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.

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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.

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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