The Conversing Nurse podcast Michelle Harris

When I heard Gaby Morales speak about adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs, on the Nine One One Nonsense podcast, I knew I had to bring their message to you.
Gaby explained that ACEs are adverse childhood experiences such as physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as other forms of household dysfunction like mental illness or substance use problems, and living with a violent or incarcerated parent. ACEs are linked to chronic health problems, mental illness, substance use in adulthood, and suicide.
Gaby's not new to nursing. They've been a nurse for eight years and are currently the clinical educator for a Level I trauma emergency room and a DNP student. Through their work, they've encountered many healthcare professionals who were completely unaware of ACEs and how they affect the health of their patients. So Gaby has made it their mission to educate healthcare professionals about the impacts of adverse childhood trauma. They are taking what they call the "Tour de ACE" on the road and have even titled their presentation "The Greatest Unaddressed Public Health Threat That Most Healthcare Professionals Don't Know About."  And with Gaby's passion and efforts, I think very soon that will change.
In the five-minute snippet: There are no aces in this card game. For Gaby's bio, visit my website (link below).
Gaby's Instagram
ACE questionnaire PDF


Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Give me feedback! Leave me a review! 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
Email: theconversingnursepodcast@gmail.com
Thank you and I'll see you soon!

I was completely captivated by my guest this week, Dr. Sarah Ratekin. Sarah is the Owner and Chief Happiness Officer of Happiness is Courage, LLC. I’m all about the happy and if there’s one thing the nurses need right now, it’s more happiness.
With a background in organizational ethics and a doctorate in business administration she helps her clients, which include healthcare institutions, improve the employee experience, and spoiler alert, it doesn’t involve pizza parties.
She explained the formula of happiness at work is determined by only two factors: solid relationships with the people we work with and that the work we do is meaningful. I can’t think of a healthcare professional who does not have those two factors on their radar.
Sarah has been accused of being a Pollyanna and vehemently rejects that label. Her approach to gratitude and happiness at work comes from both academic research and personal experience. Sarah’s passion for transforming workplace cultures as well as her optimistic outlook has me hopeful for the future of nursing.
In the five-minute snippet: Watch out Wilbur, Sarah’s comin' for you! For Sarah's bio and bookstore, visit my website (link below).
https://www.happinessiscourage.com/
https://www.facebook.com/HappinessIsCourage/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7JAmIvjCfVKUcZE0EXXrJw
https://www.linkedin.com/in/happinessiscourage/
https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Threads-Positivity-Gratitude-Journal/dp/1074789911


Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Give me feedback! Leave me a review! 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
Email: theconversingnursepodcast@gmail.com
Thank you and I'll see you soon!

In 375 BC, the ancient philosopher Plato wrote, "Our need will be the real creator." But over time, the phrase has been condensed to its current form,  "Necessity is the mother of invention." 
Alex Whitefield, aka "The Break Nurse", is an innovator and nurse leader who identified a need: hospitals were using outdated break systems which were making it difficult for nurses to get breaks. So he co-invented Breakalgo, a software program that optimizes break performance through smart scheduling in real-time.
Why do we need breaks? Consider the cognitive, emotional, and physical load nurses endure in a typical twelve-hour shift. Now add to that little time to pause from witnessed trauma, nourish the body, or rest, and recover. Numerous studies show our ability to critically think diminishes with physical, mental, and emotional depletion. But our nursing culture continues to view breaks as a luxury, not a necessity. Alex has made it his mission to change this narrative and is proving to us that over two millennia later, Plato's axiom still holds true. In the five-minute snippet: Alex, you need a raise. To see Alex's bio, visit my website (link below).
Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Give me feedback! Leave me a review! 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
Email: theconversingnursepodcast@gmail.com
Thank you and I'll see you soon!

