A Nurse First
74 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsA Nurse First is a podcast about firsts—stories from nurses who have been there, done that, and have lived to tell the tale, so to speak. It explores the world of nursing from all sorts of unexpected angles, sweeping you along in stories and giving you pause to think, “What would I do if it were me?”
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Episodes
Create space
April 17, 2024 04:00 - 9 minutes - 6.89 MBFrom creating a groundbreaking peer mentoring program to navigating leadership roles with strategic focus, Benita Chatmon's story is a testament to the power of mentorship in achieving long-term goals. By prioritizing her time and commitments based on her professional goals and understanding the importance of saying "yes" to opportunities that align with her objectives, Benita exemplifies the value of mentorship in guiding career decisions and achieving long-term success. Connect with Sigma...
A hunch
March 27, 2024 04:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBJyu-Lin Chen began her nursing career with a passion for working with children, which led her to a pediatric ICU. Her curiosity and commitment to evidence-based practice shifted her focus to researching obesity trends among Chinese American immigrant children. Despite initial skepticism, she pursued her inquiry based on clinical observations and a need for data. Her pioneering research earned her induction into Sigma's 2023 International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame. Connect with Sigma: T...
Footmark
February 29, 2024 18:00 - 17 minutes - 12.2 MBOut of 800 applicants, Jitana Benton-Lee was one of 30 selected to participate in a digital innovation boot camp, a collaboration between the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and Apple. The proposal? A visionary app to track nursing students' core competencies, moving away from archaic paper methods to a dynamic, digital solution. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
The wind phone
February 09, 2024 19:00 - 17 minutes - 11.8 MBAllison Young’s diverse background in East Asian studies, the role she played translating Japanese news bulletins after the 2011 tsunami, and her doctoral study in thanatology unexpectedly converged when she discovered an article online about a gardener in Otsuchi, Japan, and an old British phone booth. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
10 years
January 24, 2024 05:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MBHiginio Fernández-Sánchez's story begins in Tyler, Texas, where he migrated with his family from Mexico at a young age. Determined to pursue his dream of becoming a nurse despite being undocumented, Higinio made the difficult decision to return to Mexico, only to face a 10-year ban from re-entering the U.S. after being denied a study permit. His time there turned out to be a blessing in disguise though, as he embraced his culture, became fluent in Spanish, and discovered a passion for resear...
BONUS EPISODE | A career grounded in service
December 14, 2023 20:00 - 22 minutes - 15.3 MBIn this bonus episode of A Nurse First, Sigma president Sandra C. Garmon Bibb shares her incredible career journey and the many firsts she has experienced along the way. From making tremendous decisions to facing challenges head-on, Sandra's story is one of inspiration. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Helper of mankind
November 15, 2023 16:00 - 16 minutes - 11.7 MBSigma's new president Sandra C. Garmon Bibb always knew she wanted to be a nurse. Finding out at a young age that her name meant "helper of mankind" solidified the decision for her. Little did she know then though how full circle it would all come as she put pen to paper to develop Sigma’s 2023-2025 organizational call to action. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Living your truth
October 25, 2023 04:00 - 11 minutes - 8.1 MBKatie Foster believes authenticity in healthcare goes beyond personal identity; it is about embodying professionalism, empathy, and dedication to patient well-being. When she reconnected with a patient who didn't recognize her after her transition, Katie was fervently hopeful that her belief would manifest in reality. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Out of determination
October 04, 2023 04:00 - 15 minutes - 11 MBFacing challenges and limited funding, Jerry John Nutor's determination and passion for improving healthcare led him to create the Africa Interdisciplinary Health Conference—a platform for healthcare professionals to come together, share ideas, and address the complex health problems facing his continent. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
The missing element
September 13, 2023 04:00 - 14 minutes - 10.1 MBIn nursing, it's not just about being clinically smart, but also emotionally intelligent. The COVID-19 pandemic robbed countless nursing students of their clinical experience—and as an NCLEX tutor, Laura Habighorst has seen the impact on her students’ test scores. With the human element being the difference in exceptional patient care, she’s reworked her tutoring plans to add in the valuable lessons she’s learned both as a nurse and as a patient to help combat this missing piece. Connect wi...
