New Jersey Nursing Insights

36 | Public Health Nursing – Care Beyond the Hospital Walls

Public health nurses are often the invisible backbone of community care – meeting patients where they are, breaking down barriers, and preventing serious health issues before they escalate. In this episode, we speak with Jan Stralkus and Loletha Johnson about what public health nursing really looks like on the ground. From home visits in rural South Jersey to statewide cancer programs, they share powerful stories about access to care, patient trust, and the life-changing impact of education and connection. We also explore the challenges public health nurses face, the importance of partnerships, and why this field is more critical than ever as healthcare increasingly moves into the home.   Key Takeaways * Public health nursing happens outside traditional clinical settings – in homes, communities, and local environments * Access to care remains one of the biggest challenges, especially in rural areas * Building trust and relationships with patients can lead to life-saving outcomes * Education and navigation support are just as important as clinical skills * Strong partnerships across sectors are essential to improving population health * Public health nursing offers diverse and growing career opportunities   Relevant Links * New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN): https://www.njccn.org [https://www.njccn.org/] * The State of New Jersey, Civil Service Commission: https://www.nj.gov/csc/ [https://www.nj.gov/csc/] * New Jersey Association of Public Health Nurse Administrators: https://www.njaphna.org [https://www.njaphna.org/] * Visiting Nurse Association Health Group: https://vnahg.org [https://vnahg.org/] * Visiting Physician Services: https://vnahg.org/visiting-physicians-services [https://vnahg.org/visiting-physicians-services] * Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey: https://www.vnannj.org [https://www.vnannj.org/]

35 | The Backbone of the Hospital – Why Med-Surg Nurses Are the Ultimate Generalists

Medical-surgical nursing is often called the backbone of the hospital – but it’s also one of the most misunderstood specialties in healthcare. In this episode of Nursing Insights, Susan and Daria speak with experienced Med-Surg nurses Brooke Roth and Luz Parris about what it really takes to thrive in one of the most demanding areas of nursing. From managing multiple high-acuity patients at once to making split-second decisions about who needs help first, Med-Surg nurses operate in an environment where prioritization, teamwork, and adaptability are essential. Luz shares a powerful story from the COVID era when she was responsible for ten patients in a single shift – including several critically ill patients and multiple emergencies happening at the same time. Brooke explains why strong clinical judgment and constant awareness are critical when caring for patients whose conditions can change quickly. They also discuss the realities of night shifts, including the so-called “bewitching hour” when unexpected events often happen between 3 and 4 AM – and why the idea that hospitals sleep at night couldn’t be further from the truth. If you’ve ever wondered what makes Med-Surg nurses such versatile and resilient professionals, this conversation offers an honest look at the skill, pressure, and dedication behind the specialty.   Key Takeaways * Medical-surgical nurses care for a wide variety of patients and conditions, making them some of the most versatile clinicians in healthcare. * Strong prioritization skills are essential because patient conditions can change rapidly, and multiple needs often compete for attention. * Teamwork between nurses, physicians, and support staff is critical to managing complex and unpredictable situations.  * Hospitals are rarely quiet at night – many nurses say the most intense moments often happen in the early morning hours. * Experience in Med-Surg nursing builds a strong clinical foundation that supports many other nursing specialties.   Relevant Links * New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN): https://www.njccn.org [https://www.njccn.org/] * Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses: https://www.amsn.org [https://www.amsn.org/]

