Why I Left Bedside™️

Episode 36: We Got Paris On The PodIn this episode, we discuss why Black maternal health matters now more than ever, explore the disparities affecting maternal outcomes, and talk about the role of faith, leadership, and advocacy in nursing. Join us for an inspiring conversation on how healthcare professionals can create meaningful change for mothers, families, and communities.#nurselife #healthcar...

Episode 35: Why I Left Bedside Meets Eliza PillarsWe presented at our very first convention in Biloxi, MS, hosted by Elizar Pillars, an organization dedicated to black nurses in Mississippi. We met so many older nurses who gave us amazing advice and words of encouragement. We were super nervous at first, but, once we made it to the podium, the nerves slowly started to fade. During our presentation...

Season 2 | Episode 34: Surviving JCAHO (Joint Commission On Accreditation of Healthcare Organization)In Episode 34: Surviving JCAHO, we take a lighthearted look at one of healthcare's most talked about visitors, the Joint Commission. From first survey experiences to the feeling of relief when the inspectors finally leave, we're sharing stories, lessons learned, and plenty of laughs along t...

Season 2 | Episode 33: Black American Princesses In this episode, we reflect on the history and impact of Juneteenth. We also honor National Cancer Survivor's Month by recognizing survivors and sharing the importance of early detection and self-advocacy. Join us for a meaningful conversation about celebration, awareness, and community as we discuss when we first learned about this important part o...

Season 2 | Episode 32: We Love A Good Trip In this episode, we recognize National Cancer Survivor’s Month by honoring the strength and resilience of cancer survivors everywhere. We highlight the journeys of Tina Knowles, Deion Sanders, and Lil Boosie while sharing important reminders about cancer screenings, healthy lifestyle choices, self-advocacy, and the importance of follow-up care. We also sh...

Season 2 | Episode 31: Look How Far We’ve Come In this episode, we recognize National Cancer Survivors’ Month by celebrating the strength and resilience of cancer survivors everywhere. We spotlight the journeys of Big Boss Vette, Angela Makiyah, and Obio Jones, while sharing important reminders about screenings, family history, healthy living, self-advocacy, and follow-up care. We also bring back...

Season 2 | Episode 30: Getting Transparent With Nurse Tyrah This episode follows Tyrah’s shift from nurse to patient during her birth experience: what she expected, what went wrong, and how she was treated. We touched on the emotional impact, her trust in the healthcare system, and how this experience ultimately shaped her view of nursing and her decision to leave the bedside. #nurselife #healthca...

Season 2 | Episode 29: On Call With Nurse Logan This episode follows a nurse’s journey from graduation to bedside and beyond, exploring what led them to pivot and where they are now. We also dive into the realities of healthcare today nursing culture, what’s broken in the system, and where both patients and nurses are being failed. #nurselife #healthcare #nursing #nursestory #blacknurses  #nursehu...

Season 2 | Episode 28: Nurse Ashley On The Floor This episode explores a nurse’s journey from starting at the bedside to pivoting into a new path. It also takes a closer look at postpartum nursing, the rewards, challenges, and misconceptions while highlighting gaps in care and the moment that led to stepping away. #nurselife #healthcare #nursing #nursestory #blacknurses  #nursehumor #registerednur...

Season 2 | Episode 27: Let's Welcome Nurse Xay In this episode, Xay walked us through her journey which led her into nursing, how she knew it was time to pivot specialties, and whether that transition felt like starting over or stepping into purpose. She opens up about the realities of mother & baby nursing, what surprised her most, and challenges the idea that it’s “easier” than med-surg....

Season 1 | Episode 26 - The Month before Graduation Description In this episode, we take it back to the final month of nursing school the fear, the faith, and the finish line. From late-night skills labs, exit exams, and the pressure of NCLEX, to trusting God through uncertainty and still planning for graduation, we share what that season really felt like. We wrap up with senioritis, preceptorship...

Season 1 | Episode 25 - From Big Spender to Budget Queens: Living Below Our Means In this episode, we get real about money, mindset, and growth. From the wake-up call of making great money but having little to show for it, to unpacking the emotional and psychological reasons behind overspending we share our personal experiences as nurses navigating hustle culture and burnout. We wrap with our “bud...

