Nurse Converse, presented by Nurse.org

In this inspiring episode of Nurse Converse, Melanie Van Sistine of Mel's Crafty CoRNer shares her journey from canceled shifts and burnout during the pandemic to becoming a two-time Best of Nursing Award winner and full-time nurse entrepreneur. She opens up about navigating a serious back injury, losing income as a PRN nurse, and facing early business setbacks—all while trying to rediscover who she was beyond the bedside. Mel reveals how creativity became her lifeline and how resilience can look softer, quieter, and more human than we’re taught to believe.

This episode is a reminder that nurses are allowed to evolve, pivot, and dream beyond the roles they’ve always known. Whether you're feeling stuck, unseen, or uncertain about your next chapter, this conversation will meet you exactly where you are.

>>When a Nurse’s Story Changes: How Creativity, Resilience & Community Helped Me Find a New Path

Jump Ahead to Listen: 

[00:01:18] Finding purpose through creativity.
[00:06:29] Nurse Entrepreneur of the Year.
[00:08:39] Evolving as a nurse.
[00:12:10] Celebrating nurses beyond the bedside.

Connect with Melanie on social media:
Instagram: @mels.crafty.corner
TikTok: @mels.crafty.corner
Shop Mel's Crafty CoRNer!

For more information:

• Full transcript and videos: Nurse.org/podcast
• Join our newsletter: nurse.org
• Instagram: @nurse_org
• TikTok: @nurse.org
• Facebook: @nurse.org
• YouTube: Nurse.org 

In this episode of Nurse Converse, Maggie Ortiz closes out the Protect Your Nursing License Series with an essential conversation on how to handle a false report to the Board of Nursing.

As a nurse advocate and former Board of Nursing investigator, Maggie draws on 25 years of experience to guide nurses through one of the most stressful — and often misunderstood — situations in their careers. She explains what to do the moment you receive a BON letter, how to stay organized, and the steps you can take to protect both your license and your peace of mind.

You’ll learn:

• Why false reports happen — and what the BON’s true mission is
• The critical role of professional liability insurance
• How to document and organize evidence to support your defense
• When and how to seek legal representation
• What to expect during the investigation process
• The importance of mental health and community support

Whether you’re facing a complaint or simply want to be prepared, this episode gives you the tools and understanding every nurse needs to safeguard their career and navigate the process with confidence.

>>How to Handle a False BON Report: Essential Knowledge to Protect Your License

Jump Ahead to Listen: 

[00:01:09] Handling false reports to nursing board.
[00:04:44] Board of nursing complaints.
[00:08:07] False report to regulatory agency.
[00:12:10] Legal team communication importance.
[00:15:41] Legal representation for nurses.
[00:19:07] Whistleblower protections in nursing.
[00:25:44] Handling false reports in nursing.
[00:26:39] Protecting your nursing license.

Connect with Maggie on LinkedIn and on social media:
Instagram: @advocates4nurses
TikTok: @advocates4nurses
Facebook: Advocates4nurses
YouTube: @Advocates4nurses
Don't forget to explore her website, Advocates for Nurses

For more information:

• Full transcript and videos: Nurse.org/podcast
• Join our newsletter: nurse.org
• Instagram: @nurse_org
• TikTok: @nurse.org
• Facebook: @nurse.org
• YouTube: Nurse.org 

When a mother in a New Jersey hospital looked down and realized the baby in her arms wasn’t hers, veteran mother–baby nurse Joyce Fisher did what every good nurse is trained to do — she acted fast. But instead of being praised for preventing further harm, Joyce was fired and reported to the Board of Nursing.

In this powerful episode of Nurse Converse, host Jana Price sits down with Joyce and her attorney, Matthew A. Luber, to unpack how a system meant to protect patients turned against the very nurse who upheld it. Together, they explore what happened during the baby mix-up, the emotional toll on everyone involved, and the broader implications for nurses who speak up about safety concerns.

This is more than one nurse’s story — it’s a wake-up call for the entire healthcare profession about accountability, retaliation, and the urgent need for true “Just Culture.”