Standing in the gap
August 23, 2023 04:00 - 18 minutes - 12.8 MBTo address the mental health crisis head-on, Greg Jones opened the first mental health peer respite center in the Pacific Northwest. His theory is this: If as nurses we have the opportunity to make a difference, we are obliged to because nursing is not just a profession. It’s a calling to advocate for those in need and be a beacon of healing and justice. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Built from the ground up
August 02, 2023 04:00 - 13 minutes - 9.07 MBAnthony Silva dropped out of high school to help his mother pay bills and worked various jobs, including being a medical assistant, before finding a mentor in Dr. Richard de Asla, a foot and ankle surgeon. He offered Anthony a full-time job—and changed his life. Driven by his mentor's encouragement, Anthony became the first registered orthopedic technician in his healthcare system and is now training and inspiring others to do the same. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Foll...
Third season
June 01, 2023 13:00 - 53 seconds - 659 KBCatch up on seasons 1 and 2 while we take a break to work on season 3. See you back here in August 2023! Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Symphony of self-care
May 10, 2023 04:00 - 18 minutes - 13 MBDuring the pandemic, Terri Ann Parnell pivoted her career to launch TAP Wellness Coaching, a program designed to specifically address the unique challenges nurses face in taking care of themselves. With the goal of helping nurses create long-lasting healthy habits, Terri's program focuses not on finding work-life balance but on building resilience and instead, achieving work-life harmony. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Sh...
The sendoff
April 26, 2023 04:00 - 9 minutes - 6.61 MBAdmittedly, Imelda Reyes' path to nursing followed a non-traditional route, joining the Navy and starting in healthcare finance. Now a nurse practitioner and faculty member at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, it was also rather unconventional for her to volunteer as a graduation marshal just a few months after starting her new role. Following the "norm" wasn't what was important. Being there for her students—being part of something bigger—that's what Imelda cares about. Connect with Sig...
Cannabis care
April 12, 2023 04:00 - 13 minutes - 9.42 MBLinda Casale spent 25+ years as a psychiatric mental health nurse serving the Veteran's Association. She witnessed the struggles veterans faced, especially once the VA recognized the additive effects of opioids and benzodiazepines and aggressively worked to reduce their use. Despite her understanding, Linda felt like it left her toolbox empty. Though retirement was in sight, she kept hearing about the many benefits of medical cannabis from her patients, and she decided to embark on a new mis...
Undergraduate, no more
March 29, 2023 04:00 - 12 minutes - 8.5 MBThroughout her life, Mar'yana Fisher has turned to poetry to express her feelings creatively and fearlessly. Before leaving Ukraine and immigrating to Canada, she even published a short collection. Her muse struck again when she started graduate school in Canada after immigrating from Ukraine. Poetry helped Mar’yana process her fear and anxiety during this time and became a powerful tool for self-expression and advocacy in her nursing career. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing ...
Dream with the stars
March 15, 2023 04:00 - 18 minutes - 12.4 MBDaniel Suárez-Baquero is the person he is today because of his abuela. She inspired his dream to work in women's health, and modeling her courage, he became the first male nurse in birth and labor rooms in Colombia. Now his research focuses on reproductive justice in order to pay tribute and give back to the many women who built him. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Small keys
February 28, 2023 19:00 - 12 minutes - 8.56 MBCora O'Leary's research study on the challenges faced by nurses caring solo for children with complex healthcare needs led to recommendations for improvements in support and governance. With her study's findings in hand and national policy changes on the horizon, she crafted a new nursing role for herself as Ireland's first Clinical Practice Specialist. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Grow roots
February 15, 2023 05:00 - 12 minutes - 8.45 MBThough still very much a new member of Gamma Tau at-Large Chapter, Trish Eusala went all in, volunteering to lead as the chapter's Community Outreach Chair. The outcome? New connections, invaluable experiences, and unshakeable friendships across the nursing continuum. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Own it
February 01, 2023 05:00 - 19 minutes - 13.7 MBWhen Aron King shares that he is an assistant nurse manager, he knows questions are coming. Only 7% of nurses are Black and male so he gets, "How did you get into nursing?" a lot. Most don't mean it to be a microaggression, but regardless, it is. Through his research and community involvement, he's out to change the mold society has formed for healthcare workers. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First stor...
