The Nurse Shark Academy Show

Hosted by Baxter Professional Services LLC

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May 2026

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The Nurse Shark Academy show highlights nurse business owners and others in the healthcare field who promote entrepreneurship. We interview nurse leaders and encourage them to tell their story. Join us and support these wonderful nurse entrepreneurs and leaders.

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60 recent

May 18, 2026Episode 8423 min

S4 E84 Eyes Open: staying present and ready for what's next as a nurse entrepreneur

Leadership Lessons Show Notes About The Nurse Shark Academy Welcome to the Leadership Conversations segment of The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where Tina Baxter, your host, shares leadership topics of the day. Episode Synopsis: You became a nurse because you wanted to make an impact. Now you’re building a business for the same reason and it’s time to stop playing small. This episode gives you the mindfulness tools, real-world systems, and mindset resets to stay present, stay open, and start saying yes to the opportunities already circling you. If you’re ready to level up and surround yourself with nurse entrepreneurs who are serious about growth, join The Nurse Shark Academy at www.thenursesharkacademy.biz. This is where the sharks swim forward — come feel the sun. About your host Tina M. Baxter is an advanced practice registered nurse and a board certified gerontological nurse practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC), who resides in Anderson, Indiana. Mrs. Baxter has been a registered nurse for over twenty years and a nurse practitioner for 17 years in the areas of mental health, gerontology, and health education. She is the owner of Baxter Professional Services, LLC, a consulting firm which provides legal nurse consulting services for attorneys and insurance professionals; wellness and chronic disease management coaching; and customized educational and operational resources to healthcare organizations. Mrs. Baxter teaches stress management strategies to clients of all ages and offers virtual as well as online classes. She is listed as an Alignable Local Businessperson of the Year in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. She is the founder of The Nurse Shark Academy® where she coaches nurses to launch and scale their businesses. She is the host of The Nurse Shark Academy Show© which interviews and spotlights nurse business owners and leaders in healthcare. She is a public speaker and has spoken on numerous topics on a national level. She is a contributor to articles on electronic and print media such as Entrepreneur.com, The Minority Nurse, LinkedIn, as well as a guest on numerous podcasts. My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur. The Nurse Shark Academy Show is looking for nurse entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders to guest on the show. If you have always been curious about how to be an effective podcast guest, sign up for our webinar at www.thenursesharkacademy.biz. To reach your host, https://hihello.me/p/30801bee-4180-448d-a6b2-0bf6754ece87. As always, thank you for listening to The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where we are experts in nursing and experts in business. Subscribe to our channel and download our podcast wherever you get your podcast such as Podbean, Apple, Samsung, Spotify, iHeart Radio, YouTube, and more. If you are nurse entrepreneur or business leader who would be interested in coming on the show, contact us at thenursesharkacademyshow@baxterprofessionalservices.com or visit our website at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/. Pick up a copy of our e-book, Guide for Nurse Entrepreneurs at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/category/all-products. Join us for our upcoming events and training programs. Our videos, blogs, and course offerings can be found on our website. Become a member of The Nurse Shark Academy to launch your nurse owned business today at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/ #NurseEntrepreneur #NurseBusiness #NurseLeader #NursingCommunity #NurseLife #MindfulnessForNurses #EntrepreneurMindset #OpportunityMindset #PersonalDevelopment #MindsetShift #HealthcareEntrepreneur #NurseCoach #BusinessGrowth #WomenInBusiness #BossNurse #TheNurseSharkAcademy #FeelTheSun #NurseShark #LevelUpNurse #NurseSuccess

April 20, 2026Episode 8333 min

S4E83 How one nurse brings EB nursing and holistic health to heart-centered leadership Guest Laura Alessio

