Voices from the Nursing Frontline

TCNA

Welcome to the Voices from the Nursing Frontline, proudly sponsored by the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement. Join host, Lisa Beasley, as she shines a spotlight on the remarkable individuals who are shaping the future of nursing. In this new season, we’re diving deeper than ever into the heart of the nursing profession. From innovative practices and groundbreaking research to the real-life stories of resilience and dedication, we’re here to bring you the voices that matter most in the world of nursing. Each episode invites you to explore compelling stories and practical advice tailored to enhancing nurse well-being, optimizing recruitment and retention efforts, pioneering innovative teaching methodologies, and leveraging cutting-edge data and technology. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner, a nursing student, a healthcare leader or executive, or involved in academia, there’s something here for everyone. Get ready to embark on this exciting new season with us. Together, we’ll celebrate the heroes in scrubs and the advancements driving the future of care. Voices from the Nursing Frontline is sponsored by The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement, an innovative initiative uniting academic and clinical nursing, healthcare leadership, and governmental agencies to tackle the pressing challenges facing the nursing profession and healthcare industry for all nurses in the state of Tennessee. Tune in, subscribe, and embark on a journey of growth and empowerment with Voices from the Nursing Frontline! We would like to give a big thank you to the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band for our beautiful theme music!

  1. 5d ago

    Beyond October: Breast Cancer Awareness Every Day of the Year with Dr. Lisa Beasley

    In this special episode for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, host Dr. Lisa Beasley turns the microphone on herself to share her own breast cancer journey. She describes finding a lump in December 2019, speaking up when pandemic delays pushed back her mammogram, and going through a bilateral mastectomy, chemotherapy, complications, and multiple reconstructive surgeries. She also reflects on the nurses and care team who supported her, including former students, and explains why awareness can’t be limited to October. Her message to listeners is to listen to your body, follow up on anything that doesn’t seem right, and advocate for yourself in the health care system.

    Beyond October: Breast Cancer Awareness Every Day of the Year with Dr. Lisa Beasley

  2. Oct 21

    Love, Care, and Concern: A Career Reinvented with Dr. Lisa Beasley and guest, Rebecca Flora-Waterman

    Host Dr. Lisa Beasley talks with Rebecca Flora-Waterman, an APRN family nurse practitioner, about a career that began in the classroom and grew through motherhood, lactation consulting, bedside nursing, and advanced practice. Rebecca shares how teaching shaped the way she cares for patients, what it was like to start nursing school as an older student with four children, and what she learned in an integrative practice about treating the whole person. She also discusses her work in a nurse practitioner led community health clinic through ETSU, the influence of her mother’s nursing career, and why she is now pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree.

    Love, Care, and Concern: A Career Reinvented with Dr. Lisa Beasley and guest, Rebecca Flora-Waterman

  3. Oct 14

    Men in Nursing: Representation, Recruitment, and the Future of the Profession with Randy Johnson, William Wood, and host, Dr. Lisa Beasley

    Two longtime nurses and nurse educators, Dr. Randy Johnson and Professor William Wood of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing, discuss the representation of men in nursing and what it will take to grow it. They share how they found their way into the profession, the stereotypes and obstacles they encountered along the way, and why men remain underrepresented in areas like obstetrics, neonatal care, and pediatrics. The conversation looks at how recruitment could start as early as grade school, how professional organizations can support male students, and why a more diverse workforce benefits patients and the profession.

    Men in Nursing: Representation, Recruitment, and the Future of the Profession with Randy Johnson, William Wood, and host, Dr. Lisa Beasley

  4. Oct 7

    Revisit for October: Domestic Violence Awareness with Carla Kirkland

    In this episode of Voices from the Nursing Frontline, Dr. Lisa Beasley is joined by experienced emergency nurse practitioner and nurse leader Carla Kirkland to explore the critical role nurses play in identifying and supporting victims of domestic and intimate partner violence (DV/IPV). Drawing from nearly two decades in emergency care and her work with the Memphis Area Women’s Council and local task forces, Kirkland shares how her experiences revealed gaps in provider training, resources, and coordination of care for abuse victims. The conversation reframes domestic and intimate partner violence as patterns of power and control rather than solely physical harm, emphasizing that abuse can be emotional, psychological, financial, or social—and often goes unseen. Kirkland highlights overlooked populations, including the elderly, individuals with disabilities, teens, and pregnant women, while also addressing the dangers of stalking and escalating violence. Listeners gain practical insight into recognizing subtle warning signs, such as chronic health complaints, delayed care, or controlling partner behavior, and learn how to implement trauma-informed, nonjudgmental screening practices. The episode also explores common barriers nurses face—like lack of training, fear of offending patients, and time constraints—and offers strategies to overcome them through education, community partnerships, and routine screening. A key focus is patient safety, including why leaving an abusive relationship can be the most dangerous time and how nurses can help patients create realistic safety plans. Kirkland also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and advocacy, highlighting community resources and policy efforts, including Tennessee’s new domestic violence offender registry. The episode concludes with a call to action for nurses to use their trusted voices to advocate for patients, engage in community efforts, and increase awareness of the widespread impact of domestic violence. Through education, empathy, and early intervention, nurses can play a pivotal role in breaking cycles of abuse and improving outcomes for vulnerable individuals.

