102: The Cost of Caring: Nurses, PTSD, and the Healing Process - Keri Seymore MSN, ARNP, PMHNP

In this powerful episode of Finding Strength, we sit down with Keri Seymore, MSN, ARNP, PMHNP, a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with 20 years of experience as an ER nurse. Keri shares her firsthand perspective on the trauma that nurses endure, the emotional toll of working on the frontlines.

We also dive into the ways healthcare professionals cope with trauma, including an important conversation on the use of substances to numb emotional pain. Keri provides insight into the differences between alcohol and marijuana, discussing the potential drawbacks of using marijuana to manage anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Additionally, she sheds light on the stigma surrounding therapy and mental health treatment for nurses—a barrier that often prevents healing and leaves many struggling in silence.

Beyond her professional expertise, Keri opens up about her personal journey of loss and resilience. She shares the heartbreaking story of losing her husband, Scott, to heart disease at just 41 years old and how she navigated grief, eventually finding meaning and purpose again. Through her experience, we explore the importance of talking about loss and how open conversations are a vital part of the healing process.

This episode is a raw and honest conversation about trauma, grief, and the power of resilience. Whether you're a healthcare worker, someone coping with loss, or just looking for insight into overcoming life’s hardships, Keri’s story will leave you feeling seen, heard, and inspired.