Caring Hearts: Helping Nurses Connect, Be Present, and Grow in Their Careers
Meet Bernice Odudu, MSN, CMSRN, CNE, a nurse educator and YouTube content creator at Caring Hearts. In this Q&A, Odudu shares her experiences at the 2024 AMSN Annual Convention and her passion for medical-surgical nursing and nursing education. Get to know Bernice here.
What led you to join us at the 2024 AMSN Annual Convention in Toronto?
Bernice Odudu: I attended the AMSN Annual Convention to connect with fellow medical-surgical nurses, learn about the latest evidence-based practices and innovations in the field, and contribute to discussions on best practices. The Toronto convention was my third. I also attended the conventions in Chicago in 2019 and Las Vegas in 2023. I sponsor myself in all these events because I am a lifelong learner.
What did you enjoy most about the AMSN Convention?
Odudu: The educational sessions, the networking, and the organization of the entire event were what I enjoyed most at the AMSN Convention. It was enriching to exchange insights and experiences with colleagues from diverse healthcare settings, recruiters, and vendors as well.
What drives you as a nurse and nurse educator?
Odudu: As a nurse and nurse educator, I am driven by the desire to improve patient outcomes through education, mentorship, and advocacy. I find fulfillment in seeing nurses grow professionally and deliver compassionate, evidence-based care. My former students and colleagues can testify to my desire for professional and personal growth to improve patient care delivery and staff passion for nursing. I am always the first to sign in for classes.
Why did you become CMSRN certified?
Odudu: I pursued CMSRN certification to validate my expertise in medical-surgical nursing and demonstrate commitment to excellence in patient care. It has enhanced my credibility and opened opportunities for professional growth. My certification has helped me in various ways. While working at Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Torrance, California, with the help of the clinical nurse specialist Sreedevi Warrier, I was able to develop an evidence-based practice for the nurses and nursing assistants to be comfortable in providing care for patients at the end of life. We introduced the use of “Pause.” When a patient passes away, all the staff — therapists, doctors, anyone on the unit at the time — gathers and hold hands at the patient bedside with the family and pauses to acknowledge the life the patient lived. The atmosphere was electrifying as everyone felt that human connection and vulnerability.
What are some challenges that new medical-surgical nurses face today?
Odudu: New medical-surgical nurses often face challenges such as managing high patient acuity, adapting to fast-paced environments, and navigating complex care protocols. Effective time management and ongoing education are crucial in overcoming these challenges. These are the issues I address and provide strategies and tips to overcome on my YouTube channel and in coaching sessions.
What makes you most excited about the field of medical-surgical nursing?
Odudu: What interests me most regarding medical-surgical nursing is the exciting nature of the field and the ability to have a direct impact on patients' lives. The variety of circumstances and ongoing learning keep me interested and passionate about my career.
Medical-surgical nurses are the heartbeat of nursing. They have the basic knowledge to care for diverse patient illnesses: neurology, nephrology, cardiac, etc.
Tell us about how you became involved in sharing the medical-surgical nursing perspective on YouTube.
Odudu: The motto of my YouTube channel Caring Hearts is “A Nurse’s Journey of Learning, Empowerment, and Growth.” I am also the founder of BOI Learning Partner LLC, helping first-year nurses and internationally trained nurses adapt to the complexities of the healthcare system, determine a good-fit organization, and assist with resumes and interview prep.
I began sharing the medical-surgical nursing perspective on YouTube to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and practical bedside care, aiming to empower both new and experienced nurses with practical skills and knowledge. Nursing is not just about administering medication and carrying physicians’ orders as many perceive. It goes beyond that. It is the ability of a nurse to connect and be present with their patients during those vulnerable moments. That is nursing.
Tell us about your latest role in helping to educate the next generation of nurses.
Odudu: I am glad to announce that I am serving as an expert in the Nurses Feed Their Young member community as an Internationally Trained Nurse Expert. Nurses Feed Their Young is a movement founded by Teresa Sanderson, with the mission to infuse emotional intelligence into the everyday skill set of nurses and nursing leaders so we can improve nursing retention, decrease stress and burnout, and improve the patient experience. Nurses Feed Their Young is a community of volunteer experts who provide organizational training to healthcare organizations, nursing leaders, and nurses.
My over 30 years as a bedside nurse and nurse educator at the Caring Hearts YouTube channel and BOI Learning Partner dedicated to guiding internationally trained and first-year nurses to navigate the complexities of the healthcare system prepared me for this role. My passion for nursing education and mentorship stems from a deep commitment to empowering nurses to excel in their roles.
I aim to leverage my expertise to foster a supportive community where all nurses, especially internationally trained and first year nurses, can share knowledge, develop professionally, and advocate for their needs. I believe that Nurses Feed Their Young will strengthen the nursing workforce, enhance patient care, and contribute to a more effective healthcare system.