Advertise on podcast: NP in Progress

You’ve spent years becoming good at your job. Then you step into a role where that isn’t enough. Michelle Segal-James is an advanced practice nurse (APN) in Singapore. I talks with her about what changes when you move beyond experienced nursing and into the NP role: how you think, how you make decisions, and what you have to let go of before you can build something new. We also compare how Singapore and Australia approach advanced practice, and what each country can learn from the other. It is a conversation about growth, uncertainty and being willing to start again. For any nurse asking what comes next, and any NP still finding their feet. Tune in to this episode of NP in Progress

In this episode of NP In Progress, I sit down with Corinne Dunningham, emergency nurse practitioner and NP Masters coordinator, for one of my deepest and raw conversation since starting the podcast, we talk about the messy middle of becoming, and being a nurse practitioner. We unpack the expert-to-novice transition, why endorsement is often “just admin”, what full scope practice really means, and why nurse practitioners need to stop justifying their existence and start building the evidence for what comes next. Corinne also breaks down clinical reasoning as the “how and why” behind decision-making, reframes feedback as advice, and speaks honestly about uncertainty, collaboration, nursing identity, and finding your confidence without pretending you have it all together. This episode is for NP students, new NPs, educators, and anyone trying to practise safely in the grey while still backing themselves

In this episode, I sit down with Lesley Salem, one of Australia’s first Indigenous Nurse Practitioners, for a raw and powerful conversation about culture, clinical reasoning, remote healthcare, and what it really means to serve people well. Lesley shares how her culture shapes the way she connects with patients, why hierarchy damages care, and how simple human connection can break down fear and mistrust. We talk about remote primary healthcare, Aboriginal Medical Services, pathology-led diagnostic reasoning, rheumatic heart disease, Medicare barriers, and why Nurse Practitioners need access to full scope if Australia is serious about health equity. This episode is also a masterclass in practical clinical reasoning. Lesley explains how she works backwards from abnormal pathology, how she thinks through differential diagnoses, and why anatomy and physiology sit at the centre of safe advanced practice. It’s honest, political, clinical, and deeply human. A conversation about hope, access, advocacy, and the Nurse Practitioner role Australia still hasn’t fully learnt how to use.

What happens when an emergency NP and a heart failure NP compare notes? A lot of laughing and a surprising amount of clinical growth. In this episode, I am joined again with Dr. Haunnah Rheault heart failure NP for an honest conversation about diagnostic momentum, cognitive bias, and why your specialty lens might be your biggest blind spot. We also get into the messy middle of becoming an NP, failing vivas, practicing the wrong technique 10,000 times, and why your CST saying "you're doing great" might be the kindest form of sabotage. Because real growth looks less like a lecture and more like being coached like an athlete. Featuring a reflective case on inflammatory breast cancer and why "it's probably cellulitis" can cost a patient everything.

In this episode of NP in Progress, I sit down with orthopaedic registrar Dr Dan Brimm to break down the septic joint ; a limb- and sometimes threatening diagnosis you can’t afford to miss. We work through real ED cases, including a swollen knee after a “pimple squeeze” and a 30-year-old with a history of Intravenous drug use and severe wrist pain at 3am. We cover when to aspirate, when not to, why X-rays still matter, what bloods can and can’t tell you, and how metal in a joint changes your risk calculation. We also talk bias, pain management, and the importance of collaboration between ED and ortho. Practical. Case-based. No fluff

Sometimes the diagnosis hiding in plain sight is the one everyone keeps missing. NP Dr. Leanne Brown breaks down what really happened to the young CKD patient and shares a humbling case where “musculoskeletal pain” fooled an entire team. This episode is a masterclass in staying curious when the answers seem obvious. Peptide clinical trial : https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06383390

Dr Leanne Brown NP joins me on this episode as we unpack the reality of dialysis decisions, the power of patient choice, and why listening matters more than ticking boxes. This one’s for every clinician who’s ever stopped to ask what better really looks like. Websites discussed in podcast https://eprints.qut.edu.au/107136/1/Leanne_Brown_Thesis.pdf https://kidney.org.au/health-professionals/ckd-management-handbook

Clinical reasoning sits at the centre of this chat with GP Dr Henri Coombs. We cover the “golden minute,” the ICE model (ideas, concerns, expectations), and how to keep notes rich without stealing time from patients using ambient scribing tools. Henri shares how he balances risk in GP, when to refer to ED, antibiotic stewardship without arguments, and why concise GP letters matter. We also walk a fatigue case step-by-step, including iron, thyroid, sleep, mental health, and when tests help versus hinder. You’ll hear about: Patient-centred consults that actually save time Shared decisions that reduce bounce-backs Ambient documentation (Heidi/Lyrebird) improving note quality Risk tolerance in GP vs ED; red flags that change your plan Fatigue work-up: ferritin, B12/folate, thyroid, vitamin D, CRP (used wisely), sleep Coaching culture, feedback, and teaching registrars without panic referrals Practical discharge/GP letter do’s (short, clear, actionable) Perfect for NP students, ED clinicians, and any GP who wants fewer returns and better follow-up, without longer consults.