Welcome our guests today, Laura Alessio, founder of Nurse Coach Alessio, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Today’s episode, “How one nurse brings EB nursing and holistic health to heart-centered leadership.” I interview nurses who are business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders. I want to hear inspiring stories from the nurse next door who is making a difference in the entrepreneurial and business space. My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur.- Tina Baxter, Show Host and Founder of The Nurse Shark Academy. About Laura Alessio I’m a Board-Certified Health & Wellness Nurse Coach, Advanced Holistic Nurse, and a Certified Facilitator of Dr. Joe Dispenza’s Back to Balance Meditation Series. I help busy professionals build resilience, regulate their nervous systems, and improve performance through mindfulness, heart-brain coherence, and practical stress-reduction tools. I love connecting with others who value growth, wellbeing, and meaningful impact. I blend evidence-based nursing, mindfulness, meditation, HeartMath, and holistic practices to support stress reduction, resilience, and heart-centered leadership. I also create exam-focused flashcards and educational tools for nurses preparing for Nurse Coach and Holistic Nurse board certifications. To get in touch with Laura or learn more about Nurse Coach Alessio, you may reach out to her at her social media pages and book a complimentary call. Listeners receive a Free mini-mindfulness session and/or join my free FB group Stress Less with Mindfulness: https://www.facebook.com/groups/838987871668575/ https://www.facebook.com/laura.alessio.161 https://www.instagram.com/nursecoachalessio/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-alessiornmsnphnncbc/ https://www.youtube.com/@NurseCoachAlessio https://www.tiktok.com/@nursecoachalessio https://linktr.ee/nursecoachalessio About The Nurse Shark Academy My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and the freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur. Tina Baxter is The Nurse Shark and host, the only nurse business mentor who utilizes an innovative, proven, 3 step HE-ME-WE framework for nurses around the world who want the freedom to live on their own terms in an era where so many feel stressed, burnt-out, and unappreciated. As always, thank you for listening to The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where we are experts in nursing and experts in business. Subscribe to our channel and download our podcast wherever you get your podcast such as Podbean, Apple, Spotify, iHeart Radio, YouTube, and more. If you are nurse entrepreneur or business leader who would be interested in coming on the show, contact us at thenursesharkacademyshow@baxterprofessionalservices.com or visit our website at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/. Become a PATRON of the show and get access to special podcast episodes and discounts on merchandise. Join here: https://patron.podbean.com/thenursesharkacademy Pick up a copy of our e-book, Guide for Nurse Entrepreneurs at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/category/all-products. Join us for our upcoming events and training programs. Our videos, blogs, and course offerings can be found on our website. Become a member of The Nurse Shark Academy to launch your nurse owned business today at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/ Interested in starting your own podcast with Podbean? Check out our affiliate links here to get a great price. Unlimited Hosting Plan: https://www.podbean.com/thenurseshark Business Plan: https://www.podbean.com/pro/thenurseshark #podcast #nursing #business #small business #nurses #thenurseshark #entrepreneur

April 6, 2026Episode 8214 min

S4E82 What to Do When You Blow It: How Good Leaders Take Ownership and Bounce Back

