Episodes
NANN's podcast series provides listeners with advice, tips, and expertise to better inform neonatal nurses, industry partners, and families of NICU patients.
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APRN Shift Length: Balancing Patient and Provider Safety
January 1, 2024
Explore the updated perspective on APRN shift lengths and fatigue as host Jill Beck discusses the recently revised position statement from the National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NANNP). Joined by former NANNP Council members and co-authors Taryn Edwards and Roxanne Stahl, this episode delves into the research behind the update and offers practical recommendations. Discover insights on navigating the delicate balance between patient safety and the well-being of APRNs. Learn about creating a healthier work environment to ensure the safety of both patients and APRNs. Gain essential knowledge for addressing the challenges of APRN shift lengths and fostering a positive, sustainable workplace.
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Advocacy in Action: Empowering NICU Nurses to Influence Change
July 2, 2025
In this episode, NANN's Health Policy and Advocacy Committee (HPAC) Chair, Susie Taylor, and Immediate Past Chair, Michele Sweet, explore the vital yet often overlooked role of advocacy in neonatal nursing. Together, they demystify what advocacy means, why it matters, and how NICU nurses and APRNs can influence healthcare policy beyond the bedside. The conversation highlights common barriers, like lack of time, confidence, or fear of speaking out, and offers practical, accessible ways for nurses to get involved, from writing letters to engaging with professional organizations.
Through real-world examples, such as the successful effort to prevent tariffs on enteral syringes, Susie and Michele demonstrate how everyday bedside experiences can fuel powerful legislative change. They also share informational resources, such as NANN’s advocacy platforms, March of Dimes updates, and hospital-based government affairs teams. The episode emphasizes the power of storytelling, the importance of collaboration, and how even one nurse's voice can drive policy decisions that protect and improve patient care, especially for the most vulnerable newborns.
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From Idea to Impact: Leading Research, Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), and Quality Improvement (QI) Projects in the NICU
June 11, 2025
Sarah Yingling, a nurse who led a quality improvement (QI) project in her unit, and Dr. Elizabeth Schierholz, a neonatal nurse practitioner, nurse scientist, and Sarah’s mentor, share how bedside nurses and APRNs can overcome the intimidation often associated with research, evidence-based practice (EBP), and QI in the NICU. Sarah recounts her journey from a simple conversation about improving care for small babies to leading a large QI project focused on neuroprotective and family-centered care. Together, they provide practical advice on engaging with research, EBP, and QI, break down nursing barriers, and emphasize the importance of mentorship and small, actionable steps. Whether you are a new nurse or a seasoned professional, this episode demonstrates that meaningful change in patient care is within reach for all.
About NANNcast's Host
Jill Beck, MSN RNC-NIC
Jill Beck has been a certified NICU nurse for 18 years and is currently a clinical staff nurse in a Level IV NICU at Nemours/AI duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. There, she is also an ECMO specialist and a member of the NICU team in the Advanced Delivery Program. Jill loves research and QI, and her passion began at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital's NICU in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she was a lead member of the Quality Improvement Committee. There, she worked on various QI initiatives across many disciplines and acted as a mentor for staff for their ongoing research. As a lead investigator on QI initiatives, Jill had the opportunity to share her results with fellow NICU nurses at the local, national, and international levels.
Jill Beck is a proud fellow of NANN's 2018 Emerging Leader Fellowship program, which has taught her invaluable lessons and given her the confidence to pursue the impossible. Through the fellowship, she developed the concept of NANNcast and now serves as the podcast's host. Jill aims for NANNcast to be a platform for sharing new innovations and hot topics in neonatology with the hope of creating better patient outcomes for tiny babies!
info@nann.org
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