Episode Summary: Nursing is often described as a series of tasks, but the true growth of a clinician happens in the moments after the shift. In this episode of Beyond the Call Light, we sit down with Dr. Lani Hollenbeck to explore why reflection is the most underutilized tool in a nurse's toolkit. We move past the "fluff" and dive into the science and strategy of reflective practice—discussing how it sharpens clinical judgment, builds emotional resilience, and keeps burnout at bay in an increasingly complex healthcare system.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Why" Behind the Pause: Why reflection is a non-negotiable for safe nursing practice.
• Real-World Impact: Dr. Hollenbeck shares a personal turning point where reflection changed her clinical path.
• Frameworks for Success: A breakdown of Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle and the Johns Model to help you structure your thoughts without feeling overwhelmed.
• Breaking the Barriers: How to find the "time" to reflect when you feel like you're barely treading water.
• Teaching the Next Generation: Tips for educators and leaders to model these habits for students and new grads.
• The Resilience Factor: How looking back at your day can actually help you leave work at work and protect your mental well-being.

Key Quotes:

Advice for New Nurses: Listen in for Dr. Hollenbeck’s "Five-Minute Routine" for building a sustainable reflection habit from day one.

Resources Mentioned:

• Gibbs’ Reflective Cycle (1988)
• Johns Model of Structured Reflection

About Our Guest:

Dr. Lani Hollenbeck is a veteran nurse leader and educator dedicated to bridging the gap between clinical theory and bedside reality. Her work focuses on empowering nurses to use their voices and their experiences to drive better patient outcomes and professional satisfaction.

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What happens when your nursing career takes you thousands of miles away from the comforts of a local clinic and onto a floating hospital? In this episode, we sit down with Maria Brown, a CSP Nursing graduate who traded a traditional hospital setting for a cabin on a Mercy Ship.

Mercy Ships is a global humanitarian organization that operates state-of-the-art hospital vessels, bringing free, life-saving surgeries to nations with limited healthcare access. As a volunteer nurse, Maria works at the intersection of high-tech medicine and deep human connection.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Leap of Faith: What inspired Maria to transition from a student at CSP to a global healthcare volunteer.
• Education in Action: How her nursing training prepared her for the fast-paced, low-resource environments of West Africa.
• Life on Board: A "behind-the-scenes" look at the daily routine, the international community of volunteers, and the unique challenges of nursing at sea.
• Stories of Transformation: Maria shares heart-stirring accounts of patients whose lives were changed by the surgeries they received on board.
• Global Perspectives: Advice for current nursing students who feel called to humanitarian work and how to navigate cultural and language barriers with compassion.

Whether you are a nursing student looking for your "why," a healthcare professional curious about global missions, or simply someone who loves a story of radical service, Maria’s journey will leave you inspired to see the world—and your career—differently.

Key Takeaways

Follow Maria’s Journey:

• Learn more about the mission: MercyShips.org
• Explore CSP Nursing: CSP.edu/Nursing

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Guest: Katie DeJong, RN, Global Health Advocate

In this inspiring episode of CSP Nursing: Beyond the Calllight, we explore how nurses are making a difference on a global scale. Our guest, Katie DeJong, shares her journey as a nurse leader and global health advocate, offering insight into what it truly means to provide care that transcends borders, cultures, and circumstances.

Together, we unpack key questions:

• How do we define global health, and why is it vital for nurses to engage in this work?
• What global experiences have shaped Katie’s personal and professional growth?
• How can nurses address challenges such as infectious disease outbreaks, maternal-child health disparities, and access to care in low-resource settings?
• What can nursing students and new graduates do to get involved in global health — even if they can’t travel internationally?

Katie also reflects on how global health work strengthens the very core of nursing — compassion, adaptability, and cultural competence. From community partnerships to ethical practice, her insights highlight how nurses can lead change both abroad and at home.

Whether you’re a nursing student dreaming of working internationally, a faculty member guiding the next generation, or a practicing nurse seeking deeper purpose in your career, this episode will challenge you to think beyond boundaries and imagine the global impact of your care.

Here's a list of some books that give a glimpse into global health in some capacity. Not all are focused on healthcare specifically, but violence and oppression are important aspects of global health, so I have included some that address that. Some are fiction, but are based on true events.

"Mountains Beyond Mountains" by Tracy Kidder

The story of Dr. Paul Farmer, who worked to improve healthcare in Haiti, Cuba, Peru, Russia, and African nations.

"The Blue Sweater" by Jacqueline Novogratz

An autobiography of an international banker, who left her job to found an organization focusing on helping to uplift people out of poverty through financial self-sufficiency.

"When Helping Hurts: by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert

A Chrisitian viewpoint on what the best approach to helping looks like. It challenges many of the current practices that high-income countries often implement to help low-income countries, pointing out the negative impacts that are overlooked.

"The Ghost Map" by Steve Johnson

The story of the London cholera outbreak in 1854 and how it led to the invention of epidemiology. This event is considered the beginning of public health interventions.

"Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza

An autobiography of a young girl during the Rwandan genocide.

"In the time of the Butterflies" by Julia Alvarez

A fictionalized account of the real Mirabal sisters, who fought against political oppression in the Dominican Republic.

"As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow" by Zoulfa Katouh

A fictional story that takes place during the Syrian Revolution. It follows a college-aged girl who is thrown into the role of a surgeon (despite no training), and explores her journey of being a healthcare provider in the midst of extreme violence. The theme of PTSD is also prevalent, so I will add a trigger warning for those who have experienced PTSD from working in healthcare.

"When Sleeping Women Awake, Mountains will Move" by Barbara Mosley de Souza

The author worked in Brazil for 40 years, where she built a curriculum for community health educator training in order to empower women. This book tells many stories of the women she encountered during her work.

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