Leadership Lessons Show Notes About The Nurse Shark Academy Welcome to the Leadership Conversations segment of The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where Tina Baxter, your host, shares leadership topics of the day. My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur. The Nurse Shark Academy Show is looking for nurse entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders to guest on the show. If you have always been curious about how to be an effective podcast guest, sign up for our webinar at www.thenursesharkacademy.biz. About your host Tina M. Baxter is an advanced practice registered nurse and a board certified gerontological nurse practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC), who resides in Anderson, Indiana. Mrs. Baxter has been a registered nurse for over twenty years and a nurse practitioner for 17 years in the areas of mental health, gerontology, and health education. She is the owner of Baxter Professional Services, LLC, a consulting firm which provides legal nurse consulting services for attorneys and insurance professionals; wellness and chronic disease management coaching; and customized educational and operational resources to healthcare organizations. Mrs. Baxter teaches stress management strategies to clients of all ages and offers virtual as well as online classes. She is listed as an Alignable Local Businessperson of the Year in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. She is the founder of The Nurse Shark Academy® where she coaches nurses to launch and scale their businesses. She is the host of The Nurse Shark Academy Show© which interviews and spotlights nurse business owners and leaders in healthcare. She is a public speaker and has spoken on numerous topics on a national level. She is a contributor to articles on electronic and print media such as Entrepreneur.com, The Minority Nurse, LinkedIn, as well as a guest on numerous podcasts. To reach your host, https://hihello.me/p/30801bee-4180-448d-a6b2-0bf6754ece87. Podcast Title: The Nurse Shark Academy Show Leadership Lessons Episode: What to Do When You Blow It: How Good Leaders Take Ownership and Bounce Back Host: Tina Baxter Powered by: The Nurse Shark Academy Welcome back to The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where we empower nurses to lead boldly, build profitably, and impact their communities with confidence. I’m your host, Tina Baxter, and today we’re diving into a topic that every future—and current—nurse leader needs to hear. Whether you’re supervising your first team, running a department, or stepping into entrepreneurship, the skills we’re about to explore are the backbone of effective leadership in nursing. These aren’t just nice-to-have abilities; they’re the difference between burnout and balance, chaos and clarity, surviving and scaling. 🦈 Episode Overview Let’s be real, every leader, at some point, blows it. You make the wrong call. You miss something important. You say the wrong thing. And in those moments, it can feel like your credibility is on the line. But here’s the truth: 👉 Leadership isn’t defined by perfection. It’s defined by how you respond when things go wrong. In this episode, Tina Baxter breaks down how strong leaders take ownership, recover with intention, and actually build trust through their mistakes and how not lose it. 🎧 Episode Highlights 💡 Failure is Part of Leadership—Not the End of It Leadership comes with responsibility, and with that responsibility comes inevitable missteps. Many leaders carry the internal pressure of: “If I mess up, I’ll lose respect.” But in reality? 👉 Avoiding accountability is what damages trust—not the mistake itself. Real-world example: A nurse manager creates a flawed staffing schedule that leaves the team overwhelmed. Weak leadership deflects blame. Strong leadership says: “I missed this—and that’s on me. Let’s fix it.” That moment becomes a defining leadership opportunity. 🚫 Common Leadership Mistakes When Things Go Wrong When leaders feel exposed, they often default to reaction instead of intention. Here are four common traps: Deflection Shifting blame to others or circumstances → Erodes trust immediately Silence Avoiding the issue altogether → Creates frustration and disconnect Over-Explaining Justifying instead of owning → Feels like excuses, not leadership Emotional Overcorrection Falling into guilt or self-doubt → Forces the team to manage your emotions 👉 Key insight: Leadership is not about protecting your image—it’s about modeling accountability. ✅ What Strong Leaders Do Instead Great leaders turn mistakes into momentum. Here’s how: Acknowledge Quickly Address the issue early—don’t let it linger Own It Fully No excuses. No deflection. Just clarity Recognize the Impact Acknowledge how your actions affected others Provide a Path Forward Communicate what will change moving ahead Lead Forward Confidently Learn the lesson. Don’t stay stuck in the mistake 🗣️ Example of Leadership in Action Here’s what ownership sounds like in real time: “Team, I want to address yesterday’s staffing issue. I missed a key detail, and that’s on me. I know that created extra stress, and I take responsibility for that. Moving forward, I’m implementing a double-check system to prevent this. I appreciate how you all stepped up—and I’m committed to doing better.” 