BCEN & Friends

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Angela Atwood. Angela ‘Angie’ Atwood has over 25 years of experience caring for critical care patients in ground, air, and hospital environments. She has served in roles ranging from paramedic, firefighter, ER nurse, Flight RN, and direction of education. Angie has her MSN in Nursing leadership and management as well as her CFRN and FP-C (certified flight paramedic). Her current role includes clinical content creation, serving as a SME and adjunct lecturer and CAPCE (commission on accreditation for prehospital continuing education) Program Director. She also volunteers as a certification item writer and ASTNA education committee member. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Angie about her career. She’ll talk about how she went from taking an EMT class to educating thousands of transport and flight clinicians. Angie has taken every experience as an opportunity to grow into the highly effective professional she is today. This episode is called “Starting with the End in Mind”. Angie can be reached on LinkedIn @AngelaAtwood; Instagram & Facebook @AngieAtwood. BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Joe Hill. Joe Hill started his career at a Level 1 adult/pediatric trauma center then moved into critical care ground transport. He decided to make the jump into flight medicine where he stayed for 19 years serving as a flight nurse and clinical directors. In 2021, Joe finished his MSN-APRN and in March of 2023 Joe began working as a Family Nurse practitioner. Even though the learning curve was bit higher than he initially expected, Joe is finding he can make a significant difference in the emergency needs of patients through his new role in primary care. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Joe about his career in emergency and flight nursing. From his initial why to why he’s stayed in this profession for over 25 years, this episode is sure to help us all find a place to land. This episode is called “Setting up an LZ in Primary Care”. Joe can be reached on LinkedIn @JosephHill-78937951 BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Mandy Felder. Mandy Felder is a leader in pediatric trauma care with over 20 years of pediatric nursing experience. She is currently the Pediatric Trauma Program Manager at an ACS Level II trauma center in South Carolina. Mandy serves on the South Carolina Emergency Medical Services for Children Committee as well as the Trauma Advisory Committee. She is an active member in several professional organizations including the Trauma Association of South Carolina, the Pediatric Trauma Society, and the Society of Trauma Nursing. She teaches ENPC, TNCC and PTACC. She holds her masters in nursing administration and organizational leadership as well as the TCRN and CPEN. Mandy is passionate about improving care for children in the prehospital and hospital setting and promoting injury prevention efforts and education. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Mandy about her passion for pediatric trauma care. She will also discuss why she believes it’s important to take that next step in professional development because even a small step is significant. This episode is called “Creating Space for Pediatrics in Trauma Services.” Mandy can be reached on LinkedIn @Amanda Felder

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Tesla Teitge. Tesla is an emergency nurse with over 10 years of clinical experience. She is also the owner and creator for the dynamic and “Paradise” inspired compressions socks from her company, Up at Dawn Compression Socks. In 2023, Tesla completed her Masters in Nursing Education. She lives with her family in the Garden State where she has the opportunity to fill some of her favorite roles: ER nurse, university clinical instructor, mother, wife, beach enthusiast, and small business owner. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Tesla about her passion for emergency nursing and how she took her personal love of compression socks and became an entrepreneur for her company, Up at Dawn Compression. This episode is called “Emergency Nursing Til Dawn Edition.” Tesla can be reached from her website: www.upatdawn.co

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Lynn Miller Hayward. Lynn Miller Hayward was born in South Africa and started her nursing career by obtaining a Bachelor of Social Sciences as a Registered Nursing and Midwife in 1979. She moved to the US shortly after graduating and spent 3 years in US healthcare before returning to South Africa. An experience with emergency services, lit the fire for Lynn to become an Advance Life Support Paramedic and take to the flight world for several years. She also became an AHA instructor for community education. From a cruise ship nurse to a free-standing ED in North Carolina, Lynn’s career has moved into many different specialties of nursing, but she as she will tell, gaining her CEN made her feel recognized and respected in the field of emergency nursing. Lynn returned stateside in 2023 and is trying something new in the field of Endoscopy, as she believes there is always something to learn. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Lynn about her deep-rooted career in nursing grown over the past 40 years. Lynn is sure to inspire and impart some wisdom she’s learned along the way. This episode is called “No Wasted Time.” Lynn can be reached by email at cen.lynn3@gmail.com

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Shawntay Harris. Shawntay Harris is the President and CEO of Eminent Healthcare Resources Consultants Inc, which offers education for nurses from bedside clinical training to leadership and administrative coursework. With over 23 years of nursing experience in emergency services, she has established an influence in her home state of Texas as well as nationally through her work with the Texas Emergency Nurses Association and the ENA Foundation. Shawntay was recently highlighted in the media for her induction as a Fellow in the Academy of Emergency Nursing, becoming the first black nurse to be awarded this distinction for her service and leadership. Shawntay maintains all 5 BCEN credentials as well as being a doctoral student with completion of her program coming very soon in 2024. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Shawntay about her career, and the ways she’s shaping the future of nursing through education and influence. Shawntay’s energy and excellence are sure to leave an impression. This episode is called “Establishing an Eminent Legacy.” Shawntay can be reached on LinkedIn and Facebook @ShawntayHarris and on Eminentcpr.com

