The Nontraditional Nurse

In this episode, I sit down with Haley Krueger-Alyass, a forensic nurse examiner with a background in ER nursing, to talk about a side of nursing that doesn't get nearly enough attention. Haley breaks down what forensic nurses actually do, what a comprehensive forensic exam really involves (hint: it can take up to 10 hours), and why access to this care is a serious gap across the country. She...

What does a Nurse Life Care Planner actually do—and how do nurses break into this unique and high-impact field? In this episode of The Nontraditional Nurse, I sit down with Kalyna to explore the world of Nurse Life Care Planning. We talk about how nurses transition into this role, what the day-to-day work looks like, and the critical role life care planners play in legal cases and long-term patien...

What does a utilization management nurse actually do—and is it the right path for you? In this episode, I sit down with Jessica Smith, LPN, who has built her career in utilization management and prior authorization after starting in ICU, burn, and outpatient nursing. We break down what this role really looks like day-to-day, how nurses use clinical judgment in an insurance-based setting, and how y...

What does “space nursing” actually look like — and is it even real yet? In this episode of The Nontraditional Nurse, I sit down with Christine Rincon, also known as The Space Nurse, a critical care nurse who is building a career at the intersection of nursing and aerospace. Right now, there is no official job title called “space nurse.” Astronauts receive only 40–60 hours of medical training. Medi...

In this episode, Ellie is joined by Lisa Baldwin, an experienced RN First Assistant, to uncover the pathway into this highly skilled surgical role. Discover how nurses can transition, the training involved, and what makes this career both challenging and rewarding. Key Topics: •How Lisa Baldwin discovered her path into surgery and became an RN First Assistant •The stepping stones: required experie...

00:00 The Journey from Bedside to Business 02:50 Understanding Patient Experience 05:27 The Role of Leadership in Healthcare Culture 08:15 Influencing Culture Without a Title 19:29 Supporting Nurses Through Coaching and Reflection 21:38 Exploring Non-Traditional Roles in Nursing 24:35 The Role of Nurses in Patient Experience 25:43 Opportunities and Challenges in Healthcare Entrepreneurship 27:49 S...

In this episode of The Nontraditional Nurse, we sit down with Teri Crumb, RN — a clinical research nurse with over 20 years of experience who now runs her own consulting business. Teri shares her journey from the bedside to the world of clinical trials, what clinical research nurses actually do, and how nurses can break into this field without prior experience. We cover: • What a clinical research...

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nursing Informatics 02:36 Wendy's Journey into Nursing Informatics 05:18 Defining Nursing Informatics 08:13 The Role of AI in Nursing Informatics 11:01 Building a Career in Nursing Informatics 13:43 Navigating Job Opportunities in InformaticsIn this episode of the Non-Traditional Nurse Podcast, Ellie Kirkpatrick interviews Wendy M. Carroll, a nationally recognize...

What if you could get paid to do what you already do for your family — advocate, coordinate, and navigate the healthcare system? In this episode, we sit down with Lori Schellenberg, RN , a nurse with over 40 years of experience across bedside care, occupational health, workers’ comp, and now independent patient advocacy . Lori shares her inspiring journey from traditional roles to launching her ow...

Chapters00:00 From Bedside to Consulting: A Nurse's Journey02:43 Understanding Medical Malpractice Consulting05:46 The Role of Risk Consultants in Healthcare08:24 Common Risks and Safety Issues in Healthcare10:52 Translating Nursing Skills to Risk Management13:40 Preparing for a Career in Medical Malpractice Consulting16:31 Advice for Nurses Transitioning to Non-Traditional Roles19:08 Opportun...

Chapters:00:00 Introduction to AI in Nursing01:00 Julia's Unique Nursing Journey06:00 Understanding AI: A Tool for Nurses10:03 Overcoming Fear of AI in Nursing12:08 Practical Applications of AI in Nursing18:00 Personal Experiences with AI Tools21:57 Limitations and Ethical Considerations of AI30:01 Best Practices for Using AI in Nursing36:01 Final Thoughts on AI in NursingIn this episode, Elli...

In this conversation, Dr. Molly McClelland shares her journey from bedside nursing to becoming a nursing educator. She discusses the importance of clinical experience in teaching, the rewarding moments of witnessing students' understanding, and the significance of finding one's passion in nursing. Dr. McClelland also provides valuable advice for aspiring nurse educators, emphasizing the ne...

In this episode of the Non-Traditional Nurse Podcast, Erin Basher shares her journey from bedside nursing to healthcare recruiting. She discusses the skills that translate from nursing to recruiting, the challenges and opportunities of independent recruiting, and offers valuable insights for nurses looking to transition into non-traditional roles. Erin emphasizes the importance of having a strateg...

In this conversation, Kenzie Butler shares her journey as a nurse who has transitioned into various non-traditional roles, including her current position as the director of nursing programs at Blueprint Test Prep. She discusses the challenges and opportunities in moving away from bedside nursing, the importance of recognizing transferable skills, and the mindset shifts necessary for career growth....

In this conversation, Ellie interviews Tierra Owen, a lactation consultant, about her journey into the field of lactation consulting. Tierra shares her experiences transitioning from a birth doula to a lactation consultant, the certification process, and the rewards of working in this role. She discusses the importance of support for mothers, the flexibility of the job, and offers advice for nurse...

In this conversation, Amanda Bamba shares her journey from bedside nursing to becoming a legal nurse consultant. She discusses the role of legal nurse consultants, the skills required, and the resources available for those interested in this career path. Amanda emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, community support, and the flexibility of legal nurse consulting, making it an appealing o...

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mary Tibbe's Nursing Journey 02:58 Mary's Transition to Clinical Nurse Specialist 05:43 The Development of the Tibbe Medical Device 08:51 Challenges in Medical Device Innovation 11:33 Advice for Aspiring Nurse Innovators 14:24 The Impact of the Tibbe Device on Patient Care (And a peek at the device itself!) In this episode of The Nontraditional Nurse, we sit down wit...

In this interview, Leslie McCoy, a clinical leader with extensive experience in nontraditional nursing roles, shares her inspiring journey from bedside nursing to impactful positions in medical affairs and beyond. She provides insights into the transferable skills nurses bring to roles outside traditional healthcare settings, the importance of networking, and how medical affairs intersects with pr...

Let’s explore a nontraditional approach to bedside nursing that can help reduce burnout and reignite passion for patient care. In this interview, Missy Dorsey, a nurse leader and innovator, shares her experience implementing dual-role nursing to give bedside nurses a fresh perspective and greater job satisfaction. Learn how this strategy has helped retain skilled nurses while enhancing their caree...

In this conversation, Mary Jo Deering shares her extensive journey through non-traditional nursing roles, highlighting her transition from bedside nursing to clinical consulting and sales in the medical device industry. She emphasizes the importance of networking, the challenges faced in adapting to new roles, and the rewarding experiences of working with patients and healthcare teams. Mary Jo als...

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a flight nurse? Join us in this exclusive interview with Collette, an experienced flight nurse, as she shares her journey into this unique field, the rewarding and challenging aspects of her job, and the skills needed to thrive in this high-stakes nursing role. In this episode of The Nontraditional Nurse, Collette provides insights into the world of air...