This episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted explores how nursing education can better prepare students to care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Dr. Suzanne Smeltzer and Ms. Colleen Meakim discuss the significant gaps in nursing curricula and emphasize the importance of integrating IDD content throughout undergraduate and graduate programs. They highlight practical tools such as the IDD Toolkit and ACE scenarios, which offer faculty guidance and simulation resources to enhance student learning. The conversation also addresses ableism in healthcare and the need for person-centered care that respects the lived experiences of individuals with IDD. Finally, the guests advocate for universal design and inclusive practices to support both patients and nursing students with disabilities.

Additional Resources

Advancing Care Excellence for Persons with Disabilities

Intellectual and Developmental Disability: A Toolkit to Enhance Education of Health Care Professionals to Provide Quality Health Care to Persons with IDD

Inclusion of Disability in Nursing Education: Rationale and Guidelines

ACE.D Unfolding Cases: Mary Lou & Rob Brady and Patrick and Gloria Lake

ACE.D Teaching Strategies on Communication and Care Management for People with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability: Sandy Case Study and Jason Case Study

Smeltzer, S. C., Dolen, M. A., Robinson-Smith, G., & Zimmerman, V. (2005). Integration of disability-related content in nursing curricula. Nursing education perspectives, 26(4), 210–216.

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this milestone 150th episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted, hosts Dr. Kellie Bryant and Dr. Raquel Bertiz welcome internationally recognized simulation pioneer Dr. Suzie Kardong-Edgren. Dr. Kardong-Edgren reflects on the early days of nursing simulation, from unpacking the first manikins to shaping standards and research that transformed nursing education. She shares lessons learned from early challenges and emphasizes the importance of mentorship, innovation, and perseverance in advancing simulation practice. The conversation explores her vision for competency-based, learner-centered education and the need to retain nursing’s humanistic focus on caring and spirituality. Listeners gain insight into Dr. Kardong-Edgren’s enduring impact as a trailblazer who continues to inspire educators to challenge convention and lead with purpose.

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted, host Dr. Steven Palazzo interviews Dr. LisaMarie Wands about her research on integrating cognitive rehearsal training into nursing education to counteract incivility. Dr. Wands explains how incivility, from dismissive behaviors to overt hostility, harms nursing students and new nurses and contributes to burnout and attrition. Her study, funded by the NLN, used simulation to teach students strategies like pausing and scripted responses when encountering uncivil behavior. Findings revealed that students often struggled to act on these strategies because of their low power in clinical settings, but some reported applying the training once in professional practice. The conversation emphasizes the need for nursing programs to introduce even small-scale training or role-play to prepare students for the realities of incivility in the workplace.

Wands, L., McDermott, C., Bernard, N., Wolf, R., & Kimble, L. P. (2025). Implementing Cognitive Rehearsal Training With Nursing Students to Counter Incivility in the Clinical Setting as Students and New Nurses: A Sequential Mixed-Methods Study. Nursing education perspectives, 46(4), 243–245. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001325

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted, hosts Dr. Kellie Bryant and Dr. Raquel Bertiz talk with Dr. Deborah Himes and Dr. Cindy Snyder about the critical role of genomics in nursing education and practice. The guests emphasize that genomics is not a specialty but an essential part of everyday nursing, influencing risk assessment, treatment decisions, and patient outcomes. They share practical strategies for integrating genomics into curricula, such as using family history tools, case studies, and analogies to make complex concepts understandable for patients and students. The conversation highlights updated nursing competencies, available resources, and the importance of preparing nurses to meet national expectations for genomic literacy. The episode concludes by stressing that genomics, epigenetics, and pharmacogenomics shape how diseases are understood and treated, making it vital that all nurses are prepared to apply these concepts in practice.

Learn more about genomics:

International Society of Nurses in Genetics (ISONG) Genomics Education Resources Repository: https://www.isong.org/ed-resources-repository
This repository provides an extensive list of education and professional organizations for nurses/educators needing "self-guided learning" or resources in genomics.

ISCC-PEG FAQ series: https://www.genome.gov/For-Health-Professionals/Provider-Genomics-Education-Resources/nursing-genomics-faq

American Nurses Association &  International Society of Nurses in Genetics (2025). Genomics Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 3rd Edition. https://www.nursingworld.org/nurses-books/ana-books/ebook-genomics-nursing-scope-and-standards-of-practice-3rd-edition

Nursing Genomics FAQs. The Nursing Genomics Project Group of the Inter-Society Coordinating Committee for Practitioner Education in Genomics (ISCC-PEG) created a Nursing Genomics FAQ to address how to integrate genomics into education and practice. www.genome.gov/For-Health-Professionals/Provider-Genomics-Education-Resources/nursing-genomics-faq

LInking Nursing Knowledge And GEnomics (LINKAGE) is an online source with educational content about foundational genomic concepts in the context of nursing practice.
Free content faculty can assign to students and faculty-only resources. https://linkage.trubox.ca/

Calzone, K. A., Stokes, L., Peterson, C., & Badzek, L. (2024). Update to the essential genomic nursing competencies and outcome indicators. Journal of nursing scholarship : an official publication of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, 56(5), 729–741. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12993

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of the NLN podcast Nursing EDge Unscripted, host Dr. Raquel Bertiz speaks with guests Dr. Rachel Onello and Dr. Nicole Smith about the transformative impact of the NLN Faculty Intensives Course for nurse educators. The course equips both novice and seasoned faculty with evidence-based strategies in instructional design, curriculum mapping, and the science of teaching and learning. Drs. Onello and Smith emphasize the importance of shifting from clinical expertise to intentional educational practice, helping educators build confidence and improve student engagement. Participants often report personal and institutional growth, with some receiving teaching awards and others reconsidering their career paths in academia. The episode underscores that investing in faculty development not only enhances individual teaching excellence but also drives broader change across nursing programs.

