The Calling of a Lifetime: Nursing with Mercy Ships

The Importance of Reflection in Nursing Practice with Dr. Lani Hollenbeck

Episode Summary: Nursing is often described as a series of tasks, but the true growth of a clinician happens in the moments after the shift. In this episode of Beyond the Call Light, we sit down with Dr. Lani Hollenbeck to explore why reflection is the most underutilized tool in a nurse's toolkit. We move past the "fluff" and dive into the science and strategy of reflective practice—discussing how it sharpens clinical judgment, builds emotional resilience, and keeps burnout at bay in an increasingly complex healthcare system. In this episode, we discuss: * The "Why" Behind the Pause: Why reflection is a non-negotiable for safe nursing practice. * Real-World Impact: Dr. Hollenbeck shares a personal turning point where reflection changed her clinical path. * Frameworks for Success: A breakdown of Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle and the Johns Model to help you structure your thoughts without feeling overwhelmed. * Breaking the Barriers: How to find the "time" to reflect when you feel like you're barely treading water. * Teaching the Next Generation: Tips for educators and leaders to model these habits for students and new grads. * The Resilience Factor: How looking back at your day can actually help you leave work at work and protect your mental well-being. Key Quotes: > "Reflection isn't just about what went wrong; it's about understanding how to be better the next time the light blinks." — Dr. Lani Hollenbeck Advice for New Nurses: Listen in for Dr. Hollenbeck’s "Five-Minute Routine" for building a sustainable reflection habit from day one. Resources Mentioned: * Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle (1988) [https://www.simplypsychology.org/gibbs-reflective-cycle.html] * Johns Model of Structured Reflection [https://www.toolshero.com/personal-development/johns-model-of-reflection/] About Our Guest: Dr. Lani Hollenbeck is a veteran nurse leader and educator dedicated to bridging the gap between clinical theory and bedside reality. Her work focuses on empowering nurses to use their voices and their experiences to drive better patient outcomes and professional satisfaction. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to Beyond the Call Light and leave us a review! Your support helps us reach more clinicians who are looking to grow beyond the bedside. Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2509899/open_sms]

The Calling of a Lifetime: Nursing with Mercy Ships

What happens when your nursing career takes you thousands of miles away from the comforts of a local clinic and onto a floating hospital? In this episode, we sit down with Maria Brown, a CSP Nursing graduate who traded a traditional hospital setting for a cabin on a Mercy Ship. Mercy Ships is a global humanitarian organization that operates state-of-the-art hospital vessels, bringing free, life-saving surgeries to nations with limited healthcare access. As a volunteer nurse, Maria works at the intersection of high-tech medicine and deep human connection. In this episode, we discuss: * The Leap of Faith: What inspired Maria to transition from a student at CSP to a global healthcare volunteer. * Education in Action: How her nursing training prepared her for the fast-paced, low-resource environments of West Africa. * Life on Board: A "behind-the-scenes" look at the daily routine, the international community of volunteers, and the unique challenges of nursing at sea. * Stories of Transformation: Maria shares heart-stirring accounts of patients whose lives were changed by the surgeries they received on board. * Global Perspectives: Advice for current nursing students who feel called to humanitarian work and how to navigate cultural and language barriers with compassion. Whether you are a nursing student looking for your "why," a healthcare professional curious about global missions, or simply someone who loves a story of radical service, Maria’s journey will leave you inspired to see the world—and your career—differently. Key Takeaways > "The heart of nursing is the same everywhere, but on the ship, you realize just how much a single surgery can restore a person's place in their community." — Maria Brown Follow Maria’s Journey: * Learn more about the mission: MercyShips.org [https://www.mercyships.org] * Explore CSP Nursing: CSP.edu/Nursing [https://www.csp.edu] Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2509899/open_sms]

