In this final episode of season one, Martha sits down with Dr. Tracy Long, founder of Bridges for Health, to explore how cultural competence can be taught in a way that is immersive, meaningful, and aligned with the principles of active learning.

If you’ve ever felt unsure how to incorporate cultural competency into your curriculum or you’re looking for a new way to engage students in empathy, awareness, and critical thinking, this episode is a must-listen. Dr. Long’s work highlights that cultural competence is more than a buzzword, it’s a skill that can be actively practiced.

Active Learning Deepens Cultural Awareness

• Dr. Long’s research demonstrates that immersive experiences, whether abroad or in diverse local communities, enable students to internalize cultural competence in ways that traditional lectures cannot. But even classroom-based activities, when made interactive, can meaningfully engage students in this work.

Curiosity is the Core Competency

• One of the most powerful tools we can teach our students is to lead with curiosity. Instead of defaulting to judgment, students should be encouraged to ask, “Tell me more,” and approach differences as opportunities to learn.

You Don’t Need a Plane Ticket to Teach Cultural Competence

• With creative tools, educators can simulate real-world cultural scenarios that spark discussion, encourage reflection, and invite empathy even if international travel isn’t an option.

• Ready to use this in your own classroom? Get the Cultural Competency Toolkit here: 👉 learninglabrn.com
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• Join the newsletter and explore active learning tools: breakoutrn.com
• Full transcript: Here

1. Learn More about the Bridges for Health organization mentioned in this episode: HERE
2. Access Dr. Long's free course on preparing for a service trip with nursing students HERE

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In this solo episode of Learning Lab RN, Martha Johnson shares how creating a “second brain” transformed the way she manages teaching, business, clinical prep, and daily life. Adapted from Tiago Forte’s popular productivity system, this digital framework helps nurse educators capture ideas, organize projects, and reduce the mental clutter that comes with our demanding roles. If your to-do list lives across sticky notes, screenshots, and open browser tabs, this episode will help you breathe easier and find a system that actually supports you.

Your Brain Isn’t Built for Storage. It’s Built for Ideas

• Without a system, it’s easy to forget that article you wanted to try in class or that resource you meant to read. A second brain captures inspiration in the moment and holds onto it, so you don’t have to.

Organize by How You Use Information

• Traditional folders like “Theory” or “Clinical” can quickly become digital junk drawers. Martha outlines a simple framework of "Projects, Areas, Resources, and Archive" that mirrors how we actually use information, making it easier to find what you need quickly.

Small Systems Create Calm

• From reusable templates to searchable notes, building a second brain isn’t about being high-tech. Instead, it’s about freeing up mental space. The real win? More focus, more rest, and less overwhelm as an educator.

• Ready to use this in your own classroom? Get the template and student prompts here: 👉 learninglabrn.com
• Subscribe to the show: learninglabrn.com
• Join the newsletter and explore active learning tools: breakoutrn.com
• Full transcript: Here
• Learn more about Tiago Forte's book, Building a Second Brain
• Get Notion, a free organizational tool HERE

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• If you listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, please take a moment to rate or review the show. This goes a long way toward helping me reach other educators! 😊

In this episode of Learning Lab RN, we look into the design of an escape room activity with Texas-based educator Kristie Buchanan. Kristie shares how she uses low-cost materials, physical movement, and clever narrative progression to keep nursing students engaged while reinforcing clinical content. Whether you’re using locks and treasure chests, simple worksheet clues, or a more comprehensive simulation lab experience, this episode will help you think creatively about how to get students out of their seats and into the story.

Storytelling Creates Context and Curiosity

• Kristie weaves a patient story throughout each station, moving from estimated due date to Apgar scoring in her OB version. This narrative structure mirrors real clinical progression and helps students connect the dots more meaningfully.

Movement Matters in Learning

• Students crawl on the floor, check under desks, and physically interact with their environment to uncover clues. This full-body experience boosts engagement.

You Don’t Need Fancy Gear to Build a Great Experience

• Kristie's escape rooms rely on dollar-store locks, handouts, and simple classroom setups. With a little creativity, you can replicate the thrill of an escape experience without relying on a sim lab or expensive tech.

• Ready to use this in your own classroom? Get the template and student prompts here: 👉 learninglabrn.com
• Subscribe to the show: learninglabrn.com
• Join the newsletter and explore active learning tools: breakoutrn.com
• Full transcript: Here

1. Learn More about the TableTop Case Study Kit mentioned in this episode: HERE
2. Read "Using Pixar Storytelling Principles in Nursing Education" Series HERE

Please offer your feedback about the show by emailing me!

• If you listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, please take a moment to rate or review the show. This goes a long way toward helping me reach other educators! 😊

In this episode of Learning Lab RN, I talk with Julie Robertson, an OB instructor and bereavement counselor, who shares how she teaches empathy through an activity called The Game of Loss. This 45-minute interactive experience is designed to help nursing students practice perspective-taking by imagining life with a chronic illness, not through statistics or lecture slides, but through the small, personal losses that patients experience every day. Built from her experience in perinatal bereavement, Julie's activity is thoughtful, protective, and deeply impactful, without being overwhelming. If you're looking for a practical and compassionate way to bring empathy to the surface in your classroom, this episode is a must-listen.