Learn more about NLN Faculty Intensives: https://ondemand.nln.org/product?catalog=NFI2021

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted, Dr. Steven Palazzo interviews Dr. Dawna Rutherford about her research on bullying behaviors in clinical settings and their impact on nursing students. The discussion centers on a simulation study that examined how bullying and distractions affect medication administration performance. Interestingly, students exposed to bullying completed tasks faster, possibly due to anxiety-driven responses, though this raised concerns about safety and decision-making under pressure. The conversation also explores how to design effective simulations and integrate education on bullying into nursing curricula. Dr. Rutherford emphasizes the importance of preparing students with strategies to handle real-world clinical challenges, including interpersonal dynamics.

Rutherford, D., Gillespie, G. L., Bresler, S., Johnson, K., & Smith, C. R. (2025). Bullying Behaviors in Clinical Settings: Potentially Harmful Distractions. Nursing education perspectives, 46(4), 246–248. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001380

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted, Dr. Steven Palazzo hosts a discussion with Dr. Ashley York and Mrs. Laura Wynn about their article on fostering clinical judgment in nursing students through active learning. The conversation centers on a “7 Station Simulation” strategy designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and clinical practice for first-semester nursing students. This simulation includes hands-on experiences, realistic scenarios, and guided reflection to help students develop critical thinking and holistic care skills. Feedback from students highlighted increased confidence and a better understanding of the importance of documentation and patient-centered care. The educators plan to continue refining the simulation and measuring its impact on students’ transition into clinical settings.

York, Ashley; Wynn, Laura. Fostering Clinical Judgment and Promoting Transition Into First Clinical Rotation Through Active Learning. Nursing Education Perspectives 46(4):p 260-261, 7/8 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001293

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted, Dr. Raquel Bertiz hosts a candid conversation with Dr. Amber Young-Brice and Dr. Kyla Farrar Stern about the evolving role and preparation of nurse educators. Drawing from their own academic journeys, Amber and Kyla share challenges they faced transitioning from clinical practice to teaching, highlighting the importance of mentorship and structured pedagogical support. They reflect on the gaps in educator preparation and offer insights on how institutions can better equip future nurse faculty. The discussion emphasizes the need to reimagine what it means to be a nurse educator in today’s academic and clinical environments. Through storytelling, humor, and honest dialogue, this episode sheds light on the personal and professional growth that shapes effective nursing educators.

Farrar Stern, K., & Young Brice, A. (2024). Change in expectations: A policy recommendation for future and current nurse educators. Journal of Professional Nursing, 54, 260–263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.08.003

Young-Brice, A., Farrar-Stern, K. & Malin, S. (2022). Comprehensive Onboarding and Orientation Increases Retention Among Newly Hired Faculty. Nurse Educator, 47(6), 347-351. Doi: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000001242

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode, Dr. Steven Palazzo hosts Ms. Melissa Hinds, Dr. Jannyse Tapp, and Dr. Claire McKinley Yoder to discuss their contributions to the book, Nursing Leaders Driving Health Equity: Tackling Social and Structural Determinants. The book, developed by the inaugural NLN/Walden Social Determinants of Health & Social Change Leadership Academy cohort, offers practical tools for nurse educators and leaders to address health inequities. They highlight how the book supports the development of nurse leaders committed to advancing health equity. Listeners are encouraged to consider how nursing education can promote social justice and transform health care systems. 

Now Available:

Nursing Leaders Driving Health Equity: Tackling Social and Structural Determinants. Explore this essential resource today at NLN Bookstore, powered by Wolters Kluwer: https://nln.lww.com/Nursing-Leaders-Driving-Health-Equity/p/9781975248307

Learn more:

Discover how the NLN/Walden University College of Nursing Institute for Social Determinants of Health & Social Change is advancing education and leadership: https://www.nlnwaldensdoh.org/

Apply Now:

Applications are open through September 30 for the 2026 NLN/Walden Social Determinants of Health & Social Change Leadership Academy. Join a community of changemakers: https://apply-nln.smapply.io/prog/2026_nlnwalden_social_determinants_of_health_social_change_leadership_academy/

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

Hosts Dr. Raquel Bertiz and Dr. Kellie Bryant welcome Dr. Lisa Seldomridge, professor at Salisbury University, to discuss faculty mentoring and the nursing workforce shortage. Dr. Seldomridge highlights the importance of structured mentoring programs to support new and experienced nursing faculty, ensuring their success in academia. The conversation explores the impact of the nursing shortage, emphasizing how mentorship can help retain faculty and strengthen the pipeline of nursing educators. Strategies for faculty development, including professional growth opportunities and peer support networks, are discussed as key solutions. The episode concludes with a call to action for institutions to prioritize mentoring programs, fostering a stronger and more resilient nursing education workforce.

Learn more about the Faculty Academy and Mentorship Initiative of Maryland (FAMI-MD):
www.salisbury.edu/academic-offices/health-and-human-services/nursing/fami-md-academy/

Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.