In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, host Brigitte Sager DNP speaks with Barb Hudak, RN, BSN, MS, a former military nurse and expert in holistic health. They discuss Barb's journey in nursing, the importance of emotional resilience, and the integration of HeartMath techniques into nursing practice. The conversation highlights the impact of stress on healthcare professionals and the need for self-care. Barb shares insights on creating a positive work environment and the significance of blending science and spirit in nursing. They also explore heart rate variability and its relevance to patient care, emphasizing the importance of nurses taking care of themselves to better serve their patients.

Connect with Barbara:

💻 Want to stay up to date on the latest in Functional Medicine and nursing? Sign up for the newsletter at: https://learn.brigittesager.com/the-functional-nurse-newsletter-sign-up to never miss an update.

Hosted by Brigitte Sager, DNP, a functional nurse practitioner and holistic nurse educator. https://www.brigittesager.com/

✔️ Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page. We also now have video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrigitteSagerNP

This episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast is proudly sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN). At IFN, we equip RNs and NPs with the knowledge, confidence, and community to lead the future of healthcare through root-cause, patient-centered practice. We offer membership programs, continuing education, and a comprehensive, evidence informed education in functional nursing, all grounded in systems biology, clinical relevance, and the nursing process. Learn more about our offerings, upcoming courses, and how to join the movement at: https://www.fxnursing.com

Be well!

In this conversation, Brigitte Sager DNP discusses the evolving landscape of functional nursing, emphasizing the importance of nurses as advocates for change in healthcare. She highlights the need for a shift towards a more holistic approach to patient care, where nurses can utilize their skills to address root causes of health issues. The discussion also covers the significance of certification in functional nursing, the establishment of a supportive community for nurses, and the future of functional nursing education.

Join Us:

Connect with like minded nurses in our IFN Membership Community: learn.fxnursing.com/the-functional-nursing-membership

Sign up for the Semester Program Waitlist: learn.fxnursing.com/the-functional-nursing-program

Save your spot for our Summit in November: fxnursing.com/summit

💻 Want to stay up to date on the latest in Functional Medicine and nursing? Sign up for the newsletter at: https://learn.brigittesager.com/the-functional-nurse-newsletter-sign-up to never miss an update.

Hosted by Brigitte Sager, DNP, a functional nurse practitioner and holistic nurse educator. https://www.brigittesager.com/

✔️ Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page. We also now have video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrigitteSagerNP

This episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast is proudly sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN). At IFN, we equip RNs and NPs with the knowledge, confidence, and community to lead the future of healthcare through root-cause, patient-centered practice. We offer membership programs, continuing education, and a comprehensive, evidence informed education in functional nursing, all grounded in systems biology, clinical relevance, and the nursing process. Learn more about our offerings, upcoming courses, and how to join the movement at: https://www.fxnursing.com

Be well!

In this conversation, Brigitte Sager, DNP discusses the essential mindset shifts that nurse entrepreneurs need to embrace in order to successfully charge for their services and establish their practices. She emphasizes the importance of valuing one's time, setting boundaries, and avoiding the pitfalls of offering free advice. The discussion also covers the significance of discovery calls and how they should not be treated as free consultations. Ultimately, Brigitte encourages nurses to recognize their expertise and charge accordingly, as this not only benefits them but also the nursing profession as a whole.

Want to dive deeper? Visit https://www.fxnursing.com/learn to explore the Holistic Nursing Entrepreneur Program and other courses designed to support your growth as a functional nurse.

💻 Want to stay up to date on the latest in Functional Medicine and nursing? Sign up for the newsletter at: https://learn.brigittesager.com/the-functional-nurse-newsletter-sign-up to never miss an update.

Hosted by Brigitte Sager, DNP, a functional nurse practitioner and holistic nurse educator. https://www.brigittesager.com/

✔️ Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page. We also now have video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrigitteSagerNP

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing, the premier functional medicine program for nursing professionals. Learn more at https://www.fxnursing.com/

Be well!

In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Dr. Ashley Shrader shares her journey from conventional nursing to functional medicine, emphasizing the importance of gut and hormone health. She discusses her personal health challenges, particularly with autoimmune issues, and how they shaped her approach to patient care. Dr. Shrader highlights the unique needs of endurance athletes and the significance of group support in health transformation. She also shares insights on starting a functional medicine practice and the vital role nurses play in this evolving healthcare landscape.

Connect with Ashley:

Website: https://www.risefxmed.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyshrader_np/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleyshraderdnp

To stay up to date with the latest and upcoming, please sign up for my newsletter by visiting https://learn.brigittesager.com/the-functional-nurse-newsletter

Hosted by Brigitte Sager, NP, a functional medicine nurse practitioner, nurse coach, and an RN and NP FM educator https://www.brigittesager.com/

Love the episode? Spread the word! Share it with fellow nurses on social media, send it in a quick text, or listen together right here. You can also pass along the link to our website and podcast, and don’t miss our new video episodes now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrigitteSagerNP

Be well!