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Mary Whelan. Mary Whelan has held many different leadership positions over the past 24 years of her career as a director of emergency services from a level II Trauma Center to a community hospital ED, she proved time and again with every leadership role that she possesses the tools to transform department culture and produce improved staff and patient engagement scores. Mary built a reputation of actively engaging with staff to assist with patient flow and clinical care, helping build a relationship with bedside staff and demonstrating to them that she understands the valuable work they are doing. Mary’s tireless work to develop strategic collaborations within the ED and the healthcare system resulted in outcome data that reflected clinical excellence under her leadership. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Mary about nursing leadership. Looking across the span of her career, what topics she believes are most important for those continuing to lead the profession. This episode is called “Reigniting Leadership in Nursing.” Mary can be reached on LinkedIn @MaryWhelan.

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Joe Blansfield. Joseph “Joe” Blansfield is a board-certified Adult Nurse Practitioner with over 5 decades of experience in the emergency and trauma setting. The last 27 years of his career were spent in the role of the Trauma/Acute Care Surgery Program Manager at Boston Medical Center, where Joe was responsible for maintaining all the requirements for this Level 1 Trauma Center until his retirement in June 2019. Joe also has 26 years of active military service in the US Army Reserves retiring as a Colonel from the Army Nurse Corp, also earning a Bronze Star Medal and Legion of Merit. Joe has volunteered for BCEN through the TCRN Exam Construction Review Committee, worked on revisions of trauma materials for ENA, as well as being a speaker and published author of many clinical topics. He has been recognized for his excellence through various national awards as his dedication to nursing seems to know no bounds. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Joe about his career in all things trauma related, from the stretcher-side to deployment, advanced practice to giving back and everything in between. This episode is called “Navigating and Challenging the Trauma Landscape.” Joe can be reached on Facebook and LinkedIn @Joseph Blansfield.

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Anne O’Connor. Annemarie O’Connor is an Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner at the Burn and Complex Wound Center at the University of Chicago Medicine in Illinois. With over 35 years of nursing within burn care from the bedside to administration and advanced practice, Anne has taken on responsibilities that encompass intensive care, surgical assist, outpatient wound management and community health and education. Anne has served on various councils for advanced practice nursing and worked with the American Burn Association on several national committees including the Burn Nurse Certification initiative. She is a national faculty for the Advanced Burn Life Support Course thru ABA and has presented at state, national and international events presenting burn care content and education. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Anne about her journey in the specialty of burn nursing from initial fears to pioneering the future with national certification. This episode is called “When a Passion for Burn Care ignites your Whole Career.” Anne recommends connecting through the website for University of Chicago Medical Center-Burn Center (www.uchicagomedicine.org/conditions-services/burn-center). BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Alice Benjamin. “Nurse Alice” Benjamin is a board-certified family nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, author, speaker, podcast host and a nurse pioneer on TV as a medical correspondent. Her experiences range from cardiovascular health, critical care, and emergency medicine involving patient care at some of the most prestigious and underserved hospitals. As a medical correspondent for NBC Los Angeles, she was the nation's most watched nurse on TV who kept millions of viewers up to date with daily reporting during the Covid crisis. Spanning her career, Nurse Alice has appeared on numerous national shows, networks and radio shows including GMA3, Dr. Oz, The Doctors, CNN, HLN, FOX News, News Nation, TVOne, BBC, just to name a few. She also hosts the Ask Nurse Alice Podcast which we will spend more time on in the episode. Her written health features have been published in Parent Magazine, Blavity, Huffington Post, EBONY, The American Nurse, Minority Nurse, and many more. She is also the Founder and Senior editor for AskNurseAlice.com, a trusted online health, wellness, and medical media outlet. Her mantra is she likes to talk to people before they become her patients. And when she talks, people listen. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Alice about her career in nursing, which has spanned from the bedside to the boardroom and national media outlets. This episode is called “My Way to Becoming Nurse Alice.” Alice can be reached on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @AskNurseAlice or on her website at www.AskNurseAlice.com.