>>Nurse Breaks Silence After Being Fired for Reporting Hospital’s Baby Mix-Up | Opinion

Jump Ahead to Listen:
[00:03:40] Case Overview 
[00:04:30] Joyce’s Nursing Background
[00:06:35] Start of Shift & Report
[00:09:30] “This is not my baby.”
[00:11:10] Escalation & Protocols
[00:13:20] Emotional Fallout
[00:17:30] Leadership Involvement and Reporting the Event
[00:18:20] Suspension and Internal Investigation
[00:23:10] Fired for “Gross Negligence”
[00:24:20] Setting Precedent
[00:26:10] Missing Root-Cause Analysis
[00:28:10] Virtua "Just Culture" Statement

Connect with Jana on LinkedIn and social media:

Instagram: @gentlyusedrn

For more information:

• Full transcript and videos: Nurse.org/podcast
• Join our newsletter: nurse.org
• Instagram: @nurse_org
• TikTok: @nurse.org
• Facebook: @nurse.org
• YouTube: Nurse.org 

Former pediatric nurse and two-time Best of Nursing Award winner Mel sits down with Chicago nurses Hannah Kimmel and Jahnik Dismuke to unpack Nurse.org’s Nurse Appreciation Nights—including an unforgettable MLS game where nurses were honored on the field and Jahnik joined the captains for the pregame coin toss. They share why nurse-led community matters now, how peer-nominated honorees are chosen, and the fun perks of these events (discounted tickets, custom gifts, and memories that last). 

Listen in for behind-the-scenes moments, nomination tips and a heartfelt reminder that every nurse deserves to be seen and supported!

>>Nominate a nurse, get discount tickets & find a Nurse Appreciation Night near you!

>>Our Once-in-a-Lifetime Honor with the Chicago Fire for Nurse Appreciation Night

Jump Ahead to Listen: 

[00:01:29] Community in nursing.
[00:05:06] Nurse Appreciation Nights.
[00:12:08] Proud moments as a nurse.
[00:14:58] Importance of external nursing communities.
[00:19:33] Nurse Appreciation Night experiences.
[00:26:57] Nurse community events in Chicago.
[00:29:24] Nurse appreciation apparel and events.

Connect with the hosts on social media:

Instagram: 

• Hannah: @hankimmel
• Jahnik: @the_champagne_nurse, @nursesunwinenelevate
• Melanie: @mels.crafty.corner 

TikTok: 

• Hannah: @scrubs.and.hubs
• Jahnik: @the_champagne_nurse
• Melanie: @mels.crafty.corner 

For more information:

• Full transcript and videos: Nurse.org/podcast
• Join our newsletter: nurse.org
• Instagram: @nurse_org
• TikTok: @nurse.org
• Facebook: @nurse.org
• YouTube: Nurse.org 

In this episode of Nurse Converse, host Rebeca Leon partners with Vot-ER to explore how civic health is public health. She’s joined by Marcos Damian-Noyola, Deputy Director of Partnerships at Vot-ER, and Gilanie De Castro, RN, MSN, OCN, NE-BC, a nurse leader and former Civic Health Fellow.

Together, they discuss how voting, policy, and advocacy shape patient care and community well-being. From telehealth and nurse staffing laws to lessons from the pandemic, the conversation highlights how nurses can use their voices beyond the bedside to drive meaningful change.

Tune in to learn:

• Why civic engagement is essential to public health
• How Vot-ER empowers healthcare professionals to promote voter participation
• Personal stories connecting nursing, policy, and patient outcomes
• Ways to get involved using Vot-ER’s free, nonpartisan tools and fellowships

Listen, be inspired, and join the movement to build a healthier democracy — one nurse, one vote, one community at a time.

>>Vote in Scrubs: Why Civic Health Is Public Health

Jump Ahead to Listen:

[00:01:19] Civic health awareness in nursing.
[00:04:14] Civic health and public health.
[00:08:13] Voting access and health outcomes.
[00:12:52] Civic engagement in nursing.
[00:16:06] Impact of policies on health.
[00:19:49] Voting and healthcare access.
[00:25:05] Nurses and voting advocacy.
[00:27:25] Time off to vote policy.
[00:31:32] Civic engagement for nurses.

