Nursing Now Podcast

Patient Advocacy

Discover how Lori Schellenberg turned her retirement into a second career as a patient advocate, proving it's never too late to pivot and find your purpose. In this Nursing Now podcast episode, Laurie shares her inspiring journey from retired nurse to entrepreneur, creating a thriving career that supports patients and empowers nurses to explore new opportunities beyond the bedside. 🔹 Highlights from this episode: - Transitioning nurse to independent patient advocate - Insights into patient advocacy and how it differs from traditional case management - Tips for navigating career changes and starting your own business Lori is reinventing what it means to be a retired nurse! 🔗 Follow Us for More: * LinkedIn: Janelle McSwiggin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-mcswiggin] * Instagram: @Nursing.now_ * TikTok: Nursing_now * Website: willowbarkwriting.com [https://willowbarkwriting.com/] * Youtube: www.youtube.com/@nursing_now [http://www.youtube.com/@nursing_now] Lori’s story shows how seizing opportunities can reshape a career. Her journey began at the bedside, but curiosity led her to a home health role, where she enjoyed new freedom. When a manufacturing plant offered her a temporary role as an occupational health nurse, Lori hesitated—then took the leap. That decision opened doors she never imagined, giving her experience in worker’s compensation, OSHA regulations, and health program development. As Lori moved from one role to another, she discovered how transferable her nursing skills were. She brought clinical insight into business roles, mentoring new case managers, marketing programs, and helping companies grow. Every pivot added new layers to her career, teaching her that uncertainty wasn’t a barrier—it was a chance to evolve. Building partnerships became essential. When an orthopedic surgeon needed help managing worker’s compensation cases, Lori guided him and even helped him launch an Independent Medical Exam business. These collaborations showed her that no journey is taken alone; shared goals and trust fuel success. Later, retirement seemed like the next chapter, but it left Lori searching for purpose. A friend’s suggestion to explore patient advocacy reignited her passion. Lori immersed herself in learning, joining professional groups and building a vision: she could use her expertise not just to help patients but to mentor nurses looking to pivot away from the bedside. Launching Stepping Stone Advocacy Services [www.steppingstoneadvocacy.com] became her way of giving back. Through her advocacy, Lori supports patients navigating the healthcare system while mentoring nurses seeking new paths. Her story—marked by resilience, collaboration, and constant reinvention—proves it’s never too late to embrace change and take control of your career. 🔗 Follow Lori for More: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-mcswigginhttps://www.facebook.com/lori.schellenberg * Facebook: http://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-schellenberg-a2b29118b * Instagram: @lorischellenberg27 * Website: https://willowbarkwriting.com/www.steppingstoneadvocacy.com [http://www.steppingstoneadvocacy.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Legal Nurse Consulting

Curious about becoming a Legal Nurse Consultant (LNC)? 📋 In this episode, Janelle McSwiggin chats with Danielle Delgado about her inspiring journey from bedside nursing to thriving as an LNC. Highlights: - Transitioning from bedside nursing to legal nurse consulting - Key skills for success - Balancing bedside shifts with consulting work - Tools for managing thousands of pages of medical records - Tips to get started, including free resources and practice cases Danielle shares her insight as a successful, but newer LNC on the scene. Her tips 🔗 Follow Us for More: * LinkedIn: Janelle McSwiggin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-mcswiggin] * Instagram: @Nursing.now_ * TikTok: Nursing_now * Website: willowbarkwriting.com [https://willowbarkwriting.com/] * Youtube: www.youtube.com/@nursing_now [http://www.youtube.com/@nursing_now] Danielle Delgado is a San Diego-based Legal Nurse Consultant and the founder of Medical Legal Integration, LLC. With a Master’s degree in Health Care Administration and years of clinical experience in critical care and risk management, Danielle blends her advanced education with her nursing expertise to assist attorneys in tackling complex medical cases. From analyzing intricate medical records to attending Defense Medical Exams, Danielle is dedicated to bridging the gap between law and medicine. When she’s not immersed in her consulting work, she enjoys exploring sunny San Diego and spending quality time with her dog, Finn. 🔗 Follow Danielle for More: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-mcswigginhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/leadinglegalnurse/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadinglegalnurse/] * Instagram: @leadinglegalnurse * Website: https://willowbarkwriting.com/http://www.leadinglegalnurse.com [http://www.leadinglegalnurse.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Nurses Writing Books

Tenley Force, BSN, RN shares her journey from bedside nursing to becoming a successful author, offering insights tailored for new nurses and aspiring writers alike. She was inspired by her experience as a novice nurse on the floor. She seeks to support other novice nurses through her book, New: Nursing and the Art of Being Human. Tenley talked about: * Writing a self-help book for new nurses * Insights from 50 nurses across the U.S. * Exploring the importance of storytelling in nursing * Transitioning from bedside nurse to published author * Overcoming imposter syndrome and finding your community * Understanding publishing routes: independent, indie, and traditional She went deep into the publishing process and talked about her experience in the industry. Tenley is a passionate, driven nurse making her own waves in the industry. 🔗 Follow Us for More: * LinkedIn: Janelle McSwiggin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-mcswiggin] * Instagram: @Nursing.now_ * TikTok: Nursing_now * Website: willowbarkwriting.com [https://willowbarkwriting.com/] * Youtube: www.youtube.com/@nursing_now [http://www.youtube.com/@nursing_now] Tenley is a registered nurse from Southern California. Her nursing background includes med-surg respiratory, disaster response, public health, and nursing education. She is a current fellow at Duke Divinity School in the Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative. Tenley is a published author specializing in self-help for new nurses. Her book New: Nursing and the Art of Being Human debuted in 2023. It is her passion to equip nurses with tools to maintain their holistic sense of wellbeing in the midst of such a demanding profession. 🔗 Connect with Tenley on: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-mcswiggin@tenleyforce * Instagram: @tenleyforce * facebook: @tenleyforce * Threads @tenleyforce * Website: https://willowbarkwriting.com/tenleyforce.com [http://tenleyforce.com] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Pediatric Sleep Consultant

