In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Amy Grand.

Amy Grand is a passionate credentialing specialist with over 20 years of experience in high-stakes licensure and certification exams. In her role at BCEN, Amy leads the development and oversight of six national nursing specialty certifications, supporting more than 60,000 credentialed nurses worldwide.

Amy is a Certified Credentialing Professional® through the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. She earned her Master of Science in Medical-Surgical Nursing from the University of Michigan. She's also the President-Elect of the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification and has played a key role in launching groundbreaking programs, like the world’s first burn nursing certification, the CBRN. With an extensive background in exam development and a passion for advancing nursing excellence, Amy brings incredible insight into the world of specialty certification.

From her early days in critical care to her current work supporting BCEN’s six national nursing certifications, Amy has dedicated her career to advancing excellence in emergency nursing. Her role is vital to the credentialing of over 63,000 credential holders and coordinating the efforts of more than 100 subject matter experts.

This episode is called, "Life moves pretty fast-so does certification."

Amy can be reached by email at: agrand@bcen.org

BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.

Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Harriet Hawkins

Harriet Hawkins is a nurse whose remarkable career in healthcare spans over five decades. Harriet began her journey in psychiatry in 1969 before moving into adult critical care and emergency medicine. In 1982, she joined Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago—now Lurie Children's Hospital—where she worked in the NICU and played a key role in launching the Neonatal Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team in 1985. Harriet also founded the hospital’s resuscitation program in 2001, expanding education in life-saving certifications such as ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP, and more.

Beyond her clinical work, Harriet is deeply committed to community outreach and philanthropic service. She has been volunteering at her local homeless shelter since 1996, running a weekly clinic, and has participated in 28 humanitarian mission trips across nine countries. She remains actively involved with the Emergency Nurses Association at both the state and national levels.

From pediatric pearls to powerful life lessons, Harriet brings a depth of wisdom shaped by her rich nursing journey. Her passion for life and learning shines through every moment, making this conversation as inspiring as it is informative. Trust us you’ll be hoping for a part two before it's even over!

This episode is called, "The secret is to adjust your sails."

BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.

Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Kathy Mace.

With over four decades of experience in emergency nursing, Kathy Mace brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to supporting ED and burn nurses. Beginning her career as a nurse extern in 1976, she spent 33 years in the emergency department, working both at the bedside and in leadership roles. Kathy’s healthcare journey also includes time in the Recovery Room, House Supervisor role, and a decade with an electronic medical record company focused on ED clinicians. Since 2019, she has served as the Employer Relationship Manager at BCEN, where she continues to empower and support nurses in achieving their educational and professional goals.

This episode is called, "Building a legacy one day at a time."

BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.

Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Steven Talbot.

Steven Talbot is a seasoned healthcare leader with 26 years of experience in emergency, trauma, flight nursing, administration, education, and paramedicine. As a Professional Practice Leader at Houston Methodist Willowbrook, he oversees the Emergency and Neuroscience Service Lines. An active contributor and volunteer with BCEN since 2011, Steven has played a key role in exam development and leadership. He is also a published author in emergency nursing textbooks and a speaker at conferences worldwide.

Reflecting on the power of certification, volunteerism, and professional growth, Steven emphasizes the importance of giving back to the nursing profession through education, leadership, and public speaking.

This episode is called, "Living by a compass, not a clock."

BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.

Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Jacki Roland.

Jacki Roland is an experienced emergency and trauma nurse with over 13 years of expertise in caring for critically injured patients. She serves as a clinical nurse educator in a Level 1 academic trauma and burn center in Denver and is part of the instructor cadre at CSTARS in St. Louis, providing advanced trauma training to military and civilian medical personnel. Since joining the military in 2008, Major Roland has been dedicated to improving trauma care through education and leadership.

With nearly 17 years of military service, Jacki balances a civilian trauma role with military responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of training, work-life balance, and knowledge-sharing.

This episode is called, "Gratitude in every line I have ever read."

BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.

Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Courtney Edwards

Courtney Edwards is the Director of Trauma Community Outreach & BioTel EMS at Parkland Health in Dallas, Texas. Courtney leads injury prevention and outreach programs, working to improve EMS services for over 2.4 million people in the Dallas area. She supports 14 EMS agencies and oversees an annual 260,000 EMS-911 calls. Holding her Doctoral degree in Nursing Practice from Texas Christian University and a Master of Public Health, she remains patient facing by providing direct care as a member of the Trauma Team in Dallas.

From a true passion for trauma care to leading the way in injury prevention, Courtney shares a few of her lessons learned-how to grow trust, accountability, and true collaboration.

This episode is called, "A national treasure in injury prevention."

BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.

Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Zach Kermitz.

Zach began his career in collegiate EMS with the Florida State University Medical Response Unit, before moving on to rural EMS in northeastern North Carolina. After earning his BSN, he honed his skills in the Emergency Department, Intensive Care, and ground Critical Care Transport nursing across North Carolina, Utah, and New York. In late 2019, Zach transitioned into flight nursing, where he has further developed his leadership skills as a full-time flight RN in the Four Corners region of the southwest USA.

It takes incremental steps to excel in nursing, and Zach will discuss how he took on specific challenges and gained confidence in his skills. This conversation focuses on the importance of continuous learning, humility, and collaboration in emergency medicine—particularly in ventilator management and toxicology.

This episode is called, "A song of flight and poison."

BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.

Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN Friend, Reginald “Reggie” Santiago.

Reginald Santiago is an inpatient care coordinator and case manager at Duke University Hospital’s Raleigh campus. Over the past 30 years in healthcare, he has served in roles as a paramedic, adjunct paramedic instructor, tactical medical instructor, and Special Operations Forces Medical Instructor specializing in prolonged field care (PFC).

Additionally, Reginald is the creator and host of the Paramedic2RN podcast. Reginald’s educational background includes an Associate’s degree of Applied Sciences in Emergency Medical Science, an ADN from a Paramedic to RN bridge program, and as well as his BSN. Reginald is currently pursuing an MSN in Adult-Gerontology as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at East Carolina University. He holds board certifications as a CEN, TCRN, CCRN, CFRN, CTRN, and is a national registry paramedic.

Transitioning between careers can be difficult and Reggie is no stranger to difficult challenges. From Paramedic to RN to podcast host, Reggie chats about the good, the hard, and the people who help get you through it all.

This episode is called, "Start doing what you're meant to do."

BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.

Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io