The Texas Nurses Podcast

Welcome back to season two of #TexasNursesPod!

Host Elizabeth Clark sat down with TNA's Director of Government Affairs, Jack Frazee, JD to discuss the upcoming Texas legislative session, what TNA is fighting for, and what part nurses have to play in moving Texas healthcare forward. Plus: save the date! February 27th and 28th, join TNA in Austin for Nurse Day at the Capitol and a chance to talk with your representatives face to face. You can hear Jack before then at the next Nurse Talks on Nov. 10, where attendees will have time to ask him questions on what to expect as we move in to the 88th legislative session.

A note for our listeners: On Saturday, October 22, 2022, a gunman shot and killed two healthcare workers at Methodist Dallas Medical Center. Our thoughts are with the colleagues we have lost, their families and friends, their community, and their coworkers. These events are painful, and we extend our hearts to those impacted by this violence. We are working to prevent violent incidents in Texas healthcare facilities, and you will hear more about TNA’s efforts in this episode. But first, as you listen, join us in taking a moment of silence to honor our colleagues Katie Flowers and Jacqueline Pokuaa.

Oct 28, 202249:28

Leaders & Legends of Texas Nursing: Dr. Lynn Wieck

Welcome back to season two of #TexasNursesPod!

Host Chasity sits down with one of this year's honorees for the Leaders & Legends of Texas Nursing award!

“It’s a great time to be a nurse!” K. Lynn Wieck, Ph.D., RN is an author, nursing educator, former TNA President, former TNA Vice President, and former TNA Board of Directors member. She coined this catchphrase to encourage nurses during a time of uncertainty at the turn of the century. The goal was increasing optimism in the face of layoffs and Y2K fears, and later in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and the beginning of the Iraq War. Dr. Wick led TNA as president from 2000 to 2005 and was a vital part of collaborating with the American Nurses Association and other states after the attacks to be better prepared to care for Texans and other Americans in the case of another terrorist attack or natural disaster. She considers one of the greatest highlights of her career to be the outreach clinic she developed in downtown Houston called Project Capable, which provided free healthcare services to older Latina patients, taking students along with her to train and assist.

As nurses established themselves as the country’s most trusted profession, Dr. Wieck continued to turn to her mantra to encourage nurses to become TNA members, so that they could help advance the profession by having a voice in the political arena.

Stream now, and stay tuned for more!

Sep 16, 202219:36

Leaders & Legends of Texas Nursing: Dr. Michael Evans

Welcome back to season two of #TexasNursesPod!

Host Chasity sits down with one of this year's honorees for the Leaders & Legends of Texas Nursing award! Dr. Michael Evans, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN holds many accomplishments in his 40-year career, including developing the Texas Peer Assistance Program through the Texas Nurses Association; establishing new hospital services such as the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) program at Northwest Texas Hospital in Amarillo, Texas (one of the first in the nation); and aiding in the Magnet Hospital Recognition Program for staff nurse job satisfaction. He has devoted his career to improving the workplace for nurses, solving care gaps for patients, and giving back to the profession through education and scholarship.

Stream now, and stay tuned for more!

Aug 27, 202223:12

Nurses, Politics and Policy: Looking Back and Looking Forward with Elizabeth Clark

Welcome to season two of #TexasNursesPod! In season one, our policy episodes focused on issues that matter to nurses with nurse leaders, such as nursing shortages and workplace violence. This year we're back with new hosts, new topics, and awesome guests.

Texas Nurses podcast host and creator of the Nurses, Politics and Policy podcast Elizabeth Clark answers some questions about how the project got started, what she hopes nurses take away from it and what she hopes to see nurse leaders accomplish in the future! The Nurses, Politics and Policy project, inspired by Dr. Lolly Lockhart's work with the TNA Nurses in Office program, was initially created in partial completion of her DNP from Yale University.

Stream now, and stay tuned for more!

Aug 12, 202218:01

Nurses as Problem Solvers with Dr. Lolly Lockhart

In the Nursing, Politics and Policy finale, Elizabeth Clark talks to Dr. Lolly Lockhart, one of our recently honored Leaders and Legends of Texas Nursing! A career-long member of TNA, some of Dr. Lockhart's positions within the association include serving on the TNA Regulatory Committee and Culture of Safety Committee; being an originator of the TNA Nurses in Office program; working with TNA under an AHEC grant to implement the TNA Nurse Friendly program; and, for a brief period, working at TNA as the Assistant Editor of the Texas Nurses Bulletin. She has also been a vital part of Texas nursing education, including being a key part in the establishment of Texas State’s St. David’s School of Nursing.

She considers her work with TNA’s Nurse Practice Act, the first initiative by the organization to hire a lobbyist to help with legislation and get others to lobby on behalf of nurses, to be one of her favorite TNA accomplishments, and remains politically involved. This episode was originally created by TNA Communications Committee member Elizabeth Clark, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC in partial completion of her DNP from Yale University. Stream now, and stay tuned for more!

Jul 15, 202214:21

Running for Your Community with Representative Colin Allred

Listen to Elizabeth Clark speak to Congressman Colin Allred! Rep. Allred, representing the 32nd district of Texas, is a politician, lawyer, former professional football player and Obama administration alum. His varied career has made him a big believer in the power of community, collective action, and giving back. Hear them discuss what makes nurses perfect for the political arena, and what we need to see more of in public service.

