Found Down

Today I interview Tami Morgan, ARNP, FNP about prioritizing your mental health as a healthcare provider, in particular as a nurse. Tami is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and owner of Refresh Seattle, a mental health and wellness practice. She provides telehealth services to anyone in WA state and offers a truly holistic approach to mental wellness. She has experience in a wide range of medical specialties and we'll hear later how she incorporates that knowledge into her current practice. She graduated with her Bachelors in Nursing from Washington State University in 2005 and earned her master's in nursing from Seattle University in 2015. She is an active PNW hiker, softball player, world traveler, sports fan, and dog lover. Tune in to listen to how to make your mental health a priority, tips on how to improve it, and how to address S.A.D (Seasonal Affective Disorder) this winter. If you are interested in reaching Tami for an appointment, check out her website here!Thank you so much for being on the show!Stay safe and stay sane, Nicole

Today I interview the amazing Andrea Dalzell, aka the Seated Nurse.Andrea Dalzell is a registered nurse, healthcare advocate, disability rights influencer, speaker and most importantly, a survivor. At the age of five, Andrea was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord that causes pain, muscle weakness and paralysis, and she was using a wheelchair full-time by twelve years old. Inspired by her experiences with nurses, she received her nursing degree from the City University of New York, College of Staten Island. Andrea became the first registered nurse in a wheelchair in the state of New York, and she devotes her career to helping others with disabilities live healthier lives whether seated or able-bodied. Andrea was crowned Ms. Wheelchair New York 2015, and utilized her title and platform: "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Access," to promote her message and belief that people with disabilities can live a fulfilling life. As an advocate and activist, she has won national recognition over the years, including being named New Mobilitiy's Person of the Year (2021) and the inaugural Craig H. Neilsen Visionary Prize Winner 2020. She has also been featured in Unite Spinal, HomeCare Magazine, Apple's iWatch campaign, Yahoo, and Forbes.On today's show we talk about Andrea's story and her nursing journey. After 1500 job applications and 75 job interviews, it took a global pandemic to get the break she needed to work bedside. What a story! You will want to tune in for this!Also, Andrea shares how hospitals and nursing programs could be doing better. Hint: We could be doing better.Want to get involved? Check out the National Organization of Nurses with Disabilities.Thanks so much for being on the show, Andrea!Stay Safe and Stay Sane,Nicole

Today I catch up with American Ninja Warrior and Nurse, Bryan Hill about how this last year has been. Last time we talked, Bryan came on the show to share that he had been diagnosed with Parkinkson's, how that was impacting his life, and how he wanted to get out in front of this secret for his family, particularly for his young son (now 18 months old).Since we last chatted, Bryan has taken the world by storm, appearing on national television, local news, American Ninja Warrior, and appearing in the documentary by Cut called "Three Dying People Talk about Death" among other things.Bryan opens up about the day to day of his life, managing stress and how movement is his medicine. His family and his health are his number one priority.If you want to support Parkinson's research check out this link to donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation. And go follow what Bryan is up to on social media at @fox_ninja_c.You are such an inspiration, Bryan!Stay Safe and Stay Sane,Nicole

On today's episode I interview Josie Tate, MSN, FNP-C and CEO of Clincepts, a company "created Clincepts to inspire my peers to thrive through the RN to NP transition and love what they do.""Josie Tate is a family nurse practitioner with a heart to see others succeed. Since starting her nursing journey with a BSN in 2006, she has enjoyed working in a variety of settings with a strong background in inpatient and outpatient cardiology services. Her most memorable times as a nurse include being a preceptor to nursing students and mentor to newly hired employees. While she enjoys her role as an NP, she is also passionate about her life outside of practice. She is a wife to her college sweetheart and mom to three fun-filled kids. Soon after becoming a nurse practitioner in 2019, she saw new NPs experience a disconnect between obtaining an advanced degree and embracing the title of advanced practice provider. To bridge that gap, she created Clincepts, a job search solution to help nurse practitioners get happily hired.Josie empowers nurse practitioners in 3 major aspects: passion, pay (beyond just salary), and productivity. She teaches strategies that help NPs articulate their unique professional stories by assisting with resume creation and interview preparation. With this, they can have that ideal job they are passionate about and be paid well for what they do. In addition, she shares ways to be efficient at work, so they can enjoy life outside of work."If you are transitioning from RN to advanced practice, go check out one of Josie's courses or sign up to her blog to get helpful tips to increase your interviewing skills or buff up your resume!Thank you so much for being on the show and thank you for helping nurses thrive, Josie!It was such a pleasure!Stay Safe and Stay Sane,Nicole

