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Here's a quick look at some of the great interviews and plans for 2025!

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This week I stepped way outside my comfort zone and spoke with Tulare County Fire Chief, Charlie Norman.  
I can confidently say that many nurses do not fully understand what firefighters do. We often see them in the ambulance bay and in our communities, but do we really take the time to SEE them? 
Do we know where the budget for fire services comes from? Do we understand how firefighters advance in their ranks? Sadly, do we realize that firefighter deaths by suicide exceed those who die in the line of duty? 
Charlie addressed these important issues and more. He explained the long and challenging journey of bringing paramedicine to our County, his path to becoming fire chief, and his relationships with city and county officials because as he said, everything in life comes down to relationships. 
As fire chief, Charlie prioritizes firefighter mental health, recruitment and retention, having a diverse fire crew, and serving the community.
Charlie embodies the core values of integrity, respect, loyalty, teamwork, and compassion. He says everything he learned in kindergarten he can apply to life: keep your hands to yourself, be nice to people and if you don’t have anything good to say, keep your mouth closed. 
And what does he look for in recruits? Character. Yes, they need to be able to pull a hose, bandage a patient, and competently administer medications, but if their character is lacking, they don’t belong in the fire service. I’d say with Charlie in charge, everything will be ok. In the five-minute snippet: my granddaughter’s question answered by the expert. For Charlie's bio, please visit my website (link below). 
Firescope Board of Directors

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Erika Browning is one of the most interesting guests I've had to date. She has a diverse educational background, earning degrees in Spanish, Biology, and Nursing. And the diversity doesn't stop there. Her nursing experience ranges from working in the emergency room to the ICU, from being a travel nurse to a sexual assault nurse examiner, and from a case manager to starting her own business as a Life Care Planner.
Erika is truly living the tagline of her podcast, which is "basic nurses doing really cool things." Wait, did I forget to mention she has a podcast? Erika is the host of the Black Sheep Nurse podcast, which is currently on hiatus, meaning now is your chance to binge-listen to all the episodes. It's filled with interviews of nurses doing amazing things with their degrees. I was thrilled to learn she will be resuming production because her interviews are sure to leave you laughing, learning, and inspired.
Her newest entrepreneurial venture is all about the fun, which I think might be her middle name. She has recently launched Shop Rebel Nurse, a merch store with quirky and lighthearted items for nurses, including graphic tees, sweatshirts, ball caps, and stickers. And I see a new design in the works that pays homage to her time as a Captain in the Marines! (Did I forget to mention that, too?)
Erika is as authentic as they come, and I'm excited for you to meet her today.
In the five-minute snippet: Move. Over. For Erika's bio, visit my website (link below).
Shop Rebel Nurse IG

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I jumped at the opportunity to talk to my guest this week, Sallie Jessie. Sallie is an incredible person with a unique perspective! 

First, she has a niche job: she is a mobile wound care clinic nurse and I loved hearing all about that. She is also a blogger. When she became a wife and mother, she identified a gap in resources for nurses balancing family and career and then took the initiative to create a supportive community through her blog, Bandaids and Bedtime Stories. This is ingenuity at its best. Her ability to blend her professional insights with personal experiences makes her writing relatable, valuable, and inspiring.

The topics she covers, from relationship dynamics to parenting challenges, as well as self-care for nurses, are so important, especially in a demanding field. And she brings to light some of the nursing profession’s darkest moments like toxic bullying. There’s even something for those new to the profession: how to choose the right nursing specialty. 

Though Sallie is just getting started, her journey will resonate with nurses and parents alike. And I can’t wait to see what she does next.

In the five-minute snippet: babysitters, listen up!
@bandaidsandbedtimestories

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In my working days, I was a member of my institution’s Bioethics committee. I’m now a retired nurse and continue to serve as a community member. Constantly impressed by this committee’s work, I wanted you to meet two of these brilliant minds, so I recently sat down with Sandra Shadley, a licensed marriage and family therapist and our committee chair, and Dr. Ryan Howard, our hospice and palliative medicine physician.
Sandra holds a unique certification: the HEC-C, or certified healthcare ethics consultant and she explained that Bioethics is guided by four principles: respect for autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. Despite the solidity of these principles, bioethical issues are still quite nuanced.
That’s all fine and good, but what exactly does a Bioethics team do? They develop and implement policies, educate the hospital community, review research, and, provide consultations with those patients facing end-of-life decisions.
The committee consists of various disciplines: social workers, physicians, nurses, critical care leaders, risk management, chaplains, and community members. It's a diverse group with diverse perspectives.
Dr. Howard is gifted at having difficult conversations. He approaches patients with curiosity and humility, providing truly patient-centered and individualized end-of-life care.
I left this interview feeling joyful. It was inspiring to witness these two individuals, whom I deeply respect, engage in a dialogue about their shared passion for Bioethics.
In the five-minute snippet: Excavators, chainsaws, and bonfires, oh my! For my guests' bios, visit my website (link below).
The American Society for Bioethics and Humanities
Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment or POLST pdf

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Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Kali Dayton.

 Kali Dayton is an ICU nurse practitioner and like Gandhi, MLK Jr., and Parks, Kali is peacefully protesting the way ICU patients are cared for. Similar to the civil rights advocates before her, Kali fights for the rights of ICU patients. She believes they have the right to limited sedation, early mobilization, open communication, and family participation.

