Professional nursing isn’t just a job — it’s a calling. With cultural and historical roots dating back to the 1800s, names such as Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton come to mind. In those days, information about the field of nursing was sparse and hard to come by. Additionally, nursing education had yet to be standardized, which meant many nurses learned from others while on the job.
From the earliest days of the profession to today, no two workdays are the same for nurses, and the learning process is never complete. Nursing remains one of the most dynamic and essential professions in the world. Currently, there are more than 3 million active registered nurses in the U.S., with 195,400 projected to enter the workforce by 2031.
For new nurses and nursing students alike, the world of health care can feel overwhelming. Considering the amount of information nurses need to learn, along with acclimating to the work culture, it’s natural to feel there is a lot to catch up on.
Fortunately, the world has come a long way since the profession’s inception, and there are a host of resources that can help nurses — particularly those just starting out — learn about the field and get comfortable in their new environment. One convenient type of media that accomplishes both is nursing podcasts. New and seasoned nurses are finding an incredible amount of value in this medium, both personally and professionally.
What Are Nursing Podcasts?
A podcast is a prerecorded internet radio program that is available for free or by subscription. They can be accessed on any device with an internet connection and audio capability, including smartphones, computers, and tablets. Currently, there are more than 2.4 million podcasts, with an estimated 383.7 million listeners around the world.
Podcasts follow an episodic format and generally fall into the following categories.
- Music and entertainment
- News
- Narrative nonfiction
- Conversations/interviews
Nursing podcasts are typically hosted by a nurse or health care professional in a similar role. These podcasts, which may target nursing professionals or nursing students (or both), typically cover the following topics:
- Trending news items about nursing
- Personal stories and anecdotes about nursing
- Nursing education
- Nursing processes and procedures
- Nursing culture
- Nursing history
There are numerous nursing podcasts hosted by a wide variety of health care professionals who are passionate about the subject matter. Current nurses and nursing students should be able to find at least a few podcasts that appeal to them. Additionally, nurses using social media can typically find nursing podcast hosts on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and other popular social networks.
What Are the Benefits of Podcasts for Nurses?
Podcasts for nurses are beneficial on several levels. Most notably, they can take a complex subject and deliver it in a format that is educational, entertaining, easy to consume, and relatable for those who are in the field of nursing.
The podcast format allows nurses from all over the world to share their stories. This means listeners have access to a diverse pool of nursing professionals who have a range of experiences to share and wisdom to impart. Seeing as how nurses represent the nation’s largest health care workforce, there’s an abundance of content listeners can choose from.
The user rating system makes it easy for listeners to identify the best nursing podcasts that have the largest audiences. Considering the quality and relatability of the content, it’s no wonder that this niche in audio entertainment has found such a devoted fan base.
The area in which podcasts win over other formats is in their delivery. Podcasts are one of the most user-friendly formats because they can be listened to virtually anywhere — in the car, on a walk, while commuting on the subway, while running on the treadmill, or while doing dishes. Additionally, most nursing podcasts are free, which makes them accessible to nurses at all income levels. They’re the perfect supplement to the busy lives of nurses who are either still in school or early in their nursing careers.
What Are the Best Nursing Podcasts?
High star ratings and positive user reviews are generally the best indicators of a high-quality podcast. Keeping that in mind, the following are some of the best nursing podcasts.
- Good Nurse Bad Nurse: This is a light-hearted and thought-provoking podcast hosted by a registered nurse who aims to encourage and educate fellow nurses.
- NursePreneurs: Hosted by NursePreneurs CEO and founder Catie Harris, this podcast focuses on mentorship and seeing the entrepreneurial side of the health care profession.
- Nurses on Fire: One of the few podcasts for nurses that focuses on finance, this twice-weekly program does several deep dives on solving money problems and how to build wealth as a nursing professional.
- Nursing Uncensored: Offering an unfiltered look at the day-to-day life of a nurse, Nursing Uncensored is packed full of stories and entertaining anecdotes about the profession.
- See You Now: Showcasing the unsung heroes in nursing, See You Now features a series of enlightening conversations with health care professionals who are creating positive change.