👉 Clear. Accountable. Forward-focused. 🔄 Why Owning Mistakes Builds Trust Contrary to what many believe: 👉 Taking ownership doesn’t weaken your leadership, it strengthens it. Your team is watching for: Authenticity Accountability Consistency When you model those behaviors, you create: Psychological safety Open communication A culture of growth Business example: A nurse entrepreneur launches a program that underperforms. Instead of ignoring it, she shares: “This didn’t go as planned. Here’s what we learned and here’s how we’re pivoting.” That transparency builds trust and invites collaboration. 🔑 Reframing Failure as Leadership Equity Every time you: Own your mistakes Communicate clearly Improve your systems 👉 You are building leadership equity. Your team begins to see you as: Trustworthy Self-aware Growth-driven And that matters far more than appearing flawless. 🔥 5 Key Takeaways Mistakes are inevitable, but avoidance is optional Your response defines your leadership. Ownership builds trust faster than perfection ever will People respect honesty over image. Silence and blame destroy credibility quickly Address issues directly and early. Impact matters more than intent What happened outweighs what you meant. Bouncing back is a leadership skill And it’s one you can strengthen over time. 🚀 Call to Action If this conversation challenged you, or called you higher, then it’s time to step into your next level of leadership. Inside The Nurse Shark Academy, we help nurse entrepreneurs: Lead with confidence and clarity Strengthen decision-making skills Build businesses rooted in integrity and strategy 👉 Ready to grow as a leader and stop second-guessing yourself? Join us inside The Nurse Shark Academy. ⭐ Loved This Episode? If this episode spoke to you: Subscribe to the show Share it with another nurse leader Leave a review to help us continue bringing powerful conversations your way 🎙️ Final Thought 👉 You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. 👉 You just have to be willing to own it and grow from it. We’ll see you next time on The Nurse Shark Academy Show. Join The Nurse Shark Academy If you’re ready to grow as a leader, elevate your income, and build a career that actually aligns with your purpose, then The Nurse Shark Academy is where your next chapter begins. Inside, you’ll find: Leadership training designed for nurses • Business coaching for those ready to launch or grow • Community support from ambitious nurse professionals • Workshops, resources, and mentorship that accelerate your success You’ve spent your career taking care of others. It’s time to invest in your own growth, your own leadership, and your own legacy. Visit TheNurseSharkAcademy.biz and take the next step toward becoming the leader you were meant to be. Thanks for spending this time with me. Share this episode with a nurse leader who needs a reminder of their potential, and don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes that help you lead, grow, and thrive. Until next time, keep leading with purpose and power. As always, thank you for listening to The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where we are experts in nursing and experts in business. Subscribe to our channel and download our podcast wherever you get your podcast such as Podbean, Apple, Samsung, Spotify, iHeart Radio, YouTube, and more. If you are nurse entrepreneur or business leader who would be interested in coming on the show, contact us at thenursesharkacademyshow@baxterprofessionalservices.com or visit our website at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/. Pick up a copy of our e-book, Guide for Nurse Entrepreneurs at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/category/all-products. Join us for our upcoming events and training programs. Our videos, blogs, and course offerings can be found on our website. Become a member of The Nurse Shark Academy to launch your nurse owned business today at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/ Interested in starting your own podcast with Podbean? Check out our affiliate links here to get a great price. Unlimited Hosting Plan: https://www.podbean.com/thenurseshark Business Plan: https://www.podbean.com/pro/thenurseshark

