The Functional Nurse Podcast - Nursing in Functional Medicine

The Functional Nurse Podcast - Nursing in Functional Medicine

A podcast that explores the unique role nurses and nurse practitioners play in practicing the healing art of functional medicine. The show explores many aspects of functional medicine practice, emerging research, and the unique blessings and challenges that RNs and NPs experience when practicing functional medicine. Hosted by Dr. Brigitte Sager a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, functional medicine educator, and the CEO of the Institute for Functional Nursing™ (IFN). https://www.fxnursing.com/ Whether you’re new to the idea of becoming a functional medicine nurse or already practicing this healing modality as a holistic nurse in your current setting, the Functional Nurse Podcast is a way of connecting and speaking to the art functional nursing.

Episodes

October 15, 2025 35 mins

With the foundational Functional Medicine for Nurses course coming to an end, many nurses are asking, what now? Brigitte Sager, DNP answers that question and maps out the next steps for nurses who want to bring functional approaches into practice. She explains why functional nursing is more than a rebrand, how it reclaims nursing roles as healers, teachers, and leaders, and why nurses need clear scope, community, and clinical suppo...

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In this episode, Brigitte Sager DNP discusses the importance of establishing healthy boundaries for nurse entrepreneurs. She emphasizes the need for clear communication, setting expectations with patients, and managing appointments effectively to improve patient care and prevent burnout. The conversation covers various strategies for maintaining boundaries, including cancellation policies, limiting the scope of visits, and ensuring...

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September 17, 2025 66 mins

In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, host Brigitte Sager DNP speaks with Barb Hudak, RN, BSN, MS, a former military nurse and expert in holistic health. They discuss Barb's journey in nursing, the importance of emotional resilience, and the integration of HeartMath techniques into nursing practice. The conversation highlights the impact of stress on healthcare professionals and the need for self-care. Barb shares insigh...

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In this conversation, Brigitte Sager DNP discusses the evolving landscape of functional nursing, emphasizing the importance of nurses as advocates for change in healthcare. She highlights the need for a shift towards a more holistic approach to patient care, where nurses can utilize their skills to address root causes of health issues. The discussion also covers the significance of certification in functional nursing, the establish...

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In this conversation, Brigitte Sager, DNP discusses the essential mindset shifts that nurse entrepreneurs need to embrace in order to successfully charge for their services and establish their practices. She emphasizes the importance of valuing one's time, setting boundaries, and avoiding the pitfalls of offering free advice. The discussion also covers the significance of discovery calls and how they should not be treated as free c...

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In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Dr. Ashley Shrader shares her journey from conventional nursing to functional medicine, emphasizing the importance of gut and hormone health. She discusses her personal health challenges, particularly with autoimmune issues, and how they shaped her approach to patient care. Dr. Shrader highlights the unique needs of endurance athletes and the significance of group support in health t...

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In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, Tamra Garrick, a board-certified family nurse and founder of Ritual Wellness, shares her journey from sports marketing to nursing. She discusses holistic health, the role of athletics in shaping her approach, common misconceptions about nursing, and the importance of collaboration in functional medicine.

Connect with Tamra:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamra-geryk-9429673 

I...

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In this episode, Brigitte Sager DNP interviews Lindsay Vanderstraeten, a critical care nurse with a passion for integrative and functional medicine. Lindsay shares her journey from traditional nursing to exploring holistic practices, including yoga, meditation, and nurse coaching. They discuss the importance of addressing stress in healthcare, the role of nurse practitioners, and the evolving landscape of functional medicine. Linds...

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July 9, 2025 52 mins

This interview with Sarah Cook ND explores the challenges and strategies holistic health practitioners face when marketing their services. Sarah shares her journey from practicing naturopathic medicine to becoming a content creator, emphasizing efficient marketing, the use of AI tools, and the importance of finding one’s voice in entrepreneurship. The conversation also covers mindset blocks, foundational content, repurposing strate...

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In this episode, Brigitte Sager interviews Shantrece Davis, a nurse practitioner and transformational life coach, about her journey from marketing to holistic nursing. They explore empowering women over 35 through functional nutrition, mindset shifts, and group coaching. The conversation highlights the value of community, personalized wellness, and tools like ChatGPT to support growth in both life and business.

Connect with Shantre...

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In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager DNP shares her insights from the annual international conference for the Institute for Functional Medicine (AIC). She discusses the themes that emerged during the conference, including the importance of connection and purpose in healthcare, the role of technology in patient care, and the significance of nutrition and group medical visits. Brigitte emphasizes the need f...

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In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, nurse coach Laura Alessio shares her journey from public health nursing to legal nurse consulting and ultimately to nurse coaching. The conversation explores integrating functional medicine with nurse coaching, celebrating client wins, and how personal health experiences shape professional practice. Topics include the differences between mindfulness and meditation, the challenges of ...

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In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager discusses the importance of memberships in functional nursing practices. She explores how memberships can provide ongoing support for patients, create predictable income for nurses, and foster community engagement. The conversation delves into the benefits of memberships for both nurses and patients, including flexibility, recurring revenue, and improved patient outcom...

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In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, Natalie Mullen from Practice Better shares innovative strategies for holistic nurses to grow their practices while avoiding burnout. She explores key features of Practice Better, including group coaching, online courses, and membership models to boost patient engagement. The discussion emphasizes building client trust through challenges and email marketing, customizing services for d...

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In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, host Brigitte Sager, DNP discusses the evolving role of nurses in Functional Medicine and how they can advocate for their place in healthcare settings. She emphasizes the importance of patient education, the potential for nurses to lead group medical visits, and the need for nurses to step into entrepreneurial roles to better serve patients. The conversation highlights the barriers n...

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In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, host Brigitte Sager welcomes back Bev Mazza, a board-certified nurse coach and integrative health consultant. They discuss Bev’s shift to focusing on blood sugar management for pre-diabetic and menopausal women, covering continuous glucose monitoring, stress regulation, and personalized care. The conversation also explores structuring services, pricing, client attraction, networking,...

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In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, host Brigitte Sager DNP shares insights from the AANP Health Policy Conference, emphasizing the importance of nurse practitioners in advocating for healthcare policy changes. She discusses the challenges faced by nurse practitioners, particularly in rural areas, and highlights key statistics about their impact on patient care. The conversation also covers the need for better represen...

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In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, host Brigitte Sager, DNP explores the opportunities and challenges for nurses interested in entrepreneurship. She emphasizes the importance of understanding state regulations, scope of practice, and patient safety when starting a business. She highlights the need for legal guidance, especially when incorporating services beyond traditional nursing roles. The conversation also address...

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February 19, 2025 57 mins

On this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, host Brigitte Sager, DNP interviews Brooke Forsythe, a nurse with 18 years of experience who shares her journey through mental health challenges and the importance of mindset in healthcare. Brooke discusses her transition from wanting to be an accountant to becoming a nurse, her struggles with anxiety and depression, and how she found healing through mindset work and coaching. She em...

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In this bonus episode, Brigitte Sager DNP introduces the Holistic Nursing Entrepreneur Program, designed for nurses and nurse practitioners seeking to establish their own practices. She discusses the journey of becoming a nurse entrepreneur, the development of the program, and the comprehensive course structure that includes insights from founding nurses and expert interviews. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community...

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