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Today’s episode is one that really hits close to the heart — because it’s about the people who spend their lives caring for others, and what happens when no one’s caring for them.

You’re about to meet Kevin Dickinson, the founder of GetVitals, and his co-founder and clinical advisor, Amber Smith. They developed a mental health app built specifically for nurses — starting with those working in emergency departments.

Kevin didn’t come from healthcare; he came from engineering. But after watching Amber, an ER nurse and educator with more than a decade of experience, struggle through exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and burnout, he decided to do something bold: he left his career to build a tool that actually supports the people on the front lines.

Together, Kevin and Amber are bringing a deeply personal and powerful perspective to the conversation about mental health in nursing — one that blends love, lived experience, and a shared mission to change the culture of healthcare.

We’ll discuss what burnout really looks like inside an ER, what inspired GetVitals, and how they’re helping nurses take care of themselves with the same compassion they provide their patients every day.

So settle in. This conversation is honest, hopeful, and a reminder that healing the healers might just be where change begins.

In the five minute snippet: He nailed it! For Kevin and Amber's bios, visit my website (link below).

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Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
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Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast

I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast

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Are you a critical care nurse or aspiring to become one? If so, you won't want to miss my guest this week, Sarah Vance.
With over 15 years of critical care experience, Sarah is dedicated to educating and mentoring nurses, both new and new to critical care.
Sarah has a knack for simplifying complex concepts and bringing a lighthearted approach to the often intense ICU environment.
She shares valuable free open-access medical education content on social media, covering topics such as intra-aortic balloon pump placement, sedation and pain management for ventilated patients, and safe blood transfusion administration, all crucial for critical care nurses.
Her Instagram handle is @iseeyou_nurse which is a keen play on words but clearly communicates that as a nurse, YOU ARE SEEN.
And that is one of Sarah’s superpowers. She sees the nurse holistically, recognizing the emotional and interpersonal aspects in addition to the technical skills and protocols. She understands that nursing involves the heart, emotions, relationships, communication, and ongoing self-reflection.
In the five-minute snippet: what undo button? For Sarah's bio, visit my website (link below).
Sarah's Instagram
ISeeUNurseResources Etsy store
The Critical Care Masterclass
ISeeU_Nurse website
Sarah's YouTube
Sarah's TikTok
Sarah's LinkedIn

Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review
Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form
Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast

I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast

Thanks for listening!

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Today, I’m honored to welcome on the podcast, Lori Schellenberg, a registered nurse with nearly 45 years of experience. Lori’s career is a true testament to the power of embracing change. She began at the bedside and followed her curiosity into home health, occupational nursing, and workers’ compensation—discovering along the way just how transferable nursing skills really are.

Through her journey, Lori built partnerships, mentored colleagues, and helped healthcare businesses grow. When retirement left her seeking a new purpose, she turned her focus to patient advocacy, founding Stepping Stone Advocacy Services. And when she noticed nurses themselves struggling with burnout and limited career vision, she created the Stepping Stone Nurse Academy—a platform offering courses, mentorships, and internships to help nurses transition into fulfilling alternative careers.

Lori’s mission today is dual: to support patients navigating the healthcare system and to empower nurses to realize their untapped potential.

In the five-minute snippet: I’d like to see this one on the big screen. For Lori's bio, visit my website (link below).

Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review
Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form
Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast

I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast

Thanks for listening!

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Wow, when you hear my interview with Monica Reyes, you will realize what I’ve known for a while, that she was born to be a pediatric nurse. Her playful nature aligns perfectly with this nursing specialty. She tells us that IV skills are extremely valuable to pediatric nurses and shares her heartbreaking experience of losing a patient. We gained insight into her personal story of the challenges of having a daughter with a chronic disease. In the five-minute snippet, Monica shares what she expects to hear when she gets to the pearly gates of Heaven. For Monica's bio, visit my website (link below).

Society of Pediatric Nurses: https://www.pedsnurses.org/

Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review
Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form
Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast

I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast

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Today, I’m joined by Tim Jones, the CEO of Health Nuts Media and a true innovator in the world of health education. With over 30 years of experience, Tim has transformed how patients—especially children—learn about their health.