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend George Olschewski. George Olschewski started out in healthcare as an EMT in 1993 and finished an English degree with a minor in journalism before going back for his nursing degree. Since 1998 George worked in the hospital from the intermediate and step down units to the ED at the Level One trauma center-University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. It was there that George became a founding member of the Critical Care Transport Team at the trauma center. George continues to serve in both specialties of EMS and transport nursing at Hackensack University Medical Center’s specialty care transport unit and Angel Midflight’s aeromedical flight team. In addition to his CTRN, George holds the TCRN, CEN and TCRN certification along with his certification as a Nationally Registered Paramedic. Come along as Janie Schumaker, Michael Dexter, and Hollye Briggs talk with George about his career in transport nursing and recent nomination and selection for a BCEN award. Come join in on this celebration conversation. This episode is called “Not all Heroes are in Comic Books: Spotlight on the 2023 Distinguished CTRN Award Winner.” George can be reached on LinkedIn @GeorgeOlschewski.

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Jordan Tyczka. Jordan is currently the director of trauma services at Inova Loudoun Hospital, which is a Level III trauma center in Leesburg, VA. Since starting her nursing career in 2007, Jordan has worked in various Level I and Level II trauma centers along the east coast. She has obtained her master’s degree in nursing education and served as the clinical nurse educator for trauma services prior to her current role. During her time in the educator role, Jordan achieved her TCRN and helped 50 other nurse co-workers attain their TCRN certifications as well. Come along as Janie Schumaker, Michael Dexter, and Hollye Briggs talk with Jordan about her career in trauma nursing and recently being selected as the 2023 Distinguished Trauma Certified Registered Nurse. Come join in on this celebration conversation. This episode is called “No Escaping this Distinguished Nurse: Spotlight on 2023 Distinguished TCRN Award Winner.” Jordan can be reached on LinkedIn @JordanTyczka.

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Kayleigh Summers. Kayleigh Summers is a licensed clinical social worker and private practice owner in Downingtown, PA. Kayleigh uses her training as a licensed therapist and her own experience as an Amniotic Fluid Embolism survivor to treat and support families experiencing perinatal trauma. Kayleigh has created thriving birth trauma support communities through Instagram and TikTok, as well as her podcast, where she provides connection, story sharing, and resources to support those experiencing birth and other trauma. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Kayleigh about her lived experiences and current passion for perinatal trauma. Kayleigh offers some great insight and advice during this meaningful conversation. This episode is called “Speak Now with the Birth Trauma Mama.” Kayleigh Summers can be reached on Instagram and TikTok @thebirthtrauma_mama and on her website: https://thebirthtraumamama.com/

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Kris Ramos. Kris Ramos is a master’s prepared registered nurse and paramedic with a broad base of critical care experience including ground and air ambulance prehospital care, adult and pediatric emergency departments, pediatric cardiovascular intensive care, PICU, NICU, hemodialysis, and leadership roles. He currently serves as the Base Hospital Coordinator at Phoenix Children’s. Kris’s daily focus is to improve prehospital care for children by bringing Phoenix Children’s expertise to emergency responders through continuing education, patient follow-up, and operations consultations. Kris is the founder and chair of the Phoenix Children's Annual EMS conference which provides prehospital providers with current pediatric trauma and emergency care continuing education. Kris also serves as vice chair of the Arizona Department of Health Services’ Pediatric Advisory Council for Emergency Services, a committee that plays a lead role within Arizona’s EMS and trauma community to improve pediatric care. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Kris about his career in prehospital medicine and nursing. Kris has been instrumental in moving the benchmarks for pediatric prehospital care and offering the most up-to-date continuing education. This episode is called “Walking the Line for quality pediatric prehospital care.” Kris Ramos can be reached via LinkedIn @Kris-Ramos and through the Phoenix Children’s EMS and Prehospital Care Conference website (ems.phoenixchildrens.org).

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Sean Fox. Dr. Sean Fox is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and of Pediatrics as well as the Program Director of the Emergency Medicine Residency at Carolinas Medical Center. He works half his shifts in the Pediatric ED and the other half in the Adult ED. Since his time at the University of Maryland, when he served as a Chief Resident, Sean has been passionate about both clinical care and medical education. In 2014 he won the American College of Emergency Physicians’ (ACEP’s) National Emergency Medicine Faculty Teaching Award. Currently, while he educates the next generation of Emergency Physicians in North Carolina, Sean has partnered with other educators across the U.S. to craft national educational courses and curriculum. Dr. Fox spends his spare time generating and managing several educational websites geared toward the practice of emergency medicine. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Sean about his career in emergency medicine where he specialized in both adult and pediatrics. Sean has some great morsels of advice and recommendations in this conversation. This episode is called “Inconceivable! From emergency medicine to podcast producer.” Sean Fox can be reached on Twitter and Instragram @PedEMMorsels and @EMGuidewire Dr. Fox’s website recommendations: www.pedemmorsels.com, www.emguidewire.com, www.cmcecg.com, www.mededmasters.com, www.cmcedmasters.com

