My Nurse Specialty

Rebecca Emery, RN
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Medicine

A podcast for nurses who want to explore the many specialties and career paths within nursing. Nursing school teaches us how to be nurses, but when it comes to careers, most of us are only introduced to a handful of specialties, often based on chance conversations or limited clinical experiences. Beyond that, we are expected to figure the rest out on our own. That is often where uncertainty about what comes next begins. Whether you’re a nurse, nursing student, or aspiring nurse, this podcast exists to expand that awareness. In each episode, you’ll explore nursing specialties some familiar and some you may not even know exist through real stories and insight that help you better understand what may be possible for you at any stage of your career. We talk with real nurses who share their stories, their specialties, and the paths they took to get there. Real nurses. Real stories. Real possibilities.

  1. 3d ago

    Ep 15: Behind the Data: A Nursing Role in Surgical Quality with Emily Nelson

    In this episode of My Nurse Specialty, I talk with Emily Nelson about her role in NSQIP, the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program. Emily shares how she started her career in the OR, moved into quality and safety work, and now leads a remote team of nurses who review surgical data to help hospitals improve outcomes and patient safety. We talk about what this role actually looks like day to day, the kind of experience that helps nurses transition into this work, and why titles can be misleading when nurses are exploring nontraditional or remote opportunities. Emily also shares helpful advice for nurses who want remote work and encourages them to stay curious, look beyond job titles, and apply for roles that interest them. In this episode, we talk about: What NSQIP is and how nurses use surgical data to improve hospital quality and safetyHow OR, perioperative, and critical care experience can open doors into remote quality rolesWhy nurses should look beyond job titles and stay open to unexpected career pathsAbout Emily: Emily Nelson is an RN who began her nursing career in the operating room and later transitioned into surgical quality and safety. She now works in a regional role supporting NSQIP across multiple medical centers, leading a team of nurses who abstract surgical cases, analyze outcomes, and help drive quality improvement efforts. Her work combines clinical knowledge, data interpretation, and collaboration to improve patient safety on a larger scale. Stay Connected: Learn how we can work together Apply to be on the Podcast Connect with me on LinkedIn Get the FREE guide here on how to choose your specialty!

    37 min

  2. Jul 1

    Ep 14: More Than the Floor: Inside OR Nursing with Mandy Carlile

    In this episode of My Nurse Specialty, I talk with Mandy Carlile about her path into operating room nursing and what nurses should know if they are curious about the OR. Mandy shares how she started on med-surg, moved into hospice, and eventually found her place in the operating room, where she has now spent most of her nursing career. We talk about what a circulating nurse does, the pace and structure of the OR, the personalities and challenges that can come with the environment, and why procedural nursing can be a great fit for nurses looking for something different. Mandy also shares how OR nursing can open doors into other perioperative roles like pre-op, PACU, and first assist. In addition to her OR work, Mandy is also a board-certified holistic nurse coach who supports women experiencing stress, burnout, and overwhelm through holistic lifestyle changes. In this episode, we talk about: How Mandy moved from med-surg and hospice into operating room nursingWhat OR nursing is really like, including shifts, circulating, and perioperative opportunitiesWhy procedural nursing and holistic nurse coaching may be meaningful paths for nurses seeking a better fitAbout Mandy Carlile: Mandy lives in Missouri with her husband and two boys. She has been a nurse since 2015, and most of her nursing career has been spent in the operating room. She is also passionate about holistic health and is a board-certified holistic nurse coach. Connect with Mandy: Website: mandyholisticcoach.com Instagram: @mandyholisticcoach  Stay Connected: Learn how we can work together Apply to be on the Podcast Connect with me on LinkedIn Get the FREE guide here on how to choose your specialty!

