The Virtual Clinical Podcast

In this episode, we hear from Brianna Blackburn who details her start in the nursing profession, the important value of civic engagement and a first role on a medical-surgical unit. Brianna continues her journey with us to academic nursing as a faculty member and shares her experiences with a volunteer trip to South Africa.

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Listen to all episodes and join us in additional content!

We join Emily Mazurak in this episode for all things Fill Up Your Cup Project. Emily describes her start in nursing in Pediatrics as a Trauma Fellow, who eventually became a travel nurse. During this time, she experienced burnout and decreased joy. She discussed how self-identification of the 8 symptoms of burnout are imperative for healing. We discuss her newest venture, the Fill Up Your Cup project which uses mentorship, a book club and other tactics to help nurses. Hear from how the project was born, why the project might be a great fit for you and more!

In this episode, we hear from Anne-Helen Ydstie. Anne-Helen started out her career as a nurse in a Level 2.5 Special Care Nursery in Chicago, Il. She then moved to Pittsburgh and transitioned to adults in neuroscience before embarking on her journey as a travel nurse. Throughout the pandemic, she developed PTSD and shares her journey of recovery and ways in which she hopes others might find resolve.

In the 2nd part of this episode, we continue our conversation and hear live poetry! More about Susan's accomplishments.

Susan J. (Felice) Farese, MSN, RN, (Veteran), a native of NJ, is owner/president of SJF Communications PR in San Diego, CA. Ms. Farese has diversified experience in health care/communications, including military and civilian nursing practice, management, education/training, research and consulting. SJF Communications provides Public Relations, Marketing, Social Media, Websites, Writing, Filmmaking, Mentoring and Photography. Clients include theatres, musicians, filmmakers, authors and businesses. Susan is the author of the book “Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring” (1993 and 2021) and has written poetry and articles on a variety of topics. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA, American Legion Post 43, Veterans in Media & Entertainment, San Diego Writers Ink, and the San Diego Press Club.

PRAISE FOR Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring:

“Susan Farese's "Poetic Expressions in Nursing" is a heartfelt expression of the emotional generosity demonstrated by healthcare workers everywhere. It also gives us a much-needed peek into the multi-dimensional character of all those who are drawn to the noble nursing profession.” -Joan Brady, Author

The true heart of the caregiver “What an amazing insight into the mind and life of the nurse. That woman or man who goes that extra mile to help those who are scared, ill, and worried. I don't think that there is an area of nursing that this book doesn't address, and I highly recommend this book to those in the medical field especially their loved ones. I especially liked "Nurse", "The Code", and "Night Shift". I could especially relate to each of those poems. Well done Susan Farese! Thank you for exposing this intimate side of nursing. A must read!”-Tommy Anderson-Author/Screenwriter 5 Star Amazon Review

The Human Condition in Poetry! “Susan's poetry reflects the most personal moments anyone of us can have when faced with our own health issues, let alone imminent mortality. She touches the heart with "Matters of His Heart" in more ways than one and shares the deep sense of foreboding that a heart attack brings on in both the patient and the family. In "My Friend" the elderly patient evokes a sweet, tender friendship with the nurse who cares for her. My favorite is "Ann's Zest Ends", as she deftly guides us through the stages of Alzheimer's. A wonderful collection of poetic stories we can all relate to on some level!”       -Sue-5 Star Amazon Review

Perfect uplifting gift for nurses everywhere “Initially written during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, this poignant and delightful volume, updated with new material, is even more relevant now, one year into the COVID 19 pandemic. Aptly mixing medical lingo with encouragement, understanding and heartfelt tributes for our caregivers, Susan J. Farese captures the art, science, and mystery of the nursing profession. The poem "Caregiver," encouraging nurses to take time to care for themselves, belongs taped to nurses' break room fridges all over America. I will send this book to my niece, a nursing student, for the poems "A Formula for Success" and "Abbreviation Lane." "Nurses Unite!" is the poem that will resonate with my sister-in-law, an overworked hospital pharmacist. I recommend this collection of poetry as a touching gift for anyone who is a nurse, knows a nurse, or will one day be in need for nursing.” - Amazon Customer-5 Star Amazon Review

Reliving my nursing career “Loved the poems. Having been in nursing for over 40 years, so many spoke to me. I, as the author so well wrote about, remember specific patients, talking nurse to nurse in “our” language when a family member was hospitalized, in addition to the feelings, smells, sounds, language and monitors in our profession. The poems are truly a reflection about nursing and to those not in nursing an insight into who we are.” Eileen-5 Star Amazon Review

In part 1, we meet Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN, a San Diego and Poet/RN/Veteran and PR Professional who recently published the 2nd edition of (my 1993 book) Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring in 2021. We learn about her beginnings and where she developed the creative nature for writing. The book is not only for nurses but for those who care about and support them (especially with this pandemic).

