In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Kristi Bonny. Kristi Bonny brings over 25 years of experience in healthcare, beginning her career as a firefighter/paramedic before transitioning into nursing. Her diverse background spans roles in the ICU, Emergency Department, Quality Management, and Trauma Services. Currently serving as a Trauma Clinician at an ACS-verified Level II Trauma Center, Kristi specializes in Performance Improvement—blending her love of data and process refinement with hands-on clinical care. Known for her balance of analytical insight and frontline expertise, Kristi embodies the best of both the “nerdy nurse” and the dedicated clinician. What began with a spark to follow in her mother’s nursing footsteps has evolved into a remarkable career dedicated to improving trauma care. Recently honored as the 2025 Distinguished TCRN Award winner, it’s easy to see why her passion and expertise stand out. This episode is called “Beyond the harbor: courage, compassion, and continuous improvement in trauma care.” Kristi can be contacted on LinkedIn @KristiBonny or by email at KristiBonny@texashealth.org BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Carly Johnson. Carly Johnson fell in love with the complexity of emergency medicine while still in nursing school, working as a tech. After graduation, she found her calling in a pediatric emergency room residency—and never looked back. Today, she’s a night shift bedside nurse at one of the busiest pediatric level one trauma centers in the country, where she continues to learn, grow, and take on new challenges every day. With seven years in her current role, Carly now also shares her expertise by teaching other nurses about trauma and critical care within her department. What started as curiosity during nursing school became a lifelong calling for Carly. Now a seasoned pediatric emergency nurse, she’s helping the next generation of nurses navigate trauma and critical care with confidence. This episode is called, "Becoming a safe place in a world woefully in need." Carly can be contacted on LinkedIn @CarlyJohnson BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Carol Tulley. Dr. Carol Tulley has been an emergency nurse for over 30 years, starting out at the Cook County Trauma Unit in Chicago and now serving as the Trauma Coordinator at a Level II trauma center in the western suburbs. Throughout her career she’s worn many hats—staff nurse, educator, and leader—but trauma has always been her true passion. She teaches and directs the Trauma Nurse Core Course, holds several specialty certifications-including the TCRN, and has shared her expertise through presentations and posters at conferences across the country. From the halls of Cook County hospital to her role as a trauma coordinator and educator, Carol’s nursing career is all about leading, teaching, and creating a lasting impact. She will share advice on how to create momentum and build open roads of communication. This episode is called, "Creating a legacy of greenlights in trauma care." Carol can be contacted at Facebook @CarolJaffeTulley and Instagram @C_tulley and LinkedIn @CarolTulley BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Adam Vilander. Adam Vilander is a master’s-prepared nurse educator with over a decade of frontline experience in emergency and critical care settings. He currently serves as the Emergency and Trauma Nursing Specialist for Samaritan Health Services, a five-hospital system in Oregon, where he leads clinical education, trauma initiatives, and quality improvement efforts. In addition to his leadership role, Adam works as a flight nurse, delivering advanced prehospital care and transport for critically ill and injured patients. His expertise spans trauma resuscitation, rural and remote emergency care, and high-acuity operations. Passionate about evidence-based practice and nurse development, Adam is dedicated to advancing care delivery and improving outcomes in complex, high-pressure environments. Adam’s career spans prehospital care, the ER, critical care, and flight nursing—and through it all, he’s chased his goals with determination while navigating some of the hardest experiences nursing can bring. His story is packed with lessons, perspective, and inspiration, so buckle up. This episode is called, “Don't let your dreams just be dreams.” Adam can be contacted through email at avilander@samhealth.org or on LinkedIn @AdamVilander BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Ashely Haugen. Ashley Haugen is a nationally recognized writer, speaker, and advocate for consumer product safety. As the founder of That Water Bead Lady, she leads efforts to support families impacted by product injuries, improve injury reporting systems, and increase public awareness of high-risk products like water beads. Following her daughter Kipley’s injury, Ashley became the first parent advocate to coauthor a case study in Pediatrics (American Academy of Pediatrics Journal), contributing a vital parent perspective to medical literature. Her leadership bridges personal experience with public health advocacy, driving meaningful change to safeguard children nationwide. Ashley is a nationally recognized writer, speaker, and advocate for consumer product safety. As the founder of That Water Bead Lady, Ashley has transformed her family’s experience into a powerful force for change, raising awareness and driving advocacy to protect children nationwide. This episode is called, "History has its eye on you." Ashley can be contacted at ThatWaterBeadLady.org and on IG WaterBeadLady, also TickTock BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Michael Gooch. Dr. Michael Gooch is an emergency and flight nurse practitioner, critical care paramedic, and seasoned clinician with over 30 years of experience in emergency and transport medicine. Based at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, he has completed more than 1,700 patient transports with the LifeFlight team. He is also an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and a nationally recognized speaker, author, and