Connect with Rebeca on Social Media:
Instagram: @EnfermeraMami.RN

Connect with Gilanie on Social Media:
Instagram:  @CitizenNurse
Website:  www.citizennurse.com

Follow Vot-ER on their official channels:
Website:  vot-er.org
Instagram:  @vot_er_org
Threads:  @vot_er_org
LinkedIn:  Vot-ER

For more information:

• Full transcript and videos: Nurse.org/podcast
• Join our newsletter: nurse.org
• Instagram: @nurse_org
• TikTok: @nurse.org
• Facebook: @nurse.org
• YouTube: Nurse.org 

Colton teams up with Coach T—aka Tania, a Montreal-based personal and professional development coach who works virtually with clients across Canada, the U.S., and Europe—for a real-talk session on burnout, identity, and the fear that keeps so many of us stuck. Whether you're a nurse questioning your path, clinging to that job title for self-worth, or just burnt out but too scared to pivot, Tanya breaks down how coaching helps you untangle the chaos and take actionable steps toward what you actually want. No judgment, no pressure—just clarity, accountability, and a reminder that it’s okay to choose a new direction.

>>You’re More Than a Nurse—This Life Coach Helps You Reignite Your Purpose

Jump Ahead to Listen:

[00:01:06] Personal and professional development.
 [00:04:46] Pursuing fulfillment over corporate success.
 [00:06:42] Sailing adventure and life change.
 [00:12:16] Overcoming fear in coaching.
 [00:14:34] Coaching duration and dynamics.
 [00:16:10] Nursing burnout and career change.
 [00:19:10] Fear of career change.
 [00:24:02] Identity crisis in nursing.
 [00:25:47] Identity tied to job titles.
 [00:28:00] Self-worth and professional identity.
 [00:31:05] Prioritizing joy in life.
 [00:34:28] Work addiction and self-worth.
 [00:38:08] Coaching services and discovery calls.

Connect with Colton on social media:
Instagram: @coltonalanlord, @nursedaddies, @club.nurse
TikTok: @nursecolton

Connect with Tania on social media:
 Instagram: @coachtmtl

For more information:

• Full transcript and videos: Nurse.org/podcast
• Join our newsletter: nurse.org
• Instagram: @nurse_org
• TikTok: @nurse.org
• Facebook: @nurse.org
• YouTube: Nurse.org 

Disclaimer: This episode discusses workplace violence, physical assault, and pregnancy loss. Listener discretion is advised.

In this powerful episode of Nurse Converse, host Jana Price sits down with psychiatric nurse Lora Smith and her attorney, Robert Rehkemper, for a raw conversation about workplace violence in healthcare. Lora recounts her heartbreaking experience of being assaulted by a patient — an attack that led to the loss of her long-awaited pregnancy — and the systemic failures that followed, from lack of security to retaliation by her employer. Robert provides the legal perspective, outlining nurses’ rights to safety, medical care, and protection from retaliation, while stressing the importance of documentation and accountability. This episode is both a cautionary tale and a call to action, as Lora’s courage sheds light on the urgent need for reform in nursing.

>>Nurse Assaulted by Patient, Loses Pregnancy—Her Story Exposes Healthcare’s Safety Crisis

Jump Ahead to Listen:
[00:02:06] Health care violence awareness.
[00:03:21] Childhood inspiration for medicine.
[00:10:54] Standing on tables policy violation.
[00:11:21] Workplace safety during crises.
[00:18:05] Safety concerns in understaffed facilities.
[00:20:31] Unsafe working conditions.
[00:25:07] Workplace violence rights for nurses.
[00:27:30] Counseling and trauma recovery.
[00:33:17] Human vulnerability in nursing.
[00:37:35] Nurses speaking out for safety.
[00:42:01] Nurse safety and working conditions.

Connect with Jana on LinkedIn and social media:

Instagram: @gentlyusedrn

For more information:

• Full transcript and videos: Nurse.org/podcast
• Join our newsletter: nurse.org
• Instagram: @nurse_org
• TikTok: @nurse.org
• Facebook: @nurse.org
• YouTube: Nurse.org 

Disclaimer: This episode discusses workplace violence, physical assault, and PTSD in healthcare. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode of Nurse Converse, Nurse Jana sits down with Kelsey Springer to talk about the growing crisis of violence in healthcare. Together, they share their personal stories of being assaulted at work, how the pandemic changed the culture of care, and why recognizing and reporting early warning signs—or “near misses”—matters more than ever. The discussion sheds light on the lasting impact workplace violence has on nurses’ mental health and the importance of having real support systems in place. Kelsey also shares powerful advice for new nurses on protecting their safety, caring for their well-being, and building a sustainable career in nursing.