"Nursing is an incredibly enriching yet stressful profession and besides being a science, it is truly an art. This second edition of Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring is dedicated to all nurses - past, present, and future. It is a celebration of nursing and a tribute to nurses, especially during this unexpected, unprecedented pandemic. Covid-19 took its toll on nurses during 2020 and hopefully the impact of stress and burnout will be lessened with time and the arts. Poetry can be a therapeutic and cathartic tool for nurses and other caring professions to deal with the angst, stressors or joys that accompany the profession." - Susan J. Farese, MSN, RN

You can purchase the book here: https://books2read.com/poeticexpressionsinnursing

We join our first Australian nurse, Athol Hann, in his quest to prevent nurse burnout. Athol is a nurse innovator and entrepreneur who built the app Fwards and more recently, Burnout No More courses. Athol has held a variety of rolls in nursing and describes what his experience was like with burnout. As this can occur to many nurses and nurse students, a hightened awareness for burnout is important to learn about from all perspectives.

More about Fwards:

Fwards: https://www.fwards.com/

Burnout No More: https://www.fwards.com/#burn-out-no-more

We chat with Irnise Williams, JD, RN in this episode about being a nurse lawyer! Irnise is an experienced nurse and attorney that works with organizations to create systemic change. As a Prosci Change Management Expert, she uses this process to break down the goals of the organization and create sustainable and cost-effective plans of action. Additionally, her training allows executives, leaders, and other stakeholders to manage their fear of change, expand their perspective, discover opportunities, and utilize present resources to get to the intended goal. Irnise uses this process to address Implicit Bias, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as well as planned structural or cultural changes that may impact large amounts of people within the organization. As a graduate of Howard University and the Howard University School of Law, Irnise serves as an architect of social change for both the clients whom she serves in her private practice, as well as in her organizational training. Irnise hopes to empower more people and organizations to embrace change and use it as a tool to become more effective and efficient.

You can learn more about classes, receive her free e-book, network groups and more on her website: https://www.irnisewilliams.com

We join Geoffrey Roche, current Senior Vice President of Workforce Development at Dignity Health Global Education to learn all about his vast career and current opportunities for nurses to receive scholarship to advance their careers! Geoffrey is a non-nurse with VAST experience in public and government affairs, political determinants of health and strategic services. Geoffrey is very passionate and excited to bring Dignity Health Global Education to the forefront of health professionals who seek advancements by degree or certification with the advantage of scholarship bringing cost significantly down!

Learn more here: https://dhge.org/

Check out more of The Virtual Clinical Podcast here: https://www.thevirtualclinicalpodcast.com/

We join Lexi Jay (aka The Corporate Nurse) in a fabulous conversation surrounding her background as a nurse and what you need to get into corporate nursing. Lexi is an expert in career strategy and is a nurse career coach. She helps bedside nurses obtain corporate positions.

With over 15 years of experience in nursing Lexi Jay brings strong foundational expertise to help organizations achieve results. She has consulted with major healthcare systems and companies impacting healthcare globally. Baccalaureate prepared registered nurse, Master in Healthcare Administration and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing in progress. Expertise in diversity in nursing, corporate nursing and recruitment/retention of BIPOC nurses.

Make sure you connect with Lexi on Twitter (@NurseLexiJ) or on Instagram (@TheCorporateNurse) and on her website https://thecorporatenurse.co/

Additionally, there is a Master Class that you should be signed up for (https://t.co/FohcTHMLQQ?amp=1)

Kathi Randall joins us on this podcast and talks everything from becoming a clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner to starting her own business protecting little babies through Synapse Care Solutions. Hear all about her beginnings, work with a level III and IV NICU, Clinical Nurse Researcher, Case Coordinator, and path to starting her own company. Finally, she provides savvy tips for everyone and has many recommendations on how you can become a nurse entrepreneur.

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