First Best Nurse

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A podcast for and about nurses and brought to you by Atrium Health.

Stephanie McDonald, Carmen Shaw, Megan Hirth


    • May 14, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 37m AVG DURATION
    • 63 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from First Best Nurse

    Pursuing Your Passion: An Interview with Eden Lee, RN

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2025 12:15


    Eden Lee, RN lives in 2 worlds as a nurse and an actress. Listen to this insightful conversation about how she balances both dreams.

    Family presence in resuscitation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 29, 2025 16:44


    Jaclyn Duncan, RN shares details of a research study on preparing nurses to support family presence in resuscitation.

    Code Lavender

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2025 19:52


    This short bonus episode features our Code Lavender program. Specifically, a grant-funded expansion of code lavender to ambulatory spaces. The conversation features Patara Parham, Deanca Crouch, and Zach Fulbright.

    Leaning into the Future: How Nursing with Thrive featuring Dr. Betty Jo Rocchio

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 50:11


    This is a conversation with Dr. Betty Jo Rocchio, Advocate Health's enterprise Chief Nursing Officer. This conversation talks about the now, near, and far of nursing.

    Activity Box – An Improvement Project for Long Stay ED Patients

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 16:18


    Dr. Whitney Bradshaw and Dr. Fran Charlton share an improvement project done in the ED, aimed at improving the quality of life and care for patients who stay in EDs for long periods. This was Dr. Bradshaw's DNP project.

    What Matters the Most: Next Generation Leader

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 16:50


    In this burst, Dr. Carmen Shaw shares insights from her published article,ADifferent Mindset fora Different Culture: Sustaining the Next-Generation Workforce

    Doll Therapy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 26:43


    In this burst you can hear about Navicent Medical Center's experience with doll therapy, along with an entreprenurse who aspires to make doll therapy broadly available .

    Clinical Nurses Specialists Leading Toward One Advocate Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 49:23


    In this episode, we hear from four of Advocate Health's ultimate advocates - the CNS team.

    We are ONE!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2024 61:23


    Day 2 at the ANCC Magnet and Pathway Conference delivered some great conversations! We hope you enjoy!

    We did it again! Interviews from the ANCC Magnet and Pathways Conference 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2024 37:03


    Carmen and Stephanie attended the annual ANCC conference - along with 13,000 other nurses. This is part one of the interviews done while on site, and it's filled with great energy and insights!

    First Best Nurse Burst - CNS teaser

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 6:15


    We are trying something new - offering some shorter bursts of information in between our longer episodes. Carmen and I hope you like this format! In our first burst, here from MaryAnn Moon as she talks a little about what a CNS role is, as a teaser to an upcoming longer episode. Let us know what you think. Steph

    Reflect, Celebrate, and Keep Growing: Just a Few of our Thoughts about 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2024 37:35


    Carmen and Stephanie talk about some of the lessons learned this year in our previous episodes, and some of our plans for future episodes.

    Ladies and Gentlemen...The Presidents

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2024 46:34


    At Advocate Health, each of our large care regions has a President of Nursing position. In this episode, you'll hear from our presidents about their role in professional governance and leadership.

    Male Voices in Nursing Leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 44:58


    This episode features the 3 male chief nurses of Advocate Health in a candid dialogue about men in nursing and leadership.

    Advocate's Advocates

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 51:11


    This episode feature some of our nurses who have used their talents and stories to secure a platform in which they can advocate. It demonstrates the power of nursing's voice.

    The Gravitational Power of Well-Being

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 44:43


    During mental health awareness month, it is important that we take time for our own well-being. Hear from some of the experts at Advocate Health about what we are doing organizationally.

    “Becoming a nurse saves you” - Reflections from new nurses.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 41:13


    This episode features thoughts and reflections from 3 Advocate Health newly graduated RNs: Samantha Lavoie, Venitta Craig, and Jherica Kirkland, who noted "becoming a nurse saves you".

    Dr. Janice Walker - Welcome to Atrium Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 37:28


    In this episode, Carmen and Stephanie interview the new CNE for Atrium Health. Dr. Janice Walker shares about her extensive nursing career and accomplishments.

    We hear you - Workplace violence mitigation

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2024 39:31


    This episode features some Advocate Health leaders in workplace violence mitigaton - Dr. Jason Stopyra and Jennifer Ziccardi-Colson.

