Advertise on podcast: NLN Nursing EDge Unscripted

In this episode of NLN Nursing EDge Unscripted, host Steven Palazzo speaks with Barbara Sinacori about her research on baccalaureate nursing students’ perceptions of Dedicated Education Units (DEUs) and their impact on post-graduation employment. Sinacori explains how the DEU model provides students with immersive, hands-on clinical experiences by pairing them one-on-one with experienced registered nurses for extended shifts, helping bridge the gap between nursing education and real-world practice. The discussion highlights the value of DEUs as both an educational and recruitment strategy, with nearly one-third of study participants applying for employment at their DEU site. Sinacori also discusses how her program is expanding and evaluating immersive clinical experiences while strengthening partnerships between academic programs and healthcare organizations. The episode underscores the potential of DEUs to enhance students’ clinical learning, transition to practice, and connection to future employment opportunities. Learn more: Crincoli, S., Cannella, B., Rawlins, L., Hassler, L. J., Grano, C., Sinacori, B., Gillooly, D., Moscarella, D., Filippelli, A., & Rempel, M. (2026). Baccalaureate Nursing Students' Perceptions of Dedicated Education Units and Their Impact on Postgraduation Employment. Nursing education perspectives, 47(2), 116–118. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001505 Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted, Dr. Kellie Bryant is joined by disaster nursing experts Dr. Tara Heagele and Dr. Jamla Rizek to discuss how nurse educators can better prepare students for disasters, emergencies, and disruptions. They emphasize that disaster nursing is a professional responsibility for every nurse and that preparedness requires more than classroom instruction, including experiential learning, simulation, drills, and interprofessional collaboration. The guests offer practical strategies for integrating disaster nursing competencies throughout the existing curriculum, including clinical judgment, leadership, triage, incident command, ethical decision-making, and psychological first aid. They also stress the importance of recognizing that disasters do not affect all communities equally and preparing nurses to identify and address barriers related to social determinants of health, disability, transportation, language, and other sources of vulnerability. The episode concludes with a call for nurse educators to use the NLN's disaster and emergency preparedness resources and to make disaster readiness an integral part of nursing education and professional identity.  Learn more about disaster preparedness: NLN Vision Statement: Disaster Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery available at https://www.nln.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/nln-disaster-vision-statement.pdf?sfvrsn=6715683d_1. Rizek J. (2025). Disaster Nursing for Early Career Emergency Nurses. Journal of emergency nursing, 51(4), 537–547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2025.03.020 Morante, Pedro E., "Recovering After Disaster: Practical Strategies for Responder Well-Being" (2026). General Webinars. 95. https://www.sigmarepository.org/general_webinars/95 Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted, host Dr. Kellie Bryant is joined by Dr. Kimberly Kelly-Cortez and Dr. Kelli Selvage of Chamberlain University to examine the changing landscape of cheating and academic integrity in nursing education. The conversation explores how artificial intelligence, social media, wearable technology, and the commercialization of cheating are creating new challenges for nurse educators while raising concerns about clinical judgment and patient safety. The guests discuss practical strategies for promoting academic integrity, including redesigning assessments, fostering authentic learning experiences, and helping students understand the ethical responsibilities of the nursing profession. They also emphasize the importance of creating a culture of integrity through clear expectations, faculty development, and institutional support rather than relying solely on punitive measures. Throughout the episode, the discussion highlights why protecting academic integrity is essential to preparing competent, trustworthy nurses who are ready to provide safe, high-quality patient care. Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted, host Steven Palazzo speaks with Donna Badowski about her guest editorial, “Putting Wheels on the Tradition: Reimagining Innovation in Clinical Education,” published in Nursing Education Perspectives. Badowski argues that while simulation, community-based learning, and other innovative approaches are valuable, traditional hospital-based clinical experiences remain essential and should be reimagined rather than replaced. She discusses challenges facing clinical education, including limited student access to patient care activities, increasing reliance on preceptor-led models, and the need for faculty to remain actively engaged in coaching, questioning, and developing students’ clinical judgment. The conversation explores practical strategies for enhancing clinical learning, such as faculty-led huddles, guided clinical reasoning activities, and better integration of simulation and practice experiences. Badowski also reflects on the potential role of artificial intelligence as a tool to support faculty creativity and student learning while emphasizing the continued importance of human mentorship and intentional teaching in clinical settings. Badowski, Donna. Putting Wheels on Tradition: Reimagining Innovation in Clinical Education. Nursing Education Perspectives 47(1):p 3-4, 1/2 2026. | DOI: 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001496  Inspired by the insights shared in this episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted? Take the next step by enrolling in the National League for Nursing Excellence in Clinical Teaching asynchronous online course. Designed for health professions educators and all clinical educators in various types of clinical programs in all clinical learning environments from acute-care settings to community settings this evidence-based program equips educators with practical strategies to strengthen clinical judgment, create psychologically safe learning environments, provide meaningful feedback, facilitate reflective practice, and maximize every clinical learning opportunity. If you are committed to reimagining—not replacing—clinical education while preparing the next generation of nurses for practice, this course provides the knowledge, tools, and confidence to elevate your impact as a clinical educator. Learn more about the NLN Excellence in Clinical Teaching course: https://ondemand.nln.org/product?catalog=ECT Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted, host Dr. Raquel Bertiz and Dr. Kellie Bryant welcome Dr. Jasline Moreno to discuss Objective Structured Teaching Encounters (OSTEs) and their growing role in nursing education. Dr. Moreno explains how OSTEs provide simulation educators with structured opportunities to practice teaching, receive feedback, and strengthen essential facilitation, prebriefing, and debriefing skills in a psychologically safe environment. The conversation explores common challenges faced by novice simulation educators, including the transition from clinical expert to effective facilitator, and how OSTEs help bridge gaps in educator development. Dr. Moreno also shares practical insights into designing and implementing OSTEs, including the use of standardized learners, peer evaluation, and virtual delivery models. The episode concludes with a discussion of the future potential of OSTEs as a competency-based workforce development strategy that can enhance educator preparation, leadership development, and healthcare practice across a variety of settings. Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode, host Dr. Steven Palazzo speaks with Dr. Jacqueline Christianson about her study, Educating to Exhaustion: Intention to Leave U.S. Full-Time Nursing Faculty, published in Nursing Education Perspectives. Their conversation explores the growing nursing faculty shortage and examines how workload demands, inadequate rewards, and burnout contribute to faculty members’ intentions to leave academia. Dr. Christianson discusses key findings from a national survey of nursing faculty and highlights practical strategies for improving retention, including fostering autonomy, recognizing contributions, strengthening leadership support, and creating meaningful workplace connections. She also emphasizes that while salary remains an important factor, no single solution exists for addressing faculty burnout. This episode offers valuable insights for nursing education leaders seeking to build healthier work environments and sustain the academic nursing workforce. Christianson, J., Malin, K., Leiberg, J., Grabert, L., Moser, S., & Zemlak, J. (2026). Educating to Exhaustion: Intention to Leave Among US Full-Time Nursing Faculty. Nursing education perspectives, 47(2), 86–95. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001492 Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

This special episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted explores the history and lasting impact of the Debra L. Spunt Memorial Lecture, one of the most distinguished traditions in simulation-based nursing education. Host Kellie Bryant traces the lecture series from its founding in 2007 through nearly two decades of influential presentations that have reflected the evolving priorities of nursing education. Along the way, listeners will discover how topics such as faculty development, patient safety, debriefing, resilience, health equity, competency-based education, and artificial intelligence have shaped the profession. The episode also celebrates the legacy of Debra Spunt, whose pioneering work helped establish simulation as a transformative educational strategy. As applications open for the 2027 lecture, this retrospective highlights the leaders, ideas, and innovations that continue to guide the future of nursing education. The 2027 Debra Spunt Lecture Call