On today's show I interview Beth Cavenaugh, a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care nurse about her new book that she co-authored, 'The Pleasure and Pain of Nursing - Self-Care Practices to Protect and Replenish Compassion.' The book offers "the nurse's toolkit to stay grounded, tend to yourself with kindness, and minimize professional burnout." This is a fantastic book that should be in every nurse's break room.Beth talks about her thoughts on nursing, hospice nursing, and how the pandemic has affected our profession. Also, she gets into her nursing trajectory, and where and how she finds joy in hospice nursing. As a reiki provider, Beth shares some treasures from that very specific type of energy work.I'm excited for you to listen to this episode, feel validated, and maybe find some tools to protect your energy and your practice!Please go check out Beth's book and subscribe to her blog! She offers real tips and insights for nurses for the death and dying process.Stay Safe and Stay Sane,Nicole

I am so pleased to bring Katrine Wallace, PhD aka Epidemiologist Kat back on Found Down to discuss what in the world is going on with all the viruses out there! We talk about where we are with the Covid-19 pandemic, what is really going on with monkeypox, and also she shares what she knows about polio being detected in New York.As always this was a fun, informative interview! Please go subscribe to Kat's blog at www.epidemiologistkat.com. Stay Safe and Stay Sane!Nicole

Hey there,Today, Des Wood and I talk about what's been going on behind the scenes with me and my thoughts on the podcast. We discuss what is going on in healthcare, our thoughts on the pandemic, and in nursing.Please help! Do you want Found Down to continue? What do YOU want from the show?It's been so fun and meaningful for me to do the show. Let me know what would like from Found Down!Stay Safe and Stay Sane,NicoleP.S. Please check out the upcoming Yoga in the Park on 8/19! All proceeds go to Hope Center Resources, a nonprofit that helps people experiencing homelessness.

Hey, It's Nicole.Just popping on to say I'm on a break and will return in June. I'm posting a Nurses Week GIVEAWAY on my Instagram account on 5/6 so check it out there!You all are amazing. See you in June!Nicole

Encore - I'm re-airing this episode because it's an important conversation to be having in light of recent events.Today I am thrilled to have Patient Safety Director Krista Haugen, MSN, RN, CTFE back on the show to discuss medical errors and mistakes in healthcare. She gives her insight as to why this is such a complex issue, what is just culture and shared accountability and how a facility and providers can approach mistakes. We share our own mistakes from our careers and we discuss why shame is so wrapped up in these events. She also talks about what is “speaking up” and how to think about it in regards to keeping your patients safe.Medical errors and mistakes in healthcare are extremely important issues. We are moving away from a “blaming” culture and more to a systems approach like the “Swiss Cheese Model.” Often there are many contributing factors to why an error occurred. Check out this link to the causal map of the Titanic sinking. Hint: There wasn’t just one reason the titanic sank.Check out this video on how we beat ourselves when we make a mistake: https://dontforgetthebubbles.com/fixing-what-once-was-broken-ross-fisher-at-dftb18/Thank you so much for listening to this show!Stay Safe and Stay Sane,Nicole

Today I interview Google UX Program Manager and volunteer EMT David Gilman. He talks about how he decided to take on the volunteer EMT position, especially as a successful professional. He shares what the experience has been like, to learn a new skill and what it has been like to to learn to be useful to his community. He also delves into what has been challenging about his EMT role, especially jumping between the two worlds of life at Google where it's like "Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory" and then having to go respond to real life emergencies. David, you are an inspiration to the community. Thank you for what you do!Stay Safe & Stay Sane, Nicole

On today's episode I review the case of RaDonda Vaught with my fellow ICU nurse and friend, Laura Zaske. I wanted to really look at this case since it sets a legal precedent, but also because it felt like this error was too easy to make. We all could be RaDonda Vaught. RaDonda is the first nurse criminally charged with negligent homicide and abuse of an impaired adult. She made a fatal mistake in 2017 by accidentally giving her patient Charlene Murphey vecuronium, a paralytic.My resources for this episode are from:The Nurse Erica, Nurse Liz, The Tennessean, The CMS Report, and Institute of Patient Medication Practices If you want to support RaDonda Vaught you can:Show up at her court date on 5/13/2022 in Nashville, Tennessee.Write a hand written letter to the Honorable Judge Jennifer L. Smith to request clemency. Please send it to RaDonda's PO Box.RaDonda VaughtPO Box 128Bethpage, TN 370223.Sign this petition to grant RaDonda Vaught clemency.Please stay hypervigilant. If there are things in your work environment that are not safe speak up, write incident reports, and help change the system. I know are we are fearful of this legal precedent, but I urge you to help make your work environment the safest as possible. We need to continue use just culture and have an open, non-punitive avenue for reporting.We support you RaDonda!Stay Safe and Stay Sane,Nicole