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Carole Covey. Carole Covey has worked in various roles within healthcare over the past 15 years, ranging from ED to ICU, trauma to flight nursing, pre-hospital to administration and lots of in between. She has a passion for education, leadership and serving those in vulnerable populations. During 2020, Carole focused her efforts on emergency response and humanitarian aid services from Florida to California. She is currently the Medical Services Manager with AECOM, working on a large-scale project involving pediatric and adolescent care. Carole holds multiple certifications including the CEN and CFRN. She is also a student, working on a dual master’s degree program in nursing and business administration. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Carole about her journey in emergency nursing which has led her to her current role planning and organizing healthcare to meet the needs of a very vulnerable patient population-unaccompanied minors from the US borders. This episode is called “Next thing you know: ED nursing to hospital contracts and design.” Carole Covey can be reached on LinkedIn @CaroleCovey & Facebook @Carole.A.Covey.

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Travis McCall. Dr. Travis McCall obtained his MSN in 2013 from Vanderbilt University specializing in ED education and earned his Doctor of Philosophy in 2021 from the University of Tennessee College of Nursing with a graduate minor in Epidemiology in Public Health. His dissertation focused on secondary traumatic stress and promotion of nurse welfare. Travis has over 15 years of experience across the emergency spectrum from pre-hospital to his current roles as an Assistant Professor at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and as a Flight Nurse Practitioner with Vanderbilt LifeFlight. Travis is passionate about advancing nurse welfare through education and the promotion of peer- and self-care, and his research on these topics have been published in the Journal of Emergency Nursing, the Journal of Trauma Nursing, and the Air Medical Journal. Come along as Janie Schumaker and Hollye Briggs talk with Travis about his career and research into compassion fatigue and secondary trauma. His motivation for change is certainly matched well by his compassion for those serving in healthcare with him. This episode is called “Digging into Research: growing compassion satisfaction.” Travis McCall can be found on Twitter @WTravisMcCall.

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Caitlin Parker.. Caitlin Parker is a Certified Child Life Specialist at Atrium Health Levine Children's in Charlotte, NC. In her 13-year career at Levine's, she has worked in various roles across multiple service lines in pediatric and adult populations. She is driven by a passion for enhancing family nuclei coping and advocacy in the hospital setting that will carry over to better physical, emotional, and psychosocial outcomes for the trajectory of their health journey. Whether it is a child's first visit to the ED or their 30th admission, Caitlin believes in recognizing and impacting the momentous touchpoints during these visits, which will support the development and wellbeing of the whole family. These moments are where you will find Certified Child Life Specialist, like Caitlin, doing their best work. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Caitlin about her career as a Certified Child Life Specialist. Her compassion and insight are sure to uplift and make a lasting impact. This episode is called “Living with Purpose as a Child Life Specialist.” Website resources recommended by Caitlin: Child Life Program | Levine Children's Hospital | Atrium Health Association of Child Life Professionals @Home (childlife.org) Caitlin Parker can be reached via email at: Caitlin.Parker@atriumhealth.org

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Jonah Pregulman. Jonah has been a nurse since 2016, having initially obtained his BSN from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. He earned his MSN from Capella University with a specialization in Informatics in 2020. Jonah specializes in emergency, flight, and critical care transport. Jonah has also achieved all 5 BCEN certifications. He is a Nationally Registered Paramedic with a variety of EMS experience spanning over 10 years in 911, IFT and special event EMS. His work history includes various exotic locations such as Guam, Hawaii, Antarctica, and other international locations. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Jonah about his career in flight nursing from the US to nearly every continent on the globe. Jonah has advice and insight packed and ready to go. This episode is called “Where in the world is Jonah?”

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend Jacob Miller. Jacob Miller is a Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Nationally Registered Paramedic with a background in flight, critical care transport, and emergency nursing, in addition to over 15 years of EMS practice. Jacob received his Master of Science in acute care from the University of Maryland, a post-master’s certificate in advanced flight nursing from Case Western Reserve University, and his Doctorate in Nursing Practice from the University of Cincinnati. Jacob currently works as a clinical educator and critical care transport clinician in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jacob holds multiple certifications including the CFRN and CTRN from BCEN. He is active in several professional organizations including serving as an at-large director on the Air & Surface Transport Nurses Association board of directors, chair of the Emergency Nurses Association’s advanced practice advisory council, and co-chair for the EMS Special Interest Group with the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners. One of Jacob’s recent accomplishments is being accepted as a Fellow in the Academy of Emergency Nursing. Come along as Michael Dexter and Hollye Briggs talk with Jacob about his career in flight nursing to his latest adventures in advanced practice and all things education. Jacob is serving up lots of advice and insight. This episode is called, “Professionalism any way you slice it!” Jacob Miller can be reached through the following platforms: Website: www.JacobMillerACNP.com Facebook/Twitter/LinkedIn - @JacobMillerACNP