Shows
Researched RNE20 - Comparing the Braden Pressure Injury Scale to the Jackson/Cubbin in Trauma ICU PatientsWhat is the Jackson/Cubin? How does this pressure injury scale differ from the Braden? Does it perform differently in critical care patients? These questions and more are answered in the 20th episode of the podcast as I am joined by guest, Diana Walls, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, CVRN. She shares her journey as a clinical nurse specialist (CNS) in using research to drive positive practice change.Researched RN is for nurses of any specialty and clinical setting where new and interesting peer-reviewed nursing articles are summarized and discussed. Develop a spirit of inquiry in your day-to-day with...
2025-11-1734 min
The Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job OpportunitiesVoting as a Nurse: A Call to ActionGot a Career or Work question? Send me a text right here.Support the showTrying to figure out your next career step? Download my FREE Nursing Career Growth Roadmap Join me for a **1:1 Nurse Career Clarity Coaching Call**—a 1:1 coaching session where we’ll get you unstuck and find clarity to make the next move in your career.
2025-11-0415 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities62// Why Loving Nursing Isn’t Always Enough—And What to Do About ItYou love being a nurse—but lately, something feels off. Maybe your nursing job isn’t giving you the same sense of purpose it once did. In this episode, Bonnie explores why passion for nursing alone isn’t always enough to keep you fulfilled in your career—and what you can do to bring meaning, clarity, and direction back into your professional life.She shares how to evaluate your current nursing role through the lens of your strengths and values, plus practical ways to take your next step with confidence—whether that’s a new nursing job, a leadership...
2025-10-2416 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities61// The 5-Minute Exercise That Can Change Your Nursing Career DirectionIn this episode, Bonnie shares a simple 5-minute reflection exercise that helps you gain fresh perspective on your career path. Whether you’re an RN, APRN, or nurse leader, this quick practice guides you to notice the moments that bring the most fulfillment—and points you toward nursing job opportunities that truly fit.Key Takeaways:Why clarity doesn’t require hours of career planningA 3-step journaling exercise to highlight what energizes youHow to match your skills with new nursing career opportunitiesThe importance of choosing roles you enjoy—not just those you do well👉 Download th...
2025-09-1119 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities60 // Stuck, Exploring, or Growing? Discover Your Stage in the Nursing Career JourneyIn this episode, I introduce the Nurse Career Growth Roadmap, a practical guide to help you identify your current stage and take the right next step.You’ll learn:The 5 stages every nurse experiencesWhy even highly educated nurses struggle with clarityAction steps to create momentum in your career (without waiting for permission)Whether you’re an RN, APRN, or nurse leader, this episode will help you gain clarity, confidence, and direction in your nursing career journey.Got a Career or Work question? Send me a text right here.Trying to f...
2025-08-2817 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities59 // Don’t Wait Until You’re Burnt Out or Ready to Leave: How to Create Nursing Career Options NowIf your entire professional identity is tied to one nursing job, you might be limiting your growth — and your joy. In this episode, I share why putting all your eggs in one job basket could be holding you back and how to expand your skills, network, and opportunities without burning out.Whether you’re an RN, APRN, or nurse leader, you’ll learn how to diversify your career, grow your influence, and create new possibilities before you need them.Key Takeaways:Why long-term loyalty can sometimes limit career growth3 ways to diversify your s...
2025-08-1419 min
Inside Impella®: Transport TalksInsights from a Specialized Adult Critical Care Transport TeamIn this episode, host Shane Turner gets insight into the world of specialized transport with Lisa Owen, a clinical nurse specialist at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Lisa oversees a unique team dedicated to transporting patients with acute cardiogenic shock and advanced heart failure, requiring sophisticated mechanical support. Lisa shares the rigorous training, teamwork, and communication strategies that equip her team to handle these high-risk transports effectively.You’ll learn about the ongoing education and collaboration with surgeons, intensivists, and device representatives that are crucial for maintaining high standards of patient care. Plus, Lisa offers valuable le...
