosity, and a touch of light-heartedness can transform feedback from a dreaded task into a powerful tool for learning and trust.  

We invite you to join us and review your approach, so you can build a culture where feedback is a gift, not a threat. 

Everyone who enters health care wants to do the best they can - for their patients, their colleagues, and themselves. But wanting to do your best is only the beginning. True excellence isn’t a fixed point; it’s a process of personal and professional growth, reflection, and transformation. 

At Better Every Shift, we dive into real stories that reveal how our “best” is something that evolves as we learn, stretch, and allow ourselves to mature. Together we explore the messy, inspiring, and sometimes uncomfortable moments that shape us into more effective clinicians and leaders. 

Connect with us further at our website www.bettereveryshift.com.au and collect the Tea Room Notes Here

The Clear Shift Consultation Diagnostic Tool will help you clearly articulate the gaps in language that connects the clinical experience with the executive impact.

"Is nursing turnover eroding your bottom line? Stop managing the crisis and start leading the culture. Book a Strategic Consultation at bettereveryshift.com.au/consultation to turn your clinical culture into a measurable business performance indicator." 

Text us here. We'd love to hear from you

Some patients leave our shift; others stay in our bodies for years.
 In this episode of Better Every Shift, Naomi and Tubi explore the legacies that nursing leaves in us – the patients we still carry, the smells and sounds that transport us back in an instant, and the way our bodies react long after the event is over.

 Naomi and Tubi unpack why certain patients stay with us, how “first times” and “people who look like our own” land differently, and what happens when we never quite process those moments.

Together they explore:

• How nursing experiences are stored in the body as learned reactions and triggers
• Why emotional granularity (finding the right word for what you feel) can calm both brain and body
• The difference between hot debriefs, cold debriefs and reflective clinical supervision – and when each helps
• The role of nurses in crisis resource management and speaking up in ways others can actually hear
• Practical strategies to gently process “your people”: breathing, writing, naming emotions, and regular check-ins

This conversation is for any nurse, midwife or health professional who has ever found themselves back in a resus bay while standing in a supermarket aisle, or who has wondered, “Why is this patient still with me?”

🎧 By the end of this episode, you’ll have:

• Language for talking about the patients and moments that stay with you
• A simple writing practice you can use after tough shifts
• Ideas for making debriefs safer, kinder and more useful
• Small, repeatable habits to protect your future self from today’s work

🔗 Explore more from Better Every Shift

• Grab the Tea Room Notes Here
• Share this episode with a colleague who “gets it” and start a conversation about the legacies you both carry.

#BetterEveryShift #NursingLegacies #NurseWellbeing #Debriefing #ReflectivePractice #NurseLeadership

The Clear Shift Consultation Diagnostic Tool will help you clearly articulate the gaps in language that connects the clinical experience with the executive impact.

"Is nursing turnover eroding your bottom line? Stop managing the crisis and start leading the culture. Book a Strategic Consultation at bettereveryshift.com.au/consultation to turn your clinical culture into a measurable business performance indicator." 

Text us here. We'd love to hear from you

“Interviews, Mindset and Missed Opportunities: What Panels Really Look For”

You’ve done the acting stints. You’ve put in the extra hours. You’ve sat through interview after interview… and still missed out.
 In this episode of Better Every Shift, Naomi shares the story of applying twice for the same leadership role — and only getting it the second time. Together, Naomi and Tubi pull back the curtain on how interviews really work in health services, and what both panels and candidates often get wrong.

We explore how to prepare beyond “Googling common questions”, how to stop assuming “they already know me”, and how to find the people who can help you translate feedback into real career movement.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why a “failed” interview can set you up for the next one
• The difference between knowing the job exists and understanding what the service is trying to fix
• Practical ways to prepare: conversations, mock interviews, and mindset rituals
• The trap of assuming your panel knows your history, budget responsibilities or leadership experience
• Why traditional interviews are biased and imperfect — and how good panels try to do it better
• What to focus on if you’ve had serial acting roles or repeated knock-backs
• The skills that are easy to teach vs the relational skills panels are really hunting for

This week’s action:
Pick one role you’re curious about and book a 20–30 minute conversation with your manager, a mentor or someone currently in the job. Ask them:

• “What does great look like in this role?”
• “What gaps do you see for me over the next 6–12 months?”

