Inside the HIVE | The Official Podcast of HIVE Nurse

In this episode of Inside the Hive, hosts Elizabeth and Ashley are joined by their close friend and former colleague, Dr. Maureen Baker, to tackle the shifting landscape of nursing education. Drawing from her extensive experience in faculty leadership, Dr. Baker shares how the COVID-19 pandemic served as a natural experiment that permanently changed student expectations around online and hybrid learning. Together, they explore the urgent need for nursing faculty to transition from a "sage on the stage" to a "coach on the side," emphasizing student-centered environments, case-based digital learning, and the importance of "productive struggle" in developing clinical...

In this episode of Inside the Hive, hosts Elizabeth and Ashley dive deep into the confusing "job market paradox" affecting the nursing profession today. While headlines warn of a massive, growing nursing shortage, many qualified candidates—from seasoned practitioners to new graduates—are finding it incredibly difficult to land a job.

The hosts break down the startling reality behind the numbers, discussing how frozen budgets and a 3% drop in the national hiring rate are leaving hospitals short-staffed and hurting patient care, even as hundreds of applicants fight for just a handful of specialized roles. Sharing their own pers...

In this episode of Inside the Hive, Ashley and Elizabeth sit down with nursing experts Marina and Joel to discuss the critical challenges facing healthcare and nursing today.

Marina, a nurse residency program director, and Joel, an experienced nurse currently working on the insurance side, dive into the persistent issue of miscommunication in patient transitions. Together, the panel explores how a disjointed system often leaves patients falling through the cracks once they leave acute care.

Key topics discussed include:

Transitioning from the academic bubble of nursing school to the high-stakes reality of the unit can be a major shock to the system. In this episode, our panel of nurses sits down to unpack the emotional and professional hurdles of stepping onto the floor, and discusses how both new graduates and veteran staff can collaborate to build a culture of genuine support.

We dive deep into the power of vulnerability—exploring why leaving the "perfect grades" mindset behind and simply saying "I don't know" is actually a profound sign of competence and safety. Our experienced nu...

In this episode of Inside the Hive, the official podcast of Hive Nurse, hosts Elizabeth and Ashley sit down with two dedicated nurses—Margot, a new graduate working in the Neuro ICU, and Chelsea, an experienced nurse practitioner—to shift the conversation away from the hardships of healthcare and focus on what keeps nurses in the profession.

Our guests share their personal journeys into nursing, from childhood inspirations to powerful moments of patient connection. Together, they discuss the vital importance of celebrating "small wins," the power of peer support, and navigating the difficult transition from orientation to the...

In this episode of Inside the Hive, we are coming to you from our launch event weekend to break down the current state of nursing. Joined by Dr. Angelique Spencer (Clinical Manager, NE Region of a value-based population company), Dr. Deanna Stewart (Associate Director of Behavioral Health Utilization Management and Case Management), and Derek Miller (Outreach Education for the JC Burn Center at UNC Hospitals), we dive deep into the daily challenges modern nurses face.

What We Discuss:

Join hosts Elizabeth and Ashley for the official launch weekend of the Inside the Hive podcast. In this episode, they sit down with special guests, mentors, and nursing industry leaders Dr. Julee Waldrop and Greta Rosler to discuss the current vulnerable state of the healthcare profession. The conversation dives deep into the concept of self-efficacy—the belief in one's own abilities—and how returning to the basics of evidence-based practice can empower nurses to overcome limiting beliefs and thrive. The panel shares actionable advice for faculty, bedside nurses, and managers on cultivating leadership, fostering positive workplace communication, and driving mean...

In this episode of Inside the Hive, we are joined by esteemed nurse practitioner and associate journal editor Dr. Julie Waldrop to demystify the nursing publication process. We explore why many nurses feel intimidated by the prospect of sharing their work and how to overcome the structural and personal barriers that often stand in the way.

Key takeaways from our discussion include:

Happy Valentine's Day from Inside the Hive! In this special holiday episode, we’re putting aside the charts and the caffeine runs to talk about the heart of the matter: why we truly love being nurses. We are thrilled to be joined by Jessica Ocon, a Nurse Specialist, who shares her unique perspective on the profession.

Nursing is often called a "labor of love," and today we explore exactly what that means. From the profound privilege of being there for a patient’s hardest moments to the unparalleled bond formed with our fellow "work family," we’r...

Elizabeth Walters hosts this episode of Inside the Hive sponsored by Hive Nurse, featuring Rhoda Summer. Rhoda Summer is working to "shake up the way that we do things" regarding preparing nurses who are "practice ready" and offers insight into the first-year new graduate experience.

About Rhoda Summer

Rhoda Summer is an experienced nurse who has worked in almost every area of nursing, including med-surge, pediatrics, oncology, ICU, and subacute care. She ultimately loved working in long-term care. After a surgery prevented her from performing bedside nursing, she created her "dream job" by...

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on our own nursing journeys and diving deep into the world of terminal degrees. Whether you’re curious about the difference between a PhD, an EdD, and a DNP, or you’re just trying to figure out what your next career move looks like, we’ve got you covered.

