In this episode, we sit down with two exceptional guests: Nick Serrano and Stephanie Chong—both registered nurses who have trained and worked in some of New York City’s leading healthcare centers, and who are now advancing their careers in the highly selective dual degree NP-CRNA program at the Hofstra-Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies.

Coming from distinct backgrounds and life experiences, Nick and Stephanie share a common thread: remarkable intelligence, deep commitment to patient care, and an impressive work ethic. Dr. Gluck has come to know them closely through PEARLS—Patient-centered Explorations in Active Reasoning, Learning, and Synthesis—a small-group, case-based learning model that demands teamwork, critical thinking, ownership of learning, and professional self-reflection.

The conversation explores:

• Their paths into nursing and what drew each of them toward advanced practice and future careers in anesthesia and pain management 
• Lessons learned working in premier NYC health systems
• Why they chose Hofstra-Northwell’s NP-CRNA track and how they’re managing the rigor
• How PEARLS has shaped their thinking, collaboration, and approach to patient-centered problem-solving
• The mindset required to thrive in one of the most demanding fields in healthcare

The episode highlights humility, ambition, resilience, and the evolving identity of the next generation of advanced practice nurses—an inside look at two rising clinicians who represent the best of what nursing and healthcare education can offer.