2025-07-1422 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities58// Does What You Wear As a Nurse = How You Lead? What Your Outfit is Saying Before You SpeakIn this style-meets-leadership episode, we’re talking about what your outfit says before you even introduce yourself. Bonnie is joined by certified image consultant and color specialist, Heather Riggs, who shares expert tips on how RNs, APRNs, and nursing leaders can align their personal style with their professional goals. Whether you're stepping into a boardroom, a Zoom interview, or a networking event—your wardrobe is speaking for you. Let’s make sure it’s saying the right thing.Key Takeaways:Why professional image matters in nursing leadershipWhat to wear (and avoid) in...
2025-07-1036 min
Peak Protocols: An Arena Labs SeriesPerforming Under Pressure in the ICU with Jessica B. WilliamsWhat does it take to not only survive, but lead, in one of the most intense environments in healthcare?In this episode of Peak Protocols, we’re joined by Jessica B. Williams, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN, a Clinical Nurse Specialist in the CVICU with over 17 years of frontline experience. Jess opens up about the physical and emotional toll of ICU medicine, and the turning point that forced her to reevaluate how she prepared for work.From managing life-or-death ECMO scenarios to recovering from the hidden stress that built beneath the surface, Jess shares the internal pr...
2025-06-2629 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities57// The Real Reason Nurses Feel Stuck in Their Careers (+ What to Do First)Feeling stuck in your nursing career—even with years of experience or an advanced degree? You’re not alone. In this episode, Bonnie breaks down the real reasons nurses feel uncertain about what’s next—and introduces a simple tool to help you get clear. Whether you're an RN, APRN, or nurse leader, discover how self-awareness and career reflection can reignite your purpose.Key Takeaways:Common causes of career stagnationThe power of clarity over job searchingHow to use the free Nurse Career Growth RoadmapGot a Career or Work question? Send me a text rig...
2025-06-2618 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities56 // 4 Steps to Determine Your Unique Nursing Career Path (Replay)This podcast was #1 one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025.How do I find my nursing niche? How do I advance my career as a nurse? Have you asked these questions before? There are so many career paths for nurses that we get stuck. It's a good problem and a bad problem to have. It's good because it gives us options. It's bad, because we have so many options that we stay stuck because we don’t kno...
2025-04-2414 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities55// The Ambitious Nurse's Guide to Goal Setting: Actionable Steps for Career Advancement (Replay; What is Professional Ascension?)This podcast was one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025.The blueprint for developing your nursing career is right here. Founded on the principles of Professional Ascension, the Ambitious Nurse Podcast is about helping nurses grow professionally. Professional Ascension provides career coaching and mentoring for nurses with experience. The framework of Professional Ascension is to Discover your Nursing Career Path, Explore your Nursing Career Interests, Set Nursing Career Goals, and Take Action in Your N...
2025-04-1831 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities54// 5 Reasons to Leave Your Nursing Job (Replay)This podcast was one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025.There are red flags that indicate it's time to move on from your current job, but many people stay longer than they should. This episode is to help the nurse consider whether to stay at the bedside or leave.Should they stay in nursing or leave nursing? Should they stay in healthcare or leave? By the end of the episode, you wi...
2025-04-1016 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities53// How to Set Boundaries & Reduce Overwhelm in Your Nursing Job (Replay)This podcast was one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025.Can you imagine finding joy in your nursing career while maintaining financial stability, even during the strenuous summer months? By establishing boundaries, you can achieve greater flexibility and autonomy, focusing on what truly matters professionally and personally.From feeling overwhelmed in your role to finding a job that aligns with your aspirations, we explore how you can gain clarity. I also delve i...
2025-04-0319 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities52// Why You Can't Break Free From Nursing Career Stagnation & How These 5 Actions Can Advance Your Career As An Experienced Nurse (Replay)This podcast was one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025. Are you tired of feeling stuck in your nursing career despite having advanced degrees and qualifications? Join me, Bonnie Meadows, as I reveal essential strategies for overcoming career stagnation and moving into leadership roles. Discover why your resume might hold you back and learn how to align it with job descriptions to get past HR screening systems. I’ll share practical tips to hi...