March 23, 2026Episode 8158 min

S4E81 How one nurse turned a military career into art Guest Cheri Carandanis

Welcome our guests today, Cheri Carandanis, founder of Carandanis Fine Art LLC in Damascus, Oregon. Today’s episode, “How one nurse turned a military career into art.” I interview nurses who are business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders. I want to hear inspiring stories from the nurse next door who is making a difference in the entrepreneurial and business space. My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur.- Tina Baxter, Show Host and Founder of The Nurse Shark Academy. About Cheri Carandanis Cheri Carandanis is an abstract painter, former critical care flight nurse, and creative guide who helps people reconnect with themselves through art, honesty, and presence. After a brain injury ended her 25-year nursing career, Cheri turned fully toward painting as both a healing practice and a professional pursuit. Her work is known for bold mark-making, layered texture, and a raw, soulful tension that invites viewers to slow down and feel. She is the founder of Carandanis Fine Art, where she creates large-scale abstract works, teaches creative resilience, and shares the behind-the-scenes realities of the artistic life through her growing YouTube channel. Cheri believes creativity isn’t about talent or perfection, it’s about courage, attention, and showing up honestly, even when things feel unfinished. To get in touch with Cheri or learn more about Carandanis Fine Art, you may reach out to her at her social media pages and sign up for her newsletter on her website. YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@chericarandanisart Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carandanisfineart Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carandanisfineart www.carandanisfineart.com About The Nurse Shark Academy My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and the freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur. Tina Baxter is The Nurse Shark and host, the only nurse business mentor who utilizes an innovative, proven, 3 step HE-ME-WE framework for nurses around the world who want the freedom to live on their own terms in an era where so many feel stressed, burnt-out, and unappreciated. As always, thank you for listening to The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where we are experts in nursing and experts in business. Subscribe to our channel and download our podcast wherever you get your podcast such as Podbean, Apple, Spotify, iHeart Radio, YouTube, and more. If you are nurse entrepreneur or business leader who would be interested in coming on the show, contact us at thenursesharkacademyshow@baxterprofessionalservices.com or visit our website at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/. Become a PATRON of the show and get access to special podcast episodes and discounts on merchandise. Join here: https://patron.podbean.com/thenursesharkacademy Pick up a copy of our e-book, Guide for Nurse Entrepreneurs at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/category/all-products. Join us for our upcoming events and training programs. Our videos, blogs, and course offerings can be found on our website. Become a member of The Nurse Shark Academy to launch your nurse owned business today at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/ Interested in starting your own podcast with Podbean? Check out our affiliate links here to get a great price. Unlimited Hosting Plan: https://www.podbean.com/thenurseshark Business Plan: https://www.podbean.com/pro/thenurseshark #podcast #nursing #business #small business #nurses #thenurseshark #entrepreneur

February 16, 2026Episode 8030 min

S4E80 How one nurse with a niche in wound care developed a thriving LNC business Lydia Corum

Welcome our guest today, Lydia Corum, founder of Lydia Legal Nurse Consultant in Oakland, California. Today’s episode, “How one nurse with a niche in wound care developed a thriving LNC business.” I interview nurses who are business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders. I want to hear inspiring stories from the nurse next door who is making a difference in the entrepreneurial and business space. My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur.- Tina Baxter, Show Host and Founder of The Nurse Shark Academy. About Lydia Corum Lydia A. Corum, MSN, RN, CWCN, is a Registered Nurse and seasoned Legal Nurse Consultant who specializes in wound care merit reviews for attorneys handling medical malpractice, personal injury, and long-term care cases. With over 20 years of clinical experience in wound care and a deep understanding of legal processes, she brings clarity, objectivity, and expert insight to even the most complex medical cases. As a Merit Review Specialist, she plays a critical role at the earliest stage of litigation — reviewing medical records, identifying deviations from the standard of care, evaluating causation, and helping attorneys determine whether a case has true legal merit before significant time and resources are invested. She is also the author of Beyond the Surface, a practical guide designed to help nurses and aspiring LNCs understand the process of merit reviews, navigate wound care-related legal cases, and build confidence in their consulting skills. The workbook breaks down real-world case analysis and teaches how to approach documentation, timelines, and medical evidence with a legal mindset. Lydia is passionate about supporting attorneys with unbiased, evidence-based reviews and mentoring other nurses who want to expand their impact beyond the bedside. To get in touch with Lydia, you may reach out to her via email and on her social media pages. The first 100 listeners that contact her via email will be able to receive her book and workbook for special bundle price of $20: Email: lydialegalnurse@gmail.com LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/lydiameyers/ Alignable https://www.alignable.com/oakland-ca/lydia-a-corum-msn-rn-cwcn?user=547459 About The Nurse Shark Academy My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining the confidence, skills, and the freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur. Tina Baxter is The Nurse Shark and host, the only nurse business mentor who utilizes an innovative, proven, 3 step HE-ME-WE framework for nurses around the world who want the freedom to live on their own terms in an era where so many feel stressed, burnt-out, and unappreciated. As always, thank you for listening to The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where we are experts in nursing and experts in business. Subscribe to our channel and download our podcast wherever you get your podcast such as Podbean, Apple, Spotify, iHeart Radio, YouTube, and more. If you are nurse entrepreneur or business leader who would be interested in coming on the show, contact us at thenursesharkacademyshow@baxterprofessionalservices.com or visit our website at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/. Become a PATRON of the show and get access to special podcast episodes and discounts on merchandise. Join here: https://patron.podbean.com/thenursesharkacademy Pick up a copy of our e-book, Guide for Nurse Entrepreneurs at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/category/all-products. Join us for our upcoming events and training programs. Our videos, blogs, and course offerings can be found on our website. Become a member of The Nurse Shark Academy to launch your nurse owned business today at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/ Interested in starting your own podcast with Podbean? Check out our affiliate links here to get a great price. Unlimited Hosting Plan: https://www.podbean.com/thenurseshark Business Plan: https://www.podbean.com/pro/thenurseshark #podcast #nursing #business #small business #nurses #thenurseshark #entrepreneur

