The Functional Nurse Podcast - Nursing in Functional Medicine

Brigitte Sager, DNP
  • 4.6 (19)
  • 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. JAN 21

    Top 7 Challenges Functional Medicine Nurses Face with Elimination Diets

    Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing – Explore courses and training at www.fxnursing.com Elimination diets sound simple on paper, but in real life, they can create confusion, overwhelm, and unexpected setbacks for both nurses and their patients. In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager breaks down the top 7 challenges functional medicine nurses face when guiding clients through an elimination diet, and how to set the stage for success from the start. You’ll learn how to help patients navigate challenges and avoid common reintroduction mistakes that sabotage their hard work. Topics include: How to choose the right timing and “create space” before starting Simplifying to reduce overwhelm and prevent burnout What to do when patients feel worse before they feel better How to handle slip-ups Making the reintroduction phase a true experiment with structure and tracking Avoiding common mistakes like reintroducing foods during illness or flare-ups Why food sensitivities are not the root cause This episode empowers nurses to guide patients with confidence, empathy, and clarity while also keeping the focus on gut repair, root cause healing, and sustainable behavior change. Access the full course: A Functional Nursing Approach to Food Reactions Learn more about IFN's trainings and resources for functional medicine nurses at: https://www.fxnursing.com/learn

    17 min

  2. JAN 7

    The Hard Truth About Functional Medicine: Not Every Provider Is Legit

    Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at fxnursing.com Functional Medicine is meant to be about healing the root cause, not just managing symptoms—but not every provider or clinic claiming to practice “FM” is truly doing it. In this powerful episode, I share a personal (and fully permitted) story about a loved one who finally sought Functional Medicine help—only to end up in a clinic focused more on selling expensive labs and supplements than offering real clinical strategy, support, or individualized care. This isn’t about calling out individuals. It’s about protecting patients—especially those who are vulnerable, overwhelmed, or desperate for answers. I've had this same type of conversation with hundreds of RNs and NPs, and its an all too common problem. Whether you’re navigating chronic illness, searching for integrative support, or trying to help a loved one who’s struggling, this conversation will help you understand how to identify red flags, ask the right questions, and recognize when a provider isn’t truly practicing root-cause Functional Medicine.  Learn how to vet Functional Medicine providers Discover the red flags of “brand-based” FM vs. process-based FM  Understand why supplement-heavy protocols often miss the mark  Explore the importance of patient readiness before starting care  See why IFM training is a valuable (but not foolproof) signal If you're looking for ethical, effective, and personalized root-cause care—this episode is for you. In This Episode: Signs a clinic may be using "Functional Medicine" as a sales tactic Why supplement-first protocols often backfire How to ask better questions before spending thousands The role of readiness in healing (and how to support someone who’s not ready yet) The value of proper Functional Medicine training (like IFM)  If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

    28 min

  3. 12/23/2025

    Functional Medicine Nurses Are Disrupting Healthcare – Here’s Why

    Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) Empowering nurses to lead the future of healthcare through root cause care. Learn more at www.fxnursing.com   What does it really mean to be a disruptor in healthcare, and why are nurses uniquely positioned to lead that change? In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager, DNP, dives into how functional nurses are challenging outdated models of care and creating better outcomes through root cause healing, lifestyle medicine, prevention, and education. Drawing from recent insights by Dr. Jeffrey Bland and other functional medicine pioneers, Brigitte explores: What makes a functional medicine nurse a disruptor Why questioning conventional care is a responsibility, not rebellion How functional nurses are transforming care through entrepreneurship, group programs, patient partnerships, and community-based care She also covers the risks, challenges, and rewards of stepping outside the traditional nursing box — from professional reputation and system limitations to policy reform and values-driven practice. If you're a nurse who's ever asked, "Why are we doing it this way?" or felt called to practice differently, this episode is your permission slip to lead, innovate, and disrupt with purpose. Hosted by Brigitte Sager, DNP – Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner and Functional Nursing Educator.

    27 min
  4. How Evexia Diagnostics Simplifies Functional Medicine Lab Testing for Nurses with Ryan Obermeier

    12/10/2025

    How Evexia Diagnostics Simplifies Functional Medicine Lab Testing for Nurses with Ryan Obermeier

    Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) www.fxnursing.com In this episode, Brigitte interviews Ryan Obermeier of Evexia Diagnostics to show nurses exactly how to streamline functional lab testing inside a holistic or functional nursing practice. We break down how Evexia centralizes thousands of functional and specialty tests, simplifies ordering, integrates with systems like Practice Better, and reduces the administrative burden that often slows down new and growing practices. Ryan explains Evexia’s Internal Physician Network, which supports nurses who need physician authorization for specialty testing, as well as the Ask the Doctor program for clinical interpretation of advanced labs. We also cover Evexia’s Functional Health Report, supply management, troubleshooting support, white-label marketing tools, and how nursing using the link below can access exclusive perks, waived fees, and discounted resources. Whether you're launching a functional nursing practice or scaling an established clinic, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for improving efficiency, patient outcomes, and clinical confidence through better lab workflows. What We Cover in This Conversation: • How Evexia centralizes thousands of functional & specialty lab tests • Streamlined ordering, processing, and automated reporting • EHR integration with Practice Better and other platforms • Functional Health Report for blood chemistry interpretation • Internal Physician Network for non-licensed or collaborating providers • Ask the Doctor program for specialty lab interpretation • Reducing hidden costs, operational friction, and admin overwhelm • White-label and marketing tools available through the link below • How nurses can register and access waived fees + bonus support Functional Nurses Offer: Register With Evexia Diagnostics Evexia is extending exclusive benefits for our functional nursing community of RNs and NPs, including waived fees and access to additional support tools. Create your account here: https://www.evexiadiagnostics.com/lp/brigitte-sager-landing-registration-page

    44 min

  5. 11/26/2025

    What Is Functional Nursing? Functional Medicine for Nurses, Explained

    Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) www.fxnursing.com In this episode, we unpack what functional nursing really means and why it’s time nurses had their own language and space in the world of functional medicine. We’ll talk about: The difference between functional medicine and functional nursing How this approach aligns with nursing scope and values What makes the Institute for Functional Nursing™ unique Details on our programs, including the Functional Nursing Program™ (with early bird pricing through Monday, December 1st!) If you’re a nurse looking for more alignment, purpose, and tools to truly transform patient care, this episode will feel like coming home. Learn more: https://fxnursing.com Consider starting with our Introduction to Functional Nursing Course. Ready for more? Our full Functional Nursing Program™ is open for registration with deep discounts through Monday, December 1st.