One honest conversation. One step closer.

Grab the Tea Room Notes Here

The Clear Shift Consultation Diagnostic Tool will help you clearly articulate the gaps in language that connects the clinical experience with the executive impact.

"Is nursing turnover eroding your bottom line? Stop managing the crisis and start leading the culture. Book a Strategic Consultation at bettereveryshift.com.au/consultation to turn your clinical culture into a measurable business performance indicator." 

Text us here. We'd love to hear from you

Ever felt technically confident, only to realize there’s a whole new level of understanding waiting for you? Wondered if excellence is a finish line or a journey? Or found yourself growing most in the messy, uncomfortable moments? This episode explores how our “best” is always evolving, and why that’s something to celebrate. 

Drawing on our own stories, we unpack the many shifts we had to make from technical competence to holistic care, and how growing mastery means seeing the whole person and the system. We talk about excellence as an ongoing process—one that’s shaped by reflection, learning, and transformation, not just ticking technical, clinical boxes. We share why discomfort is a sign you’re stretching and how lifelong learning keeps us resilient and adaptable, no matter your role or seniority. 

If you’re a nurse or healthcare leader who wants to keep growing, challenge your assumptions, and support your team’s development, this episode is for you. Tune in for practical insights, a few laughs, and a reminder that we’re all in this learning journey together. 

 Ready to reflect, grow, and lead with us? Listen now and join the conversation—your next shift in thinking could start here. 

Everyone who enters health care wants to do the best they can - for their patients, their colleagues, and themselves. But wanting to do your best is only the beginning. True excellence isn’t a fixed point; it’s a process of personal and professional growth, reflection, and transformation. 

At Better Every Shift, we dive into real stories that reveal how our “best” is something that evolves as we learn, stretch, and allow ourselves to mature. Together we explore the messy, inspiring, and sometimes uncomfortable moments that shape us into more effective clinicians and leaders. 

Collect the Tea Room Notes Here

The Clear Shift Consultation Diagnostic Tool will help you clearly articulate the gaps in language that connects the clinical experience with the executive impact.

"Is nursing turnover eroding your bottom line? Stop managing the crisis and start leading the culture. Book a Strategic Consultation at bettereveryshift.com.au/consultation to turn your clinical culture into a measurable business performance indicator." 

Text us here. We'd love to hear from you

Curious how feedback could feel less like a dreaded performance review and more like a daily act of support? Wondering what ballet studios can teach healthcare teams about trust, growth, and radical candor? Ready to rethink how feedback shapes your leadership and team culture? 

In this episode, we explore the surprising parallels between ballet and healthcare, revealing how feedback in ballet is public, frequent, and normalized—while in healthcare, it’s often private and high-stakes. We unpack why nurses and leaders sometimes fear critique, and how shifting feedback from criticism to “having your back” can transform team dynamics. You’ll hear practical strategies for normalising feedback, clarifying intent, and balancing honesty with kindness, plus real stories from nursing and management. 

Whether you’re a mid-career nurse, manager, senior clinician, or leader, you’ll find reflective prompts and actionable ideas to help you grow, develop, and lead with confidence. Tune in for a warm, explorative conversation that challenges you to make feedback a tool for continuous improvement – just like the ballet. 

Everyone who enters health care wants to do the best they can - for their patients, their colleagues, and themselves. But wanting to do your best is only the beginning. True excellence isn’t a fixed point; it’s a process of personal and professional growth, reflection, and transformation. 

At Better Every Shift, we dive into real stories that reveal how our “best” is something that evolves as we learn, stretch, and allow ourselves to mature. Together we explore the messy, inspiring, and sometimes uncomfortable moments that shape us into more effective clinicians and leaders.  