educator. Dr. Gooch holds leadership roles with the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners and the Air and Surface Transport Nurses Association. He is a Fellow of multiple professional organizations and was recently honored with the Distinguished Certified Flight Registered Nurse Award by BCEN in 2025. From prehospital care to the ER, critical care, and transport, Michael’s career has spanned nearly every corner of emergency nursing. His passion for doing things right and inspiring others is unmistakable, and we’re excited to feature him in this episode called, “Keeping the curiosity door unlocked: Spotlight on the 2025 Distinguished CFRN Winner.” Michael can be contacted through LinkedIn @MichaelGoochDNP. BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Rebecca Geyer. Rebecca Geyer brings over two decades of diverse nursing experience, with the majority of her career rooted in Trauma ICU care. Her clinical background spans neurosurgical ICU, pediatric pre-op and PACU, the emergency department, and roles in trauma performance improvement and injury prevention. She currently serves as the Director of Trauma Performance Improvement for the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF), the accrediting body for all trauma centers across the state. In her current role, Rebecca leads statewide initiatives to advance trauma care quality and outcomes. From ICU to ED, Pre-op to PACU, pediatrics to process improvement, Rebecca has kept a fresh view of nursing as she's reimagined her career over 20 years. We have plenty of conversational ground to cover in this episode called, Seeing the world of trauma anew, each day. Rebecca can be contacted through LinkedIn @Rebecca Geyer or by email at: beccageyer@gmail.com BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In part two of this podcast session we want to continue the conversation with our BCEN friends: Jonathan Baxter, Caroline Levin, and Jacob Miller. Jonathan Baxter is the Chief Flight Nurse for a critical care transport program in Arkansas, where he oversees clinical operations and actively flies missions. He holds board certifications in trauma, emergency, flight, and critical care nursing. He collaborates with EMS crews, communities, and state regulators, serving as Vice Chair of the Air Medical Subcommittee and Secretary of the EMS Data Committee for the Arkansas Department of Health. A Doctoral Candidate at UAMS, his research focuses on how EMS provider qualifications impact patient outcomes. He’s also active in several professional organizations and serves as the ENA Trauma Chair for Arkansas. Caroline Levin is a flight nurse and for STAT MedEvac, in Pittsburgh PA. Coming from a diverse background in trauma, emergency, and critical care, she brings a unique expertise to the bedside and aims to share her love of nursing and continuing education to the future of transport nursing. Caroline holds certifications in emergency, flight, critical care, and as a pre-hospital specialized RN. Jacob Miller is a Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Nationally Registered Paramedic with over two decades of EMS and emergency nursing experience, now specializing in critical care transport medicine. Jacob works as a paramedic, a flight nurse, and a critical care nurse practitioner in the Cincinnati area, in addition to state and national involvement in various professional organizations. These seasoned flight clinicians are here to share their real-world insights, expert tips, and unique perspectives on the fast-paced world of air transport nursing. From critical clinical scenarios to ethical dilemmas, no topic is off limits—and yes, we’re spilling the tea on all things flight. This episode is called, “CFRN Roundtable: Get to the Chopper” Part Two The CFRN Roundtable can be contacted directly: Caroline- Instagram @Carolevin119 Jacob- LinkedIn @JacobMillerACNP Jonathan- Email @baxtersword@gmail.com BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friends: Jonathan Baxter, Caroline Levin, and Jacob Miller. Jonathan Baxter is the Chief Flight Nurse for a critical care transport program in Arkansas, where he oversees clinical operations and actively flies missions. He holds board certifications in trauma, emergency, flight, and critical care nursing. He collaborates with EMS crews, communities, and state regulators, serving as Vice Chair of the Air Medical Subcommittee and Secretary of the EMS Data Committee for the Arkansas Department of Health. A Doctoral Candidate at UAMS, his research focuses on how EMS provider qualifications impact patient outcomes. He’s also active in several professional organizations and serves as the ENA Trauma Chair for Arkansas. Caroline Levin is a flight nurse and for STAT MedEvac, in Pittsburgh PA. Coming from a diverse background in trauma, emergency, and critical care, she brings a unique expertise to the bedside and aims to share her love of nursing and continuing education to the future of transport nursing. Caroline holds certifications in emergency, flight, critical care, and as a pre-hospital specialized RN. Jacob Miller is a Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Nationally Registered Paramedic with over two decades of EMS and emergency nursing experience, now specializing in critical care transport medicine. Jacob works as a paramedic, a flight nurse, and a critical care nurse practitioner in the Cincinnati area, in addition to state and national involvement in various professional organizations. These seasoned flight clinicians are here to share their real-world insights, expert tips, and unique perspectives on the fast-paced world of air transport nursing. From critical clinical scenarios to ethical dilemmas, no topic is off limits—and yes, we’re spilling the tea on all things flight. This episode is called, “CFRN Roundtable: Get to the Chopper” Part One The CFRN Roundtable can be contacted directly: Caroline- Instagram @Carolevin119 Jacob- LinkedIn @JacobMillerACNP Jonathan- Email @baxtersword@gmail.com BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.   Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Graham Newton. Graham’s career has encompassed adult and pediatric emergency departments in Level I trauma centers, critical care, clinical education, and research. He has also worked extensively in pre-hospital settings, including medevac flights in the high Arctic, EMS, ski patrol, and disaster relief. Graham holds a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Manitoba and a Master of Nursing from the University of Calgary, along with specialty training in critical care from Mount Royal University. He is credentialed as a Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN), Certified Transport Registered Nurse (CTRN), and Advanced Care Paramedic (ACP), and is currently pursuing studies to become a nurse practitioner. Beyond his clinical work, Graham serves as a board member for the College of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CRNA), contributing to governance and leadership in the nursing profession. His research focuses on pre-hospital care, with published peer-reviewed articles on tension pneumothorax and a textbook chapter on cardiovascular emergencies in critical care transport. With advanced professional credentials and a passion for research and leadership, Graham brings deep expertise to the evolving field of emergency and transport care. This episode is called, "Lions don't have to roar." Graham can be contacted through LinkedIn @GrahamNewton. BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Amanda Werner. Amanda is an experienced nurse with a deep passion for neuro care. She’s dedicated to advancing the knowledge and skills of her team, ensuring that patients receive the most cutting-edge treatments available. Her impact spans across multiple hospitals and countless miles—but her mission remains the same: better outcomes for all. In 2018, Amanda transitioned into the role of Stroke Coordinator and, by 2021, became the Stroke Program Manager for the northern Colorado region. In this role, she supports four hospitals, two freestanding emergency departments, and collaborates closely with regional EMS agencies, referring facilities, and neighboring stroke programs. Amanda is recognized for developing workflows that adapt to various facility needs. Her focus is on clinical education and sharing strategies that support stroke programs, especially in smaller or resource-limited settings. The regional models and connections she has established have been effective and replicable across different healthcare environments. Whether you’re new to stroke care or a seasoned professional, Amanda’s insights and energy are sure to inspire. This episode is called, "A sure-fire recipe for stroke care." Amanda can be contacted through LinkedIn @Amanda Werner and through email at Amanda.werner@uchealth.org   BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Amy Stevenson. Amy Stevenson is a seasoned emergency nursing professional with a dynamic background spanning roles as an EMT, 911 dispatcher, ER/ICU nurse, and flight nurse. She earned her BSN in 2012 and her MSN as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2020 from South College, where she now serves as a nursing professor. Passionate about mental health advocacy for nurses and first responders, Amy is committed to supporting others by openly sharing her journey of personal and professional growth. Amy is an experienced emergency, critical care, flight nurse who is creating space for difficult conversations around the topic of substance abuse disorder. Through Amy's personal and professional experiences, she shares how healthcare teams can better take care of themselves and one another. This episode is called, "Scrub Circle: Breaking the silence to heal." Amy can be contacted through LinkedIn @AmyStevenson as well as through Instagram @ScrubCircle. BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Erin Montgomery. Currently serving as a transport RN for Riley Hospital for Children's pediatric/neonatal specialty team in Indianapolis, Erin is passionate about improving pediatric emergency care through education and outreach. She played a key role in establishing the Pediatric Community Outreach Mobile Education (PCOME) program, bringing high-fidelity simulation training to community hospitals across Indiana. As the program manager for the national ImPACTS collaborative, Erin continues to enhance pediatric acute care through innovative simulation-based education. Erin's nursing background and roles within transport fueled a passion to advocate and educate for advancing pediatric emergency care. From leading mobile simulation training across Indiana to managing the national ImPACTS collaborative, Erin is shaping the future of pediatric acute care. This episode is called, "The little things that sneak up on you." Erin can be contacted directly via email at white20@iu.edu and through the Simbox website (https://www.emergencysimbox.com/) and the ImPACTS  website (https://www.impactscollaborative.com/). BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Amy Grand. Amy Grand is a passionate credentialing specialist with over 20 years of experience in high-stakes licensure and certification exams. In her role at BCEN, Amy leads the development and oversight of six national nursing specialty certifications, supporting more than 60,000 credentialed nurses worldwide. Amy is a Certified Credentialing Professional® through the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. She earned her Master of Science in Medical-Surgical Nursing from the University of Michigan. She's also the President-Elect of the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification and has played a key role in launching groundbreaking programs, like the world’s first burn nursing certification, the CBRN. With an extensive background in exam development and a passion for advancing nursing excellence, Amy brings incredible insight into the world of specialty certification. From her early days in critical care to her current work supporting BCEN’s six national nursing certifications, Amy has dedicated her career to advancing excellence in emergency nursing. Her