Second season
November 30, 2022 05:00 - 57 seconds - 712 KBWe hope you've enjoyed the past 10 episodes! We'll be back with more in February 2023. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
At a crossroads
November 16, 2022 05:00 - 14 minutes - 9.77 MBMelissa Sherman knew that helping her best friend with her end-of-life care would change her. She expected grief, in all its forms, but what she didn't see coming was an opportunity to change life and death for others. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Community kindness
November 02, 2022 04:00 - 13 minutes - 9.3 MBFacing down a certification exam day, Shanan Thode wrestled with self-doubt, fear, and dread. Needing some words of encouragement, she posted on The Circle, Sigma’s professional networking platform. Her anxiety told her no one would respond, but Sigma members showed up to prove her thoughts wrong. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Finding home
October 19, 2022 04:00 - 12 minutes - 8.86 MBLosing both her parents at age 7 left Kathleen Eviza facing an uncertain future with her five siblings. Knowing her strong will and determination would take her to the places she dreamed of, she prioritized her education and career as a means to support her family, but as an adventurer at heart, she grew to realize she'd eventually have to leave them to find a new sense of home. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A ...
A founding friend
October 04, 2022 04:00 - 7 minutes - 4.87 MBOn this special Founders Day episode, a chance encounter at a biennial convention leads to an unexpectedly deep friendship between Nancy Thompson and one of the women who gave life to Sigma 100 years ago. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Mile Marker 87
September 21, 2022 04:00 - 17 minutes - 12.1 MBIt should have been a normal trip home up the 15 from the veteran hospital in Las Vegas. Maria VanHart was in vacation mode, excited to road trip to Indiana to see family. But a nurse is never really "off duty," and the scene along the highway brought the emergency room to her. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Only one
September 07, 2022 04:00 - 23 minutes - 16.2 MBFirst nursing class: only four Black students. Entire nursing school: only one Black professor. Jamil Norman had big dreams, but they started to feel out of reach without someone who looked like her to model the way. Now an educator herself, she's determined to move past diversity, equity, and inclusion conversations straight toward action. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Opened doors
August 24, 2022 04:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MBGrowing up in the Philippines, Paul Biluan’s family was tight, religious, and in Paul’s words, dysfunctional. Despite wishing otherwise, his parents decided nursing school was his ticket to the United States, and he couldn’t argue with this plan to escape the abuse, live freely as a gay man, and pursue his ultimate dream—a DNP. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Flood gates
August 10, 2022 04:00 - 18 minutes - 12.5 MBAriella Teater thought she’d buried herself far enough under her grief until a phone call with her dad opened the door to the painful memories of patients she had loved and lost. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Narrow perceptions
July 27, 2022 04:00 - 11 minutes - 7.99 MBShe thought her colleagues would be supportive as she neared the end of her master's program. Instead, Amanda Shilo was blindsided with questions like, "Why don't you just go to medical school?" and "You clearly don't want to be a nurse. Why are you here?" Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Vulnerable place
July 13, 2022 04:00 - 13 minutes - 9.01 MBWhen chest pain interrupts her vacation, former emergency room nurse Diane Sieg finds herself in an ER bed rather than beside it. She's scared, and she's anxious—but from this experience comes an invaluable validation about compassion. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
A new direction
June 27, 2022 13:00 - 1 minute - 1.21 MBYou may have noticed our podcast has taken a bit of a hiatus the past year. Taking this break gave us an opportunity to look at the podcast world with fresh eyes and make way for—surprise—a new start! We hope you'll come along with us. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Episode 18 | Using Social Media for Scholarship
March 24, 2021 15:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBIn this episode we discuss how Kimberly Acquaviva, PhD, MSW, CWE, uses social media to bring together a large interdisciplinary research team to answer a compelling research question.
SigmaCast Episode 18 | Using Social Media for Scholarship
March 24, 2021 15:00 - 31 minutes - 21.5 MBIn this episode we discuss how Kimberly Acquaviva, PhD, MSW, CWE, uses social media to bring together a large interdisciplinary research team to answer a compelling research question. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Episode 17 | Research from Around the World: Improving Healthcare in Partnership with Children and Families
January 13, 2021 14:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBIn this episode, we discuss the body of nursing research with Linda S. Franck, PhD, RN, FRCPCH, FAAN, a Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame inductee (July 2020), Jack and Elaine Koehn Endowed Chair in pediatric nursing, and professor in the Department of Family Health Care Nursing at the University of California San Francisco.
