Thinking about becoming a functional medicine nurse? Before you dive in, there are a few things you need to know. In this episode, I’m sharing 10 hard-earned truths I wish every nurse knew before stepping into functional nursing. This isn’t just a career shift—it’s a whole new way of thinking about patient care, your scope, and your purpose as a nurse. We’ll talk about: Why you’ll never feel fully “ready”—and why that’s okay What makes functional medicine feel like coming home to nursing How to ...
Feb 18, 2026•33 min•Ep. 86
Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at www.fxnursing.com Functional psychiatry is one of the least common niches in the functional medicine world, but it is often where patients experience some of the most profound “whole person” care. In this episode, Brigitte Sager interviews Everest Goldstein, board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and IFM certified clinician, about what functional psychiatry really means, how she built her practice, and wh...
Feb 04, 2026•46 min•Ep. 85
Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing – Explore courses and training at www.fxnursing.com Elimination diets sound simple on paper, but in real life, they can create confusion, overwhelm, and unexpected setbacks for both nurses and their patients. In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast , Brigitte Sager breaks down the top 7 challenges functional medicine nurses face when guiding clients through an elimination diet, and how to set the stage for success from the start. You’ll l...
Jan 21, 2026•17 min•Ep. 84
Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at fxnursing.com Functional Medicine is meant to be about healing the root cause , not just managing symptoms—but not every provider or clinic claiming to practice “FM” is truly doing it. In this powerful episode, I share a personal (and fully permitted) story about a loved one who finally sought Functional Medicine help—only to end up in a clinic focused more on selling expensive labs and supplements than offering ...
Jan 07, 2026•28 min•Ep. 83
Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) Empowering nurses to lead the future of healthcare through root cause care. Learn more at www.fxnursing.com What does it really mean to be a disruptor in healthcare, and why are nurses uniquely positioned to lead that change? In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast , Brigitte Sager, DNP, dives into how functional nurses are challenging outdated models of care and creating better outcomes through root cause healing, lifestyle medicin...
Dec 23, 2025•27 min•Ep. 82
Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) www.fxnursing.com In this episode, Brigitte interviews Ryan Obermeier of Evexia Diagnostics to show nurses exactly how to streamline functional lab testing inside a holistic or functional nursing practice. We break down how Evexia centralizes thousands of functional and specialty tests, simplifies ordering, integrates with systems like Practice Better, and reduces the administrative burden that often slows down new and growing practices. Ry...
Dec 10, 2025•44 min•Ep. 81
Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) www.fxnursing.com In this episode, we unpack what functional nursing really means and why it’s time nurses had their own language and space in the world of functional medicine. We’ll talk about: The difference between functional medicine and functional nursing How this approach aligns with nursing scope and values What makes the Institute for Functional Nursing™ unique Details on our programs, including the Functional Nursing Program™ (with...
Nov 26, 2025•23 min•Ep. 80
Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) www.fxnursing.com In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast , host Brigitte Sager, DNP, IFMCP speaks with Megan Kroeker, MSN, NP, IFMCP about her journey into functional medicine, the importance of prioritizing personal health, and the value of functional nursing in today's healthcare landscape. They discuss the challenges and rewards of starting a private practice in Canada, the significance of using timelines in patient care, and th...
Nov 12, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 79
Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) www.fxnursing.com In this solo episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager, DNP shares her key takeaways from the PLMI Thought Leaders Consortium, a premier functional healthcare conference founded by Dr. Jeffrey Bland. Brigitte breaks down emerging themes shaping the future of functional nursing and functional healthcare, including immunometabolism, immune system resilience, epigenetics, personalized care, and affordable ways n...
Oct 29, 2025•29 min•Ep. 78
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 support to apply these concepts safely. Brigitte also shares details a...
Oct 15, 2025•35 min•Ep. 77
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 self-care for nursing professionals. 💻 Want to stay up to date ...
Oct 01, 2025•28 min•Ep. 76
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 insights on creating a positive work environment and the significance o...
Sep 17, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 75
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 establishment of a supportive community for nurses, and the future of func...
Sep 10, 2025•38 min•Ep. 74
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 consultations. Ultimately, Brigitte encourages nurses to recognize...
Sep 03, 2025•27 min•Ep. 73
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 transformation. She also shares insights on starting a functional ...
Aug 20, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 72
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 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tk_geryk/ Website: https://www...
Aug 06, 2025•51 min•Ep. 71
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. Lindsay emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to patient care an...
Jul 23, 2025•55 min•Ep. 70
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 strategies, and new resources available to support practitioners. Conne...
Jul 09, 2025•52 min•Ep. 69
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 Shantrece: Website: https://fhytewell.com Instagram: @fhytewellness Face...
Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 68
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 for research to validate functional medicine practices and explore...
Jun 11, 2025•29 min•Ep. 67
In this episode of T he 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 building a coaching practice, and strategies for explaining the...
May 28, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 66
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 outcomes. Brigitte also shares insights on designing effective members...
May 14, 2025•21 min•Ep. 65
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 diverse needs, and using community support and feedback to manage...
Apr 30, 2025•48 min•Ep. 64
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 nurses face and encourages them to create opportunities within th...
Apr 16, 2025•32 min•Ep. 63
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, and the role of education in functional medicine and corporate ...
Apr 02, 2025•56 min•Ep. 61
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 representation and advocacy within the nursing profession, as well as the...
Mar 19, 2025•27 min•Ep. 62
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 addresses common misconceptions about nursing, the significance of nurs...
Mar 05, 2025•15 min•Ep. 60
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 emphasizes the need for a shift in the healthcare system towards mo...
Feb 19, 2025•58 min•Ep. 58
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 support, marketing strategies, and legal considerations for aspi...
Feb 08, 2025•21 min•Ep. 59
In this episode of the Functional Nurse Podcast, host Brigitte Sager explores how holistic and functional nurses can lead the way in transforming healthcare through advocacy. From improving school nutrition to hospital meals and influencing policy, Brigitte shares actionable steps for nurses to create meaningful change. Inspired by a discussion with Dr. Barbara Dossey, this episode highlights the power of nurses' voices in shaping a healthier future. Learn how you can get involved and make an im...
Feb 05, 2025•15 min•Ep. 57