role is vital to the credentialing of over 63,000 credential holders and coordinating the efforts of more than 100 subject matter experts. This episode is called, "Life moves pretty fast-so does certification." Amy can be reached by email at: agrand@bcen.org  BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Harriet Hawkins Harriet Hawkins is a nurse whose remarkable career in healthcare spans over five decades. Harriet began her journey in psychiatry in 1969 before moving into adult critical care and emergency medicine. In 1982, she joined Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago—now Lurie Children's Hospital—where she worked in the NICU and played a key role in launching the Neonatal Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team in 1985. Harriet also founded the hospital’s resuscitation program in 2001, expanding education in life-saving certifications such as ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP, and more. Beyond her clinical work, Harriet is deeply committed to community outreach and philanthropic service. She has been volunteering at her local homeless shelter since 1996, running a weekly clinic, and has participated in 28 humanitarian mission trips across nine countries. She remains actively involved with the Emergency Nurses Association at both the state and national levels. From pediatric pearls to powerful life lessons, Harriet brings a depth of wisdom shaped by her rich nursing journey. Her passion for life and learning shines through every moment, making this conversation as inspiring as it is informative. Trust us you’ll be hoping for a part two before it's even over! This episode is called, "The secret is to adjust your sails." BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Kathy Mace. With over four decades of experience in emergency nursing, Kathy Mace brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to supporting ED and burn nurses. Beginning her career as a nurse extern in 1976, she spent 33 years in the emergency department, working both at the bedside and in leadership roles. Kathy’s healthcare journey also includes time in the Recovery Room, House Supervisor role, and a decade with an electronic medical record company focused on ED clinicians. Since 2019, she has served as the Employer Relationship Manager at BCEN, where she continues to empower and support nurses in achieving their educational and professional goals. This episode is called, "Building a legacy one day at a time." BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Steven Talbot. Steven Talbot is a seasoned healthcare leader with 26 years of experience in emergency, trauma, flight nursing, administration, education, and paramedicine. As a Professional Practice Leader at Houston Methodist Willowbrook, he oversees the Emergency and Neuroscience Service Lines. An active contributor and volunteer with BCEN since 2011, Steven has played a key role in exam development and leadership. He is also a published author in emergency nursing textbooks and a speaker at conferences worldwide. Reflecting on the power of certification, volunteerism, and professional growth, Steven emphasizes the importance of giving back to the nursing profession through education, leadership, and public speaking. This episode is called, "Living by a compass, not a clock." BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Jacki Roland. Jacki Roland is an experienced emergency and trauma nurse with over 13 years of expertise in caring for critically injured patients. She serves as a clinical nurse educator in a Level 1 academic trauma and burn center in Denver and is part of the instructor cadre at CSTARS in St. Louis, providing advanced trauma training to military and civilian medical personnel. Since joining the military in 2008, Major Roland has been dedicated to improving trauma care through education and leadership. With nearly 17 years of military service, Jacki balances a civilian trauma role with military responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of training, work-life balance, and knowledge-sharing. This episode is called, "Gratitude in every line I have ever read." BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io  

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Courtney Edwards Courtney Edwards is the Director of Trauma Community Outreach & BioTel EMS at Parkland Health in Dallas, Texas. Courtney leads injury prevention and outreach programs, working to improve EMS services for over 2.4 million people in the Dallas area. She supports 14 EMS agencies and oversees an annual 260,000 EMS-911 calls. Holding her Doctoral degree in Nursing Practice from Texas Christian University and a Master of Public Health, she remains patient facing by providing direct care as a member of the Trauma Team in Dallas. From a true passion for trauma care to leading the way in injury prevention, Courtney shares a few of her lessons learned-how to grow trust, accountability, and true collaboration. This episode is called, "A national treasure in injury prevention." BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more. Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Zach Kermitz. Zach began his career in collegiate EMS with the Florida State University Medical Response Unit, before moving on to rural EMS in northeastern North Carolina. After earning his BSN, he honed his skills in the Emergency Department, Intensive Care, and ground Critical Care Transport nursing across North Carolina, Utah, and New York. In late 2019, Zach transitioned into flight nursing, where he has further developed his leadership skills as a full-time flight RN in the Four Corners region of the southwest USA. It takes incremental steps to excel in nursing, and Zach will discuss how he took on specific challenges and gained confidence in his skills. This conversation focuses on the importance of continuous learning, humility, and collaboration in emergency medicine—particularly in ventilator management and toxicology. This episode is called, "A song of flight and poison." BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.