34 | When the Healer Is Wounded – A Nurse’s Story from the California Wildfires

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of trauma, disaster, displacement, survivor’s guilt, and medical distress, including descriptions related to wildfire evacuation, loss, and a medical emergency involving a child. Some listeners may find these topics emotionally difficult. Please listen with care and take a pause if needed. _________________________________  What happens when the trauma expert becomes the trauma survivor? In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Nursing Insights, psychotherapist and psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist Donna Gaffney shares her experience living through the January 7, 2025 California wildfires in Pacific Palisades. For decades, Donna has supported children, families, nurses, and communities through some of the most devastating crises in recent history – from 9/11 to Hurricane Katrina to COVID-19. But this time was different. This time, she was in the middle of it. Donna takes us through the moment she realized she had to evacuate, the shock of displacement, the heavy weight of survivor’s guilt, and the emotional toll of returning to a neighborhood reduced to ash. She introduces the concept of “shared traumatic reality” – when healthcare providers are living through the very same disaster as the people they serve. Key Takeaways * Trauma feels different when you are inside it, not observing it. * “Shared traumatic reality” occurs when healthcare providers and patients experience the same crisis. * Survivor’s guilt can surface even when you did not lose everything. * Healthcare professionals are not immune to destabilization during disasters. * Being called “strong” is not always helpful – vulnerability matters. * Community, storytelling, and meaning-making are essential for healing. * Self-compassion is not optional – it is necessary. * Recovery is not a return to what was, but a movement forward.   Relevant Links * New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN): https://www.njccn.org [https://www.njccn.org/] * Kristin Neff – Self-Compassion Research: https://self-compassion.org [https://self-compassion.org/] * Vivek Murthy – “My Parting Prescription for America”: https://fcsinterventions.com/resources/my-parting-prescription-for-america/ [https://fcsinterventions.com/resources/my-parting-prescription-for-america/] * Suleika Jaouad: https://suleikajaouad.com [https://suleikajaouad.com/] * Murthy, V. H. (2022). Confronting health worker burnout and well-being. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/health-worker-wellbeing-advisory.pdf [https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/health-worker-wellbeing-advisory.pdf]and https://www.vivekmurthy.com/partingprescription [https://www.vivekmurthy.com/partingprescription] * NJ-NEW https://njnew.org/programs/virtual-schwartz-rounds/ [https://njnew.org/programs/virtual-schwartz-rounds/] * Meaningful Work Matters Podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/7FCvG2GBgVA66PhCks0g4r [https://open.spotify.com/show/7FCvG2GBgVA66PhCks0g4r] * Don’t Clock Out https://www.dontclockout.org/ [https://www.dontclockout.org/] * Introspective Spaces  https://www.introspectivespaces.com/ [https://www.introspectivespaces.com/] * The Relentless School Nurse https://relentlessschoolnurse.com/ [https://relentlessschoolnurse.com/] * Courageous Well-Being for Nurses: Strategies for Renewal https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/12847/courageous-well-being-nurses [https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/12847/courageous-well-being-nurses]

33 | Digital Communication Competencies for Nurse Leaders in a Changing Healthcare Landscape

Digital communication is no longer optional for nurse leaders – it is a core leadership skill. In this episode of Nursing Insights, we sit down with Alysia Adams, Director of Education Partnerships at the American Organization of Nursing Leadership, to explore the digital communication competencies now shaping nursing leadership across the country. Alysia shares what led her to research digital communication, the barriers nurse leaders face online, and how storytelling, ethics, boundaries, and inclusivity play a critical role in effective leadership. She also explains how these competencies were developed through a Delphi study and why they are now being incorporated into national leadership standards. This conversation offers practical insight for nurse leaders at every level who want to communicate with clarity, confidence, and purpose in the digital era.   Key Takeaways * Why communication is a foundational skill for effective nurse leadership * The most common barriers preventing nurse leaders from engaging digitally * How storytelling strengthens trust, visibility, and influence * Why ethics and credibility rank highest among digital competencies * The importance of boundaries and well-being in digital leadership * How nurse leaders can communicate across generations effectively * Simple first steps for leaders who want to improve their digital presence   Relevant Links * American Organization of Nursing Leadership: https://www.aonl.org [https://www.aonl.org/] * Nurse Leader Journal: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/nurse-leader [https://www.journals.elsevier.com/nurse-leader] * New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing: https://www.njccn.org [https://www.njccn.org/]

32 | Making Night Shift Safer: How One Hospital Successfully Implemented Napping for Nurses

Nurse fatigue isn’t just uncomfortable – it’s dangerous. In this episode, Dr. Pamela Hinds and crisis nurse Brett Bagshaw from Children’s National Hospital explain how their organization became a national leader in implementing sanctioned night-shift napping. From alarming survey data to cultural barriers, space challenges, HR policy changes, and real nurse stories, this conversation offers a practical roadmap for any hospital looking to prioritize safety and wellness for its night-shift staff.   Key Takeaways * Night-shift fatigue has real safety consequences, including drowsy driving and impaired clinical performance. * A small, well-designed pilot project helped Children’s National gain leadership buy-in before expanding napping hospital-wide. * Clear guidelines, protected spaces, and strong collaboration with security and HR were essential to implementation. * Not all units adopt napping the same way – autonomy and unit-level decision-making improved success and acceptance. * Survey data revealed high rates of near-miss incidents related to fatigue, strengthening the case for change. * Napping is one part of a broader wellness approach that includes sleep hygiene, nutrition, and night-shift–specific support systems. * A strong safety message helped shift culture: nurses must come to work rested, and naps are not guaranteed. * Implementing napping can support recruitment, retention, and a perception of organizational care for night-shift workers.   Additional Reading * Geiger-Brown, Harlow, Bagshaw, Sagherian & Hinds: “One Hospital’s Successful Initiative to Implement Napping for Night Shift Nurses.”https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34528852/ [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34528852/]   * Napping on the Night Shift: A Two-Hospital Implementation Project (Am J Nurs, 2016) https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/39786 [https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/39786?utm_source=chatgpt.com]