    23 min
  6. Every Patient Is Unique: Functional Nursing In Action with Megan Kroeker, MSN, NP, IFMCP

    11/12/2025

    Every Patient Is Unique: Functional Nursing In Action with Megan Kroeker, MSN, NP, IFMCP

    Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) www.fxnursing.com In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, host Brigitte Sager, DNP, IFMCP speaks with Megan Kroeker, MSN, NP, IFMCP about her journey into functional medicine, the importance of prioritizing personal health, and the value of functional nursing in today's healthcare landscape. They discuss the challenges and rewards of starting a private practice in Canada, the significance of using timelines in patient care, and the role of intuition in functional nursing. Megan shares insights on building a supportive community among nurses and the future of functional nursing as a vital part of healthcare. Connect with Megan: Visit her website: https://functionalnp.ca/ Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megankroeker_functionalnp/# Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/functionalnpmegankroeker   💻 Want to stay up to date on the latest in Functional Medicine and nursing? Sign up for the newsletter at: https://learn.brigittesager.com/the-functional-nurse-newsletter to never miss an update.   Hosted by Brigitte Sager, DNP, a functional nurse practitioner and holistic nurse educator. https://www.brigittesager.com/   ✔️ Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page. We also now have video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fxnursing   This episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast is proudly sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN). At IFN, we equip RNs and NPs with the knowledge, confidence, and community to lead the future of healthcare through root-cause, patient-centered practice. We offer membership programs, continuing education, and a comprehensive, evidence informed education in functional nursing, all grounded in systems biology, clinical relevance, and the nursing process. Learn more about our offerings, upcoming courses, and how to join the movement at: https://www.fxnursing.com

    1h 4m

  7. 10/29/2025

    Key Takeaways from the 2025 PLMI Thought Leaders Conference

    Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) www.fxnursing.com   In this solo episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager, DNP shares her key takeaways from the PLMI Thought Leaders Consortium, a premier functional healthcare conference founded by Dr. Jeffrey Bland. Brigitte breaks down emerging themes shaping the future of functional nursing and functional healthcare, including immunometabolism, immune system resilience, epigenetics, personalized care, and affordable ways nurses can assess patient health using wearables and basic lab data like the CBC. She explains how tools such as heart rate variability, sleep data, continuous glucose monitors, and immune inflammatory indexes like SII and SIRI can help nurses track patient progress without relying solely on expensive testing. This episode also explores important conversations happening in the functional health space around trust, communication, prescriptions, GLP-1 agonists, longevity, cognitive decline, and the evolving role of nurses as disruptors in healthcare. Brigitte reflects on what it means to practice functional nursing with integrity, maintain strong patient provider relationships, and support patients using a true root cause approach. This episode is ideal for nurses, nurse practitioners, and holistic healthcare professionals who want to stay current on functional health trends, apply conference insights to real world practice, and better understand how nurses are helping shape the future of healthcare. Resources & Links Mentioned: PLMI Thought Leaders Consortium membership and conference recordings Podcast referenced by Robert Lustig Functional Nursing Summit registration Functional Nursing Program

    29 min

  8. 10/15/2025

    Functional Medicine for Nurses: What Now?

    With the foundational Functional Medicine for Nurses course coming to an end, many nurses are asking, what now? Brigitte Sager, DNP answers that question and maps out the next steps for nurses who want to bring functional approaches into practice. She explains why functional nursing is more than a rebrand, how it reclaims nursing roles as healers, teachers, and leaders, and why nurses need clear scope, community, and clinical support to apply these concepts safely. Brigitte also shares details about the Institute for Functional Nursing, current CE courses, the membership community with live case reviews, and the full functional nursing program launching in early 2026. If you want practical training that is built by nurses for nurses, or if you are wondering how to integrate functional care into your setting, this episode explains how to get started and where to find mentorship and resources. Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing, the premier functional medicine program for nursing professionals. Learn more and join the waitlist at fxnursing.com/learn. Register for the free Redefining the Future of Nursing summit at fxnursing.com/summit.   💻 Want to stay up to date on the latest in Functional Medicine and nursing? Sign up for the newsletter at: https://learn.brigittesager.com/the-functional-nurse-newsletter to never miss an update.   Hosted by Brigitte Sager, DNP, a functional nurse practitioner and holistic nurse educator. https://www.brigittesager.com/   ✔️ Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page. We also now have video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BrigitteSagerNP   This episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast is proudly sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN). At IFN, we equip RNs and NPs with the knowledge, confidence, and community to lead the future of healthcare through root-cause, patient-centered practice. We offer membership programs, continuing education, and a comprehensive, evidence informed education in functional nursing, all grounded in systems biology, clinical relevance, and the nursing process. Learn more about our offerings, upcoming courses, and how to join the movement at: https://www.fxnursing.com   Be well!

    35 min
See All (85)

Trailer

4.6
out of 5
19 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.

Information

You Might Also Like