    Revisit for October: Domestic Violence Awareness with Carla Kirkland

  5. Sep 30

    Leadership Beyond the Job Description with Ashley Carter and host Lisa Beasley

    Host Lisa Beasley talks with Ashley Carter, nurse educator and president of the Tennessee Nurses Foundation, about the pivotal decisions that shaped her career, from starting out as an LPN to leading at both the state and national level. Ashley shares candid advice on taking ownership of your career instead of waiting to be recognized, finding mentors, avoiding burnout during seasons of growth, and why leadership doesn't require a formal title. It's a practical, encouraging conversation for any nurse wondering what's next.

    Leadership Beyond the Job Description with Ashley Carter and host Lisa Beasley

  6. Sep 23

    Growing Leaders, Keeping Nurses: A Conversation on Workforce Science with Kathleen Kinser

    Host Dr. Lisa Beasley sits down with Host Dr. Lisa Beasley talks with Dr. Kathleen Kinser, nurse scientist with the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement, about her winding path through nursing — from clinical research at Vanderbilt to nursing education to workforce science. Dr. Kinser shares what she's learned about nursing workforce data, the unique challenges facing rural nurses in Appalachia, the impact of workplace violence and microaggressions on retention, and what it really takes to grow strong nurse leaders. The conversation closes with her honest, practical vision for what would help nurses stay at the bedside long-term.

    Growing Leaders, Keeping Nurses: A Conversation on Workforce Science with Kathleen Kinser

  7. Sep 16

    From Silence to Speaking Out: One Nurse's Story of Workplace Bullying

    Host Dr. Lisa Beasley sits down with Dr. Christy Cavallo, nurse educator and assistant professor at Baptist Health Sciences University, for a candid conversation about workplace bullying and incivility in nursing. Dr. Cavallo shares her own painful experiences as a new nurse in the 1990s and unpacks the difference between incivility and bullying, why new nurses and students are especially vulnerable, and how this "hidden" culture impacts burnout, turnover, and patient outcomes. The episode closes with practical strategies nurses and leaders can use to break the cycle and build a more civil, supportive profession.

    From Silence to Speaking Out: One Nurse's Story of Workplace Bullying

  8. Sep 9

    Nurses as Leaders: Transforming Healthcare Through DNP Education with Montrese Alleyne

    In this episode of Voices from the Nursing Frontline, host Dr. Lisa Beasley speaks with Dr. Montrese Alleyne, an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing, about her journey from clinical nursing practice to advanced practice, doctoral education, and nurse education. Dr. Alleyne began her nursing career in the neonatal intensive care unit, where she spent approximately 13 years caring for premature infants. Her experiences in the NICU led her to recognize connections between maternal health, chronic disease, and infant outcomes. Wanting to broaden her scope of practice, she became a family nurse practitioner before pursuing her DNP and ultimately moving into nursing education. Her passion for teaching, precepting, mentoring, and helping others succeed became central to her career. The conversation examines what distinguishes Doctor of Nursing Practice education from undergraduate and master's-level nursing education. Dr. Alleyne explains that DNP education focuses on translating evidence into meaningful change, evaluating outcomes, improving healthcare systems, and addressing the needs of entire populations rather than focusing solely on individual patient encounters. Dr. Alleyne also discusses the challenges DNP students face as they balance doctoral coursework with professional and family responsibilities. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining high academic expectations while also encouraging students to give themselves grace. She describes the role of faculty as both supporting students and challenging them to develop confidence, resilience, critical thinking, and independence. Another major focus is the DNP project and the importance of selecting projects that address genuine clinical or organizational needs. Dr. Alleyne encourages students to choose problems they are passionate about while considering stakeholders, resources, timelines, and measurable outcomes. The goal is to create evidence-based improvements that can continue to benefit patients and organizations after the project is completed. The episode also explores leadership, clinical judgment, professional accountability, and the evolving role of technology in healthcare. Dr. Alleyne emphasizes that leadership does not require a formal title and that nurses at every level can influence patient care through collaboration, communication, advocacy, and accountability. She also discusses the growing importance of artificial intelligence in healthcare and nursing education, stressing that nurses must learn to use these tools responsibly while continuing to rely on critical thinking and prioritize patient safety. As the episode concludes, Dr. Alleyne encourages nurses considering a DNP to understand their "why." She describes nursing as a profession capable of creating meaningful change far beyond the bedside and encourages nurses to recognize their potential to influence healthcare systems, communities, and the future of the profession.

    Nurses as Leaders: Transforming Healthcare Through DNP Education with Montrese Alleyne
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About

Welcome to the Voices from the Nursing Frontline, proudly sponsored by the Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement. Join host, Lisa Beasley, as she shines a spotlight on the remarkable individuals who are shaping the future of nursing. In this new season, we’re diving deeper than ever into the heart of the nursing profession. From innovative practices and groundbreaking research to the real-life stories of resilience and dedication, we’re here to bring you the voices that matter most in the world of nursing. Each episode invites you to explore compelling stories and practical advice tailored to enhancing nurse well-being, optimizing recruitment and retention efforts, pioneering innovative teaching methodologies, and leveraging cutting-edge data and technology. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner, a nursing student, a healthcare leader or executive, or involved in academia, there’s something here for everyone. Get ready to embark on this exciting new season with us. Together, we’ll celebrate the heroes in scrubs and the advancements driving the future of care. Voices from the Nursing Frontline is sponsored by The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement, an innovative initiative uniting academic and clinical nursing, healthcare leadership, and governmental agencies to tackle the pressing challenges facing the nursing profession and healthcare industry for all nurses in the state of Tennessee. Tune in, subscribe, and embark on a journey of growth and empowerment with Voices from the Nursing Frontline! We would like to give a big thank you to the ETSU Bluegrass Pride Band for our beautiful theme music!

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