The Functional Nurse Podcast - Nursing in Functional Medicine

Brigitte Sager, DNP
  • 4.6 (20)
  • Alternative Health
  • Updated Biweekly

A podcast that explores the unique role nurses and nurse practitioners play in practicing the healing art of functional medicine. The show explores many aspects of functional medicine practice, emerging research, and the unique blessings and challenges that RNs and NPs experience when practicing functional medicine. Hosted by Dr. Brigitte Sager a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, functional medicine educator, and the CEO of the Institute for Functional Nursing™ (IFN). https://www.fxnursing.com/ Whether you’re new to the idea of becoming a functional medicine nurse or already practicing this healing modality as a holistic nurse in your current setting, the Functional Nurse Podcast is a way of connecting and speaking to the art functional nursing.

  1. May 27

    How to List Nursing Credentials After Your Name | RN, NP, APRN, MSN, DNP & Certifications

    Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at www.fxnursing.com How should nurses list credentials after their name? In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, Dr. Brigitte Sager explains how nurses, nurse practitioners, and advanced practice nurses can understand and display their professional credentials with more clarity and confidence. If you have ever wondered whether RN, BSN, MSN, DNP, APRN, NP, board certification, holistic nursing certification, or your other credentials should come first, this episode will help you make sense of the “alphabet soup” after a nurse’s name. Brigitte breaks down the difference between academic degrees, nursing licensure, advanced practice titles, national board certifications, specialty certifications, and program-created certificates. You’ll also hear how credentialing applies to nurses entering functional, holistic, and integrative healthcare. Brigitte discusses holistic nursing board certification through AHNCC, the Institute for Functional Medicine’s certification process, and the future need for a true functional nursing board certification. This episode is especially helpful for RNs, NPs, APRNs, nurse entrepreneurs, holistic nurses, functional medicine nurses, integrative health professionals, and nurses pursuing advanced education or specialty training. Whether you are updating your email signature, website bio, resume, professional title, or social media profile, this conversation will help you think more carefully about credibility, professionalism, and how to represent your qualifications accurately. In this episode: How to list nursing credentials after your name The difference between degrees, licenses, certifications, and certificates Where RN, NP, APRN, MSN, DNP, and board certifications fit Why credential order matters for nurses and nurse practitioners What holistic nursing certification means How IFM certification fits into functional medicine education Why functional nursing needs clearer professional standards How nurses can communicate credibility in functional and integrative healthcare Learn more about the Institute for Functional Nursing: www.fxnursing.com

    16 min

  2. May 13

    A Look Inside The Functional Nursing Program™: The Leading Functional Medicine Training for RNs & NPs

    Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at www.fxnursing.com In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager welcomes Samantha Hamilton, MSN-Ed, RN, a functional nurse educator, entrepreneur, and the Director of Growth and Partnerships at the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN). Together, they pull back the curtain on what functional nursing education actually looks like, how nurses can integrate functional medicine into practice, and why nursing-specific training is so different from traditional functional medicine programs. This conversation explores the foundations of IFN's signature Functional Nursing Program™, including how it teaches to IFM's published clinical competencies, leans heavily into case-study learning, offers holistic nursing certification pathways, supports students interested in entrepreneurship, and how nurses can apply functional medicine principles in real-world clinical settings. Brigitte and Sam also discuss the growing demand for root-cause nursing care, the importance of community and mentorship in nursing education, and why nurses are uniquely positioned to lead the future of preventative and integrative healthcare. If you're curious about functional nursing, holistic nursing certification, or starting your own wellness-focused practice, this episode offers an inside look at what’s possible. Connect with Samantha Hamilton: Director of Growth & Partnerships at the Institute for Functional Nursing Registered Nurse & Functional Nurse Educator Website: https://www.fxnursing.com Attend a Q & A webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zNGnUGlaRzqrJlWzaA6AXw#/registration Schedule a 1 on 1 call: https://calendly.com/samantha-fxnursing/30min

    1h 3m

  3. May 8

    Can Nurses Get Certified in Functional Medicine? RN & NP Career Path Explained

    Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at www.fxnursing.com In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager answers one of the most common questions nurses ask when exploring holistic and functional healthcare: can a registered nurse or nurse practitioner become certified in functional medicine? Brigitte breaks down the current landscape of functional medicine education, explains the difference between certificates and board certifications, clarifies what options are currently available for nurses seeking credibility and advanced training in this growing field and why holistic nursing certification is currently the closest aligned pathway. This episode also explores the future of functional nursing, including the need for a true nursing-specific board certification in functional medicine and why holistic nursing certification may currently be the closest aligned pathway. Brigitte shares insights on IFM certification, holistic nursing credentials, and how nurses can strategically position themselves for career growth in integrative and functional healthcare settings. If you're considering additional education, wondering what credentials matter most, or trying to decide your next step as a functional nurse or nurse practitioner, this episode offers practical guidance and clarity.

    12 min

  4. Apr 29

    Functional Medicine Conference Takeaways: Gut Health, Brain Health & AI in Healthcare

    Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at www.fxnursing.com In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager shares key takeaways from the Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute (PLMI) conference, founded by Dr. Jeffrey Bland, often called the father of functional medicine. This conference focused on clinical integration and real-world application, offering insights that nurses and practitioners can immediately implement. Brigitte breaks down powerful themes from leading experts in functional medicine, including neurodegeneration and microglial health, the role of inflammation and mitochondrial function, evolving gut health protocols, and the critical impact of circadian rhythm and sleep on metabolic health. She also explores practical nutrition insights, including how taste satisfaction influences eating behaviors, and dives into emerging tools like AI-driven clinical support for functional medicine practitioners. If you're a nurse or healthcare professional looking to stay current and effectively apply functional medicine principles, this episode delivers actionable insights and future-forward thinking.