Brian Cerezo is a nurse who likes to have fun, but he's also passionate about the nursing profession and proud about being able to financially support his family. And he doesn't solely rely on his W-2 job. He's made some risky moves by investing in real estate, stocks, and the dreaded crypto. We agreed investing can sometimes be uncertain, but as his portfolio grows, so does his comfort in knowing he's got a backup plan. Brian is also the host of the popular podcast called Direct Admission,  and if you know, you know. He started his podcast to talk to nurses about nursing and all the doors it can open for them, as well as helping them on their journey to financial independence by sharing his knowledge and experiences. And remember what I said about fun. Well, his Instagram is packed full of nursing memes and will have you chuckling in no time. When you watch him on YouTube, you'll see he always has a smile on his face. And during our conversation, I did, too. In the five-minute snippet: Honey, did you order the lumpia? For Brian's bio, go to my website (link below).
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianbenjiern/
Direct Admission Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/brianmakesbenjamins


Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Give me feedback! Leave me a review! 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
Email: theconversingnursepodcast@gmail.com
Thank you and I'll see you soon!

Tiffany Gibson is a radical nurse leader who has been featured in Oprah Daily and Ebony magazines and proudly shares her two cents on social media and through her podcast. So when she manifested her goal on LinkedIn to book twelve speaking engagements this year, I jumped at the opportunity to invite her to be my guest because her wisdom for nurses cannot go unheard.
Tiffany is an emotional intelligence consultant and the founder of New Nurse Academy, LLC. During our conversation, she stressed the importance of emotional intelligence for nurses. She says managing oneself is crucial before managing others, and that entails understanding one's core values. Tiffany has designed a life that aligns with her core values: time, financial and recreational freedom. She believes that when nurses reevaluate their why, their core values will align, enabling them to show up authentically.
Her message isn't just for nurses, it's one that we all need to hear. Her work is vital and I am delighted she is sharing it with you.
In the five-minute snippet: Royalty is so overrated. For Tiffany's bio, visit my website (link below).
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjfHESB9nFK8VfehmzXU6nQ
X: https://twitter.com/NewNurseAcademy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newnurseacademy/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NewNurseAcademy/
Podcast: https://new-nurse-academy.mykajabi.com/podcasts/my-2-cents
Oprah Daily feature: https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/work-money/a38203383/theyre-taking-a-shot-at-innovation/
Ebony magazine feature: https://www.ebony.com/the-national-black-nurses-association-holds-its-50th-annual-conference-to-support-and-empower-healthcare-professionals-%EF%BF%BC%EF%BF%BC/
National Black Nurses Association Conference July 2024: https://whova.com/portal/registration/niac_202407/
Moxie Scrubs feature: https://www.moxiescrubs.com/a/blog/10-black-nurses-you-must-follow-in-2023
How Past Trauma Impacts Emotional Intelligence article: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1067509/full
Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Give me feedback! Leave me a review! 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
Email: theconversingnursepodcast@gmail.com
Thank you and I'll see you soon!

According to Forbes magazine, the relationship between managers and their employees has a significant impact on their mental health, similar to the effect of a partner. My guest this week, NICU Nurse Manager, Felicia Torres Vaughn, understands this and works hard to build strong relationships with her staff. During our conversation, Felicia clarified some common misconceptions about managers and emphasized the importance of mentorship. She also encouraged the idea of embracing failure, as it provides an opportunity to learn and grow. I’ve had many mentors throughout my journey, and Felicia taught me a valuable lesson on what it means to be a compassionate and thoughtful leader. She does this most profoundly, by example, not expecting her staff to do anything she wouldn't do herself. As she spoke of her love for Mother Teresa, I noticed similarities in their service mindset, humble spirit, and desire to bring love and light to the people they serve.  Her advice for nurses who aspire to be leaders? Find a mentor and be a mentor. In the five-minute snippet: start spreading the news! For Felicia's bio, visit my website (link below).
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felicia-torres-vaughn-79a71517b/
American Organization for Nurse Leadership: https://www.aonl.org/
Association of California Nurse Leaders: https://www.acnl.org/#!event-list
From the Full Focus article: https://fullfocus.co/batteries-included/#:~:text=Don't%20Hire%20People%20Unless%20the%20Batteries%20Are%20Included%20%2D%20Michael%20Hyatt
Forbes article: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tracybrower/2023/01/29/managers-have-major-impact-on-mental-health-how-to-lead-for-wellbeing/?sh=202944ec2ec1
Contact The Conversing Nurse podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theconversingnursepodcast/
Website: https://theconversingnursepodcast.com
Give me feedback! Leave me a review! 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
Email: theconversingnursepodcast@gmail.com
Thank you and I'll see you soon!