Collect the Tea Room Notes Here

The Clear Shift Consultation Diagnostic Tool will help you clearly articulate the gaps in language that connects the clinical experience with the executive impact.

"Is nursing turnover eroding your bottom line? Stop managing the crisis and start leading the culture. Book a Strategic Consultation at bettereveryshift.com.au/consultation to turn your clinical culture into a measurable business performance indicator." 

Text us here. We'd love to hear from you

Collect the Tea Room Notes Here

The Clear Shift Consultation Diagnostic Tool will help you clearly articulate the gaps in language that connects the clinical experience with the executive impact.

"Is nursing turnover eroding your bottom line? Stop managing the crisis and start leading the culture. Book a Strategic Consultation at bettereveryshift.com.au/consultation to turn your clinical culture into a measurable business performance indicator." 

Text us here. We'd love to hear from you

Navigating remote clinics with limited resources, learning the hard way that authority doesn’t guarantee followership, and discovering the power of curiosity—this episode explores what really happens when you step into a leadership role in healthcare. What do you do when your team pushes back, your plans unravel, and you realize you don’t have all the answers? 

We share honest stories about the difference between being “the boss” and truly leading, the importance of humility and cultural awareness, and why asking questions can be more powerful than giving orders. If you’re a nurse, clinician, or leader who wants to grow, develop, and mature—both personally and professionally—this episode offers practical wisdom and gentle encouragement to rethink what leadership means in healthcare. 

Everyone who enters health care wants to do the best they can - for their patients, their colleagues, and themselves. But wanting to do your best is only the beginning. True excellence isn’t a fixed point; it’s a process of personal and professional growth, reflection, and transformation. 

At Better Every Shift, we dive into real stories that reveal how our “best” is something that evolves as we learn, stretch, and allow ourselves to mature. Together we explore the messy, inspiring, and sometimes uncomfortable moments that shape us into more effective clinicians and leaders. 

Grab the Tea Room Notes Here

The Clear Shift Consultation Diagnostic Tool will help you clearly articulate the gaps in language that connects the clinical experience with the executive impact.

"Is nursing turnover eroding your bottom line? Stop managing the crisis and start leading the culture. Book a Strategic Consultation at bettereveryshift.com.au/consultation to turn your clinical culture into a measurable business performance indicator." 

Text us here. We'd love to hear from you

When it's not about you – the impact staff relationships have on care provided. 

A patient’s sudden drop in blood pressure, a missing note about medication, and a tense silence between colleagues—this episode dives into the real-life moments where communication, emotion, and teamwork collide. What happens when relationships are strained, emotions run high, and the patient’s safety hangs in the balance? 

We unpack a story that’s all too familiar in healthcare: the challenge of working with someone you don’t click with, the hazards of poor communication, and the powerful role emotions play in how we show up for each other and our patients. Through honest reflection, we explore how self-awareness, kindness, and a willingness to reset can transform even the toughest dynamics. If you’re a nurse, clinician, or leader who wants to grow, develop, and mature—both personally and professionally—this episode offers practical wisdom and a gentle nudge to see things differently. 

Everyone who enters health care wants to do the best they can - for their patients, their colleagues, and themselves. But wanting to do your best is only the beginning. True excellence isn’t a fixed point; it’s a process of personal and professional growth, reflection, and transformation. 

At Better Every Shift, we dive into real stories that reveal how our “best” is something that evolves as we learn, stretch, and allow ourselves to mature. Together we explore the messy, inspiring, and sometimes uncomfortable moments that shape us into more effective clinicians and leaders. 

For more information and grab the Tea Room Notes Here

The Clear Shift Consultation Diagnostic Tool will help you clearly articulate the gaps in language that connects the clinical experience with the executive impact.

"Is nursing turnover eroding your bottom line? Stop managing the crisis and start leading the culture. Book a Strategic Consultation at bettereveryshift.com.au/consultation to turn your clinical culture into a measurable business performance indicator."