February 2, 2026Episode 7918 min

Nurse Entrepreneurship: Build Your Niche, Speak to the Right Customer, and Choose the Business Model That Fits

Episode: Nurse Entrepreneurship, Niches, and Speaking to the Right Customer Host: Tina Baxter | Experts in Nursing. Experts in Business In this Leadership Conversation, Tina Baxter breaks down what nurse entrepreneurship really looks like when it’s done with clarity, focus, and intention. This episode is designed for nurses who are tired of trying to speak to everyone—and are ready to build a business that attracts the right customers. We begin by reframing entrepreneurship as a leadership decision, not a hustle mindset. Nurse entrepreneurs don’t need more platforms or more followers—they need alignment. That alignment starts with choosing a niche based on a real problem, a specific group, and a clear stage of need. Tina explains how to develop your niche audience by focusing on problems instead of titles, and how to define a marketing avatar that guides your messaging. When you speak to one nurse clearly, the right audience listens. The episode also covers how to choose a business model that works for you and your customers. From coaching and education to speaking and memberships, the right model supports your energy, schedule, and strengths—without burnout. Listeners leave with actionable steps they can take immediately, including writing a clear niche statement, auditing their messaging, and validating ideas before building. To go deeper, join The Nurse Shark Academy for education, mentorship, and strategic support. Visit www.thenursesharkacademy.biz to sign up and explore upcoming workshops, masterclasses, and live events on the website calendar. Get a complimentary copy of the Niche Selection Action Guide using the promo code ACTION at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/products. The Nurse Shark Academy Show is looking for nurse entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders to guest on the show. If you have always been curious about how to be an effective podcast guest, sign up for our webinar at www.thenursesharkacademy.biz. About your host Tina M. Baxter is an advanced practice registered nurse and a board certified gerontological nurse practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC), who resides in Anderson, Indiana. Mrs. Baxter has been a registered nurse for over twenty years and a nurse practitioner for 17 years in the areas of mental health, gerontology, and health education. She is the owner of Baxter Professional Services, LLC, a consulting firm which provides legal nurse consulting services for attorneys and insurance professionals; wellness and chronic disease management coaching; and customized educational and operational resources to healthcare organizations. Mrs. Baxter teaches stress management strategies to clients of all ages and offers virtual as well as online classes. She is listed as an Alignable Local Businessperson of the Year in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. She is the founder of The Nurse Shark Academy® where she coaches nurses to launch and scale their businesses. She is the host of The Nurse Shark Academy Show© which interviews and spotlights nurse business owners and leaders in healthcare. She is a public speaker and has spoken on numerous topics on a national level. She is a contributor to articles on electronic and print media such as Entrepreneur.com, The Minority Nurse, LinkedIn, as well as a guest on numerous podcasts. To reach your host, https://hihello.me/p/30801bee-4180-448d-a6b2-0bf6754ece87.

January 19, 2026Episode 7840 min

S4E78 “How one nurse who knew exactly what she wanted is working her dream career.”

Welcome our guests today, Stefanie Modri, founder of Vasowatch Inc, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Today’s episode, “How one nurse who knew exactly what she wanted is working her dream career.” I interview nurses who are business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders. I want to hear inspiring stories from the nurse next door who is making a difference in the entrepreneurial and business space. My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur.- Tina Baxter, Show Host and Founder of The Nurse Shark Academy. About Stefanie Modri I am introducing Stefanie Modri, an experienced obstetrics nurse who wears many hats. She has been a bedside obstetrics nurse for 27 years at variety of locations, including community hospitals, birth centers, high risk OB units and fetal surgery sites. She is a clinical instructor at the University of Pennsylvania, teaching the senior leadership clinical for Women's Health. She is a nurse researcher who looks at postpartum hemorrhage care, nursing economic and more. She owns four companies, two in health care and two not, and has been a nurse-entrepreneur since 2008. She is the co-founder of Vasowatch Inc, which developed the software to predict postpartum atony, which is a leading cause of postpartum hemorrhage. She has her MSN in Innovations and Intra/Entrepreneurship in Advanced Practice Nursing from Drexel University and is certified in Inpatient OB and Maternal-Newborn Nursing. She is a wife and mother, is active in her community and loves to mentor her many former students. To get in touch with Stefanie or learn more about Vasowatch or American Garden Tools, you may reach out to her at her social media pages and or website. Listeners who use the promo code: NURSESHARK5% for 5% off $50 minimum purchase from American Garden Tools. https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefanie-modri-msn-rn-c-mnn/ www.AmericanGardenTools.com www.Vasowatch.com About The Nurse Shark Academy My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and the freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur. Tina Baxter is The Nurse Shark and host, the only nurse business mentor who utilizes an innovative, proven, 3 step HE-ME-WE framework for nurses around the world who want the freedom to live on their own terms in an era where so many feel stressed, burnt-out, and unappreciated. As always, thank you for listening to The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where we are experts in nursing and experts in business. Subscribe to our channel and download our podcast wherever you get your podcast such as Podbean, Apple, Spotify, iHeart Radio, YouTube, and more. If you are nurse entrepreneur or business leader who would be interested in coming on the show, contact us at thenursesharkacademyshow@baxterprofessionalservices.com or visit our website at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/. Become a PATRON of the show and get access to special podcast episodes and discounts on merchandise. Join here: https://patron.podbean.com/thenursesharkacademy Pick up a copy of our e-book, Guide for Nurse Entrepreneurs at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/category/all-products. Join us for our upcoming events and training programs. Our videos, blogs, and course offerings can be found on our website. Become a member of The Nurse Shark Academy to launch your nurse owned business today at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/ Interested in starting your own podcast with Podbean? Check out our affiliate links here to get a great price. Unlimited Hosting Plan: https://www.podbean.com/thenurseshark Business Plan: https://www.podbean.com/pro/thenurseshark #podcast #nursing #business #small business #nurses #thenurseshark #entrepreneur