Empathy Can Be Modeled and Taught

• Julie shares how her role as a bereavement nurse helps her model empathy for students. Her activity uses perspective-taking and personal reflection, showing that empathy isn’t just intuitive, it’s a skill that can be practiced and strengthened.

The Game of Loss Centers on Small, Relatable Sacrifices

• Students start by listing four personal comforts (a favorite food, activity, short-term goal, and dollar amount), then are guided to slowly “lose” them through the lens of chronic illness.

Pair-Based Conversations Reinforce Emotional Intelligence

• After the loss exercise, students use the NURSE communication framework in role-play to process and reflect. The structure supports vulnerability without pushing students too far, making space for emotional growth in a safe, supported way.

• Ready to use this in your own classroom? Get the template and student prompts here: 👉 learninglabrn.com
• Subscribe to the show: learninglabrn.com
• Join the newsletter and explore active learning tools: breakoutrn.com
• Full transcript: Here

Please offer your feedback about the show by emailing me!

• If you listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, please take a moment to rate or review the show. This goes a long way toward helping me reach other educators! 😊

In this episode of Learning Lab RN, we talk with Dr. Laura Dana, a simulation coordinator in Colorado, who shares her innovative solution to an OB nursing class at risk of failure: the OB Blitz Day. This immersive, all-day simulation event ensures every student experiences the key components of OB care, from hands-on delivery practice to neonatal assessments. Dr. Dana explains how she designed five interactive learning stations, each targeting specific OB skills that students often miss in traditional clinical rotations. Whether it's practicing APGAR scoring, assessing fetal monitoring strips, or examining the infamous Infant Stool Identification Station, the ideas in the OB Blitz Day are a game-changer for active learning in obstetric nursing.

🔑 Key Takeaways

OB Blitz Day Guarantees Consistent, Hands-On Experiences

• Traditional OB clinical rotations can be unpredictable. Students may never see a delivery or practice key skills. The OB Blitz Day guarantees exposure to critical OB scenarios in a controlled, simulated environment.

Interactive Stations Boost Skill Retention

• Students are encouraged to touch, use, and manipulate equipment during this OB experience. They also practice observational assessment.
• Five stations include: Birth Simulation, APGAR Scoring Station, Newborn Nursery Museum, Infant Stool Identification Station, Fetal Monitoring Strip Analysis.

Hands-On Practice Builds Confidence and Competency

• Students leave the OB Blitz with practical skills and increased confidence.

Resources Mentioned:

• Download the OB Blitz Day Instructor Packet: learninglabrn.com
• Subscribe to the show: learninglabrn.com
• Join the newsletter and explore active learning tools: breakoutrn.com
• Full transcript: Here

Please offer your feedback about the show by emailing me!

If you listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, please take a moment to rate or review the show. This goes a long way toward helping me reach other educators! 😊

In this episode of Learning Lab RN, we talk with Victoria Deardorff, an emergency department nurse educator who developed the Prioritization Picnic, a delightfully nonclinical activity that breaks down the clinical judgment model in its simplest form. Initially created for a pre-nursing class, this activity helps students practice the core components of clinical reasoning—noticing, interpreting, and responding—without getting stuck on content they haven’t learned yet. It's a great reminder that critical thinking doesn’t require complex patient scenarios to be effective—it just takes a clever setup, and maybe a picnic blanket.

🔑 Key Takeaways

The Clinical Judgment Model Doesn’t Require Medical Knowledge

• Victoria designed the Prioritization Picnic to help students practice the foundational thinking behind clinical decision-making before they even start nursing school. Students work through silly, but meaningful, scenarios using the framework: What do you notice? What does it mean? What are you going to do?

Noticing and Interpreting Are Distinct

• By separating out these two steps, students slow down their thinking. Instead of jumping straight to action, they learn to pause and analyze, just like nurses do when assessing a rapidly changing patient.

Nonclinical Scenarios Build Confidence

• Removing medical jargon gives students the freedom to focus on process over perfection. As they encounter unexpected “weather changes” at their imaginary picnic, learners gain comfort with ambiguity and decision-making skills that transfer directly to clinical practice.

Resources Mentioned:

• Download the prioritization picnic worksheet: learninglabrn.com
• Subscribe to the show: learninglabrn.com
• Join the newsletter and explore active learning tools: breakoutrn.com
• Full transcript: Here

Please offer your feedback about the show by emailing me!

If you listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, please take a moment to rate or review the show. This goes a long way toward helping me reach other educators! 😊

In this episode of Learning Lab RN, Brianne Conley shares a clever idea to shift students from “hiding in the charting room” to fully engaging in clinical: clinical loitering tickets. These simple slips help students stay present, focused, and accountable during their clinical shifts. We talk about how she introduces the tickets, how students respond, and how each ticket becomes a learning moment, not a punishment.

Key Takeaways:

• Loitering tickets prompt students to take action: restock, review a policy, or pitch in on the unit.
• Debriefing in post-conference turns mistakes into opportunities to learn and lead.
• Students quickly begin to self-monitor and support a more professional, engaged clinical culture.

Resources Mentioned:

• Download the clinical loitering ticket template: learninglabrn.com
• Subscribe to the show: learninglabrn.com
• Join the newsletter and explore active learning tools: breakoutrn.com
• Full transcript: Here

Please offer your feedback about the show by emailing me!

If you listen to this podcast on Apple Podcasts, please take a moment to rate or review the show. This goes a long way toward helping me reach other educators! 😊