Today I had the pleasure of chatting with Keri Nasenbeny, an Associate Chief Nursing Officer at a major academic medical center about her thoughts on this pandemic. Keri has a unique perspective having led nurses through the most challenging times in their career. She looks at where we've come and some of the significant challenges we have faced, especially with this last surge. We talk about the future and share ideas about what we need to do to fix things. It's going to be a long road to heal the healthcare world, but we can do it.Thank you so much for being on the show. And thanks for listening, Keri!!!Stay Safe & Stay Sane,Nicole

Today I interview Al Sarria, ICU nurse and the guy behind The ICU Murse. We chat about his career trajectory and how he got into ICU nursing. Turns out, he finished his ICU orientation in 2019 in a CVICU only to have to switch to the COVID ICU in 2020, in Arizona no less. Talk about going from a population of everyone lives to everyone dies. And Al - I'm so sorry. No one should have to see that amount of death. So, we talk about how he is doing, his mental health (hooray for lexapro and therapy!) and his plans to become a Psychiatric Nurse practitioner.Al reveals how The ICU Murse account got started and how sharing the truth about Covid made him go viral. Al often speaks our truth on social media and for that, I am so grateful. He is also making talking about mental health a priority on his platform.Al and Christiian Letsinger (aka Redbeard RN) have a new podcast in the works call 'You can't make this shi(f)t up!' It's not out yet, but sounds entertaining!Thank you so much for coming on the show and for speaking your truth. Thank you for all you do for the nursing community, Al!Stay Safe and Stay Sane,Nicole

I had the esteemed privilege of getting interviewed by my friend and collaborator, Des Wood.  It’s time I was the in the hot seat. You’ll get to learn my thoughts on life, nursing, entrepreneurship, and some of my thoughts about Found Down.  I talk about my conception of Unwound Retreats - a travel and wellness business for nurses.  We have some amazing international trips coming up in 2022 to Morocco and Mexico and oh man, you deserve to come!  Want a cultural, spiritual and education retreat? Check out Unwound Retreats and get on my email list to learn more! Thank YOU for listening and supporting Found Down.  Do you have feedback on the show? Do you have guest ideas? Do you want merch?Drop a line and let me know!XoxoStay Safe & Stay Sane!Nicole

Today I sit down with Paul Benz, MDiv to get his insight into his role as a Spiritual Care Provider.Paul Benz is a King County based Mental Health, Addiction, Grief and Trauma Chaplain of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). Paul is a Street Minister from Operation Nightwatch and a Spiritual Care Provider/Chaplain for a level one trauma center in Seattle. Spiritual care providers are a crucial part of the medical team - they attend all codes, they sit with the dying, the suffering, and give patients and family members solace during really stressful times, as well provide staff support.Pastor Paul talks about his work, how he was called to it and how he metabolizes it when things are heavy. This is a very real conversation about death and how we approach death in the 21st century in Western America. And having been in this work, he has some interesting revelations. Don't die with regrets and live your life in a way that doesn't cause harm. He references this text that is very "life giving." And he also has great insight on how to live your life - "To learn to love more truly" and "love thy neighbor" he says.We also talk about what is going on in Ukraine right now and he sings a beautiful tribute to the Ukrainians who are being persecuted right now. He chose to sing 'This is my Song' and it comes from Finland's own experience with a Russian invasion in the 1930s.This is a very real and raw episode. Thank you, Paul for delivering this beautiful episode with me.Stay Safe and Stay Sane,NicoleP.S. GRAB YOUR KLEENEX

Today I sit down with Marie Cockerham, MN, RN, CCRN, Support Specialist & Health Program Operations Specialist and Cheri Constantino-Shor, MSN, RN, CMSRN, CRNI Director of Professional Engagement and Nursing Excellence to talk about where we are with the pandemic right now as a healthcare community.Let me tell you, this was a validating and difficult conversation to have. We were *not* in a great place before the pandemic hit, so it is not surprising to learn about the toll it is taking on us. Per a study referenced in the interview, 75% - 77% of us are experiencing a clinical diagnosis of depression, anxiety, PTSD or insomnia. That is most of us!The way through is not an easy fix. It's time we are transparent about how we are doing when we consider re-building. Nursing is not the same as it was in 2019.So, we talk about what we can do as individuals and as healthcare leaders. Some of the work is personal and some of it is organizational. Both Marie and Cheri say utilizing the military's Stress First Aid Model is helpful. Staff truly need support in this time, so peer support programs are essential, as well as having authentic leadership as highlighted in the Healthy Work Environment by AACN. The emotional well-being of healthcare providers is a national top priority.If you are struggling, please know you are not alone. Here are some resources. Please get help if you are having a tough time.Suicide Hotline1-800-273-8255Crisis LineEmotional PPE - an organization that offers free counseling to healthcare workersUse your Employee Assistance Program for counseling servicesBetter HelpThank you!Stay Safe & Stay Sane,Nicole