December 29, 2025Episode 7711 min

Leadership Lessons Top 5 skills every nursing leader must develop

Leadership Lessons Show Notes About The Nurse Shark Academy Welcome to the Leadership Conversations segment of The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where Tina Baxter, your host, shares leadership topics of the day. My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur. The Nurse Shark Academy Show is looking for nurse entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders to guest on the show. If you have always been curious about how to be an effective podcast guest, sign up for our webinar at www.thenursesharkacademy.biz. About your host Tina M. Baxter is an advanced practice registered nurse and a board certified gerontological nurse practitioner through the American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC), who resides in Anderson, Indiana. Mrs. Baxter has been a registered nurse for over twenty years and a nurse practitioner for 17 years in the areas of mental health, gerontology, and health education. She is the owner of Baxter Professional Services, LLC, a consulting firm which provides legal nurse consulting services for attorneys and insurance professionals; wellness and chronic disease management coaching; and customized educational and operational resources to healthcare organizations. Mrs. Baxter teaches stress management strategies to clients of all ages and offers virtual as well as online classes. She is listed as an Alignable Local Businessperson of the Year in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. She is the founder of The Nurse Shark Academy® where she coaches nurses to launch and scale their businesses. She is the host of The Nurse Shark Academy Show© which interviews and spotlights nurse business owners and leaders in healthcare. She is a public speaker and has spoken on numerous topics on a national level. She is a contributor to articles on electronic and print media such as Entrepreneur.com, The Minority Nurse, LinkedIn, as well as a guest on numerous podcasts. To reach your host, https://hihello.me/p/30801bee-4180-448d-a6b2-0bf6754ece87. Podcast Title: Leadership Lessons Episode: Top 5 skills every nursing leader must develop Host: Tina Baxter Powered by: The Nurse Shark Academy Welcome back to The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where we empower nurses to lead boldly, build profitably, and impact their communities with confidence. I’m your host, Tina Baxter, and today we’re diving into a topic that every future—and current—nurse leader needs to hear. Whether you’re supervising your first team, running a department, or stepping into entrepreneurship, the skills we’re about to explore are the backbone of effective leadership in nursing. These aren’t just nice-to-have abilities; they’re the difference between burnout and balance, chaos and clarity, surviving and scaling. So let’s get into the top five skills every nursing leader must develop—and how you can start strengthening them today. Emotional Intelligence: The Superpower of Leadership Emotional intelligence, or EI, is the art of understanding emotions—your own and those of the people you lead. In nursing, this is especially important because clinical stress, trauma exposure, and fast-paced environments can amplify emotions on any given day. Scenario: Imagine a nurse who’s consistently running late. You could reprimand them immediately, but a leader with high emotional intelligence pauses and asks, “What’s really happening here?” After a quick conversation, you learn they’re caring for a sick child at home and experiencing caregiver fatigue. The solution shifts from discipline to support, scheduling flexibility, or resource referral. EI doesn’t make you soft. It makes you strategic. How to practice: Notice emotional cues. Pause before reacting. Lead conversations with curiosity rather than conclusions. Communication that Actually Lands Nurse leaders communicate constantly—with staff, patients, administrators, and sometimes entire communities. The best leaders are translators: they take complex information and deliver it clearly, calmly, and with purpose. Example: Let’s say your facility changes the wound care documentation protocol… again. Your team is rolling their eyes before you even open your mouth. Strong communication sounds like: “Here’s what’s changing, here’s why, and here’s how this helps us prevent errors and protect our patients.” People don’t resist change; they resist confusion. Critical Thinking: Beyond the Bedside We talk a lot about critical thinking in clinical care, but nursing leadership requires a different flavor of it. Leaders think long-term. Leaders anticipate problems. Leaders respond rather than react. Scenario: You notice supply costs rising each month. Instead of blaming staff for “wasting supplies,” critical thinking invites deeper review. Is the inventory system outdated? Are vendors overcharging? Is there a workflow issue causing repeated dressing changes? Critical thinking turns knee-jerk reactions into sustainable solutions. Delegation: The Skill Nurses Avoid the Most Delegation is not dumping tasks. Delegation is developing people. A common trap for new nurse leaders is trying to “do it all.” The truth? When you hoard tasks, you also hoard opportunities for team growth—and fast-track yourself to burnout. Example: If you’re the only person who ever handles staff scheduling, your team remains dependent. But when you delegate parts of the process to charge nurses or administrative leads, you build competence and create more time to focus on leadership priorities—like staff retention, patient experience, or strategic planning. Delegation is a gift, not a burden. Business Acumen: Understanding the Big Picture This may be the missing skill most nurses don’t even realize they need. Leadership is not only clinical. It’s financial. It’s operational. It’s strategic. Scenario: Imagine you want to advocate for hiring two additional CNAs. A leader without business acumen says, “We’re short-staffed.” A leader with business acumen says: “When patient-to-staff ratios increase, incidents rise. That leads to higher overtime costs, increased turnover, and lower patient satisfaction scores. Adding two CNAs reduces those risks and improves long-term financial stability.” That’s how you get a “yes.” When nurses understand the business side of healthcare, we stop being unheard and start being unstoppable. Bringing It All Together These five skills—emotional intelligence, communication, critical thinking, delegation, and business acumen—aren’t traits you’re born with. They’re muscles. You build them with intention and practice. And you don’t have to figure it out alone. Join The Nurse Shark Academy If you’re ready to grow as a leader, elevate your income, and build a career that actually aligns with your purpose, then The Nurse Shark Academy is where your next chapter begins. Inside, you’ll find: Leadership training designed for nurses • Business coaching for those ready to launch or grow • Community support from ambitious nurse professionals • Workshops, resources, and mentorship that accelerate your success You’ve spent your career taking care of others. It’s time to invest in your own growth, your own leadership, and your own legacy. Visit TheNurseSharkAcademy.biz and take the next step toward becoming the leader you were meant to be. Thanks for spending this time with me. Share this episode with a nurse leader who needs a reminder of their potential, and don’t forget to subscribe for more episodes that help you lead, grow, and thrive. Until next time, keep leading with purpose and power. As always, thank you for listening to The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where we are experts in nursing and experts in business. Subscribe to our channel and download our podcast wherever you get your podcast such as Podbean, Apple, Samsung, Spotify, iHeart Radio, YouTube, and more. If you are nurse entrepreneur or business leader who would be interested in coming on the show, contact us at thenursesharkacademyshow@baxterprofessionalservices.com or visit our website at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/. Pick up a copy of our e-book, Guide for Nurse Entrepreneurs at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/category/all-products. Join us for our upcoming events and training programs. Our videos, blogs, and course offerings can be found on our website. Become a member of The Nurse Shark Academy to launch your nurse owned business today at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/ Interested in starting your own podcast with Podbean? Check out our affiliate links here to get a great price. Unlimited Hosting Plan: https://www.podbean.com/thenurseshark Business Plan: https://www.podbean.com/pro/thenurseshark