Janelle McSwiggin was excited to chat with Lacy Hess, RN about her fulfilling role as a certified pediatric sleep consultant! In this inspiring episode, Lacey shares her journey from bedside nursing to helping exhausted parents reclaim their nights and improve their children's sleep. Highlights from the episode: - Transitioning from nurse to sleep consultant   - Overcoming challenges like marketing and business building   - Balancing a nursing career with entrepreneurial goals   - Tips for success in pediatric sleep consulting and beyond   Lacy reminds us that nurses are dynamic in how we can support our patients! 🔗 Follow Us for More: * LinkedIn: Janelle McSwiggin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-mcswiggin] * Instagram: @Nursing.now_ * TikTok: Nursing_now * Website: willowbarkwriting.com [https://willowbarkwriting.com/] * Youtube: www.youtube.com/@nursing_now [http://www.youtube.com/@nursing_now] Lacy Hess has been a registered nurse for 14 years, with most of her bedside experience in the Emergency Room and the past eight years as a Stroke Coordinator at a Comprehensive Stroke Center. After earning her Master’s in Nursing Education in 2019 and welcoming two children, she sought a new challenge that combined her love for teaching with her passion for helping families. That journey led her to pediatric sleep consulting. Through Lacy’s Lullabies [www.lacyslullabies.com], she guides parents through their children’s sleep challenges, offering tailored strategies to foster sleep independence and bring sleep back to their homes. She believes sleep deprivation doesn’t have to be an inevitable part of parenthood. By empowering parents with the right tools, she helps families thrive together. 🔗 Follow Us for More: * LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-mcswigginwww.linkedin.com/in/lacyslullabies [http://www.linkedin.com/in/lacyslullabies] * Instagram: www.instagram.com/lacyslullabies [http://www.instagram.com/lacyslullabies] * facebook: www.facebook.com/lacyslullabies [http://www.facebook.com/lacyslullabies] * Website: https://willowbarkwriting.com/www.lacyslullabies.com [http://www.lacyslullabies.com] * Youtube: www.youtube.com/@LacysLullabies [http://www.youtube.com/@LacysLullabies] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Case Management

Join Janelle McSwiggin, MS, RN and Chelsea Strawn, RN, CCM as she reveals the ins and outs of Case Management. Chelsea reviews the minimum requirements to enter the field, what her days look like, and how to get started in case management, even if you don’t meet all the typical requirements. Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode: - The day-to-day responsibilities of case managers in workers' compensation. - A breakdown of field vs. telephonic case management - Key personality traits that make a great case manager. - The subspecialties within workers’ comp - The role of networking and mentorship Chelsea was gracious with her time and went into detail about how to break into this tight-knit industry. 🔗 Follow Us for More: * LinkedIn: Janelle McSwiggin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-mcswiggin] * Instagram: @Nursing.now_ * TikTok: Nursing_now * Website: willowbarkwriting.com [https://willowbarkwriting.com/] * Youtube: www.youtube.com/@nursing_now [http://www.youtube.com/@nursing_now] Chelsea Strawn is the AVP of Case Management, a Certified Case Manager, and a Registered Nurse with a background in orthopedics. With a deep passion for improving the workers' compensation industry, Chelsea leads teams that provide exceptional care for injured workers. Chelsea is also the Founder of Christians In Comp, a LinkedIn group that connects Christian professionals within the workers' compensation community, offering support through networking, prayer groups, and remote studies. She is a firm believer in the power of faith and collaboration in the workplace. In addition, Chelsea founded LightHouse Comp Consulting, a firm dedicated to enhancing the efficiency of workers' compensation management for healthcare providers. LightHouse offers a range of services from social media management to educational support, helping providers streamline processes and deliver top-tier care to injured workers. Chelsea is also the founder of LightHouse Career Services where where she helps workers' compensation professionals and newcomers advance their careers, providing coaching and guidance to navigate their growth within the industry. As a military spouse, Chelsea brings a unique perspective on resilience, adaptability, and service, principles that shape both her professional and personal life. She’s passionate about driving positive change in the workers' compensation industry, uplifting others through faith, and fostering strong communities. Join Chelsea as she discusses the intersection of faith, leadership, and innovation in the workers' compensation field. Connect with Chelsea on LinkedIn on her personal [www.linkedin.com/in/chelseastrawn] and company [https://www.linkedin.com/company/lighthouse-comp-consulting-llc] page. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.