A Life-Changing Experience

This nurse shares how her story of supporting a loved-one through the dying process changed the whole trajectory of her life for the better

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, one nurse shares her background in patient advocacy and how it surprisingly led her to opening up her own business where she sees private clients for energy healing and more. We also discuss updates on the parasitic outbreak in 31 US states, a new saliva test for endometriosis, and a study revealing a possible connection between microplastics and heart disease.

But first....

AI Training Jobs

A few weeks ago, we asked whether you’d be interested in paid opportunities using your healthcare expertise to help train AI models. Many of you said yes, so we’re experimenting with sharing more opportunities like this alongside our curated nursing jobs.

A company is currently looking for healthcare and clinical experts to evaluate AI-generated work. The role is fully remote, can be completed on your own schedule, and pays $80 to $120 per hour.

Learn more and apply here.

Let us know if you apply, and reply to this email if you’d like to see more opportunities like this in Nurse Ascent.

Featured Jobs

Have you applied to a job through Nurse Ascent? Forward us a copy or screenshot of your completed application and you'll be entered to win a $50 gift card!

🩺

Emergency Medicine Nurse Practitioner

Hot Springs National Park, AR

$97 - $105/hourly

Apply Now →

☤

Obstetric and Gynecology (OBGYN) Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Fontana, CA

$62.08 - $67.20/hourly

Apply Now →

♡

Family Nurse Practitioner - Maricopa, AZ, Banner Health

Maricopa, AZ

Apply Now →

Looking for a local nursing job?

Not seeing jobs in your area? Reply to this email with your location to update your profile and get tailored openings.

You can also browse additional jobs on CollabWORK.

Nurse Spotlight: Liz Glass MSN, RN CPXP

What I do for work

I’ve been a nurse for 21 years and now work through a few different avenues. While much of my more recent background is in patient experience and advocacy in quality improvement roles, I’ve since pivoted to focus more on my own business, White Rose Oracle LLC, where I see private clients in Kansas City (& soon St. Louis, MO) for spiritual coaching, reiki and other energy healing services. I also still work part-time as an RN as an adjunct faculty at a nursing school as well as a community wellness organization as a clinic nurse. I get to practice as a nurse in a clinical setting & support future generations of nurses by teaching all while I continue to grow my business.

How I got here

I worked bedside in acute care up until 2011 when I moved cities to take a position in a new line of work in quality improvement and patient satisfaction. This job gave me the ability to work with patients in a whole new way by helping them navigate the healthcare system as a patient advocate. I worked with both the health system metrics side of utilization and efficiency as well as supported these patients to help them better navigate the system. This often included those who are underserved, under-insured patients, or have health literacy barriers.

In 2019, I had a life-changing experience when I was with a really good friend and her family when she passed at a hospice house. While I didn’t expect this experience, it ended up changing everything for me. Supporting her family through the grieving process was also therapeutic for me for my own history of loss and trauma. After this time, I started to hear communication from the afterlife, but I wasn’t quite sure what I was experiencing until I found support from others who experienced something similar. I now say that this experience saved my life 7 years ago by putting me on a different trajectory in my own healing journey.

Headlines in Healthcare

Parasite Outbreak Case Surge to Over 3000

A parasitic outbreak caused by cyclospora has risen to more than 3,000 cases in Michigan and Ohio alone, 72 of which have require hospitalization. However, cases are still rising in 31 states across the country, the true number of cases likely higher than reported as federal numbers lack the reports from the states. The ongoing investigation suggests lettuce or salad greens may be the source. According to CNN, health experts share in the wake of staff and funding cuts to public health agencies, the CDC scaled back one of its surveillance systems for foodborne illness.

Rapid Endometriosis Test Available in England & Wales

Two new tests have been deemed as "game changers" for the millions of women who would typically wait a decade for an endometriosis diagnosis. These tests, approved by the NHS, are called EndoTest and EndoSure. With Endotest, women give a saliva sample, which is sent off to a lab to check for tiny biological markers called microRNAs. EndoSure can detect the condition by measuring electrical signals in the gut using sensor pads on the abdomen. According to The Guardian, providers shared that this option give answers much earlier, without the need for invasive surgery, meaning treatment can be started sooner.

Study Reveals STEMI Patients Inundated with Microplastics

A new study shows a dramatic association between micro- and nanoplastics and heart attacks that had cardiovascular experts reconsidering how we reduce risk for the heart disease, the most common killer in the world. According to Medscape, nanoplastics in particular are often engulfed by other cells. Unable to break down the substances, these cells release inflammatory cytokines, which can promote things like clogged arteries. The authors of the paper published in European Heart Journal also point out that plastics can act as microscopic “sponges” for other chemicals and toxins, absorbing them from the environment before being ingested and then delivering them to the interior of cells to wreak havoc.

More on Liz

A day in my life

In 2022, I founded White Rose Oracle LLC where I started to work at metaphysical fairs around the country as an oracle card reader, Reiki Master, and other energetic healing modalities. I now have my own practice as well as online and in-person classes for Reiki and energy healing.

I start my work day by looking at my Google calendar with everything color coordinated for time management and prioritization. Throughout the month, I’ll go to different metaphysical fairs to make connections. I tend to be social and find connections with word of mouth. I try my best for online platform out reach. I like making contributing online by helping reduce the stigma of energy work and Reiki. Right now I take private clients in Kansas City and teach a day or two per week. Between that, I might work on preparing content for a coaching client, sending follow-up emails, marketing myself and my services.

My self-care routine

Meditation and daily Reiki Is a non-negotiable for me. I’m also very social & love spending time with friends and extended family to recharge. I’m an avid coffee drinker and love trying new cafes in whatever town I’m in & going to book stores. I love listening to all genres of music and find it so recharging and renewing. It’s my goal to move into a space where I travel more for fun outside of work. For me travel is about the experiences we gain while seeing the world.

Share your story & be entered to win

As part of our effort to spotlight nurses, we’d love to feature you in an upcoming issue of Nurse Ascent! Share your story by filling out our quick interview form, and you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift card.

An image of author Katie Scoggins is pictured.

Meet the author:
Katie Scoggins
(RN, BSN & Health Writer)

CollabWORK is a community-powered hiring platform

CollabWORK connects job-seekers to roles shared in trusted spaces—like nurse-led Facebook groups, Slack channels, and industry newsletters. Create your account or log in to discover other roles in nursing, healthcare, and beyond.