    The "Easy Button" for publication.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 15, 2024 39:17


    Hear how nurses at Advocate Health partnered with Doody to make publication a reality.

    The Conversation Continues - Day 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2023 68:36


    Carmen and Stephanie continue the conversation at the ANCC Magnet and Pathways to Excellence Conference 2023 with more brief interviews of nurses across Advocate Health.

    Live from Chicago Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2023 46:09


    Part one of Live from Chicago - Carmen and Stephanie interview Advocate Health nurses in attendance at the 2023 ANCC Magnet and Pathways Conference. This is a very energetic series of mini-interviews. We hope you enjoy them!

    The National Landscape of Nursing with Patricia Mook

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2023 42:11


    Our guest, Patricia Mook, SVP of nursing operations and professional development for Advocate Health, discusses what is happening across the nation with nursing. She also brings forth the importance of leadership and advocacy. This is a can't miss episode!

    FOR ALL: Leadership Perspectives on DEI & Health Equity

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2023 45:04


    Another great dialogue with nursing leaders, featuring Peggy Harris, Jakkie Opollo, and Brandi Newman.

    The Wright Way

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2023 37:22


    In this "don't miss" episode, Dr. Carmen Shaw and Stephanie McDonald spend some time with nursing professional development expert Donna Wright. Donna shares pearls from her career and her competency model.

    Beyond Brick and Morter: Insights from virtual care nurses

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2023 38:52


    In this episode, Carmen and Stephanie talk about virtual nursing at Atrium Health - what it is and what the future holds.

    Get to Know Mary Beth Kingston

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2023 47:18


    Nurses see the good, the bad, and the ugly of all things medical. In this episode, we discuss a wide variety of topics - not all nursing related. In celebration of nursing week, get to know Advocate Health Chief Nursing Officer Mary Beth Kingston.

    Job Well Done: A conversation with Maureen Swick

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2023 43:17


    This episode features a farewell from Atrium Health's CNE Dr. Maureen Swick. Lot's of laughter as she talks about the next steps in her journey, living out her "preferment".

    What does a tree have to do with nursing?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2023 41:40


    In this episode, Carmen shares the process and outcome of the development of Atrium Health's Nursing Professional Practice Model, along with some members of the team who helped in its creation.

    Season's Greetings from First Best Nurse

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2023 22:51


    Carmen and Stephanie chat about episodes in 2022 and possible future episodes for 2023.

    An Uncomfortable topic – Drug Diversion

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2022 31:25


    In this episode, we speak with some experts on drug diversion to learn why this may occur, and how we can help prevent it. As uncomfortable as this topic may be, we talk about why it is important to have the conversation, and touch specifically on what Atrium Health offers for mitigation and support.

    Human Trafficking

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2022 39:02


    Human trafficking is a billion dollar criminal industry which denies people their rights and freedom. In this episode, some Atrium Health nurses discuss how they identify and assist victims of human trafficking. Polaris operates the U.S. human trafficking hotline. To get help or advice, call 1-888-376-7888 or text "BeFree" to 233733.

    Holistic Nursing - Caring for the whole patient, and the whole team!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2022 33:27


    In this episode, we spend time with Cathy Carson, a certified holistic nurse and integrative therapy practitioner at Atrium Health Cabarrus. You can hear what this work entails, and the effects of her treatment on her patients, and her colleagues in the emergency department!

    Another Living Legend - Dr. Tim Porter O'Grady discusses professional governance.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2022 35:04


    This episode features a great conversation between Dr. Tim Porter O'Grady, Dr. Carmen Shaw, and Stephanie McDonald. The discussion centers around the meaning and value of professional governance for nursing.

    BONUS EPISODE: Two Atrium Health Nurses Running for a seat on the North Carolina Board of Nursing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2022 25:21


    Nurses advocating for nurses. Hear from Michelle Hewitt, LPN and Catherine Opladen, RN on why they are running for election for the 2022 NC Board of Nursing. NC nurses have a unique and important opportunity to elect their board - voting is open through August 15, 2022.

    Supporting Nurses Through Mentoring

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2022 30:42


    Carmen and Stephanie talk to some Atrium Health nurses about mentoring, how it is different than orienting, and how it adds value to a teammates work experience.