2025-03-2724 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities51// Don't Overthink It: The Power of Action in Your Nursing Career (Replay)This podcast was one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025. Are you stuck in analysis paralysis, endlessly weighing the "what ifs" of your nursing career? In this episode, Bonnie Meadows, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, shares her own experiences with overcoming perfectionism and fear to take decisive action.Bonnie challenges the "checklist mentality" many nurses adopt, urging you to shift from procedure to strategy. She emphasizes the importance of embracing imperfection, asking the right questions, and gathering data to i...
2025-03-2014 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities50// Beyond the Bedside: How Nurses Can Influence Politics and PolicyWhat a milestone!! This is my 50th episode. I decided to get a little personal and controversial even for me. I pray it blesses you and directs you on your next steps in advocating for your patients, families, and yourself. This episode discusses the current political climate and its effects on nursing. You must advocate for yourself and your patients. I also stress the role of faith and prayer in navigating difficult times, encouraging a focus on spiritual grounding. I urge you to contact your political representatives by phone and email. You must know yo...
2025-03-1313 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities49// Nursing Career Goals: Charting Your Path to Success (Replay)There is a lack of clarity when it comes to nursing career goals. The majority of nurses know what they want to do when they join the nursing profession. However, for some, their thoughts about what they want to do begin to change after they've been in the profession for a while. Exposure to more influences their desire to follow a different path. Often, they don't know what that path will be. It is my goal to make you feel like you can make a difference in your career and have the power to navigate further. Du...
2025-03-0631 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities48// Accelerating Your Nursing Career: Lessons in Leadership from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X (Replay)Join me, as we celebrate Black History Month by exploring how these figures' can invigorate your own approach to leadership in healthcare. This episode is a treasure trove of insights into leading with love, kindness, and assertive strategies when necessary, all aimed at empowering you to make a real difference in advocating for patients.Explore the secrets to amplifying your influence in the nursing field without relying on titles. We delve into the power of community, the importance of exposure and experiences, and why great communication is your ally on this leadership journey. You'll come to...
2025-02-2518 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities47// How to Align Your Nursing Career with Your Goals (Instead of Just a Paycheck) (Replay)This podcast was one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025. This week's episode peels back the layers of why embracing a career mindset in nursing benefits personal growth and improves the nursing profession. We also discuss the impact of a career-focused approach on workplace morale and patient care. Actionable advice is provided for those currently stuck in a job-focused mindset and who want to change to a career-focused mindset. We explore how to evolve our rol...
2025-02-1328 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities46 // Do I Really Need a Master’s Degree to Grow My Nursing Career? (Replay)This podcast was one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025. Ever wondered how an advanced degree could help your nursing career? With 17.4% of registered nurses holding a master’s degree, Bonnie explores the transformative benefits of higher education in nursing. She breaks down the advantages, from enhanced job opportunities to flexible work schedules, and shares personal anecdotes on how further education broadened her perspective, reinforcing the vital role of nurses in healthcare. Whether you're contemplating further education or s...
2025-02-0618 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job OpportunitiesEp. 45// The Power of Perseverance: Unlocking the Next Step in Your Nursing Career [Replay]This podcast was one of the top 10 podcast episodes of 2024. I am bringing it back as a replay for your enjoyment as I work on new episodes for 2025. In this week’s episode, Bonnie Meadows encourages nurses who feel stuck, uncertain, or overwhelmed in their career journey. She reminds us to press forward, stay committed to our goals, and believe in the right path. Drawing from her personal experience and passion for helping nurses, Bonnie reflects on the importance of pursuing clarity and fulfillment in your nursing career, even if the journey feels unconventional....