He’s an Emmy Award-winning producer who blends evidence-based research with engaging storytelling, using animation and interactive tools to make medical information accessible, understandable, and even fun. His work is used in major healthcare institutions across the country, improving health literacy and outcomes for countless patients and families.

Tim’s passion lies in pediatric care, where his creative approach is making a real difference in how kids understand and engage with their health. I’m excited for you to hear his journey, his insights, and the future of health communication.

I want to thank Tim for showing us how storytelling, animation, and innovation can transform patient education—especially for kids. His work reminds us that when health information is clear, engaging, and accessible, patients and families are empowered to take control of their health.

In the five-minute snippet: The Sandlot, Star Wars, The Lion King…need I go on?

Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review
Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form
Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast

I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast

Thanks for listening!

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Have you ever wanted to know what a labor and delivery nurse does? Well, in this episode, Christine Daniel, a labor and delivery nurse for over two decades tells us all about the highs and lows of this interesting nursing specialty. The lows? Well, the pace is fast, you can stand for long periods, it's very physical and there’s dealing with loss, as well as the social issues surrounding pregnancy. But then there are the highs: the individuality of each delivery experience, the challenge of the operating room, the thrill of learning a new skill, the shared sense of teamwork, and the awareness of just how much joy you give and receive in a day’s work. And don’t forget about the vagina in the box (I’m not sure if that’s a high or a low, but it was the source of a lot of laughs). In the five-minute snippet, I hope that Christine's wish may someday come true: that those little thought bubbles above her head will become visible to all, so watch out! For Christine's book recs visit my website: https://bookshop.org/lists/christine-daniel-bsn-rnc-ob
Vagina in a box simulator:
https://www.gtsimulators.com/products/kyoto-kagaku-vaginal-delivery-assistance-simulator-kk-mw36

Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review
Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form
Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast

I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast

Thanks for listening!

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Today’s guest, Randy Morris, is a dynamic leader in the world of nursing, education, and patient advocacy. You may know him on social media as @Dr. Nurse Randy, but behind the title is a highly accomplished clinician and strategist with a bold mission.

He is the CEO of Prism Care Advocates, a board-certified healthcare leader, nurse manager, professional development educator, and nursing practice expert. His mentoring and coaching empower nurses to work at the top of their license and lead their own practice.

His expertise in policy writing, quality assurance, and education has improved outcomes and transformed care delivery in real, measurable ways. And through his private consulting practice—as a board-certified patient advocate, legal nurse consultant, and nursing practice consultant—he helps patients navigate complex systems, supports clinicians in growing professionally, and partners with organizations to meet compliance and quality goals.

Randy is proof that when nurses step into their power, systems change, outcomes improve, and leadership gets redefined. Whether he’s mentoring professionals, writing policies, or speaking truth online, he’s raising the bar for what nursing can and should be.

In the five-minute snippet: Let’s just give thanks for kindergarten teachers everywhere. For Randy's bio, visit my website (link below).

Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review
Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form
Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast

I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast

Thanks for listening!

Send us a text

Adam and Jenn Wood, with their son Brady, born at just 25 weeks, lived in the NICU for 135 days. And what did Adam do in those 135 days? He paid attention. And then he became the fiercest advocate for preemies, their families, nurses, and doctors everywhere. Listen as Adam recounts NICU stories of heartache, hope, and humor, with even a budding bromance thrown in. In the five-minute snippet, Adam has the cleanest house, and ears on the block! For Adam's bio, visit my website (link below).
Adam's bookstore on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/lists/adam-wood-preemie-dad-author-retired-army-leader

Contact info: Adam Wood, Children's Author and Founder of Preemie Adventures

Website: https://www.preemieadventures.com/

Instagram: https://www.preemieadventures.com/

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NICUADVENTURES

Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Your review is so important to this Indie podcaster! You can leave one here! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/leave-me-a-review
Would you like to be a guest on my podcast? Pitch me! https://theconversingnursepodcast.com/intake-form
Check out my guests' book recommendations! https://bookshop.org/shop/theconversingnursepodcast

I've partnered with RNegade.pro! You can earn CE's just by listening to my podcast episodes! Check out my CE library here: https://rnegade.thinkific.com/collections/conversing-nurse-podcast

Thanks for listening!