On today's episode, I catch up with flight and ground paramedic Spencer Oliver. He is also the amazing co-host of the incredible EMS 20/20 podcast where he and his co-host, Chris Pfingsten review weekly calls sent in by their listeners. Spencer has been a a flight paramedic for six years and a paramedic for about 12 years.On this episode, we get into how Spencer is actually doing and what is coming up for him lately. . Spencer gets into his very interesting background as a kid who grew up overseas in Bangkok, Thailand and what played out after a swift and unexpected move to the states. He also shares his career trajectory and how he got into EMS. It's a super interesting story - one that involves a stint in standup.This is such a great episode. We get into some nuances of our jobs and swap a few stories.It was such an honor to have you on the show, Spencer!Stay Safe and Stay Sane,Nicole

I have re-aired this episode due to the increase nurses taking action to create a better future in nursing! These bills are still needing to be passed!Today I sit down with the co-founders of the Last Pizza Party Movement, Nurse Erica and Nurse Nander. This nurse advocacy movement and non profit was born out of the Covid-19 pandemic. “The Last Pizza Party is dedicated to ensuring safer workplaces for healthcare providers, safer care for patients through legislation, and educating providers on current regulations and protective strategies.” In this episode, we discuss the impact of unsafe staffing on patients and nurses, the power of unionizing and what is really going on with the “nursing shortage.”The vision of the Last Pizza Party Movement is big, but not unachievable. But it starts with all four million nurses taking the time to care about what is happening to nurses collectively across the USA. Nurses deserve safe staffing for patient safety and our patients deserve it, too.Be prepared to get riled up. There are three pieces of legislation that need your attention!The Safe Staffing Act that would mandate nurse to patient ratios nation wide – https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/1567/text?r=2&s=1The Pro Act – Protecting the right to Unionize – https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/842The Workplace Violence Prevention Act for Healthcare Workers https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1309/textIf you want to get involved, please go the Last Pizza Party Movement website here. Follow them on instagram @thelastpizzapartymovement or on tiktok @thelastpizzapartymovement. You can join their FB group, as well.You can follow Nurse Erica and Nurse Nander on Tiktok to stay in the know.Thank you so much for being on the show! It was a good one!Stay Safe and Stay Sane,Nicole

On today's episode, I interview Tiffany Swedeen, RN and recovery coach to talk about her experience with narcotic diversion, addiction and life in recovery. Tiffany "strives to end the stigma and shame of addiction for everyone, advocating especially for healthcare providers who struggle with substance abuse."Tiffany shares her story with diversion and what happened to her. She never imagined that this would be her, as she identified with this image of being the “perfect ICU nurse.” It wasn't until her addiction with vicodin took over, that she found herself getting caught diverting narcotics on the job. She very candidly talks about how things were handled, what happened with her nursing license and the requirements she had to do. And yes, there is life after getting help! It get better, she says!Tiffany has a wealth of resources for those in need on her site www.recoverandrise.com. Also, if you are looking for a support group, please check out She Recovers. If you are looking for help with addiction, Tiffany recommends SAMSA. If you are a nurse and need specific resources please check out NCSBN.org.If you are struggling with addiction, please seek out help. You are not alone.Stay Safe and Stay Sane,Nicole

Today I interview nurse and attorney Irnise Williams, the woman and force behind Your Nurse Lawyer. Irnise has found her niche helping nurses, advance practice providers and professionals protect themselves and grown their businesses. She also consults with hospitals and has a slew of courses you are going to want to check out!Irnise hosts webinars, among other courses for nurses on how to document to protect ourselves and how to mitigate malpractice. So, I brought her on to give her advice on how we should approach documentation, whether or not we should hold liability insurance and what should we do if we are called to testify in a trial. You are most certainly going to want to listen to this episode! Irnise is full of practical insights and advice.Please go follow her on Instagram at @yournurselawyer and sign up for one of her courses!Irnise- It was such a joy and a pleasure doing this interview!Thank you!Stay Safe and Stay Sane,Nicole