This episode was originally created by TNA Communications Committee member Elizabeth Clark, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC in partial completion of her DNP from Yale University. Stream now, and stay tuned for more!

Jul 01, 202215:15

Affecting the Practice of the Profession with Dr. Amy Anderson

Elizabeth Clark talks shop with Dr. Amy Anderson, an associate professor of professional practice and coordinator for the post-Master's DNP program in the Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Texas Christian University. Anderson is also the Health Policy & Advocacy Lead in the School of Medicine at Texas Christian University and University of North Texas Health Science Center. Anderson provided expert counsel to the National Coronavirus Recovery Commission on COVID-19 at The Heritage Foundation. Her work focuses on public health strategy.

Jun 17, 202217:27

Making Headway: Demystifying the Government with Professor Nathan Cortez

Listen to Elizabeth Clark and Health, Administrative, and FDA Law Professor Nathan Cortez break down who does what: federal, state and local. If you've ever wondered who's in charge of what—and where nursing regulations start and end—this episode is for you.

Jun 10, 202223:23

The Value of Nurses with TNA CEO Cindy Zolnierek

Listen to Elizabeth Clark and outgoing TNA CEO Cindy Zolnierek discuss the value of nurses, their influence and how to impact the profession the state over.

We thank Cindy for her service to the Texas Nurses Association and nurses across the state, and her contributions to progressing policy in the interest of nurses and their patients.

Jun 04, 202213:14

Taking a Leap of Faith: How Nurses Get The Job Done

In this episode, host Elizabeth Clark talks to city councilwoman Dr. Erin Perez, a frontline adult and geriatric nurse practitioner who specializes in palliative care and hospice as well as serving on the Live Oak City Council. What does it take for a nurse to get into politics? Being "bold enough to take that first step."

Stream now, share around, and leave a review! And as always, stay tuned for more!

May 20, 202237:24

In the Interim with Jack Frazee, J.D.

In this episode, host Elizabeth Clark sits down with Jack Frazee, JD, TNA's Director of Government Affairs, to give us an update on TNA's policy work, what we're doing for Texas's nurse shortage, and how nurses all over the state can help. Give us a listen, leave a review, and stay tuned for more!

Now streaming on your favorite platform!

May 07, 202212:17

Health on Board(s): Perspectives on Nurses in Politics

In this episode, host Elizabeth Clark sits down with Sally Derrick, a registered nurse, community advocate and Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District School Board Trustee. Hear what got her into politics, what it means to be involved in your community and the advantage of having health care workers on boards.

Apr 16, 202213:36

The Vaught Verdict

In this episode, host Chasity invites TNA CEO Cindy Zolnierek to discuss the RaDonda Vaught trial and verdict. The two explore the case, discuss the advantages of a just versus blame culture approach, and reflect on what this might mean for nurses going forward.

Stream now, and stay tuned for more!

Apr 08, 202229:19

Improving Access to Care with FPA (Featuring AARP's Blake Hutson)

Listen to host Chasity Shaw, RN, BSN, MSN and Blake Hutson, an Associate State Director at AARP, discuss what it would mean for APRNs in Texas to have full practice authority in Texas. APRNs can practice to the full extent of their education and training only when they contract with a physician to “supervise” their practice. Meanwhile, research shows that expanding practice freedoms could increase access for patients and lower care costs. Where does that leave Texas nurses - and their patients?

Stream now, and stay tuned for more! (And check out the older episode Chasity mentioned here.)

Mar 31, 202224:25

Passing the Torch: Introducing Chasity Shaw, RN, BSN, MSN and Elizabeth Clark, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

The new season opens with a special episode and a gracious hand-off! Thank you to Sola Oyewuwo, MSN, MBA, RN, and Kevin Stewart, JD for piloting our #NursePolicy podcast, and thanks to Sola for featuring in this episode to open the door to our new hosts! Listen to Chasity Shaw, RN, BSN, MSN and Elizabeth Clark, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC discuss what led them to policy, who they hope to reach with this podcast and the importance of nurse advocacy.

Stream now, and stay tuned for more!

Mar 23, 202211:48

Taking a Seat at the Table: Nursing and Technology with Dr. Rhonda Collins

Take a sneak peak into the new season with an interview with Dr. Rhonda Collins, DNP, RN, FAAN. In this episodes, hosts Amy McCarthy, MSN, RNC-MNN, NE-BC and Danika Meyer, MSN, RN-BC, CPN open the #NurseLife category with a conversation about technology education, leadership, and nursing's changing landscape — and how changes in tech can help.

Dr. Collins is the CNO of Vocera and co-founder of The American Nurse Project. Each year around Nurses Week she publishes a CNO Perspective report examining the most pressing issues within the nursing profession worldwide. She also offers solutions to drive sustainable change and protect the physical, emotional, and psychological well-being of nurses. In the 2021 CNO Perspective, Dr. Collins focused on elevating the voices of nurses, sharing strategies to reduce cognitive overload, and deploying solutions that simplify clinical workflows and ease the burden of busy nurses.

Stream now, and stay tuned for more!

Mar 16, 202249:07

The Path to Politics with Rep. Stephanie Klick

Take a sneak peak into the new season with an interview with Representative Stephanie Klick, RN. Host Elizabeth Clark, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC starts the #NursePolicy series off with a conversation about the strength—and many transferable skills—of nurses, and how important it is to see nurses in decision-making positions. Stream now, and stay tuned for more!