The Heartbeat Debrief

Devin Grovala
  • 4.2 (5)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Biweekly

Healthcare doesn’t end when the shift does—and neither do the thoughts that come with it. Heartbeat Debrief is a podcast for nurses, EMS providers, and healthcare professionals navigating the realities of the job on and off the clock. From high-pressure calls to the moments that linger long after, this space is dedicated to the conversations that don’t make it into textbooks. Hosted by Devin, a registered nurse with a background in military medicine, EMS, and critical care, the podcast explores mental health, growth, and the weight healthcare workers carry—reminding you that you’re not alone in it. https://linktr.ee/heartbeat.debrief

  1. Aug 7

    Ep. 16 -The System That Demands Competence but Won’t Train It

    In this episode, Devin shares a powerful takeaway from teaching an NRP class: healthcare education should make people feel supported enough to ask questions, make mistakes safely, and actually learn. From high-pressure simulations and “death by PowerPoint” to rushed orientations, unit educators, FTO's and others in the education world are overwhelmed by compliance checklists, and the lack of funding for certifications, conferences, skills labs, and continuing education. This episode explores the gap between what healthcare systems demand from clinicians and what they provide to help them succeed. Because competency is not clicking “acknowledge” on a module. It is hands-on practice, critical thinking, asking questions, learning from mistakes, and having the opportunity to grow before a real patient is depending on you. In this episode: Creating welcoming, judgment-free learning environmentsWhy simulation should be a safe place to make mistakesThe value of hands-on scenarios over passive learningGaps in hospital-based education and skills maintenanceWhy night shift is often left out of meaningful trainingFunding access to certifications, conferences, cadaver labs, and advanced simulationWhy education is patient safety

    Ep. 16 -The System That Demands Competence but Won’t Train It

  2. Jul 17

    Ep. 15 How to Keep Going When You Feel Like Quitting

    In this episode of The Heartbeat Debrief, Devin gets real about mutual respect, teaching, culture, and what it takes to keep going when you feel like quitting. From toxic break rooms to the importance of asking questions, protecting your spark, and remembering your why, this episode is a blunt reminder that culture, boundaries, and patient outcomes all matter. Devin also talks about the difference between burnout and being in the wrong role, and why sometimes the most honest thing you can do is recognize when it’s time for a change. Whether you stay, shift settings, or leave bedside altogether, the goal is to find a version of healthcare that lets you keep showing up without losing yourself. In this episode, we cover: Mutual respect in the workplaceWhy teaching and asking questions matterHow to protect your spark and your whyBurnout, boundaries, and work-life balanceKnowing when it may be time to move onListener challenge: Write your “I do this because…” sentence, identify one thing that drains you and one thing that refills you, and make one small change this week to protect your energy.

    Ep. 15 How to Keep Going When You Feel Like Quitting

  3. Jul 3

    Ep. 14 From the Veteran Nurse to the Early Career Nurse

    In this episode of Heartbeat Debrief, Devin sits down with nurse mentor Bree to talk about the lessons that come with experience, the mistakes that shape us, and the advice early-career nurses need most. Bree shares her journey through nursing, from mom-baby and veteran care to the NICU, and reflects on how much she has learned not just from mentors, but also from the newer nurses she has taught along the way. Together, they discuss the importance of owning mistakes, speaking up, learning your own style, and creating a culture where questions are encouraged instead of punished. The conversation also explores how healthcare culture has changed, why burnout and staffing pressures affect new nurses so quickly, and what keeps experienced nurses coming back: their “why,” their patients, and the people beside them. Key Topics Lessons learned through years of nursing experience.How newer nurses can still teach and challenge experienced clinicians.Why owning mistakes matters in patient safety and professional growth.The reality of nurse-to-nurse culture and “eating our young”.How staffing pressure and burnout shape early careers.Why finding your “why” keeps nurses grounded and fulfilled.Guest Bio Bree is a NICU nurse with 10 years of nursing experience. Her background includes mom-baby nursing, work at the VA, and teaching and mentoring new nurses in the NICU. Notable Quote “The newer nurses can bring just as much value into an experience as an older experienced nurse” ECHO FAST Team https://www.echoflightcrew.org/fast 1-833-AIR-FAST fast@echoflightcrew.org

    Ep. 14 From the Veteran Nurse to the Early Career Nurse

  4. Jun 19

    Ep. 13 - Work-Life Balance

    In this episode of Heartbeat Debrief, Devin sits down with Devon Dean Snow to talk honestly about work-life balance in healthcare and why it is so hard to maintain. Devon shares how her career has evolved from EMT work to nursing and now to leadership in festival medicine, all while trying to protect her mental health, relationships, and personal time. They discuss how COVID changed the pace and pressure of healthcare, why guilt makes it hard to say no, and how burnout creeps in when work starts taking over everything else. Devon also opens up about the tools that help her stay grounded, including travel, yoga, reading, friendships, and setting firmer boundaries. Key Topics The meaning of work-life balance in healthcare.How COVID changed burnout and staffing culture.Why guilt makes it hard for healthcare workers to set boundaries.Moving from survival mode to intentional self-care.How travel, yoga, and relationships help create balance.Why new clinicians need to hear honest conversations about burnout.Guest Bio Devon works for Prevent Medical Solutions and serves as Director of Clinical Operations and Staffing. She began her career as an EMT in 2015, later became an ER nurse, and has built a career in festival medicine while still working part-time in the hospital. Notable Quote “You have to protect yourself from this job, because it can take everything from you if you let it”

