5 Things Nursing Podcast by RBWH

In this special live-audience episode from the Metro North Health Innovation Showcase, Jesse is joined by Julie Oliver and Dr EJ Marsden, the nursing and medical professional leads for the Older Persons Emergency Network. Unsurprisingly, this is all about older persons emergency care. Julie and EJ's Five Things: The why - Defining the problem in older persons emergency care The what and where of care requirements - "presenting complaints", locations. The who - the right skills and decisions about team composition What does success look like? The template for future - more care in homes & RACF, scaling?

In this episode Liz and Jesse are joined by Melissa Branjerdporn. Melissa is a Social Worker by profession but, important to this episode, she is currently serving as Team Leader of Suicide Prevention and Therapies in Metro North Health. Melissa has studied a Master of Suicidology and weaves real work experience with the science to teach us more about how to support the prevention of suicide. Melissa’s Five Things: What is suicide? What are the warning signs? Asking about suicide doesn’t seed it in someone’s mind! When people talk about suicide, take it seriously. Suicide is not necessarily about people wanting to die.

In this episode Liz and Jesse are joined by Courtney Jarrett. Courtney is a Respiratory and Sleep Scientist in Thoracic Medicine at RBWH. Courtney joins us for another episode that has critical information for staff (especially shift workers) and patients…Sleep. Courtney’s Five Things: What IS sleep? Why is sleep so important? What are common sleep issues or disorders? Things that impact sleep. How to optimise sleep.

In this episode Liz and Jesse are joined by Jenn Hayes. Jenn is the supervisor for resuscitation and simulation at Rady Children’s Health Orange County. Jenn discusses her personal experience of cardiac arrest and how that collided with her drive to to improve resuscitation outcomes in children. Jenn’s Five Things: See the person and believe you could make a difference. Without data, there is only opinion. What metrics can we aim to improve? How do you implement and systematise improvement? Closing the loop with communicating the outcomes.

Liz and Jesse are joined by Dr Emily Watters. Emily is a GP with specialised practice focus on Perimenopause and Menopause. Emily is a powerhouse of evidence-based, person-centred care, and an amazing scientific communicator. This is not just for women. This presents a significant public health priority for research and translation to increase access to quality diagnosis and treatment. All treatment options discussed are for the purpose of education and informed self advocacy only. In Australia, check the Australian Menopause Society website for a growing directory of practitioners including Emily. Emily’s Five Things What are perimenopause and menopause? Health consequences of menopause. You’re never too young for perimenopause. Discussing evidence and debunking myths about perimenopause and menopause. Treatments in perimenopause and menopause.

In this episode Liz and Jesse are joined by Dr Cameron Mackay, Clinical Director of Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery. Cameron offered insights into the mindset, philosophy, practice and innovations in this unique specialty. Cameron’s Five Things. What is plastic surgery? Restoring what is lost. Healing of the whole person - biopsychosocial. Lessons learned about resilience and self from trauma and surgery. Reconstructing Queensland - equity of access in a very large state.

In this episode, Liz and Jesse are joined by Heather So, Occupational Therapist, PhD Candidate and author researching spirituality in healthcare. This episode gets right to the intersection of Heather's clinical and academic expertise and also how profound personal experiences draw on, and often reshape our own spirituality. Heather shares her own experience of the loss of their daughter, so please consider this when choosing when and where to listen. Heather's Five Things: Spirituality is awkward. Spirituality is for everyone. Health challenges often spark spiritual reflections. Attending to spirituality is about listening not fixing. Supporting patients/consumers spirituality takes a team.

This is a special edition of Five Things recorded in front of a live audience at the Metro North Health Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Showcase in November 2025. In this episode, Jesse flew solo as host and was joined by Kim Alexander a Professor of Cancer Nursing with Metro North and Queensland University of Technology. Kim's abstract for the showcase was related to her research work into nurses position in genomics and future individualised therapies. We used this as a case study to explore nurses role in innovation and adapting to unprecedented pace of change. Please enjoy Kim's Five Things: 1. The importance of embracing innovation 2. Evidence-based evaluation 3. Stakeholder engagement 4. Contextual fit and value 5. Implementation and evaluation

In this episode Liz and Jesse are joined by Darren McMillan, Nurse Educator Medical Emergency Response in the Resuscitation Education team at RBWH. Darren talks through a highly requested topic – the scribe role in a medical emergency or cardiac arrest. Darren’s Five Things: It’s important, assign it to the right person. Trust the form. Be legible and comprehensive. Scribing is an active role, not passive documentation. Summarise and sign of to ensure continuity of care.

In this Episode Liz an Jesse are joined by Edwina Egan, a new greaduate nurse who has now started her career in Central West Queensland. Eddie joined us to share her experiences through university and hospital work that enriched her student learning. Eddie's Five Things: What has shaped you the most from clinical placements as a student? What is an USIN and what is an AIN? Working in research before graduating. Saying yes and figuring it out afterwards. What’s next?

In this episode, another in the series on compassion, Liz and Jesse are joined by Nick Coriat, lived experience advocate, workshop facilitator and host of the amazing podcast 'Don't Quit On Me. Nick talks us through his personal journey, what it has taught him about resilience and the critical relationship with his own mind and body. Nick has compiled the expertise of his many expert guests on his podcast as he has tried conventional and non-conventional approaches to managing physical and emotional pain. Nick was recently the opening keynote speaker at the MN Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Showcase with an amazing session, "It's Chaos to be Kind".