Season 1 | Episode 24: Nurse Habits That We’ve Carried Into Everyday Life  In this episode, we’re talking about how nursing habits follow us home. From prioritizing daily tasks like “cluster care” and creating a mental “nurse brain” for life, to always having snacks on deck and how work has shaped our eating habits, we break it all down. We also get real about hyperawareness, from diagnosing every...

Season 1 |Episode 23: Living Life Your Way In this episode, we’re getting into the art of slowing down and being intentional with your day. From romanticizing your morning routine time with God, self-care, and setting the tone to how you truly spend your off days (whether that’s productivity or “bedrot”), we keep it real about rest and balance. We close with winding down at night, creating a peace...

Season 1 | Episode 22: First Sunday: Easter Edition  In this episode, we explore how Easter has changed from childhood to adulthood, from baskets, outfits, and egg hunts to deeper meaning and reflection. We also talk about how nurses can bring Easter into the hospital by honoring patient traditions and creating moments of joy. Finally, we reflect on what Easter truly means to us now, including the...

Spring is usually when we think about clearing out closets, opening windows, and letting the old dust go. But what if this season isn’t just about cleaning our homes, what if it’s about cleaning up our lives ? Today, we’re talking about spring cleaning beyond the physical. The habits, expectations, relationships, mindsets, and pressures that no longer fit who we’re becoming. This isn’t about perfe...

Season 1 | Episode 20: Who Are You When You Are Not Needed? For so many nurses and high achievers in general, our identity becomes wrapped up in being needed. At work, in relationships, in our families, and in our communities. But what happens when the phone stops ringing… when the crisis ends… and no one needs you anymore? In this powerful episode of Why I Left Bedside, we’re diving into the unco...

Season 1: Episode 19 | This Is A Man’s World In this episode, we reflect on faith, womanhood, and the role women play in life and society. From the story of Eve to the reality of women leading in professions like nursing, we explore the strength, challenges, and necessity of women. We also talk about the power of connection, friendship, and support as two Black women who share faith, laughter, and...

Season 1: Episode 18| Starting Over in Nursing in Your Late 20s and 30s What if starting over isn’t failure but alignment? In this episode of Why I Left Bedside, we’re talking directly to nurses in their late 20s and 30s who feel behind, burned out, or unsure of what’s next. The pressure to “have it all figured out” in nursing can be overwhelming, especially when your reality doesn’t match the tim...

Season 1: Episode 17 | When Care is Unequal  In this episode we examine how African Americans often receive less adequate care, how racism operates within healthcare systems, and the lasting mental and emotional health effects on patients, families, and healthcare workers.   #nurselife #healthcare #nursing #nursestory #blacknurses  #nursehumor #registerednurse  #blackgirlpodcast #NurseRelationship...

Season 1: Episode 16 | Nurses Need Love Too Love isn’t easy when the person you care about is emotionally and physically drained. In this episode of Why I Left Bedside, we dive into what it’s like to love a nurse experiencing burnout and how nursing can impact: Romantic relationships ❤️ Friendships 👯‍♀️ Family dynamics 👨‍👩‍👧 We also share practical tips for partners, friends, and families on h...

Season 1: Episode 15 | Would You Date Nursing? If Nursing was a person… Would You Still Be Dating Them? What if nursing wasn’t a career but a relationship? In this episode of Why I Left Bedside, we get real about what it’s like to be in a long-term relationship with nursing. We break down the red flags we ignored, the green flags that kept us hopeful, and the deal breakers that made many nurses wa...

In this episode, we explore why setting boundaries at work is an act of self-love, especially as a Black nurse at the bedside. From code-switching and advocacy fatigue to being “the strong one” for everyone else, we unpack the emotional labor that often goes unspoken and how reclaiming our boundaries helps us survive and thrive in healthcare. #nurselife #healthcare #nursing #nursestory #blacknurse...

Season 1: Episode 13 | The Guilt of Walking Away In this episode, Shelena and Alexandrea discuss leaving bedside nursing without guilt and how to rebuild your identity when the scrubs no longer define you. These nurses break down the emotional, mental, and spiritual struggle nurses face when stepping away from the bedside, and how God guides, redirects, and restores purpose in new seasons. If you&...

Season 1: Episode 12  | Burnout Vs. God’s Call In this episode, we converse about the difference between burnout and God’s calling in nursing. From personal signs of burnout to general, we learn how to recognize the signs of burnout, stay connected to your purpose, and discern God’s guidance in challenging seasons. We share our personal stories, and seal the podcast with a prayer for clarity and p...