    22 min
  5. Functional Medicine Nursing and Aesthetics: Integrating Beauty, Health & Business

    Apr 15

    Functional Medicine Nursing and Aesthetics: Integrating Beauty, Health & Business

    Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at www.fxnursing.com In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager is joined by Dr. Chip Nguyen, DNP, NP-C, IFMCP,  to explore how a functional medicine nurse can successfully integrate aesthetics with root-cause medicine to create a more holistic, patient-centered practice. With over 18 years of experience across primary care, urgent care, pulmonology, aesthetics, and functional medicine, Chip shares how her own health journey led her to a root-cause, patient-centered approach that redefines modern healthcare. She explains how functional medicine enhances aesthetic results by addressing hormones, gut health, inflammation, and metabolic balance—creating longer-lasting, more meaningful patient transformations. This conversation dives into: How functional medicine supports better outcomes in the aesthetics world The role of a functional medicine nurses in integrative and aesthetic care Lab testing, root-cause analysis, and personalized treatment strategies Building a hybrid practice combining aesthetics and functional medicine Entrepreneurship, systems, and scaling a sustainable nurse-led business How to stand out in the growing fields of functional medicine and aesthetics   Whether you're a nurse practitioner, aesthetic provider, or exploring functional medicine, this episode offers actionable insights on combining beauty, wellness, and clinical expertise into a powerful, future-focused career. Connect with Dr. Chip Nguyen: Location: Newport Beach, CA Website: https://www.wellnesswithchip.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswithchip/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Wellnesswithchip-61571193423514/

    56 min

  6. Apr 1

    Thinking About Going Back to School as a Nurse? BSN, MSN, DNP vs PhD Explained

    Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at www.fxnursing.com In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager, DNP breaks down one of the most common questions nurses and nurse practitioners ask: should you go back to school, and if so, which path is right for you? From BSN to MSN, nurse practitioner programs, DNP vs PhD, and beyond, this episode explores the real impact of advanced degrees on your career, scope of practice, income potential, and long-term fulfillment. More importantly, this conversation challenges the assumption that more education is always the answer. Brigitte shares insights from her own journey and from working with over a thousand RNs and NPs navigating burnout, career transitions, and the shift toward functional and integrative healthcare. If you're questioning your next step, considering entrepreneurship, or feeling pulled toward a more aligned way of practicing nursing, this episode will help you clarify your goals and make a more intentional decision about your future.

    27 min

  7. Mar 31

    10 Truths Every Aspiring Holistic Nurse Entrepreneur Should Know

    So you’re thinking about starting a holistic nursing business? Amazing. But before you launch that website or invest in a program, there are a few things you need to hear—things most people don’t tell you when you’re just starting out. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to become a nurse entrepreneur in the holistic space. We’ll talk about the emotional rollercoaster, the real cost (in time or money), and the surprising skills you’ll have to learn along the way. You’ll hear hard-earned truths like: Why “if you build it, they will come” is a myth (and what to do instead) Why passion isn’t enough—and what you’ll need to learn to succeed Why crying (sometimes out of nowhere) is part of the process And why there's plenty of room for you in this space—even if someone else in town is doing something similar Whether you’re in the dreaming phase or already building your practice, this episode will help you feel seen, supported, and seriously prepared. It’s not supposed to be easy—but it is worth it. Let’s talk about it. Learn more about what we offer at the Institute for Functional Nursing or join the movement at fxnursing.com Considering our Holistic Nursing Entrepreneur Program™? Learn more here: https://learn.fxnursing.com/hnep  Subscribe for more episodes on nurse entrepreneurship, holistic care, and transforming healthcare through nursing.

    34 min

  8. Mar 4

    Nurses in Policy and Integrative Medicine: DC Advocacy and NYC Conference Highlights

    Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our courses and programs at www.fxnursing.com. In this episode, Brigitte Sager, DNP IFMCP shares a major milestone for IFN: the official launch of the first cohort of the Functional Nursing Program. She also shares highlights from two recent conferences: the AANP Health Policy Conference in Washington, DC and the Integrative Healthcare Symposium in New York City, where IFN hosted its first ever exhibitor booth. Brigitte recaps key takeaways from health policy advocacy on Capitol Hill, and reflects on why nurses must show up, increase policymakers’ understanding, and communicate in language that resonates with constituents. She also shares insights from the NYC symposium, including emerging themes around GLP-1s, brain health, nitric oxide and the glymphatic system, imaging as a tool in functional care, and the realities of nutrition research. The episode closes with behind the scenes lessons from launching the IFN booth, building partnerships, advocating for registered nurses to be recognized by functional lab companies, and navigating a surprise blizzard that extended the trip.

    32 min
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4.6
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

A podcast that explores the unique role nurses and nurse practitioners play in practicing the healing art of functional medicine. The show explores many aspects of functional medicine practice, emerging research, and the unique blessings and challenges that RNs and NPs experience when practicing functional medicine. Hosted by Dr. Brigitte Sager a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, functional medicine educator, and the CEO of the Institute for Functional Nursing™ (IFN). https://www.fxnursing.com/ Whether you’re new to the idea of becoming a functional medicine nurse or already practicing this healing modality as a holistic nurse in your current setting, the Functional Nurse Podcast is a way of connecting and speaking to the art functional nursing.

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