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. 4D AGO

    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
  2. MAR 4

    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

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!