In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, Tamra Garrick, a board-certified family nurse and founder of Ritual Wellness, shares her journey from sports marketing to nursing. She discusses holistic health, the role of athletics in shaping her approach, common misconceptions about nursing, and the importance of collaboration in functional medicine.

Connect with Tamra:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamra-geryk-9429673 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tk_geryk/ 

Website: https://www.ritualwomenshealth.com/

To stay up to date with the latest and upcoming, please sign up for my newsletter by visiting https://learn.brigittesager.com/the-functional-nurse-newsletter

Hosted by Brigitte Sager, NP, a functional medicine nurse practitioner, nurse coach, and an RN and NP FM educator https://www.brigittesager.com/

Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page or share this link to the website and podcast. We also now have video episodes on YouTube! 📱

Be well!

In this episode, Brigitte Sager DNP interviews Lindsay Vanderstraeten, a critical care nurse with a passion for integrative and functional medicine. Lindsay shares her journey from traditional nursing to exploring holistic practices, including yoga, meditation, and nurse coaching. They discuss the importance of addressing stress in healthcare, the role of nurse practitioners, and the evolving landscape of functional medicine. Lindsay emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to patient care and the significance of personal growth in the nursing profession.

Connect with Lindsay:

To stay up to date with the latest and upcoming, please sign up for my newsletter by visiting https://learn.brigittesager.com/the-functional-nurse-newsletter

Hosted by Brigitte Sager, NP, a functional medicine nurse practitioner, nurse coach, and an RN and NP FM educator https://www.brigittesager.com/

Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page or share this link to the website and podcast. We also now have video episodes on YouTube! 📱

Be well!

This interview with Sarah Cook ND explores the challenges and strategies holistic health practitioners face when marketing their services. Sarah shares her journey from practicing naturopathic medicine to becoming a content creator, emphasizing efficient marketing, the use of AI tools, and the importance of finding one’s voice in entrepreneurship. The conversation also covers mindset blocks, foundational content, repurposing strategies, and new resources available to support practitioners.

Connect with Sarah:

Website: https://www.wellnesswriter.com/

To stay up to date with the latest and upcoming, please sign up for my newsletter by visiting https://www.brigittesager.com/BrigitteSager.com.

Hosted by Brigitte Sager, NP, a functional medicine nurse practitioner, nurse coach, and an RN and NP FM educator.

Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page or share this link to the website and podcast. We also now have video episodes on YouTube! 📱

Be well!

In this episode, Brigitte Sager interviews Shantrece Davis, a nurse practitioner and transformational life coach, about her journey from marketing to holistic nursing. They explore empowering women over 35 through functional nutrition, mindset shifts, and group coaching. The conversation highlights the value of community, personalized wellness, and tools like ChatGPT to support growth in both life and business.

Connect with Shantrece:

Website: https://fhytewell.com

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/fhytewell?utm_source=linktree_admin_share

Freebie: 7 Day FhyteWell Reset Guide: https://tr.ee/MfAoO0SZGp

To stay up to date with the latest and upcoming, please sign up for my newsletter by visiting https://www.brigittesager.com/BrigitteSager.com.

Hosted by Brigitte Sager, NP, a functional medicine nurse practitioner, nurse coach, and an RN and NP FM educator.

Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page or share this link to the website and podcast. We also now have video episodes on YouTube! 📱

Be well!

In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager DNP shares her insights from the annual international conference for the Institute for Functional Medicine (AIC). She discusses the themes that emerged during the conference, including the importance of connection and purpose in healthcare, the role of technology in patient care, and the significance of nutrition and group medical visits. Brigitte emphasizes the need for research to validate functional medicine practices and explores future directions for functional nursing.

IFM 2026 AIC: https://www.ifm.org/aic

Catalyzing and Promoting Functional Medicine Research: https://www.ifm.org/about/research

💻 Want to stay up to date on the latest in Functional Medicine and nursing? Sign up for the newsletter at: https://learn.brigittesager.com/the-functional-nurse-newsletter-sign-up to never miss an update.

Hosted by Brigitte Sager, DNP, a functional nurse practitioner and holistic nurse educator. https://www.brigittesager.com/

✔️ Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page. We also now have video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrigitteSagerNP 

Be well!

In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, nurse coach Laura Alessio shares her journey from public health nursing to legal nurse consulting and ultimately to nurse coaching. The conversation explores integrating functional medicine with nurse coaching, celebrating client wins, and how personal health experiences shape professional practice. Topics include the differences between mindfulness and meditation, the challenges of building a coaching practice, and strategies for explaining the nurse coach role. The episode also highlights the importance of advocacy, networking, and community building within the functional medicine and nursing fields, encouraging aspiring nurse coaches to follow their passions.

Ways to connect with Laura:

To stay up to date with the latest and upcoming, please sign up for my newsletter by visiting https://www.brigittesager.com/BrigitteSager.com.

Hosted by Brigitte Sager, NP, a functional medicine nurse practitioner, nurse coach, and an RN and NP FM educator.

Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page or share this link to the website and podcast. We also now have video episodes on YouTube! 📱

Be well!