for Applications is open through July 15, 2026. Learn more: https://www.nln.org/education/leadership-institute/center-for-innovation-in-education-excellence/center-for-innovation-in-education-excellence-offerings/debra-spunt-lecture-nomination-guidelines-and-selection-process Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted, Dr. Kellie Bryant speaks with Dr. Paul Smith about nursing leadership, advocacy, and negotiation from a dean’s perspective. Dr. Smith shares strategies for advocating for faculty resources, including using data, aligning requests with institutional priorities, and clearly demonstrating impact on student success and workforce outcomes. The conversation highlights the challenges of recruiting and retaining nursing faculty, especially amid salary disparities and evolving educational demands. Dr. Smith emphasizes the importance of collaboration, relationship-building, and persistence in effective negotiation, noting that it is an ongoing process rather than a single event. The episode also underscores the need for innovative approaches to student support, inclusive excellence, and preparing the next generation of nurses in a rapidly changing educational landscape. Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

This episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted explores the urgent Black maternal health crisis, highlighting stark disparities in outcomes and the systemic factors that contribute to them. Host Dr. Kellie Bryant is joined by Dr. Kandis McLean and Dr. Marie Wilson, who share their work in simulation, clinical practice, and community health to address inequities in maternal care. The conversation examines how bias, social determinants of health, and gaps in provider education impact the quality of care Black women receive. The guests emphasize the critical role of nursing education in preparing future clinicians to recognize disparities, provide culturally responsive care, and advocate for patients. Through practical strategies and real-world insights, the episode underscores how nurse educators can help drive meaningful change and improve maternal health outcomes. Learn more about Black maternal disparities: Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). www.AWHONN.orgNational Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH). www.NPWH.orgDedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of NLN Nursing EDge Unscripted, the conversation centers on the impact of interprofessional education (IPE) in preparing health professions students for collaborative, team-based care. Guests Katie Branch and Ashley Parikh share how the University of Texas Medical Branch has developed a robust, structured IPE program that includes a seven-activity core curriculum required across five schools. Students complete a selection of interactive learning experiences prior to graduation, with additional opportunities such as an annual symposium and a scholars program that extend learning beyond the core requirements. The discussion clarifies what interprofessional education is—and what it is not—emphasizing intentional collaboration, role clarity, communication, and shared accountability for patient outcomes. Throughout the episode, the guests highlight how thoughtfully designed IPE strengthens patient safety, improves quality of care, and fosters a culture of collaboration across disciplines. Learn more about the University of Texas Medical Branch Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice: https://www.utmb.edu/ipep Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of Nursing Edge Unscripted, hosted by Steven Palazzo, Dr. Beth Ann Swan and colleagues discuss their article, Integrating Artificial Intelligence Technology Into Simulation for Pre- and Postlicensure Nursing Students, and explore how AI is reshaping simulation-based nursing education. The conversation highlights practical applications of artificial intelligence in both undergraduate and advanced nursing programs, including the use of AI to enhance clinical decision-making, personalize learning experiences, and create more adaptive simulation scenarios. The guests explain how AI tools can support faculty by streamlining scenario development, providing real-time feedback, and generating data to inform debriefing and assessment. They also address challenges such as ethical considerations, data privacy, faculty readiness, and the importance of maintaining sound pedagogical principles when adopting emerging technologies. Overall, the episode emphasizes that thoughtful integration of AI into simulation can strengthen student engagement, clinical reasoning, and preparation for contemporary practice across the nursing education continuum. Swan, B. A., Giordano, N. A., Febres-Cordero, S., Fugate, K., & Steiger, L. (2026). Integrating Artificial Intelligence Technology Into Simulation for Pre- and Postlicensure Nursing Students. Nursing education perspectives, 47(2), 129–130. