On this episode of Found Down, I interview Leah Buck, Nurse and Organ Donation Coordinator about all things organ donation. There are currently over a 100,000 people waiting for life saving organs in the United States because this opportunity does not come as often as one would think. Today we get into why that is and the different paths for organ donation.

If you were ever curious about the complexities of organ donation, please listen in. It is definitely a very complicated but meaningful thing and it takes a village to accomplish - from the patient themselves and their families, the onsite nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, the organ donation coordinators, the surgeons and the transport crew AMONG MANY OTHERS.

A special thanks to all people who are registered donors and for the donors themselves that have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. And for the families out there that already know this, organ donation can often bring so much hope in a tragic time.

This is a very important episode and I promise you will definitely learn something new. I did.

Thank you, Leah for being on the show. You are so amazing and are doing such incredible work.

Stay Safe and Stay Sane,

Nicole

Today I interview ER nurse Hanna Anderson about what ER nursing is really like at one of the biggest ERs in the state. She shares what she loves about it, what is hard and what has been particularly challenging in the pandemic. We laugh, almost cry and I definitely got goosebumps.

Thanks so much for doing this episode, Hanna. I appreciate your insight and what you are doing in the Emergency Room.

Stay Safe and Stay Sane,

Nicole

Today I interview Assistant Nursing Professor Angela Kueny about her interest and experience working the Amish community as well as her thoughts on what nursing students are struggling with as they get ready to enter into the workforce. This is a very interesting episode. Angela has many insights into what our new nurses are experiencing and the implications for onboarding new staff who haven't had the traditional practicums. Also, Angela offers up her reflections on the assets the Amish bring to their community health.

Thank you, Angela for being on the show.

Stay Safe and Stay Sane,

Nicole

On this episode of Found Down, I interview ICU nurse Pauline Poblete about her experience getting Covid-19 in the beginning of the pandemic, what it felt like to be so sick, being admitted to her own ICU and what it was like being on a ventilator. Pauline shares her terrifying story and her road to recovery. She also gives us, nurses and healthcare workers her wisdom on how we can do better for our patients.

This is an intense story as Pauline shares her journey with this diagnosis and how she is doing today.

Thank you so much for being on the show. I'm so happy you are almost back to your baseline.

Stay Safe and Stay Sane,

Nicole

Today I sit down with Melissa Fermin, RN, BSN, CMSRN to talk about life as an acute care nurse, working on a Medical Surgical floor. She opens up about how this pandemic caught up with her unexpectedly and how she handled it. Additionally, she shares why she got into nursing, what she loves about her field and what is challenging. Melissa offers up sage advice to new nurses coming into the field and how self care is such a needed practice. She says - "Don't give up! We need you!" I could not agree more.

Melissa and I go way back, so it was an absolute joy to catch up and share stories.

Thank you so much for being on the show. Your patients are so lucky to have you.

Stay Safe and Stay Sane,

Nicole

Today we are listening to the second half of the interview with Nichole Leibov, nurse and license massage therapist. I thought this episode was forever lost, but I was able to recover it thanks to my good friend and audio master, Aaron Schlein. So hence, you are listening to this very special lost episode. Part one of this interview is just one episode back. You can listen to it here.

We cover all kinds of topics in these 30 minutes, including an amazing, truly Harborview story. WARNING TO THE SQUEAMISH - your stomach might do a cartwheel listening to this episode.

Nichole! Thanks again for being so amazing and I hope to meet you in person someday.

Stay safe and stay sane!

Nicole

P.S. I have new merch with my tag line - "Stay Safe and Stay Sane." Check it out here.

Today I talk with Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist Nichole Leibov about her decision to stepdown from ICU nursing. She describes the fateful day that changed her trajectory and the impact it has had on her nursing career, especially in the middle of this pandemic. We also get into the way that her licensed massage therapist role has complimented her nursing career and has enabled her to stay in this field longer.

Thank you so much for being on the show today. You are a gift and I hope to get to meet you in person.

Stay Safe and Stay Sane,

Nicole

On this episode of Found Down, I chat with Becky Schmidt, CRNA about her decision to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, her path for becoming this type of provider as well as thoughts on how the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting her rural Wisconsin hospital.

Becky reflects on what life is like as a CRNA and she describes it is as "99% boredom and 1.0% sh&t your pants." She shares a few stories that have stayed with her over the years and discusses what parts of her job bring her joy as well as what is challenging.

Becky, thank you so much for talking with me. I hope you get back to traveling as soon as we are able. I always love your ethos on living life.

Sending you so much love.

Nicole

On this very special episode of Found Down, Christina Kim, NP is back on the show to help de-bunk myths about this new vaccine. Here are the few that we cover on this episode:

COVID-19 VACCINE MYTHS:

1. This vaccine was rushed so therefore it is unsafe.
2. This is new mRNA vaccine will modify my own DNA.
3. This vaccine uses fetal tissue.
4. This vaccine causes infertility.
5. I already had Covid, so I don't need to be vaccinated.
6. This was developed to control us and implant a mircochip.
7. More people will die from negative side effects of the vaccine than of the virus.
8. The flu vaccine will cover me for Covid-19 so I don't need the vaccine.
9. I won't need to wear a mask post Covid-19 vaccination.
10. Herd immunity through natural immunity is better than herd immunity through vaccination.

If you have concerns about the vaccine, please do your research and get vaccinated when you feel safe about it. At this time, it is not recommended for those with anaphylaxis issues - severe allergic reactions.

For transparency, I received the Pfizer vaccine on 12/18 and I'm feeling great. I had a soreness in my injection site that lasted two days. I did develop a migraine two hours after getting the vaccine. However, I get migraines so I'm unsure if it was related or not.

Please follow Christina Kim on Instragram and Tiktok @christinaaaaaaanp

Here is the New England Journal of Medicine article about the Pfizer vaccine clinical trial.

Here is a great New York Times article that answers frequently asked questions about the vaccine.

Thank you so much for listening to this episode. I hope you enjoy it!

Nicole

Today the tables are turned upside down and Des Wood, DNP, ARNP interviews the Found Down Podcast host, ME, Nicole Johnson, RN, BSN, CCRN.

Des inquires about the origin of the podcast, my nursing career and how it has impacted my life. Hint - I did not take the traditional path. We discuss my thoughts on self-care including my own practices and why the pandemic is hard for us right now. I talk about my nurse wellness business Unwound Retreats and my exciting plans to take nurses travelling all over the globe. Morocco is going to be the first international destination in 2021! Check out my website here! I'd love to have you join us.

Also! We touch the topic of my Found Down Podcast Merch! If you want cool swag from the podcast, check it out here! I also have a voicemail! Please call 662-446-2834 if you want to leave any comments about the show, have stories to share, or have ideas for the show. I'd love to play and/or read the messages on the air.

Thank you, Des for this opportunity to open up. It is always such a pleasure talking with you.

XOXO

Nicole

Don't forget to follow Des' business MySeattleBeauty.com for any of your pandemic beauty needs.