Cheryl Burns & Beth Matarasso

Nursing Stories from the Heart

Education EN ↓ 5 episodes

From our hearts to yours through wisdom, knowledge, and experience. Every nurse has a story, and every story shared strengthens our profession. We believe the quiet moments of care and the difficult decisions made at the bedside hold the true power of our calling. Nursing Stories from the Heart is a dedicated space for shared lessons, professional legacy, and collective wisdom. Hosted by Cheryl Burns, author of Memoirs of a Matron, and Beth Matarasso RN, this series bridges the gap between traditional nursing wisdom and the practical realities of modern healthcare practice. In each episode, we...

Author

Cheryl Burns & Beth Matarasso

Episodes

The Gift of Hope, Holding the Burden, and the Future of Nursing Video 02.06.2026 26:45

What does it mean to "hold hope" for someone when their diagnosis is devastating and the clinical path forward is dark? In the final episode of our pilot series, retired senior nursing leader Cheryl Burns and Beth Matarasso RN sit down for a deeply personal, clinical, and inspiring conversation about the nature of hope, professional courage, and the future of healthcare. We begin with Cheryl refle...

The Circle of Life, Advanced Practice, and Dignity in End-of-Life Care Video 26.05.2026 23:17

How do we preserve dignity in the final moments of a patient’s life when the healthcare system is pushing us to move faster? In this deeply moving episode of Nursing Stories from the Heart, retired senior nursing leader Cheryl Burns and Beth Matarasso RN share a vital conversation surrounding end-of-life care, clinical advocacy, and the rise of advanced practice nursing in Australia. We begin with...

Importance of Clinical Assessment, Observations in Patient Care. Video 20.05.2026 25:55

In an era dominated by electronic monitors, relying solely on automated technology risks missing subtle, life-threatening changes in a patient's condition. In this episode, hosts Beth Matarasso and former Director of Nursing Cheryl Burns explore the critical art of comprehensive patient observations. Drawing on lessons from Florence Nightingale and a deeply personal story involving Cheryl's own 90...

Reclaiming the Human Side of Healthcare: How to Connect Deeply with Patients in a Busy Ward Video 17.05.2026 22:52

In an increasingly complex and fast-paced healthcare environment, busy hospital wards risk institutionalising clinicians and stripping away the vital human connection required for genuine healing. In this episode, hosts Beth Matarasso and former Director of Nursing Cheryl Burns discuss how simple acts of basic care—like a patient wash—serve as the ultimate diagnostic and comforting tool. Through a...

Nursing Stories from the Heart: The Power of Storytelling and Reflective Practice Video 11.05.2026 30:32

Retired Chief Nurse Cheryl Burns joins Beth Matarasso to discuss her book, Memoirs of a Matron, and the "sacred" responsibility of the nursing profession. They explore why storytelling is the essential "glue" of healthcare and how embracing intimacy—rather than pulling back—is the key to both patient safety and professional resilience. WHY LISTEN Redefine Professional Intimacy: Understand why bein...