About the Episode

A great book can be life-changing. Join the co-hosts as they share 12 of their favorite "must read" books which transcend both professional and personal interest. 

Book List

"Being Mortal" by Atul Gawande, recommended by Laura; "When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi, recommended by Laura; "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, recommended by Maritess; John Maxwell books on leadership, recommended by Maritess; "If Disney Ran Your Hospital" by Fred Lee, recommended by Laura and Maritess; "The Ride of a Lifetime" by Bob Iger, recommended by Maritess; "Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, recommended by Maritess; "An American Sickness" by Elizabeth Rosenthal, recommended by Neil; "Love" by Leo Bascaglia,  recommended by Neil; "Personhood" by Leo Bascaglia, recommended by Neil; "But Not the Hippopotamus" by Sandra Boynton, recommended by Laura; "The Nightingale of Mosul" by Susan Luz, recommended by Sydney.

Meet the Co-Hosts

Samantha Bayne, MSN, RN, CMSRN, NPD-BC, is a nursing professional development practitioner in the inland northwest specializing in medical-surgical nursing. The first four years of her practice were spent bedside on a busy ortho/neuro unit where she found her passion for newly graduated RNs, interdisciplinary collaboration, and professional governance. Sam is an unwavering advocate for medical-surgical nursing as a specialty and enjoys helping nurses prepare for specialty certification. 

Laura Johnson, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN, has been a nurse since 2008 with a background in Med/Surg and Oncology.  She is a native Texan currently working in the Dallas area. She has held many positions throughout her career from bedside nurse to management/leadership to education. Laura obtained her MSN in nursing education in 2018 and is currently pursuing her DNP. She has worked both as a bedside educator and a nursing professional development practitioner for both new and experienced staff. She enjoys working with the nurse residency program as a specialist in palliative care/end of life nursing and mentorship. She is currently an NPD practitioner for oncology and bone marrow transplant units.  

Neil H. Johnson, RN, BSN, CMSRN, epitomizes a profound familial commitment to the nursing profession, marking the third generation in his family to tread this esteemed path. Following the footsteps of his father, grandfather, grandmother, aunt, and cousin, all distinguished nurses, Neil transitioned to nursing as a second career after a brief tenure as an elementary school teacher. Currently on the verge of completing his MSN in nurse education, he aspires to seamlessly integrate his dual passions. Apart from his unwavering dedication to nursing, Neil actively seeks serenity in nature alongside his canine companions. In his professional capacity, he fulfills the role of a med-surg nurse at the Moses Cone Health System in North Carolina.

Eric Torres, ADN, RN, CMSRN. is a California native that has always dreamed of seeing the World, and when that didn’t work out, he set his sights on nursing. Eric is beyond excited to be joining the AMSN podcast and having a chance to share his stories and experiences of being a bedside medical-surgical nurse.

Maritess M. Quinto, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, CMSRN, is a clinical educator currently leading a team of educators who is passionately helping healthcare colleagues, especially newly graduate nurses. She was born and raised in the Philippines and immigrated to the United States with her family in Florida. Her family of seven (three girls and two boys with her husband who is also a Registered Nurse) loves to travel, especially to Disney World. She loves to share her experiences about parenting, travelling, and, of course, nursing!

Sydney Wall, RN, BSN, CMSRN, has been a med surg nurse for 5 years. After graduating from the University of Rhode Island in 2019, Sydney commissioned into the Navy and began her nursing career working on a cardiac/telemetry unit in Bethesda, Maryland. Currently she is stationed overseas, providing care for service members and their families. During her free time, she enjoys martial arts and traveling.