Confidence, Compassion, and Chaos: The Truth About Nursing School

From Bedside to Breakthroughs: Dr. Ann Cashion on Nursing Science

In this episode of Voices from the Nursing Frontline, Ann Cashion joins host Lisa Beasley for an in-depth conversation about the evolving role of nurse scientists in healthcare, research, and national policy. Dr. Cashion reflects on her career journey from ICU nursing to becoming a nationally recognized leader in nursing research, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and persistence in building a successful scientific career. The discussion explores how nurses uniquely contribute to symptom science, genomics, precision health, and patient-centered outcomes. Dr. Cashion highlights the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork and encourages nurses to recognize the immense value they bring to scientific and clinical conversations. She also addresses current challenges in nursing research funding, health equity, leadership development, and the need for more nurses to pursue roles in policy and national leadership. Throughout the episode, Dr. Cashion emphasizes that nursing science is ultimately about improving patient outcomes and mentoring the next generation of nurse leaders and researchers.

Beyond the Research: Community Engaged Nursing Research in Action with Stephanie Hart

In this episode of Voices from the Nursing Frontline, host Dr. Lisa Beasley welcomes Dr. Stephanie Hart, a community-engaged researcher and nurse practitioner at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Hart discusses how her interdisciplinary background in exercise science, psychology, public health, and nursing has shaped her approach to addressing complex health challenges, particularly cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and stroke prevention. Drawing from both professional and personal experiences, Dr. Hart shares how her work in public health and clinical practice revealed the powerful impact of social, environmental, and structural factors on health outcomes. She emphasizes that improving health requires more than clinical interventions alone and highlights the importance of understanding the lived experiences of patients and communities. The conversation explores the value of community-engaged research, particularly in rural and underserved populations. Dr. Hart discusses successful initiatives that brought together community members, schools, local organizations, and public health professionals to improve access to healthy foods, promote physical activity, and strengthen community connections. She explains how qualitative and participatory research methods help uncover insights that traditional data alone may miss. Dr. Hart also reflects on the challenges and rewards of building long-term partnerships with communities, stressing the importance of trust, collaboration, and recognizing the expertise that comes from lived experience. Looking ahead, she shares her excitement about the growing role of nurse scientists in population health research and the continued development of community-engaged research practices that promote health equity. This episode offers valuable insights for nurses, researchers, and healthcare professionals interested in addressing health disparities, advancing cardiovascular health, and partnering with communities to create meaningful and lasting change.

Shaping the Future of Nursing: Education, Practice, and Professional Service

In this episode of Voices from the Nursing Frontline, host Dr. Lisa Beasley is joined by Dr. Kimberly Kennell and Dr. Shelley Miller, faculty at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Together, they explore the intersection of nursing education, clinical readiness, and service to the profession. The conversation highlights how nurse educators prepare students to move beyond task-based learning into clinical judgment and critical thinking, emphasizing patient safety, communication, and real-world application. The guests also discuss the importance of family-centered care, the role of simulation in building confidence, and strategies for supporting students through the transition into practice. Additionally, the episode underscores the value of professional involvement, encouraging nurses at all stages to engage in organizations that shape policy, strengthen advocacy, and build leadership skills. Through personal experiences, Drs. Kennell and Miller illustrate how service, mentorship, and networking can profoundly impact both individual careers and the future of the nursing profession.

Prevention Starts Early: Nursing’s Role in Changing Lifelong Health Outcomes with Chris Owen

In this episode of Voices From the Nursing Frontline, host Dr. Lisa Beasley speaks with Chris Owen, MS, ACNP, a nurse practitioner whose 34-year nursing career spans trauma and ICU care, vascular surgery, education design, prevention science, and legislative advocacy. Chris shares her professional journey from associate-degree nurse in a Level I trauma center to surgical ICU nurse, vascular nurse practitioner, and ultimately Director of Innovative Design and Simulation in the Education Division at the American College of Cardiology. In her current role, she helps shape education for more than 60,000 cardiovascular professionals across in-person, online, and simulation-based platforms—while continuing to practice clinically. The conversation explores the power of prevention across the lifespan, from child passenger safety and injury prevention to vascular disease, hypertension, and cardiovascular risk reduction. Chris emphasizes that atherosclerosis and chronic disease develop over decades, making early education, lifestyle changes, and community-level interventions critical to improving long-term outcomes. Dr. Beasley and Chris also discuss gaps in clinician education—particularly where nursing and advanced practice provider workflows differ from physician-centered models—and the importance of practical, bedside-relevant education that supports transitions of care from hospital to clinic and back again. The episode concludes with a powerful discussion on nursing advocacy. Chris reflects on her experience working with legislators, including helping write Maryland’s booster seat legislation, and encourages nurses to recognize their influence beyond direct patient care. Her message is clear: curiosity, courage, and persistence can open doors nurses may never have imagined—and those doors can lead to meaningful change for patients, families, and communities.

Confidence, Compassion, and Chaos: The Truth About Nursing School

This week, Dr. Lisa Beasley talks with three nursing students from UTHSC who open up about why they chose nursing, what their days really look like, and the moments that changed how they see patient care. From accelerated vs. traditional tracks to clinical surprises, emotional resilience, and the skills that humbled them — this conversation is honest, encouraging, and full of heart.