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001397 Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted, host Dr. Kellie Bryant explores the HomeGrown Solutions initiative with guests Dr. Rebekah Day and Dr. Robyn MacSorley. The conversation highlights how HomeGrown Solutions serves as a centralized platform for sharing innovative, low-cost simulation ideas developed by nurse educators and simulationists. Drs. Day and MacSorley discuss the importance of community-driven solutions, particularly for programs with limited resources or access to commercial simulation products. They also describe how the initiative promotes collaboration, creativity, and recognition of grassroots innovations that emerge from real-world educational challenges. Throughout the episode, listeners are encouraged to contribute their own ideas and engage with the simulation community to advance nursing education together. Explore HomeGrown Solutions: https://www.nln.org/homegrown.  Interested in submitting your own low-cost simulation innovation? HomeGrown Solutions applications are accepted three times per year, with deadlines on March 1, July 1, and November 1. Learn more and submit your solution here:  https://www.nln.org/education/education/sirc/sirc/sirc-homegrown-solutions/how-to-submit-your-homegrown-solution. Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this episode of NLN Nursing EDge Unscripted, hosts Drs. Kellie Bryant and Raquel Bertiz are joined by Dr. Rose Rossi and Dr. Stephanie Jeffers to explore leadership and innovation in nursing education. The conversation centers on competency-based education (CBE) as a framework for rethinking and redesigning clinical education in undergraduate nursing programs. Drs. Rossi and Jeffers discuss how clinical competencies are defined, assessed, and aligned with program outcomes to better support student readiness for practice. They highlight the role of academic leadership, faculty collaboration, and data-informed decision-making in advancing competency-based approaches. Together, the discussion offers practical insights for nurse educators seeking to modernize clinical education while maintaining quality, consistency, and meaningful outcomes. For additional insights on Widener University’s approach to competency-based clinical education, visit Dr. Stephanie Jeffers’ faculty page on the Widener University website, where her contact information is available: https://www.widener.edu/about/faculty-directory/stephanie-jeffers. Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

This episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted explores how nursing education can better prepare students to care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Dr. Suzanne Smeltzer and Ms. Colleen Meakim discuss the significant gaps in nursing curricula and emphasize the importance of integrating IDD content throughout undergraduate and graduate programs. They highlight practical tools such as the IDD Toolkit and ACE scenarios, which offer faculty guidance and simulation resources to enhance student learning. The conversation also addresses ableism in healthcare and the need for person-centered care that respects the lived experiences of individuals with IDD. Finally, the guests advocate for universal design and inclusive practices to support both patients and nursing students with disabilities. Additional Resources Advancing Care Excellence for Persons with Disabilities Intellectual and Developmental Disability: A Toolkit to Enhance Education of Health Care Professionals to Provide Quality Health Care to Persons with IDD Inclusion of Disability in Nursing Education: Rationale and Guidelines ACE.D Unfolding Cases: Mary Lou & Rob Brady and Patrick and Gloria Lake ACE.D Teaching Strategies on Communication and Care Management for People with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability: Sandy Case Study and Jason Case Study Smeltzer, S. C., Dolen, M. A., Robinson-Smith, G., & Zimmerman, V. (2005). Integration of disability-related content in nursing curricula. Nursing education perspectives, 26(4), 210–216. Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.

In this milestone 150th episode of Nursing EDge Unscripted, hosts Dr. Kellie Bryant and Dr. Raquel Bertiz welcome internationally recognized simulation pioneer Dr. Suzie Kardong-Edgren. Dr. Kardong-Edgren reflects on the early days of nursing simulation, from unpacking the first manikins to shaping standards and research that transformed nursing education. She shares lessons learned from early challenges and emphasizes the importance of mentorship, innovation, and perseverance in advancing simulation practice. The conversation explores her vision for competency-based, learner-centered education and the need to retain nursing’s humanistic focus on caring and spirituality. Listeners gain insight into Dr. Kardong-Edgren’s enduring impact as a trailblazer who continues to inspire educators to challenge convention and lead with purpose. Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the leading organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. Find past episodes of the NLN Nursing EDge podcast online. Get instant updates by following the NLN on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube. For more information, visit NLN.org.