What happens when you're the first NP in your specialty and everyone’s watching? Linda Bradbury was the first rheumatology nurse practitioner in Australia. In this episode, we talk through clinical reasoning in complex pain, setting up nurse-led gout clinics, NP prescribing limits, and the real work behind changing national policy. We also cover health literacy, fibromyalgia, methotrexate safety, and why ballroom dancing beats burnout. For NP students, early-career NPs, and anyone managing chronic disease in real life. https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/our-work/patient-and-consumer-centred-care/health-literacy/tools-and-resources-for-health-service-organisations

What happens when a nurse practitioner stops waiting for the system to change- and builds something better? In this episode, I sit down with Chris O'Donnell, one of Australia’s most successful private practice NPs and the founder of MyWeightLoss Clinic, a nationwide telehealth service. We unpack how Chris scaled from ED Fast Track to 120+ staff, 500,000 patient encounters, and a model of care that delivers medication via Uber Eats. You’ll hear: • Why obesity is a metabolic issue, not a willpower problem • How NP-led telehealth is reshaping chronic disease care • The four pillars of obesity medicine • AI, patient safety, and managing clinical risk remotely This one’s part clinical reasoning, part healthcare rebellion- and all heart.

What began as a heart failure lecture during orientation week ended up shifting my entire perspective on patient care. In this episode, Dr. Haunnah Rheault returns-not just to a closed group of students, but back into my life, and now into yours-for anyone to experience the inspiring and knowledgeable human she is. We reflect on the moment she was told, “You’re not on it at all,” by an Aboriginal health worker in Mount Isa, and how that experience inspired her research into health literacy and culturally safe care. Haunnah explores how we communicate-our language, our assumptions, and how we check understanding-and how that can deeply impact whether care is truly received, not just delivered. She also shares openly about a clinical error, showing the kind of vulnerability and reflection that turns a mistake into meaningful growth. We break down heart failure red flags, diagnostic blind spots, and her unforgettable approach to teaching students to “get into the ventricle” to truly understand disease. This conversation goes beyond the textbook-covering clinical reasoning, mentorship, NP-led care models, and the kind of learning that stays with you long after the podcast ends. Websites discussed in episode: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocn.15757 https://www.radcliffe-group.com/learning-page https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/medical-tests-coronary-artery-calcium-score

In this episode, Dr. Sahan Bandara discusses his journey into respiratory medicine, emphasising the unique blend of acute and chronic care within the specialty. He shares his take on clinical reasoning, the importance of history taking, and differentiating between various respiratory conditions. The discussion also covers diagnostic tools, management strategies, and emerging trends in asthma treatment, highlighting the evolving landscape of respiratory care

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Michelle Cooper shares her unique journey from nursing to becoming a general surgeon, emphasising the importance of clinical reasoning and the holistic care approach. The discussion delves into the critical differences of the clinical features between acute and chronic abdominal pain, effective clinical assessment techniques, and the role of diagnostic tests in surgical practice. Michelle provides valuable information into abdominal pain and highlights the importance of clinical examination over imaging in many cases. The conversation concludes with practical clinical pearls for NP students.

In this conversation, I interviewed Ben Leamont, an emergency nurse practitioner specialising in toxicology. We discuss Ben's journey from a registered nurse to a nurse practitioner, the intricacies of toxicology, and the importance of risk assessment and physical examination in managing poisoned patients. Ben shares insights into his daily responsibilities, the supportive environment at his workplace, and the significance of mentorship in his career development. In this conversation, Ben discusses various aspects of toxicology, including the management of anticholinergic delirium and methamphetamine intoxication. He emphasises the importance of clinical reasoning in navigating complex cases and highlights the value of mentorship in his learning journey. Ben shares memorable cases that shaped his understanding of toxicology and offers advice for aspiring nurse practitioners, encouraging them to pursue their goals without delay. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2812429

In this episode, Amy Bowen shares her journey from registered nurse to nurse practitioner, offering her perspective of the challenges and rewards of working in aged care. She explores the importance of hospital avoidance, for patients in residential age care facilities and continuity of care. We also discuss the critical role of teaching and mentoring for nurse practitioner students. Amy delves into the complexities of dementia care, the nuances of family palliative care communication, and the delicate nature of end-of-life discussions. With a strong emphasis on empathy, understanding, and effective documentation, she also highlights the necessity of upskilling nursing staff within aged care to enhance patient-centred care. This conversation underscores the vital role of healthcare professionals in advocating for their patient's dignity, wishes, and overall well-being.