Better, RN

About Better, RN

As a nurse, you have dedicated your career to helping people feel better. You're part of a unique community, and only a nurse can truly understand your day to day. On Better, RN, Northwestern Medicine nurses take a deep dive into nursing. You'll get the latest from real nurses.

Publisher

Northwestern Medicine

Category

health & fitness · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

12 Apr 2023

Latest episode

17 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

3 of 19 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   17 Aug 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Is Water Against The Rules? Diving Into Compliance

   Hosts Alyssa Saklak and Laurin Henderson interview Rene Catalano and Besa Tole to clarify Joint Commission rules on water bottles at nursing stations, revealing the origins of the myth and the importance of regulatory surveys for patient safety.

2. 

   15 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT

   How to Stay Human When Tech Enters the Room

   Nurse leaders Sarah Richmond and Karen Mahnke discuss Northwestern Medicine's pilot of ambient listening technology, revealing how nurses shape AI to enhance patient connection and humanize healthcare documentation.

3. 

   11 May 2026TRANSCRIPT

   What To Expect in Nursing When You're Expecting

   For nurses, returning to work after having a baby requires balancing patient care with the realities of early parenthood. In this episode of Better, RN, hosts Alyssa Saklak, BSN, RN, CMSRN, and Laurin Henderson, MSN, RN, CMSRN, join Northwestern Medicine Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) nurses Moira Hoelting, BSN, RNC-NIC, and Kelly Kunkel, MSN, RN, to discuss the transition through pregnancy, the newborn stage and beyond. They explore returning to work after leave, practicing routines like pumping or childcare in advance, and the importance of building a support system to manage the emotional and practical challenges of being both a nurse and a new parent. "We are so lucky to work with people that are so supportive … they're always making sure you get out to pump or just take a break. I think we're just lucky to work in an environment that's so supportive of women and new moms." Moira Hoelting, BSN, RNC-NIC NICU Clinical Coordinator, Northwestern Medicine "For me, it was easier when I actually went back to work than the thought of going back to work. Once I was there, back in the routine of things, things felt better and easier, and I was feeling empowered." Kelly Kunkel, RN NICU Nurse, Northwestern Medicine

4. 

   26 Sept 2025

   Conversational, RN

   When our hosts sat down to talk to real nurses at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, one major theme emerged: It’s all about the people. The people they work with and the people they care for keep them going. Our hosts talk to new nurses and nurses with decades of experience, asking them questions about the nursing profession and sharing some laughs and advice along the way.

5. 

   31 Jul 2025

   Public Health, RN

   Understanding the health of the community is essential to providing excellent patient care at Northwestern Medicine. Karin Podolski, MSN, MPH, RN, director of Community Health Services at Northwestern Medicine, talks about how she uses her nursing skills to focus on the needs of vulnerable patients. ”In the Community Health Institute within Northwestern Medicine, we're focused on making an impact and improving the health of the community. We serve very diverse areas, whether it’s the rural community of DeKalb or the city of Chicago.” Karin Podolski, MSN, MPH, RN Director, Community Health Services, Northwestern Medicine

6. 

   31 Mar 2025

   Developing, RN

   Karena Brown and Katie Doyle explore the hurdles and fulfillment found in nursing careers, highlighting the crucial role of nurses in leadership and decision-making, in this interview.

7. 

   17 Feb 2025

   Change, RN

   Amy Druml discusses enacting change in nursing through committees and organizations with hosts Alyssa Saklak and Laurin Henderson in this interview.

8. 

   10 Jan 2025

   Psychological Safety, RN

   Katie Kennon and Kristy Murphy, Northwestern Medicine nurses, define psychological safety and discuss how it fosters better patient outcomes and improves healthcare team well-being in an interview with Alyssa Saklak and Laurin Henderson.

9. 

   18 Dec 2024

   Becoming, RN

   Tacora Love, program director, discusses her nursing and education journey with Alyssa Saklak and Laurin Masnari, highlighting the growth of Northwestern Medicine Clinical Schools and empowering future healthcare professionals; this is an interview.

10. 

    18 Nov 2024

    Student, RN

    Nursing student Eianncris Panaligan describes her Northwestern Memorial Hospital internship experience to hosts Alyssa Saklak and Laurin Masnari, highlighting skill development and increased confidence in patient care; this is an interview.

11. 

    7 Oct 2024

    Global, RN

    Co-hosts Alyssa Saklak BSN, RN, CMSRN, and Laurin Masnari, BSN, RN, CMSRN, interview Claire Liszkay about global health and disaster response for nurses, emphasizing culturally competent care through observation and listening.

12. 

    20 Jun 2023

    Growing, RN

    Kristin Ramsey, nursing leader at Northwestern Medicine, discusses the diverse career paths available in nursing, highlighting opportunities for professional development in an interview with the hosts.

13. 

    13 Jun 2023

    Active, RN

    Brendan Blaney, BSN, RN, discusses how healthcare workers can prioritize staying active as a crucial component of their self-care routine in an interview with the hosts.

14. 

    6 Jun 2023

    Discovery, RN

    Lauren Fogle BSN, RN, discusses how researching trauma unexpectedly led to personal growth and self-discovery in an interview with the hosts of Better, RN.

15. 

    30 May 2023

    Economical, RN

    Leah Hobson, Vice President of Finance, discusses strategies for nurses to effectively manage their finances, covering long-term planning and daily budgeting in this interview.

16. 

    23 May 2023

    Restful, RN

    Sabra Abbott, MD, PhD, explores the critical role of rest in maintaining health, delving into sleep hygiene and the science behind chronotypes in this interview episode.

17. 

    16 May 2023

    Spiritual, RN

    Chaplain Alex Peltz discusses with the hosts the importance of spirituality in healthcare, offering insights into caring for aspects beyond the physical and mental during an interview.

18. 

    8 May 2023

    Community, RN

    Faith Hines, BSN, RN, explores how community involvement and diverse backgrounds enhance self-care practices, ultimately improving her capabilities as a nurse, friend, and family member in this interview.

19. 

    12 Apr 2023

    Trailer: Introducing Better, RN

    Better, RN introduces a podcast focusing on health and well-being resources specifically designed to help nurses prioritize self-care.

Inside a recent episode

Is Water Against The Rules? Diving Into Compliance

Published 17 Aug 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Good to know. We're pro-hydration stations at Northwestern Medicine. I know. I love that. Yes, we are. Maybe at a higher level, could you tell us a little bit about the different regulatory bodies? And like I said, we're talking about the Joint Commission because I think that's the one that comes to mind the most when we're thinking about the inpatient space. But what is the Joint Commission and how do they impact what we do here at the bedside? The Joint Commission is actually a deeming authority. for CMS, which is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid. Essentially what that means is if we have a Joint Commission survey every three years, then we don't have to have a separate survey by CMS. if an organization meets conditions of participation that are assigned by CMS to all healthcare organizations, they have been deemed to accredit organizations. […]

Who has been a guest on Better, RN

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Rene Catalano
• Besa Tole
• Sarah Richmond
• Karen Mahnke
• Amy Druml

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

47 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

23 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 33 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

46

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

51

Contact Better, RN

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Better, RN