This special episode serves two purposes: 1. Spotlight the October publication of the Council of Deans of Nursing and Midwifery (CDNM) of Australia and New Zealand Position Statement on Artificial Intelligence in Nursing and Midwifery Education; 2. Feature an AI tool that Jesse is using regularly to produce draft mind maps, make annotated notes and generate podcast synopsis of complex materials for high level pre-meeting or workshop overview - Notebook LM by Google. We aim to pick up on key pillar concepts from the CDNM Position Statement to drive future guest episodes.

In this episode Liz and Jesse are joined by Maddison Carroll, Nuclear Medicine Scientist and Educator. This episode is not about nuclear medicine, but instead about Maddie's lived experience, and lessons for all about neurodivergence. Maddie’s Five Things: The diversity in neurodivergence. Communication is a two-way street. Challenge assumptions, expectations and status quo. Only the individual with lived experience can claim their neurodivergence as a superpower. Neuro-inclusivity and diversity benefits everyone.

In this episode Liz and Jesse are joined by Dr Claire Muller, stroke neurologist at the RBWH, and clinical director of the Queensland Tele-Stroke Service. No surprises here… it’s all about stroke! Claire’s Five Things: What is a stroke? What are the signs and symptoms of a stroke? What can be done about a stroke? What is a “code stroke?” How can people recover from a stroke?

Five Things About Translational Simulation with Laura Owens In this episode Liz and Jesse are joined by second time guest on the podcast, Laura Owens. Laura works in the RBWH Emergency and Trauma Centre as a Nurse Navigator and, more specific to this episode, as the Clinical Nurse Consultant with the RBWH Teamwork and Collaborative Training (TACT) service. Laura gives us great insight into Translational Simulation. Laura’s Five Things: What is Simulation? What is Translational Simulation? Why is it important? How does it work in practice? Where can you go to learn more?

In this episode of Five Things Liz and Jesse are joined by Dr Kate McCarthy, Infectious Disease Physician and Microbiologist at RBWH and Associate Professor with the University of Queensland. We take a quick refresh and snapshot of the ARI landscape as we head into our “virus season” in the Southern Hemisphere. Kate’s Five Things: What is happening with respiratory viral infections in adults “post-COVID”. Environmental factors impacting viral transmission. Does PPE work? Rationalise protective measures. Update on the RSBV vaccine. “Cow Flu” a virus on the current International watch list.

When it comes to compassion, one size does not fit all. In this first episode in a series inspired by the Metro North Health Compassionate Care Principles we zoom in on Culturally Informed Compassion with Roslyn Boland, Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health at RBWH. Rosyln identifies as an Aboriginal woman of the Mardigan and Kooma peoples and we acknowledge the examples we discuss in this podcast are a composite of her lived experience and of the many stories she holds from communities and families she has engaged with in her work as a health care worker, liaison officer, nurse and healthcare leader. Roslyn's five things: Compassion for our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders population is the same for everyone else. We need to remain aware of cultural sensitivities Be aware and connected to the additional needs of our indigenous peoples, don’t make assumptions ask every time. Involve our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander workforce early. When working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders peoples it is important to remember that compassion has to extend and begin with the patient in the context of their family, friends and community. Keeping the family/friends/community engaged, involved, communicated with is part of compassionate care. Compassion is felt and experienced by others, it is not something ‘done’ to others. We have to be relational, recognise that all individuals are different and we discover those needs by connection, questions and listening. Compassion also has to be found in the system. Be an advocate for our Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders patients, families, communities, colleagues and peers

In this episode Liz and Jesse run without a guest for part 2 of our series on debriefing. This time we talk about debriefing to learn in clinical practice, how and why? Both Liz and Jesse have years – decades experience in facilitating debriefs in clinical practice settings and hope to see a continued path forward in creating these opportunities to learn and grow. This episode marks an indefinite pause on our productions of Five Things as we move forward exploring plans for the future. Thank you for listening. Our Five Things: Debunked Debriefing Myths. What is debriefing to learn? Debriefing to learn can create opportunities for growth and development. Debriefing to learn and insights into communication. Debriefing to learn can create a sense of belonging.

In this episode Liz and Jesse run without a guest to tackle five big myths about debriefing to learn in clinical practice. Both Liz and Jesse have years – decades experience in facilitating debriefs in clinical practice settings and put a target on a few of the sticky myths that form barriers to creating these opportunities to learn and grow. Our Five Debunked Debriefing Myths: Debriefing causes harm. Debriefs only happen after critical events. Debriefs should be psychologically based. You can’t lead a debrief if you were involved in the clinical situation. There’s no time to debrief.

In this episode Liz and Jesse are joined by Rebecca Boparai to learn from her experience of being on the “other side” of healthcare. Rebecca works a Nurse Practitioner in Diabetes, but her story is about the impact that experiencing the healthcare system as a partner who lost her husband to cancer has shaped her professionally and personally. We were so pleased to provide a place for Rebecca to chare this wisdom forged through such a heavy personal experience. Rebecca’s Five Things: The patient is a person first. Slow down and look for the small moments – they can have huge impact. Empathy is different from sympathy. Family, friends and community are incredibly important in this journey. What will be our legacy?