SigmaCast Episode 17 | Research from Around the World: Improving Healthcare in Partnership with Children and Families
January 13, 2021 14:00 - 21 minutes - 14.5 MBIn this episode, we discuss the body of nursing research with Linda S. Franck, PhD, RN, FRCPCH, FAAN, a Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame inductee (July 2020), Jack and Elaine Koehn Endowed Chair in pediatric nursing, and professor in the Department of Family Health Care Nursing at the University of California San Francisco. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
SigmaCast Episode 16 | Research from Around the World: Substance Use Disorder in the US
December 17, 2020 17:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBIn this episode we discuss the body of nursing research with Peggy Compton, PhD, RN, FAAN, a Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame inductee (July 2020) and associate professor and van Ameringen Endowed Chair at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Episode 16 | Research from Around the World: Substance Use Disorder in the US
December 17, 2020 17:00 - 19 minutes - 13.2 MBIn this episode we discuss the body of nursing research with Peggy Compton, PhD, RN, FAAN, a Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame inductee (July 2020) and associate professor and van Ameringen Endowed Chair at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.
SigmaCast Episode 15 | Research from Around the World: HIV/AIDS in Africa and the US
December 14, 2020 16:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBIn this episode we discuss the body of nursing research from Jason E. Farley, PhD, MPH, ANP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, AACRN, a Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame Inductee (July 2020) and a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Episode 15 | Research from Around the World: HIV/AIDS in Africa and the US
December 14, 2020 16:00 - 20 minutes - 14.1 MBIn this episode we discuss the body of nursing research from Jason E. Farley, PhD, MPH, ANP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, AACRN, a Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame Inductee (July 2020) and a professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.
SigmaCast Episode 14 | Research from Around the World: Immigrant Health between Africa and Canada
November 23, 2020 16:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBIn this episode we discuss the research of Dr. Bukola (Oladunni) Salami, Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame inductee (July 2020) and associate professor at the University of Alberta. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Episode 14 | Research from Around the World: Immigrant Health between Africa and Canada
November 23, 2020 16:00 - 22 minutes - 15.4 MBIn this episode we discuss the research of Dr. Bukola (Oladunni) Salami, Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame inductee (July 2020) and associate professor at the University of Alberta.
SigmaCast Episode 13 | Research from Around the World: Nursing Informatics and Digital Health Transforming Healthcare
November 18, 2020 14:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBIn this episode we discuss the body of nursing research with Connie White Delaney, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, FNAP, a Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame inductee (July 2020) and professor and dean at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Episode 13 | Research from Around the World: Nursing Informatics and Digital Health Transforming Healthcare
November 18, 2020 14:00 - 24 minutes - 17 MBIn this episode we discuss the body of nursing research with Connie White Delaney, PhD, RN, FAAN, FACMI, FNAP, a Sigma International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame inductee (July 2020) and professor and dean at the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.
SigmaCast Episode 12 | Managing in a Stressful Profession
August 05, 2020 14:00 - 12 minutes - 8.78 MBIn this episode of SigmaCast we discuss research related to the Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing article “Evaluating the outcomes of a Web‐Based Stress Management Program for Nurses and Nursing Assistants.” Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Episode 12 | Managing in a Stressful Profession
August 05, 2020 14:00 - 12 minutes - 8.79 MBIn this episode of SigmaCast we discuss research related to the Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing article “Evaluating the outcomes of a Web‐Based Stress Management Program for Nurses and Nursing Assistants.”
SigmaCast Episode 11 | Nurse Suicide & Prevention
July 29, 2020 12:00 - 37 minutes - 25.9 MBThis episode discusses research related to the Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing articles “A Longitudinal Analysis of Nurse Suicide in the United States (2005–2016) With Recommendations for Action” and “Sustainability and Outcomes of a Suicide Prevention Program for Nurses.” Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
SigmaCast Episode 11 | Nurse Suicide & Prevention
July 29, 2020 12:00 - 37 minutes - 25.9 MBThis episode discusses research related to the Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing articles “A Longitudinal Analysis of Nurse Suicide in the United States (2005–2016) With Recommendations for Action” and “Sustainability and Outcomes of a Suicide Prevention Program for Nurses.” Connect with Sigma: Tweet us at @SigmaNursing Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn Share your A Nurse First story
Episode 11 | Nurse Suicide & Prevention
July 29, 2020 12:00 - 37 minutes - 25.9 MBThis episode discusses research related to the Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing articles “A Longitudinal Analysis of Nurse Suicide in the United States (2005–2016) With Recommendations for Action” and “Sustainability and Outcomes of a Suicide Prevention Program for Nurses.”