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The saying goes that every nurse is a psychiatric nurse. But working with patients who have cognitive and behavioral health issues — whether they’re transient or chronic — requires special awareness and consideration. Jim Pehotsky, RN, a bedside nurse at Cleveland Clinic Lutheran Hospital who cares for patients with behavioral health needs, is the perfect guide for this complex, sensitive subject.

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Nurses are often faced with issues that challenge their ability to promote healthcare parity, particularly when managing patients with inadequate financial resources or unmet social needs. Carol talks with Kris Adams, MSN, CNP, associate chief nursing officer for care management and ambulatory nursing at Cleveland Clinic, about the ethical and practical challenges associated with poor social determinants of health.

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As a nurse, you dedicate your career to taking care of others’ needs, but it’s equally crucial to protect your own well-being. Samantha Connelly, MSN, RN, director of caregiver well-being at Cleveland Clinic, explains what nurses can do to manage their stress, avoid burnout, and maintain their energy, health and morale.

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Nursing informatics is playing an increasingly influential role in healthcare thanks to its ability to harness data, information, knowledge and wisdom in clinical practice. In this episode, Carol talks with Nelita Iuppa, Cleveland Clinic's associate chief nursing officer for nursing informatics, about the many ways in which emerging technologies are making medical care faster, smarter and safer for both patients and caregivers.

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The public perception of nurses tends to extremes: We’re either overlooked entirely or cast as the superheroes of medicine. The reality, of course, is in-between. An accurate image of nursing is important, not just because it affects our self-esteem but because it impacts how we’re treated on the job and whether people want to enter our profession. Cleveland Clinic clinical nurse practitioner Mary Beth Modic, DNP, RN, CNS, CDE, talks to Carol about the image of nursing today and how we can all contribute to refining it.

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It’s essential that we advocate for our patients and alert others when something’s not right. But finding your voice and expressing yourself effectively can be intimidating, especially early in your nursing career. Carol talks with Craig Tobias, MSN, MBA, RN, Director of Acute Care Nursing at Cleveland Clinic Marymount Hospital, about how to successfully speak out in difficult situations.

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Mentoring can profoundly elevate your nursing experience, whether you’re the mentor or the mentee. How do you become an effective mentor? What do you do if someone asks you to mentor them? Cleveland Clinic Clinical Nurse Specialist Lydia Booher, who’s mentored many nurses, offers great advice.

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Establishing a relationship with our patients is one of the most important things we do as nurses. How do we create a connection that’s authentic and compassionate but that respects boundaries? Carol explores the issue with Cleveland Clinic Executive Chief Nursing Officer Meredith Foxx. MBA, MSN, APRN, PCNS-BC, PPCNP-BC, CPON.

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What can you expect from the Nurse Essentials podcast? A wealth of practical information and discussion about all aspects of nursing, to help you learn, grow and get the best out of your career. Meet your host and guide, Carol Pehotsky, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CPAN. Carol is Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Surgical Services, of the Cleveland Clinic Health System and Senior Director, Surgical Nursing, at Cleveland Clinic’s main campus.