    40 min

  3. Jun 17

    Ep 13: How to Find the Right Nursing Specialty

    In this solo episode of My Nurse Specialty, I talk about one of the biggest questions nurses face: how do you know which specialty is right for you? I share why so many nurses end up in roles by circumstance instead of true fit, and why that uncertainty is not a personal failure, but a predictable part of how nursing careers often begin. I also walk through four practical questions to help you better understand how you are wired, what kind of work energizes you, and what direction may be worth exploring next. This episode is about moving from confusion to clarity so you can make more intentional career decisions. In this episode, I talk about: Why many nurses end up in specialties by default instead of alignmentFour questions to help you identify what kind of nursing work fits you bestHow reflection, networking, and strategy can help you explore your next moveStay Connected: Learn how we can work together Apply to be on the Podcast Connect with me on LinkedIn Get the FREE guide here on how to choose your specialty!

    16 min

  4. Jun 10

    Ep 12: The Reality of Critical Care Nursing with Jessica Nelson

    In this episode of My Nurse Specialty, I talk with Jessica Nelson, an ICU nurse and educator with 24 years of experience in critical care. She shares what ICU nursing is really like, what nurses should know before pursuing this path, and why strong support and education matter so much in this specialty. Jessica also talks about the best ways to prepare for ICU, including building experience in step-down or med-surg, learning from mentors, and continuing to study outside of orientation. We also discuss certifications, the emotional side of critical care, and the many ways ICU experience can open doors later in a nursing career. In this episode, we talk about: What ICU nursing is really like day to dayHow nurses can prepare for a future in critical careWhy support, mentorship, and knowing your why matter in ICU nursingAbout Jessica Nelson: Jessica Nelson has 24 years of nursing experience, with most of her career spent in neuro critical care. Her background also includes eight years in interventional radiology, leadership as manager of a Neuro ICU and Neuro Step-Down Unit, and her current role as Clinical Nurse Educator for three high-acuity critical care units. She continues to work bedside twice a month and is passionate about supporting nurses, strengthening clinical judgment, and creating learning environments where nurses feel confident and capable. Stay Connected: Learn how we can work together Apply to be on the Podcast Connect with me on LinkedIn Get the FREE guide here on how to choose your specialty!

    51 min

  5. Jun 3

    Ep 11: Why Networking Matters in Nursing

    In this solo episode of My Nurse Specialty, I talk about one of the most overlooked parts of building a nursing career: networking. Many nurses work hard, gain experience, and still feel stuck when it comes to moving into a new specialty. Often, the difference is not talent or effort. It is relationships. In this episode, I share why networking is not about using people or self-promotion, but about building genuine connections that can open doors, offer insight, and help you move forward with more clarity. I also walk through a simple, realistic way to start building your network as a nurse, even if it feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar. In this episode, I talk about: Why networking often makes the difference in who gets access to new nursing opportunitiesHow nurses can build genuine professional relationships without feeling fake or self-promotionalA simple, practical way to start reaching out and growing your network over timeStay Connected: Learn how we can work together Apply to be on the Podcast Connect with me on LinkedIn Get the FREE guide here on how to choose your specialty!

    15 min

  6. May 27

    Ep 10: Remote Nursing Jobs: What a Prior Authorization Nurse Does

    In this episode of My Nurse Specialty, I talk with Nurse Daisy about how she moved from bedside nursing into a full-time remote role as a prior authorization nurse. She shares her path from skilled nursing and emergency nursing into the insurance side of healthcare and how this work-from-home specialty became the right fit for her. We also talk about what this role looks like day to day, what skills transfer well, what nurses should look for when applying, and the benefits and challenges of remote nursing. Daisy gives a realistic look at this specialty for nurses who want more routine, flexibility, and a non-bedside path. In This Episode, You’ll Learn What a prior authorization nurse does in a remote role.How bedside and ER experience can help nurses move into this specialty.What to look for when searching for work-from-home nursing jobs. About My Guest Nurse Daisy is a prior authorization nurse who works full-time from home in the insurance side of healthcare. Over the course of her nursing career, she has worked in skilled nursing, emergency nursing, outpatient surgery, home health, school nursing, and private duty nursing. She has now spent more than a decade in her current role and is passionate about helping nurses explore flexible, non-bedside career options. Connect with Nurse Daisy Instagram: @thatnursedaisy Stay Connected: Learn how we can work together Apply to be on the Podcast Connect with me on LinkedIn Get the FREE guide here on how to choose your specialty!