- SHIFT Talk: Presenting real nurses talking about real issues, SHIFT Talk discusses the impact of health crises (e.g., COVID-19), how to avoid bullying and burnout, and other big questions.
- Sawbones: A Marital Tour of Misguided Medicine: A husband and wife team of medical professionals discuss the odd, off-kilter, and downright grossest parts of the health care profession.
- The Murses Station: With a title derived from the slang term for “male nurse,” the Murses Station is hosted by two male nurses who share personal stories about their experiences.
- The Nurse Keith Show: Launched in 2015, The Nurse Keith Show is one of the longest-running podcasts for nurses to date. It features weekly advice and inspiration for nursing professionals at all experience levels.
- Your Next Shift: A Nursing Career Podcast: Hosted by Elizabeth Scala, this nursing podcast features insightful and entertaining conversations with industry professionals.
Additional Resources About Nursing Podcasts
While the above podcasts are among the more popular nursing podcasts, there are countless others, all of which have something to offer. The following resources provide additional information about podcasts and podcasts for nurses:
- Host Healthcare, “10 Nursing Podcasts to Help You Succeed in 2022”: This travel nursing organization provides a list of some of the best nursing podcasts out there, including descriptions of the content.
- Incredible Health, “14 of the Best Nursing Podcasts”: The writers at Incredible Health curated a listing of the very best nursing podcasts, with content for nursing students and working nurses.
- Evergreen, “7 Reasons You Should Start Listening to Podcasts Today”: This article provides a comprehensive breakdown of the benefits of listening to podcasts.
Are There Podcasts for Nursing Students?
Podcasts for nursing students are a subcategory of nursing podcasts that cover the most frequently asked topics among aspiring nurses. Following are some of the most popular nursing student podcasts.
- FreshRN: Kati Kleber (MSN RN) provides in-depth coverage of the first year as a registered nurse, discussing topics such as time management, how to delegate, and more.
- Instant Anatomy: With over 150 episodes to date, Instant Anatomy takes a deep dive into human anatomy and health care conditions. Each episode is devoted to an organ, area, or system of the human body.
- Life in Scrubs: One of the highest-rated podcasts for nursing students, Life in Scrubs is hosted by a nursing duo who aim to help students and recent graduates navigate the hectic world of health care.
- Real Talk School of Nursing: Aimed at those who are considering becoming a nurse or who have just enrolled in nursing school, this podcast offers useful insights into subjects not typically covered during traditional nursing education.
- Straight A Nursing: Need help with the academic side of nursing? Straight A Nursing is a podcast devoted to nursing students looking for a more engaging way of learning the material.
Additional Resources About Nursing Student Podcasts
The following are further resources for nursing students who are interested in supplementing their education by listening to podcasts.
- The Podcast Host, Podcasting in Education: What Are the Benefits?: An overview of how podcasts can be used to educate and the benefits they have over traditional learning
- Feedspot, 10 Best Nursing School Podcasts: A top 10 list of the best podcasts for nursing students with content descriptions and links
Immerse Yourself in the World of Nursing with Nursing Podcasts
The path to becoming a nurse is a journey of learning and cultivating the necessary skills to provide high-quality care to a diverse patient base. There are numerous unknowns for nurses who are just beginning their degree programs. The benefit of podcasts for nursing students is that many of those unknowns are discussed at length, offering much-needed insight on topics such as the NCLEX exam, how to obtain licensure and more.
Additionally, for nurses who are just beginning their careers, nursing podcasts are a valuable resource to learn about nursing culture, trending medical topics, and how to handle certain situations that may come up while on shift. Podcasts for nurses also dig deep into topics not traditionally covered in nursing school, such as the social and emotional side of nursing.
Whether an aspiring or experienced nurse or other health care professional, everyone in the field can find value in nursing podcasts. They help nurses better understand their role; provide information on current events; and deliver a form of entertainment that is relatable, educational, and engaging. For those who are looking to supplement their education and on-the-job experience, nursing podcasts are one of the best formats on the market.