 Kali was born as a baby nurse into an Awake and Walking ICU in which ventilated patients received little to no sedation, were out of bed walking while intubated, and communicating through whiteboards, all with the crucial support of their families. Then she began traveling to ICUs across the country and found her patients automatically sedated if intubated, enduring long periods of immobilization, and if they were lucky enough to avoid death in the ICU, they were discharged to suffer PTSD and face long periods of rehabilitation.

Kali is a self-described ICU revolutionist and is dedicated to educating both clinicians and families through her podcasts, "Walking Home from the ICU" for clinicians, and "Walking You Through the ICU", which is directed toward patients and families. Through her consulting business, Dayton ICU Consulting, she travels the country visiting ICUs helping them to become awake and walking ICUs. The revolution has begun.

In the five-minute snippet: did someone say free time? For Kali's bio, visit my website (link below).
Instagram
Kali's bookstore
ICU Delirium

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Pablo Picasso said, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
Sarah Lorenzini has a life filled with both meaning and purpose. She is a rapid-response nurse who utilizes her knowledge and storytelling skills to educate nurses in various critical care aspects through her popular podcast, Rapid Response RN, which has over 120 episodes.
In the podcast, she effectively breaks down complex concepts such as cardiac tamponade, spinal cord ischemia, and serotonin syndrome, all with an exuberance score of 10 out of 10.
Sarah's commitment to education extends beyond her podcast as she mentors students, nurses, and allied health professionals in their roles. She believes that saving patients is a team effort, and as a rapid response nurse, she sees herself as there to elevate and support the bedside team. Sarah embodies kindness, empathy, and leadership, qualities she also encourages in others. She truly lives out her calling and embodies her gift and purpose.
In the five-minute snippet: Sarah is bonkers for Boba. For Sarah's bio, visit my website (link below).
The Rapid Response RN Instagram
Rapid Response and Rescue
LinkedIn

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Happy Halloween Eve!
Today's episode is all about the spooky. A few weeks ago on Instagram, I posted my call to action for your spooky stories and got some great responses!
I was looking up the most haunted hospitals in the United States and here's what I found: Linda Vista Community Hospital, located in Boyle Heights, East LA. This hospital is considered one of the most haunted in the country. It closed in 1991 and has been featured in many films, television shows, and music videos. Some say the hospital is haunted by lost spirits, a ghostly doctor, and a little girl laughing and singing.
Okay, yeah, that's just creepy. In today's stories, you will hear a couple that have to do with kids and I have a story of my own. Thank you to the four respondents!
Sit back, get your candy bowl, put your costume on, and listen to these spooky stories. Happy Halloween!!
Thank you for answering the call!
Susan J. Farese Communications IG
The Intuitive Nurse Jenn IG
N4Nurses IG
Linda Ledesma LinkedIn
The Most Haunted Hospital in America, by Ersilia Pompilio, RN, MSN, PNP

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Karen Zulkowski is the GOAT of wound care nursing. Her professional journey began with earning a BSN in 1972 and culminated with a Doctorate in Nursing Science. Throughout her career, she has held various roles, including business owner, associate nursing professor, and wound course instructor. Karen has also served on the National Pressure Injury Advisory Board and the World Council of Enterostomal Therapists. Her extensive research and publications in peer-reviewed articles, both nationally and internationally, reflect her commitment to advancing wound care.
Karen's primary focus is always on the patient, and she aims to improve patient care by bridging the gap between wound care research and clinical practice. In our discussion, she highlighted the knowledge gaps in wound care, the evolving landscape, and the exciting advancements in technology. 
Karen says wound care nursing is not for everyone, it requires a special dedication, and I would encourage those interested in this field to listen to her insights.
In the five-minute snippet: Aloha! For Karen's bio, please visit my website (link below).
Wound Care certifications:
National Alliance of Wound Care and Ostomy
Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nursing Certification Board
American Board of Wound Management
Wound Care Professional Organizations:
Association for the Advancement of Wound Care (AAWC)
American Board of Wound Management (ABWM)
Wound Healing Society
National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel
World Council of Enterostomal Therapists

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The current state of healthcare, especially under the strain of a pandemic, has put immense pressure on those in the field. Nurses are burning out in record numbers and leaving a profession they used to love.
My guest this week, emergency room nurse and author, Jennifer Johnson, is on a mission to bring back the love and it all starts with intuition.
Jenn is known as the Intuitive Nurse and after working 16 years in the emergency room, she has honed her intuition, trusting her gut when assessing patients.
But she also uses her intuition in another way. She is reaching out to fellow nurses and offering them hope through her book Nursing Intuition: How to Trust Your Gut, Save Your Sanity, and Survive Your Career. Channeling her own experiences and the collective struggles of many makes it profoundly meaningful. The challenges she’s faced and the empathy she has for her colleagues shine through and by sharing her experiences as a Top Critical Thinking Voice on LinkedIn, she’s helping create a sense of community that is desperately needed right now.
In the five-minute snippet: what goes up must come down. For Jennifer's bio, please visit my website (link below).
The Intuitive Nurse Etsy Shop
Nurse Jenn
Nurse Approved
Nurses at HLTH
Instagram

Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
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Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review
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Email: [email protected]
Thank you and I'll talk with you soon!