    Ep. 13 - Work-Life Balance

  5. May 29

    Ep. 12 The Paramedic Who Became a Nurse

    In this episode of Heartbeat Debrief, Devin sits down with Zane Atencio, an educator and flight clinician in Texas, to talk through one of the biggest crossroads in EMS: whether to pursue nursing school. Zane shares his path from EMT to paramedic, then to RN, and explains how each step expanded his knowledge, flexibility, and career options. They discuss the reality of working in EMS, the strength of crew culture, and how mentorship and preceptors can shape a career. Zane also breaks down the differences he’s seen between the paramedic and nursing roles, including scope, liability, education, and pay. Key Topics Finding your path in EMS.How mentorship and preceptors can change your career direction.Why nursing school became an option for a flight clinician.Pay, scope, and mobility in EMS versus nursing.The adjustment from truck-based care to bedside nursing.Why advanced education can open more doors in healthcare.

    Ep. 12 The Paramedic Who Became a Nurse

  6. May 15

    Ep. 11 Crisis Management

    In this episode of The Heartbeat Debrief, Devin breaks down one of the most important skills in healthcare: crisis management. From the bedside to the ambulance to the ICU, crisis can show up in many forms, and learning how to stay calm when things get chaotic is key to responding well. Devin shares practical strategies for handling high-pressure moments, including tactical breathing, pausing to assess the situation, communicating clearly with your team, and using closed-loop communication instead of “thin air commands.” He also talks about the importance of tone, teamwork, and knowing when to step back and let the right person speak with patients or families. The episode also touches on the reality of burnout and the need for self-care, because you cannot pour from an empty cup. Whether you’re a new grad, a seasoned clinician, or someone navigating a stressful shift, this conversation is a reminder that you are not alone, and that strong teams, clear communication, and taking care of yourself all matter when crisis hits.

    Ep. 11 Crisis Management

  7. May 1

    Ep. 10 - The Role of Humor in Healthcare

    In this episode of The Heartbeat Debrief, Devin is joined by a guest clinician to talk about humor in healthcare—what it is, why we use it, and where the line is. In this episode, we cover: Why humor becomes a coping mechanism in high-stress environmentsThe difference between good humor, dark humor, and crossing the lineHow laughter helps build connection with patients and coworkersKnowing your audience and reading the roomWhen humor helps… and when it can do harmWhy “laughing after the call” doesn’t make you a bad providerThe role of humor in preventing burnout and protecting your mental healthKey takeaway: Humor isn’t the problem—lack of awareness is. When used with intention, it can be one of the most powerful tools we have.

    Ep. 10 - The Role of Humor in Healthcare

  8. Apr 24

    Ep. 9 - Why Morale Matters: Celebrating the Wins in Healthcare

    In this guest episode of The Heartbeat Debrief, Devin sits down with a colleague from the mobile stroke world to talk about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention in healthcare — morale. From working in tight-knit transport crews to larger hospital units, this conversation breaks down how team dynamics, communication, and small everyday actions directly impact not only workplace culture, but patient care outcomes. Together, they explore what morale actually looks like in real life — beyond buzzwords and forced team-building — and why strong unit cohesion can make the difference on both the best and worst days. This episode dives into: The difference between morale in small teams vs. large unitsHow trust and familiarity shape teamwork under pressureWhy healthcare tends to highlight mistakes more than winsThe impact of gossip, feedback culture, and debriefingHow small gestures (like a simple “thank you”) can shift an entire shiftWhy celebrating wins — even the quiet ones — matters more than we thinkThis episode is a reminder that good teams don’t just happen — they’re built intentionally. Because at the end of the day, strong morale doesn’t just support providers — it directly affects the care we give.

    Ep. 9 - Why Morale Matters: Celebrating the Wins in Healthcare
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About

Healthcare doesn’t end when the shift does—and neither do the thoughts that come with it. Heartbeat Debrief is a podcast for nurses, EMS providers, and healthcare professionals navigating the realities of the job on and off the clock. From high-pressure calls to the moments that linger long after, this space is dedicated to the conversations that don’t make it into textbooks. Hosted by Devin, a registered nurse with a background in military medicine, EMS, and critical care, the podcast explores mental health, growth, and the weight healthcare workers carry—reminding you that you’re not alone in it. https://linktr.ee/heartbeat.debrief

Information

  • Creator
    Devin Grovala
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    17
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Heartbeat Debrief LLC 2026
  • Show Website
    The Heartbeat Debrief