2025-01-3106 min
MEDSURG Nursing Journal Podcast Series018. Nurse Innovation - A Path of Perseverance, Grit, and CreativityIn this episode, MEDSURG Nursing Journal Editorial Board Member Dr. Barbara Potts talks with Karen Meade, an Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist at the James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. They discuss the creation and development of a product—urinary drainage bags designed to be positioned below the bladder—to address a gap in patient care. Their conversation explores the entire innovation process, from generating the initial idea to creating the device and bringing the product to life.Karen Meade, MS, APRN-CNS, AGCNS-BC, OCN, is an Oncology Clinical Nurs...
2025-01-1619 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities44// Why Every RN and APRN Should Start Their Day with GratitudeIn this episode, we explore how gratitude can be a powerful tool to shift your mindset, enhance resilience, and bring joy to your nursing career—even in the face of challenges. As we enter the holiday season, it's important to reflect on what we’re thankful for and practice gratitude daily. Drawing inspiration from renowned thought leaders like Mel Robbins and Gretchen Rubin, we’ll unpack the science of gratitude and how it rewires the brain to combat stress, improve mood, and reduce burnout.Join me as I share practical strategies for incorporating gratitude into your workday, the co...
2024-12-1028 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities43// All Work and No Play? How to Rest, Reset, and Recharge Before 2025 for Experienced NursesThe end of the year is here, and it’s time to shift gears. As ambitious nurses, we often feel the pressure to go hard year-round, but recovery and rest are vital for long-term success and well-being. In this episode, I’m sharing how I plan to wind down the year with intention, balance work and play, and set the foundation for a purposeful 2025.I’ll reflect on my experiences from 20 years of nursing, from slower patient volumes during the holidays to setting boundaries for recovery. You’ll hear how I create space for relaxation, creativity, and goal-set...
2024-11-2316 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities42// Don't Overthink It: The Power of Action in Advancing Your Nursing CareerAre you stuck in analysis paralysis, endlessly weighing the "what ifs" of your nursing career? In this episode, Bonnie Meadows, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, shares her own experiences with overcoming perfectionism and fear to take decisive action.Bonnie challenges the "checklist mentality" many nurses adopt, urging you to shift from procedure to strategy. She emphasizes the importance of embracing imperfection, asking the right questions, and gathering data to inform your decisions. It's time to stop overthinking and start taking strategic steps toward the career you deserve.
2024-11-1414 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job OpportunitiesWhat's Nurse Career Clarity All About?? + A Bonus Ending SoonSupport the showReady to elevate your nursing career? Join me for a **1:1 Nurse Career Clarity Coaching Call**—a one-hour session where we’ll explore your current path and create powerful, strategic steps to bring clarity and direction to your next moves. Imagine applying for roles that truly match your skills and passions, walking into interviews with total confidence, and taking purposeful steps aligned with your goals. In this call, we’ll define your career vision and outline each step you need to reach it. **Plus, here’s a specia...
2024-10-2604 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities41 // Want to Stand Out? Tailor Your Nursing Resume Like a ProIn this episode, we delve into essential resume tips specifically tailored for nurses looking to advance their careers. Whether you’re pursuing a graduate degree or seeking new opportunities in healthcare, a well-crafted resume is crucial for standing out in a competitive job market. Join Bonnie Meadows as she shares actionable insights on tailoring your resume, highlighting your qualifications, and showcasing your accomplishments effectively.**Key Takeaways:**1. Tailor Your Resume for Each Job: Learn the importance of customizing your resume for each job application. We'll discuss how to refine your baseline document, ensuring it stays withi...
2024-10-2519 minThe Ambitious Nurse | RN, Nursing Career, Nursing Job Opportunities40 // Resume vs. CV: Which One Will Land You the Nursing Job Interview?In this episode, Bonnie Meadows dives deep into the essential tools you need to stand out as an experienced nurse in today's competitive job market: resumes, CVs, and portfolios. Whether pursuing a graduate degree, transitioning into an advanced practice role, or aiming for leadership, understanding how to leverage these documents can make all the difference in your career progression. Bonnie shares high-level resume tips, explains the differences between these documents, and offers practical advice to help you confidently make your next move.Got a Career or Work question? Send me a text right he...
2024-10-1618 min