Voices from the Nursing Frontline

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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. 4d ago

    Prevention Starts Early: Nursing’s Role in Changing Lifelong Health Outcomes with Chris Owen

    In this episode of Voices From the Nursing Frontline, host Dr. Lisa Beasley speaks with Chris Owen, MS, ACNP, a nurse practitioner whose 34-year nursing career spans trauma and ICU care, vascular surgery, education design, prevention science, and legislative advocacy. Chris shares her professional journey from associate-degree nurse in a Level I trauma center to surgical ICU nurse, vascular nurse practitioner, and ultimately Director of Innovative Design and Simulation in the Education Division at the American College of Cardiology. In her current role, she helps shape education for more than 60,000 cardiovascular professionals across in-person, online, and simulation-based platforms—while continuing to practice clinically. The conversation explores the power of prevention across the lifespan, from child passenger safety and injury prevention to vascular disease, hypertension, and cardiovascular risk reduction. Chris emphasizes that atherosclerosis and chronic disease develop over decades, making early education, lifestyle changes, and community-level interventions critical to improving long-term outcomes. Dr. Beasley and Chris also discuss gaps in clinician education—particularly where nursing and advanced practice provider workflows differ from physician-centered models—and the importance of practical, bedside-relevant education that supports transitions of care from hospital to clinic and back again. The episode concludes with a powerful discussion on nursing advocacy. Chris reflects on her experience working with legislators, including helping write Maryland’s booster seat legislation, and encourages nurses to recognize their influence beyond direct patient care. Her message is clear: curiosity, courage, and persistence can open doors nurses may never have imagined—and those doors can lead to meaningful change for patients, families, and communities.

    35 min

  2. Jun 3

    Confidence, Compassion, and Chaos: The Truth About Nursing School

    This week, Dr. Lisa Beasley talks with three nursing students from UTHSC who open up about why they chose nursing, what their days really look like, and the moments that changed how they see patient care. From accelerated vs. traditional tracks to clinical surprises, emotional resilience, and the skills that humbled them — this conversation is honest, encouraging, and full of heart.

    36 min

  3. May 27

    Bridging the Gap: Forensic Nursing and Education in Rural Communities with Carrie Bailey

    In this episode of Voices from the Nursing Frontline, host Dr. Lisa Beasley sits down with Dr. Carrie Bailey, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee College of Nursing and an experienced Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE). Dr. Bailey shares insights from more than two decades in nursing education and clinical practice, discussing how simulation, trauma-informed care, and real-world clinical experiences prepare students for today’s healthcare environment. She also highlights her work expanding SANE services across rural Tennessee and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure survivors of sexual assault have access to compassionate, specialized care. The conversation explores nursing education, rural healthcare challenges, mentorship, and the critical role nurses play in bridging the gap between classroom learning and patient care.

    47 min

  4. May 21

    Motivating Nurses Through Patient Care with Tiffany Street and host, Dr. Lisa Beasley

    In this conversation, Dr. Tiffany Street shares her journey through nursing, leadership, and clinical practice at Vanderbilt Heart and Vascular Institute. She currently serves as the Associate Nursing Officer and continues to practice as an acute care nurse practitioner in vascular surgery, a specialty she has loved since 2005. She oversees clinical operations across 23 clinics in Tennessee, with additional locations in Kentucky, Indiana, and Alabama, making her service line the first at Vanderbilt to operate in four states. Dr. Street talks about her unconventional path into nursing. She originally studied biology and chemistry with plans for medical school but discovered the nursing model through a nurse practitioner she worked with after graduation. She completed a bridge program at Vanderbilt, moved into cardiac surgery at the VA, and eventually shifted into vascular surgery, where she has spent most of her career. She later pursued leadership, which eventually led her back to Vanderbilt in a director role and then into executive nursing leadership. Her motivation for earning both her MSN and DNP grew out of wanting to serve, lead, and better understand the systems guiding patient care. A major theme she returns to is balance. With over 400 FTEs under her leadership, she emphasizes the importance of motivation, communication, and purpose. She believes strongly in starting with the “why” when leading change and in staying connected to frontline staff and patients. Continuing her own weekly clinical practice keeps her grounded and gives her credibility with the teams she leads. She notes the importance of reflection, feedback, and the role of informal leaders in shaping culture. Dr. Street also speaks passionately about advocacy and professional governance. Her involvement in organizations like the Society for Vascular Nursing and the Tennessee Nurses Association grew from realizing how deeply public policy affects nursing practice. She encourages nurses to get involved at any level—through professional organizations, unit councils, or grassroots advocacy—because their voices directly impact patient care and the future of the profession.