We break down:

This episode dives into one of the most pressing issues in healthcare today: the "Practice-Readiness Gap." While nursing school prepares students to pass the NCLEX, does it truly prepare them for the realities of the hospital floor?

We are "breaking the wall" between academia and clinical practice. Our guests discuss the disconnect that leads to new-grad burnout just six months into the job and explore why the traditional 1:1 student-to-patient clinical model might be doing more harm than good. From the impact of Magnet status on hiring to the "secret weapon" of having worked as a...

Why pursue a doctorate in nursing now? And why choose to do it at UNC Pembroke? In the second half of our special series, our inaugural DNP graduates pull back the curtain on the "why" behind their journey.

Nursing at the doctoral level requires a unique blend of clinical expertise and a passion for systemic change. In this episode, our guests discuss the motivations that drove them to advance their education amidst a challenging healthcare landscape. We also explore the unique draw of UNC Pembroke—a university rooted in community and service. From the faculty-student bo...

In this historic episode, Elizabeth sits down with her students the first Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) cohort at UNC Pembroke—the first students in the university's history to earn doctoral degrees. Our conversation dives deep into the emotional and professional journey of the last few years.

The transition from student to "Doctor" is more than just a title change; it is the culmination of rigorous clinical hours, scholarly projects, and personal sacrifice. Our guests share the specific, often raw experiences that defined their time in the program—from breakthrough moments in patient care to the late-night real...

What happens when the skills you mastered at the bedside—advocacy, critical thinking, and rapid problem-solving—are applied to the world of business? For many nurses, the leap into entrepreneurship is the ultimate cure for burnout, but it also requires a complete reimagining of what it means to be a "healthcare provider."

In this episode, we sat down with Sara Aleem, CEO and Founder of Elysian Medicina Digital Marketing to explore the transition from clinician to creator. We discuss the unique advantages nurses bring to the marketplace and the common hurdles they face when trading a st...

What does the transition from the classroom to the "real world" actually look like in 2025? In this episode, we sit down with recent graduate Alexa Wojnovich to discuss the highs, lows, and unexpected turns of finishing her degree and entering the workforce.

Alexa shares her "boots-on-the-ground" perspective on everything from the modern job hunt to the psychological shift of leaving campus life behind. Whether you’re a fellow graduate looking for solidarity, a student preparing for the leap, or a hiring manager wanting to understand the next generation of talent, this conversation offers a refreshing an...

In this chilling episode, we pull back the curtain on the hidden dangers lurking within our healthcare system. While hospitals are places of healing, they are also sites where serious, sometimes terrifying, accidents occur. We explore the high-risk reality of patient safety, focusing specifically on the grave impact of patient falls—why they happen, and the catastrophic consequences that follow. We also delve into the broader world of critical safety events, those frightening mistakes that lead to severe harm or even death. Tune in as we discuss the systems, the statistics, and the st...

We often talk about the need for "healthy work environments," but what does that actually look like in practice? How can a nurse, a manager, or a new hire spot the difference between a high-functioning team and one that's just masking deep-seated issues?

This episode gives you the essential framework for assessing the health of any nursing team or unit, moving past surface-level metrics like low turnover to examine the quality of the daily human interactions.

We’ll break down the measurable signs of a truly healthy team, focusing on the fi...

The nursing floor is often a place of high stress, heavy emotional labor, and profound challenge. But what if it could also be a place of profound support, psychological safety, and professional flourishing?

This week, we move beyond just identifying problems and dive deep into actionable strategies that both frontline nurses and organizational leaders can use to actively cultivate a truly Healthy Work Environment (HWE). This isn't just about morale; it's about reducing turnover, preventing errors, and ultimately, improving patient outcomes.

In this episode, we explore the fundamental pillars...

You entered nursing with a vow to heal, to advocate, and to provide the best care. But what happens when the system prevents you from keeping that vow? What happens when you're forced to act, witness, or fail to prevent something that violates your deepest ethical beliefs?

This week, we take on a conversation that is often confused with burnout but is far more profound: Moral Injury. It's not about being tired; it's about a deep soul wound—the lasting psychological and spiritual distress that comes from feeling like you've betrayed yo...

Are you a nurse feeling the weight of the everyday grind? Do the long shifts, the emotional toll, and the systemic pressures sometimes make you forget why you chose this incredible, demanding profession in the first place? You're not alone.

In this powerful and essential episode, we invite you to take a much-needed pause for reflection and renewal. We'll move beyond the burnout statistics and the sterile fluorescent lights to explore the deep, personal "why" that first called you to the bedside.

We'll share practical strategies and thoughtful prompts designed to...

Welcome to Inside the Hive, the official podcast from HIVENurse designed to empower you.

Are you looking to move forward in your nursing career, but feel isolated or overwhelmed by the pace of the profession? We believe every nurse deserves meaningful professional development and a genuine community that supports their growth, well-being, and practice.

Join us as we deliver the knowledge, connection, and shared purpose you need to thrive. Each episode brings you practical strategies, candid conversations with leaders, and inspiring stories from nurses worldwide who are shaping the...