    Nurse Well-Being

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2022 33:29


    This episode, recorded live at the Atrium Health Nursing Summit, features a conversation with Dr. Maureen Swick and Dr. Lindsay Munn regarding research they conducted around nurse well-being and burnout. Also featured in the conversation are Atrium Health nurses Kristen Henry and Bridgette Burch, who share their perspective on what burnout looks like at the bedside.

    Bonus Episode: Halfway around the world

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2022 5:13


    In this episode, Stephanie interview Brenda, a nurse in Uganda.

    Nursing Research - What? Why? How?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2022 45:21


    In this episode, Carmen Shaw leads a dialogue with some nursing researchers. This episode was recorded live at the Atrium Health Nursing Research Symposium.

    Nursing in the room of the future

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2022 31:51


    Becky Fox and Sarah Francis talk about how nursing innovation is helping to enhance care delivery through design. This episode is also Meghan Hirth's last episode!

    nursing becky fox sarah francis
    Conversation with a Living Legend - Dr. Jean Watson

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2022 40:35


    Carmen, Meghan and Stephanie were honored to have some time with Dr. Watson. Dr. Jean Watson is Distinguished Professor and Dean Emerita, University of Colorado College of Nursing Anschutz Medical Center, USA; founder of the original Center for Human Caring in Colorado; a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN); Founder and Director of non-profit organization, Watson Caring Science Institute; past President of the National League for Nursing; founding member of International Association in Human Caring and International Caritas Consortium; She held the nation's first endowed chair in Caring Science for 16 years; holds fifteen (15) Honorary Doctoral Degrees, including 12 International Honorary Doctorates; Her work is studied and implemented around the world. She is a widely published author and recipient of many awards and honors; authored and co-authored over 30 books on caring; In October, 2013, Dr. Watson was inducted as a Living Legend by the American Academy of Nursing, its highest honor.

    Nurse Scientists - We save lives in our sleep

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2022 35:24


    In this episode, we are privileged to have a conversation with Dr. Amy Hester, co-creator of the Hester Davis Falls Score and HD Nursing. She shares her insights on patient safety, innovation and entrepreneurship.

    Inspiring Words

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2022 24:54


    In this bonus episode, you will hear a prerecorded message from Dr. Jeni Stepanek. Jeni is not a nurse, but a frequent consumer of healthcare. Her story is meant to inspire us during trying times. Since it was a recording, it doesn't follow our normal episode format, but we think you will still enjoy the message. If you wish to see the video played within the message, you can access it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAP6vgPVsaI Much gratitude to Peace Mama! Enjoy!

    Nurses with Audacity

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2022 60:58


    In our first episode of season 3, Carmen, Meghan and Steph talk with some experts about the significance of Magnet and Pathways to Excellence designation.

    Get on board: Be in the room where it happens!

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2021 33:13


    This episode features a conversation with Atrium Health nurses who serve on boards. You'll hear how it ignites their passion, and how you can get started, too!

    The Nursing Identity Crisis

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2021 41:55


    What brought you into this profession? Hear stories from Atrium Health nurses about their nursing journey and how we can encourage others to join and to stay in this profession of honor.

    Live at the 2021 NCNA Annual Convention

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2021 21:41


    We were able to assemble a group of Atrium Health nurses attending the 2021 Annual Convention for a great conversation about nursing advocacy and development. Listen in and enjoy!

    International Nurses - You Belong at Atrium Health

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2021 48:15


    In this episode, Carmen, Meghan, and Stephanie sit down with International Nurses Reymond and Georgette, who are working at Atrium Health to hear their perspective on nursing and belonging at Atrium Health.

    A Lifelong Atrium Health Nurse

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2021 34:09


    A tribute to Barbee Whisnant-Burgess, who is soon to retire after a career spent entirely practicing and enhancing nursing at Atrium Health.

    Chief Nurse Roundtable

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2021 43:15


    In Day 2 of our Atrium Health Nursing Summit, we got to sit down for a live podcast recording with some of our inspirational and innovative Chief Nurses.

    The Heart of a Nurse

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2021 34:52


    Just in time for Florence Nightingale's birthday, we are bringing you an episode that talks about the essence and passion of our calling - the heart of a nurse. Hear from some committed Atrium Health nurses about the stories that stick with them.

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