Welcome to the Rebel Nurse Podcast! I'm Erika Browning and I'm obsessed with exploring all of the cool jobs that nurses can do with their degrees. In this space we answer all of the following questions: What are other nurses doing besides working in a hospital? What are my nurse career options? How do I pivot? What are some of the cool jobs that nurses can do?
Whether you are a new nurse, have been a nurse for a while, or are just thinking about the profession, this is the show for you!
The Rebel Nurse Podcast brings you interviews with nurses from across the globe packed with ideas, inspiration, career options, and lots of funny stories along the way.
So hit that subscribe button and follow along!
Connect with us: @shoprebelnurse
Shop merch: https://shoprebelnurse.com/
60. Simplifying the Path to Flight Nursing with Janessa Dean
In this episode, I’m joined by Janessa Dean, a former nurse turned flight nurse coach, who shares her incredible journey from bedside nursing to the fast-paced world of flight nursing. Janessa dives into her nursing education, the essential skills needed to transition into flight nursing, and what the job truly entails. She breaks down the high-adrenaline reality of the role, from working with specialized teams to handling demanding schedules and unpredictable situations, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a flight nurse.
Janessa also opens up about the emotional side of flight nursing, including her experience with imposter syndrome during orientation. She shares how she navigated self-doubt and offers advice on building confidence in this intense field. As we chat, Janessa emphasizes the importance of community support and preparation, and how critical it is to have the right mindset and resources when pursuing this career.
Now, as a coach, Janessa is helping other nurses take flight by simplifying the path to flight nursing and empowering them with a future-focused mindset. She highlights programs and community resources that can guide aspiring flight nurses through the process. Whether you’re dreaming of becoming a flight nurse or simply curious about this unique career, Janessa’s story and insights will inspire and motivate you to take the next step in your nursing journey!
What you'll hear in this episode:
[0:15] Meet Janessa Dean: From Nurse to Flight Nurse Coach
[1:10] Janessa's Nursing Journey and Education
[4:45] The Path to Flight Nursing
[6:35] Understanding Flight Nursing Requirements
[9:55] The Reality of Flight Nursing
[12:15] Flight Nursing Teams and Schedules
[14:35] Preparing for a Flight Nursing Career
[17:05] Navigating Orientation and Imposter Syndrome
[20:55] The Journey from Flight Nurse to Coach
[24:20] Creating Success with a Future-Focused Mindset
[25:45] Simplifying the Path to Flight Nursing
[28:25] Programs and Community Support
Learn more about Janessa Dean Life Coaching https://www.janessadeanlifecoaching.com/
Connect with Janessa on IG @janessadeancoaching
Shop Rebel Nurse: https://shoprebelnurse.com/
18 Mar 2025
59. Navigating Systemic Change in Nursing with Claire Phillips
Get ready for an episode packed with adventure, challenges, and a whole lot of nursing rebellion! I’m sitting down with the incredible Claire Phillips, a nurse who has done it all—from emergency rooms to system-wide leadership, and even launching her own platform, Nursing the System. Claire takes us on a wild ride through her journey, from growing up in California to making the big move to Minnesota and discovering her passion for nursing through a sociological lens. We dive into the highs and lows of her early career, the realities of working in the ER, and how she found herself at the forefront of leadership and systems change.
But that’s not all—Claire doesn’t just talk about change, she creates it. We break down how she built Nursing the System, what it means to empower nurses with systems thinking, and the inevitable online pushback that comes with shaking things up. And just when you think her story couldn’t get more interesting, she uproots her life and moves to the Netherlands! We get real about the challenges of job searching abroad, freelancing, and ultimately landing the perfect role while balancing a business on the side.
If you’re ready to hear how one nurse is challenging the status quo, redefining leadership in healthcare, and proving that nursing is so much more than a job—it’s a revolution—then hit play. Claire’s journey is proof that when nurses think big, we change the system.
What you'll hear in this episode:
[0:20] Introduction to Claire Phillips
[1:00] From California to Minnesota: Claire's Early Life
[2:05] Discovering Nursing: A Sociological Perspective
[5:35] The Path to Nursing: Education and Early Career
[7:40] Navigating the ER: Challenges and Insights
[8:40] Leadership and Systems Change
[9:45] Starting Nursing the System
[14:55] Facing Online Pushback
[20:25] Moving to the Netherlands: A New Chapter
[26:10] Balancing a New Job and a Business
[28:00] Empowering Nurses with Systems Thinking
[31:00] The Role of Change Makers in Nursing
Learn more about Nursing the System https://www.nursingthesystem.com/
Check out the Nursing The System Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nursing-the-system/id1788479433
Connect with Claire Phillips on IG @nursing.the.system
Shop Rebel Nurse: https://shoprebelnurse.com/
11 Mar 2025
58. Building Bridges in the OR: The Power of Collaborative Care with Yazmin Sharifi
Scrub in, rebels! This episode is all about shaking up the world of OR nursing with none other than Yazmin Sharifi—nurse and entrepreneur. Yazmin takes us inside her journey from nursing school to the high-pressure, adrenaline-fueled operating room, sharing what it really takes to thrive in the OR. We’re talking about the transition into OR nursing, the roles and responsibilities that keep surgeries running smoothly, and the team dynamics that make or break the OR experience.
If you’ve ever wondered what OR nurses actually do (hint: it’s way more than just handing instruments to the surgeon), Yazmin breaks it all down. From crazy shifts and intense schedules to the training required to master the art of OR nursing, she’s spilling all the details. Plus, she’s got the ultimate advice for any nurse thinking about scrubbing in for a career in the operating room.
But wait—Yazmin isn’t just saving lives in the OR. She’s also making waves as an entrepreneur, launching an education platform for OR nurses and even stepping into the legal world as a testifying expert. We chat about how she juggles it all, what it takes to build something beyond the bedside, and why nurses should embrace opportunities outside of traditional roles.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Rebel Nurse without some fun! Yazmin gets real with some rapid-fire "get to know you" questions, giving us a peek behind the OR mask. Plus, we’ve got the scoop on where to follow her work.
So, are you ready to rethink what’s possible in nursing? Hit play and let’s go!
What you'll hear in this episode:
[0:20] Meet Yazmin Sharifi: OR Nurse Extraordinaire
[1:20] Transition to OR Nursing
[3:00] Roles and Responsibilities of an OR Nurse
[6:45] Schedules and Shifts in the OR
[7:50] Training and Orientation for OR Nurses
[9:05] Pathways to Becoming an OR Nurse
[13:10] Advice for Aspiring OR Nurses
[16:40] OR Nursing Education Platform
[17:40] Becoming a Testifying Expert
[19:50] Balancing Multiple Roles
[21:20] Reflecting on a Nursing Career
[22:35] Get to Know You: Fun Questions
[27:20] Where to Find More Information
Connect with Yasmin on IG @orrnmentor (https://www.instagram.com/orrnmentor/?hl=en)
Shop Rebel Nurse: https://shoprebelnurse.com/
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 56 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
82
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
77
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