Safety First: How Psychological, Professional, and Physical Safety Shape Nurse Success

Safety First: How Psychological, Professional, and Physical Safety Shape Nurse Success

Author: Nicole Weathers, DNP, RN, NPD-BC July 1, 2026 Duration: 45:21
What does “safety” really mean in today’s healthcare environment—and how does it impact new nurses’ confidence, competence, and long-term success? In this episode, Nicole Weathers is joined by returning guest Dr. Heidi Gilroy, Director of Nursing Practice and creator of the Trauma-Informed Professional Development model, to explore the critical role safety plays in nurse engagement and retention. Together, they unpack the three key dimensions of safety—physical, psychological, and professiona...

Hosted by Nicole Weathers, a Doctor of Nursing Practice and board-certified nurse professional development specialist, Beyond Nurse Residency is a conversation for those invested in the long-term growth of nursing talent. While many resources focus on the initial hurdles for new graduates, this podcast digs into what comes after. It’s for nurse leaders, educators, preceptors, and any healthcare professional who understands that a nurse’s journey doesn’t end with orientation. Through thoughtful interviews with experts across the field, episodes explore the nuanced challenges and opportunities in nurse onboarding, transition to practice, and continuous role development. The discussions move beyond theory, offering practical insights and strategies for fostering resilience, clinical judgment, and professional identity over an entire career. You’ll hear real-world perspectives on building supportive structures that help nurses not just start strong, but thrive and evolve within the ever-changing landscape of healthcare. This is a natural extension of the foundational work done by programs like the Iowa Online Nurse Residency Program, creating a dedicated space for the complex, ongoing work of nursing professional development. Tune in for a podcast that serves as a resource and a catalyst for meaningful conversation about cultivating the next generation of expert nurses and the leaders who guide them.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 34

Beyond Nurse Residency
Podcast Episodes
The Role of the Preceptor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:11
Episode 3: In this episode, we will discuss improving or establishing a preceptor program within your organization. By the end of this episode, you will have a better understanding of the role of a preceptor, best practi…
Trauma-Informed Professional Development [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:12
Episode 2: In this episode, we explore a new approach to nursing professional development that can help combat nurse burnout and workforce shortages. Our guest, Heidi Gilroy, PhD, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, EBP-C, shares her in…
Readiness for Practice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 49:13
Episode 1: Readiness for Practice focuses on the transition of new nurses into the role of registered nurses and the factors that influence their practice readiness. The goal is to ensure safe, high-quality nursing care…