Global Health: Making an Impact Beyond Borders

Guest: Katie DeJong, RN, Global Health Advocate In this inspiring episode of CSP Nursing: Beyond the Calllight, we explore how nurses are making a difference on a global scale. Our guest, Katie DeJong, shares her journey as a nurse leader and global health advocate, offering insight into what it truly means to provide care that transcends borders, cultures, and circumstances. Together, we unpack key questions: * How do we define global health, and why is it vital for nurses to engage in this work? * What global experiences have shaped Katie’s personal and professional growth? * How can nurses address challenges such as infectious disease outbreaks, maternal-child health disparities, and access to care in low-resource settings? * What can nursing students and new graduates do to get involved in global health — even if they can’t travel internationally? Katie also reflects on how global health work strengthens the very core of nursing — compassion, adaptability, and cultural competence. From community partnerships to ethical practice, her insights highlight how nurses can lead change both abroad and at home. Whether you’re a nursing student dreaming of working internationally, a faculty member guiding the next generation, or a practicing nurse seeking deeper purpose in your career, this episode will challenge you to think beyond boundaries and imagine the global impact of your care. Here's a list of some books that give a glimpse into global health in some capacity. Not all are focused on healthcare specifically, but violence and oppression are important aspects of global health, so I have included some that address that. Some are fiction, but are based on true events. "Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder      The story of Dr. Paul Farmer, who worked to improve healthcare in Haiti, Cuba, Peru, Russia, and African nations. "The Blue Sweater" by Jacqueline Novogratz       An autobiography of an international banker, who left her job to found an organization focusing on helping to uplift people out of poverty through financial self-sufficiency. "When Helping Hurts: by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert       A Chrisitian viewpoint on what the best approach to helping looks like. It challenges many of the current practices that high-income countries often implement to help low-income countries, pointing out the negative impacts that are overlooked. "The Ghost Map" by Steve Johnson      The story of the London cholera outbreak in 1854 and how it led to the invention of epidemiology. This event is considered the beginning of public health interventions. "Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza      An autobiography of a young girl during the Rwandan genocide. "In the time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez      A fictionalized account of the real Mirabal sisters, who fought against political oppression in the Dominican Republic. "As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow" by Zoulfa Katouh      A fictional story that takes place during the Syrian Revolution. It follows a college-aged girl who is thrown into the role of a surgeon (despite no training), and explores her journey of being a healthcare provider in the midst of extreme violence. The theme of PTSD is also prevalent, so I will add a trigger warning for those who have experienced PTSD from working in healthcare. "When Sleeping Women Awake, Mountains will Move" by Barbara Mosley de Souza     The author worked in Brazil for 40 years, where she built a curriculum for community health educator training in order to empower women. This book tells many stories of the women she encountered during her work.  Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2509899/open_sms]

Call Light Chronicals: The Shift that Broke Me and the One That Built Me Back

In this emotional episode of The Call Light Chronicles, we follow Rachel, a nursing student whose dream of becoming a nurse collided with a clinical day that nearly broke her spirit. From charting errors and medication mishaps to tears behind a locked bathroom door, Rachel’s story is one many students will recognize. But what happened next—a compassionate instructor, a plan for growth, and the decision to try again—transformed failure into fuel for resilience. Today, Rachel is a pediatric oncology nurse who still journals—not her failures, but her moments of impact. This episode is a tribute to every nursing student who’s ever doubted their place in this profession. Your stumbles don’t define you—your strength does. Story narrated by CSP Nursing Student: Pepsy Ofoegbu Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2509899/open_sms]

🎧 Beyond the Diagnosis: Vulnerability and Voice in Mental Health featuring Brendan Downes

In this powerful episode, ABSN student Brendan Downes opens up about his journey into nursing and the transformative lessons he’s learned from working in mental health care. Brendan shares how shifting from talking at patients to truly talking with them changed his approach to care, and how moments of vulnerability and recovery have deepened his understanding of the nursing profession. Through honest reflections on balancing clinical demands with emotional presence, challenging assumptions, and growing as a communicator, Brendan offers meaningful insights for nursing students and professionals alike. Whether you’re new to psych nursing or just need a reminder of why this work matters, this conversation is a must-listen. Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2509899/open_sms]