    31 min

  7. May 20

    Ep 9: Helping Patients Navigate Healthcare: The Nurse Advocate Role with Lori Schellenberg

    In this episode of My Nurse Specialty, I talk with Lori Schellenberg about patient advocacy and why this role can be such a natural fit for nurses. Lori shares how her background in bedside nursing, case management, and years of advocating for patients and families led her to build her own advocacy business and mentor nurses who want to move into this work. We also talk about what a nurse advocate actually does, how this role differs from bedside advocacy, and why it can be such a meaningful way to walk with patients and families through the full healthcare journey. Lori also shares the challenges of building this kind of work, the different niches available in advocacy, and why nurses already have many of the skills needed to thrive in this specialty. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: What nurse advocacy looks like beyond the bedside. Why nurses are well positioned to pivot into patient advocacy. What challenges and opportunities come with building an advocacy career. About My Guest Lori Schellenberg is a nurse with 45 years of experience and a certified case manager with more than 20 years in case management. She is the owner of Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, where she advocates for patients and families and also mentors nurses who want to become nurse advocates. Lori is passionate about helping nurses use the skills they already have in a way that brings them joy while making a real difference for patients navigating the healthcare system. Connect with Lori Stepping Stone Advocacy Services: https://www.steppingstoneadvocacy.com Alliance of Professional Health Advocates: https://aphadvocates.org/ Umbra Health Advocacy: https://umbrahealthadvocacy.com/about-umbra/ GNA Now: https://gnanow.org/ Stay Connected: Learn how we can work together Apply to be on the Podcast Connect with me on LinkedIn Get the FREE guide here on how to choose your specialty!

    36 min

  8. May 13

    Ep 8: The Heart of Nurse Education with Heather Bohman

    In this episode of My Nurse Specialty, I talk with Heather Bohman about her path from NICU nursing to becoming a nurse educator. She shares how her love of patient education, precepting, and teaching led her back to school for her master’s degree and into faculty teaching in a nursing program. We also talk about what nurse educators actually do, from classroom teaching to clinical instruction, the educational path to becoming one, the challenges of the role, and the many ways nurses can grow within education. Heather also shares why she is passionate about supporting nurse educators and helping prevent burnout in those who spend so much time pouring into others. In This Episode, You’ll Learn How Heather transitioned from NICU nursing into nurse education.What it looks like to teach both in the classroom and in clinicals.Why nurse education can be meaningful, challenging, and full of growth opportunities. About My Guest Heather Bohman is a nurse educator in San Antonio, Texas, a former NICU nurse, and a board-certified nurse coach. She teaches in a nursing program, works closely with students in both clinical and classroom settings, and is passionate about helping future nurses succeed. She is also focused on supporting nurse educators through wellness, resilience, and burnout prevention. Connect with Heather Website: heatherbohman.com Stay Connected: Learn how we can work together Apply to be on the Podcast Connect with me on LinkedIn Get the FREE guide here on how to choose your specialty!

    32 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

A podcast for nurses who want to explore the many specialties and career paths within nursing. Nursing school teaches us how to be nurses, but when it comes to careers, most of us are only introduced to a handful of specialties, often based on chance conversations or limited clinical experiences. Beyond that, we are expected to figure the rest out on our own. That is often where uncertainty about what comes next begins. Whether you’re a nurse, nursing student, or aspiring nurse, this podcast exists to expand that awareness. In each episode, you’ll explore nursing specialties some familiar and some you may not even know exist through real stories and insight that help you better understand what may be possible for you at any stage of your career. We talk with real nurses who share their stories, their specialties, and the paths they took to get there. Real nurses. Real stories. Real possibilities.

Information

  • Creator
    Rebecca Emery, RN
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 My Nurse Specialty
  • Show Website
    My Nurse Specialty