December 8, 2025Episode 7652 min

S3E76 How a military nurse turned entrepreneur is improving the credentialing process Guest Sarah Bellenger

Welcome our guests today, Sarah Bellenger, founder of Manage You in Nashville, Tennessee. Today’s episode, “How a military nurse turned entrepreneur is improving the credentialing process”. I interview nurses who are business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders. I want to hear inspiring stories from the nurse next door who is making a difference in the entrepreneurial and business space. My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur.- Tina Baxter, Show Host and Founder of The Nurse Shark Academy. About Sarah Bellenger Sarah Bellenger, a 20-year Army Nurse and CRNA turned health tech founder, leads Manage You—a powerful digital wallet and team collaboration platform that streamlines credentialing for clinicians and healthcare enterprises, transforming compliance from a burden into a strategic advantage. OR... I didn't know how brief. But I thought they both would help summarize the nursing part. Sarah Bellenger, MBA, MSN, CRNA, LTC(R), combines more than two decades of clinical and leadership experience with entrepreneurial vision. After earning her BSN from Marquette University (1999) and completing nurse‑anesthesia training at Northeastern University (2011), she built a distinguished career in military and civilian settings, including deployments, White House service, and leadership roles in perioperative care. As a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist and clinical leader, she has overseen operations, quality, and team development. In parallel, Sarah founded Manage You, a health‑tech venture offering credentialing and professional documentation management for clinicians. Her app was honored with a NETTY Award for “Best Diligent Solution” in 2024. Her military background (20 years’ service, retired in 2019) has informed her leadership style and emphasis on systems, efficiency, and mentorship. Sarah now bridges clinical excellence with digital innovation, positioning herself as a leader at the intersection of nursing, operational management, and health tech. To get in touch with Sarah or learn more about Manage You, you may reach out to her at her social media pages and book a complimentary call. Listeners get 2 months free on the app: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manage-you/ https://www.instagram.com/manageyou_app https://www.facebook.com/Manageyouapp1 https://youtu.be/d9YhaohQ9Tg?si=aW7HXzHf902tRDpf http://linktr.ee/manageyou Schedule a Coffee Chat! https://calendly.com/sarah-manageyouapp About The Nurse Shark Academy My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and the freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur. Tina Baxter is The Nurse Shark and host, the only nurse business mentor who utilizes an innovative, proven, 3 step HE-ME-WE framework for nurses around the world who want the freedom to live on their own terms in an era where so many feel stressed, burnt-out, and unappreciated. As always, thank you for listening to The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where we are experts in nursing and experts in business. Subscribe to our channel and download our podcast wherever you get your podcast such as Podbean, Apple, Spotify, iHeart Radio, YouTube, and more. If you are nurse entrepreneur or business leader who would be interested in coming on the show, contact us at thenursesharkacademyshow@baxterprofessionalservices.com or visit our website at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/. Become a PATRON of the show and get access to special podcast episodes and discounts on merchandise. Join here: https://patron.podbean.com/thenursesharkacademy Pick up a copy of our e-book, Guide for Nurse Entrepreneurs at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/category/all-products. Join us for our upcoming events and training programs. Our videos, blogs, and course offerings can be found on our website. Become a member of The Nurse Shark Academy to launch your nurse owned business today at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/ Interested in starting your own podcast with Podbean? Check out our affiliate links here to get a great price. Unlimited Hosting Plan: https://www.podbean.com/thenurseshark Business Plan: https://www.podbean.com/pro/thenurseshark #podcast #nursing #business #small business #nurses #thenurseshark #entrepreneur

November 10, 2025Episode 7549 min

S3 E75 How one nurse expat learned to do hard things as nurse entrepreneur Angela Johnson

Welcome our guests today, Angela Johnson, owner of Kudzu Collaborations, LLC in Windsor, Connecticut. Today’s episode, “How one nurse expat learned to do hard things as nurse entrepreneur”. I interview nurses who are business owners, entrepreneurs, and leaders. I want to hear inspiring stories from the nurse next door who is making a difference in the entrepreneurial and business space. My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur.- Tina Baxter, Show Host and Founder of The Nurse Shark Academy. About Angela Johnson Angela Johnson, RN and owner of Kudzu (pronounced Kud-zoo) Collaborations, LLC. A business that's given her the ability to support those that are ready to change direction, start over, and find their own path to wellness as an Empowered Wellness Coach. My journey began when my daughter asked my husband and I to go to Greece for her birthday. I found myself in another situation where I tell myself, "I'm not the type of person that does that?" But, unlike the times before, I then asked myself, "why not?" That, "why not?" turned into "why not!" as I realized that I didn't have to stay that type of person. I took that belief, built a new way forward, and stepped into alignment. I was always meant to be an Empowered Wellness Coach, right here, with all of you. Pouring from a full cup into co-created spaces that truly want you to be well. Rooted in the power of choice, clarity, and the connection to yourself. To get in touch with Angela, you may reach out to her at her Instagram, Facebook page, and LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLQYrG8R5yC/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564450804099 https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-johnson-rn-bsn-empowered-wellness-coach-663ab331b/ For our listeners, Angela is offering: Free, no commitment 90-minute introductory session so you can experience what it's like to be in this space with me, and with yourself. 90 minutes for you to put everything down, choose you, and begin to clarify your own path to wellness. About The Nurse Shark Academy My mission is for you to own your seat at the table of nurse entrepreneurship, gaining confidence, skills, and the freedom to live your life on your own terms. You will dream big and expand your consciousness as an entrepreneur. Tina Baxter is The Nurse Shark and host, the only nurse business mentor who utilizes an innovative, proven, 3 step HE-ME-WE framework for nurses around the world who want the freedom to live on their own terms in an era where so many feel stressed, burnt-out, and unappreciated. As always, thank you for listening to The Nurse Shark Academy Show, where we are experts in nursing and experts in business. Subscribe to our channel and download our podcast wherever you get your podcast such as Podbean, Apple, Spotify, iHeart Radio, YouTube, and more. If you are nurse entrepreneur or business leader who would be interested in coming on the show, contact us at thenursesharkacademyshow@baxterprofessionalservices.com or visit our website at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/. Become a PATRON of the show and get access to special podcast episodes and discounts on merchandise. Join here: https://patron.podbean.com/thenursesharkacademy Pick up a copy of our e-book, Guide for Nurse Entrepreneurs at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/category/all-products. Join us for our upcoming events and training programs. Our videos, blogs, and course offerings can be found on our website. Become a member of The Nurse Shark Academy to launch your nurse owned business today at https://www.thenursesharkacademy.biz/ Interested in starting your own podcast with Podbean? Check out our affiliate links here to get a great price. Unlimited Hosting Plan: https://www.podbean.com/thenurseshark Business Plan: https://www.podbean.com/pro/thenurseshark #podcast #nursing #business #small business #nurses #thenurseshark #entrepreneur