Category: Nursing Challenges
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In this episode, Dr. Joyce Black welcomes reconstructive plastic surgeon Dr. Peter Arnold to discuss flap reconstruction for pressure injuries. Dr. Arnold explains how surgeons determine whether a patient is a good candidate for this complex procedure, emphasizing the importance of patient engagement, social support, nutrition, and long-term adherence to care plans. The conversation also explores post-operative flap monitoring, support surface selection, staff education, and the gradual reintroduction of pressure for non-ambulatory patients. This episode highlights the careful decision-making and interdisciplinary teamwork required to achieve successful outcomes in reconstructive pressure injury care.
Aug 27, 2026
In this episode, Dr. Joyce Black welcomes Dr. Jonathan Black, plastic surgeon, educator, and Director of Global Health at the University of Virginia. Dr. Black shares how his passion for medical mission work began and reflects on his experiences leading surgical missions in India, the Philippines, Romania, and other low-resource settings. Together, they discuss the challenges of delivering reconstructive care around the world, the life-changing impact of cleft and burn reconstruction surgery, and the value of using one’s professional skills to serve communities in need.
Jul 23, 2026
On today’s episode episode, gerontological nurse practitioner Tricia joins our host Dr. Joyce Black to explore geriatric syndromes and their multifactorial nature. They discuss why conditions like pressure injuries, falls, delirium, and frailty require interdisciplinary management, and how reframing pressure injuries as a geriatric syndrome can improve recognition, collaboration, and patient outcomes.
Mar 26, 2026
In this episode, Dr. Joyce Black welcomes Dr. Dave Brienza to unpack the evolving science behind medical support surfaces. They discuss why standardizing terminology and performance metrics is essential for preventing pressure injuries, how test results can be misinterpreted, and the role of patient risk profiles in choosing the right surface. The conversation highlights the complexity of support‑surface selection and the ongoing need for clear standards to guide clinical decision‑making.
Mar 12, 2026
Introducing PRIME NP – Filling the Preceptor Training Gap Through MCIRN Education
In this episode, our first host is back! Dr. Heidi Keeler, PhD, MSN/MBA, RN and her guest Sally Heusinkvelt, DNP, APRN-NP, ACNP-BC, ANP-BC discuss the need for specialized training for nurse practitioner preceptors and introduce the Prime NP Preceptor course through our HRSA grant titled, “Midwest Clinical Instruction Regional Network.” This micro‑learning platform is designed to support NPs in teaching and coaching students. They explain how the self‑paced modules offer practical strategies for clinical teaching and help address long‑standing gaps in NP preceptor education. Click the link in the Episode Note for more information!
Feb 26, 2026
In today’s episode of RN Huddle, our NPIAP co-host, Dr. Joyce Black, is joined by Brigitte Vola to discuss the critical issue of ECMO-related pressure injuries and the steps her team at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has taken to combat them. Brigitte dives into what ECMO is, why these vulnerable patients are at risk, and how UAB expanded its healthcare team to tackle this challenge. Tune in to learn about the innovative approaches UAB has implemented to eliminate these complex pressure injuries, one step at a time.
Nov 7, 2024
Get to Know the Inaugural Director of MEMMP – Dr. Lady P!
In today’s episode, we’re excited to share the Mary Eliza Mahoney Mentoring Program, a transformative new initiative from the College of Nursing. Host Heidi Keeler is joined by Dr. Precious Davis, also known as Dr. Lady P, the program’s inaugural director. As a first-generation college graduate herself, Dr. Lady P brings a unique and compassionate perspective to mentoring first-generation nursing students, guiding them through the challenges of higher education. Tune in to hear how this program is making a lasting impact on aspiring nurses. Don’t forget to check the show notes for more information!
Oct 24, 2024
In today’s episode, Dr. Joyce Black sits down with Lisa Grubb, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, who shares her journey demonstrating how to prevent pressure injuries starting in the ER. Instead of coming in as an outsider, Lisa immersed herself in the workflow, collaborating with nurses to implement practical solutions. She explains how using realistic images helped educate staff unfamiliar with pressure injuries and highlights the importance of simple interventions, like performing skin assessments on every admitted patient. Lisa also shares her approach to working with ER teams and offers advice on bringing back actionable ideas to improve patient care. We hope you enjoy!
Oct 10, 2024
Discussing Nursing Collaboration with the Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast
In today’s episode, we’re excited to bring you a special collaboration! Dr. Heidi Keeler joined Nicole Weathers from the University of Iowa to dive into the world of nursing collaboration. Nicole was part of our inaugural MCIRN Innovation Summit in August and that’s where this collaboration began!
This recording is brought to you from the Beyond Nurse Residency Podcast as a part of the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program. For more resources and insights, be sure to check out the show notes. We hope you enjoy the conversation!
Sep 26, 2024
NPIAP returns with an insightful episode on pressure injuries related to medical devices, focusing on oxygen delivery systems. Dr. Joyce Black is joined by respiratory therapists Lexie Caraway and Denise Lauderbaugh. Together, they delve into their experiences with these systems, discussing strategies for preventing and detecting pressure injuries. The conversation also highlights ways respiratory therapists and nurses can collaborate more effectively to minimize these risks. We hope you enjoy today’s episode!
Sep 12, 2024