    43 min

  5. May 14

    From Bedside to Breakthroughs: Dr. Ann Cashion on Nursing Science

    In this episode of Voices from the Nursing Frontline, Ann Cashion joins host Lisa Beasley for an in-depth conversation about the evolving role of nurse scientists in healthcare, research, and national policy. Dr. Cashion reflects on her career journey from ICU nursing to becoming a nationally recognized leader in nursing research, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, collaboration, and persistence in building a successful scientific career. The discussion explores how nurses uniquely contribute to symptom science, genomics, precision health, and patient-centered outcomes. Dr. Cashion highlights the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork and encourages nurses to recognize the immense value they bring to scientific and clinical conversations. She also addresses current challenges in nursing research funding, health equity, leadership development, and the need for more nurses to pursue roles in policy and national leadership. Throughout the episode, Dr. Cashion emphasizes that nursing science is ultimately about improving patient outcomes and mentoring the next generation of nurse leaders and researchers.

    45 min

  6. Apr 30

    Collaboration Between an Archivist and Nursing Faculty to Open a Nursing Theory Center

    In this episode of Voices from the Nursing Frontline, host Dr. Lisa Beasley welcomes Dr. Marie Gill and Jennifer Langford from University of Tennessee Health Science Center to discuss their innovative collaboration surrounding the opening of the Dr. Margaret A. Newman Center for Nursing Theory. The conversation explores the unique partnership between nursing faculty and archival science, highlighting how historical preservation, nursing scholarship, and modern technology intersect to bring nursing theory to life. Dr. Gill and Langford share how they worked together to curate materials from Dr. Margaret Newman’s archival collection, including handwritten notes, lectures, artwork, correspondence, poetry, and historical recordings, to create immersive scholarly experiences for nursing researchers and educators from around the world. Listeners will hear how the collaboration evolved beyond historical preservation into an active tool for nursing education, research, and global engagement. The episode also explores the future of digital archives, nursing theory scholarship, and innovative projects involving artificial intelligence and interactive learning technologies. This inspiring discussion highlights the importance of preserving nursing history while using it to shape the future of nursing education, theory, and practice.

    44 min

  7. Apr 22

    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.

    43 min
  8. Recognizing the Signs: From Suspicion to Action with Andrea Sebastian, Part Two

    Apr 15

    Recognizing the Signs: From Suspicion to Action with Andrea Sebastian, Part Two

    Recognizing possible child maltreatment is only the first step—what comes next can be just as critical. In this continuation of our Child Abuse Prevention Month series, Dr. Lisa Beasley and pediatric nurse practitioner Dr. Andrea Sebastian explore what happens after a provider recognizes concerning injuries in a child. The conversation focuses on the real-world responsibilities of mandatory reporters, including the difference between proof and reasonable suspicion, and why action must be taken even when certainty is not possible. Together, they break down: What “reasonable suspicion” actually means in practice Who determines whether abuse occurred (and who does not) How to document injuries clearly and objectively The role of photographs and body maps in clinical care How reporting to CPS and law enforcement works in Tennessee What information providers need before making a report How to communicate with families in a trauma-informed, non-accusatory way Why early reporting can change outcomes and save lives This episode emphasizes a central message for all healthcare providers: trust your clinical judgment, act on concern, and prioritize child safety through timely, responsible reporting. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Awareness begins with knowledge—and action protects children.

    13 min
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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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