>>Facing the Reality of Violence in Healthcare—A Nurse’s Push for Safer Workplaces

Jump Ahead to Listen:

[00:01:29] Nursing violence awareness and prevention.
[00:05:18] Healthcare violence post-COVID.
[00:09:22] Reporting violence in healthcare.
[00:14:01] Near miss incidents in healthcare.
[00:16:59] Workplace violence prevention strategies.
[00:19:47] Violence in healthcare settings.
[00:22:58] Impact of PTSD on nurses.
[00:26:17] Importance of therapy in nursing.
[00:30:40] Self-care for nurses.
[00:34:09] Professional organizations for nurses.
[00:36:23] Nursing as a noble profession.

Connect with Jana on LinkedIn
Connect with Kelsey on LinkedIn and on social media:
Instagram: @kelsey.a.springer, @the.no.violence.nurse

For more information:

• Full transcript and videos: Nurse.org/podcast
• Join our newsletter: nurse.org
• Instagram: @nurse_org
• TikTok: @nurse.org
• Facebook: @nurse.org
• YouTube: Nurse.org 

In this episode of Nurse Converse, host Ama Mathewos talks with nurse innovator Farida Labaran about her journey co-creating the first satin-lined scrub cap with FIGS. Farida shares how her passion for natural hair, creativity, and nursing came together to design a product that protects hair, boosts confidence, and represents inclusivity in healthcare. From navigating corporate partnerships to drawing on her Ghanaian heritage for design inspiration, she reveals how innovation can be both purposeful and empowering—encouraging nurses and listeners alike to believe in their ideas and create change.

>>Nurse Co-Creates FIGS Satin-Lined Scrub Cap That Protects Hair

Jump Ahead to Listen:

[00:02:07] Co-creating a scrub cap.
[00:04:05] Creating custom scrub caps.
[00:09:30] Embracing natural hair confidence.
[00:11:49] Confidence and self-care during crisis.
[00:19:07] The meaning behind the scrub cap.
[00:20:46] Community in healthcare design.
[00:25:37] Inclusion in design for minorities.
[00:27:39] Healthcare professionals' mental health.
[00:31:34] Nurse support and resources.

Connect with Ama on LinkedIn

Connect with Farida on LinkedIn and on social media:
Instagram: @reeedz__ @naturalhairbestie
TikTok: @reeedz__

For more information:

• Full transcript and videos: Nurse.org/podcast
• Join our newsletter: nurse.org
• Instagram: @nurse_org
• TikTok: @nurse.org
• Facebook: @nurse.org
• YouTube: Nurse.org 

Nursing is rewarding, but it can also feel isolating. In this heartfelt episode of Nurse Converse, four award-winning nurses share raw stories of burnout, bullying, chronic pain, and cultural challenges that left them questioning their place in the profession. They explore how finding community can change everything—showing that through online spaces, mentorship, and peer support, connection restores passion, builds confidence, and reminds us that none of us are alone.

Featuring:

• Brandy Pinkerton – Host, Nurse Mentor of the Year
• Travius Keandric – Nurse Content Creator of the Year
• Georgina Villarreal – Nurse Wellness Advocate of the Year
• Melanie Van Sistine – Mel's Crafty Corner, Nurse Founded Business of the Year

If you’ve ever questioned your place in nursing or felt like your voice didn’t matter, this episode will inspire you to find your people, embrace vulnerability, and tap into the power of community to reignite your purpose.

Jump Ahead to Listen: 

[00:02:37] Bullying in nursing.
[00:05:57] Finding community in nursing.
[00:08:10] Amplifying voices in nursing.
[00:13:44] Community support among nurses.
[00:15:14] Vulnerability as a strength.

Connect with the hosts on social media:

Instagram: 

• Brandy: @travnurse101, @nursementorbrandy
• Georgie: @nurse.georgie, @healthxstrong
• Melanie: @mels.crafty.corner 
• Travius: @traviuskeandric 

TikTok: 

• Brandy: @travelnurse101 
• Georgie: @healthxstrong
• Melanie: @mels.crafty.corner 
• Travius: @traviuskeandric 

For more information:

• Full transcript and videos: Nurse.org/podcast
• Join our newsletter: nurse.org
• Instagram: @nurse_org
• TikTok: @nurse.org
• Facebook: @nurse.org
• YouTube: Nurse.org