Episode Overview

As space exploration transitions from small, highly trained government crews to larger civilian populations, the need for operational, bedside care off-world is becoming critical. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Glenn A. Barnes, the coordinator for Texas A&M’s groundbreaking DNP Extreme Environment Nursing Program. Drawing on his extensive background as an Army Green Beret, Navy nurse, and disaster response expert, Dr. Barnes breaks down why nurses are the missing link in aerospace medicine—and how terrestrial wilderness medicine is the ultimate training ground for the final frontier.

Key Takeaways

• The Paradigm Shift in Space Medicine: Why the current "concierge" model of physician-led aerospace medicine won't scale for long-term lunar or Martian missions, and why operational bedside nursing will become essential.

• Holistic Problem Solving: From the physics of administering IV fluids in microgravity (where bubbles mix evenly throughout the bag) to the logistical challenges of biological needs in space, we discuss why the nursing perspective is critical for keeping crews healthy.

• Texas A&M’s Extreme Environment DNP: An inside look at the new hybrid doctoral program designed to teach nurses survival skills and how to build and manage remote clinics in the desert, arctic, jungle, and eventually, space.

• Prolonged Field Care (PFC): How military special operations have adapted fundamental nursing principles for prolonged casualty care behind enemy lines, and how civilian nurses can leverage these exact frameworks.

• Getting Started: Actionable advice for clinical nurses looking to break into extreme environment medicine, including starting with wilderness medicine, disaster response, and trauma care to build self-sufficiency.

  Mentioned in the show:

  • Texas A&M Online DNP in Extreme Environment Nursing
  • Connect with Dr. Barnes on Linkedin!
  • The Wilderness Medical Society
  • Beat Dr. Barnes at eating plants!?
  • Stay up to date on the next CommHIT event
  • Learn your patient! How microgravity affects the body and EARN NURSING CE with The Orbital Patient short course!

When healthcare organizations roll out shiny new tech, frontline nurses are usually the last to know and the first to bear the administrative burden. In this episode of The Space Nurse Podcast, we sit down with Anas Abidrabbu—a frontline ICU nurse turned health system leader and the builder behind KION. We dive deep into the current workforce shifts, exploring exactly why so many clinicians are jumping to non-traditional roles and how to start designing an unconventional career path through small, sustainable steps.

We also explore the AI hype in healthcare, discussing actionable strategies for organizations to implement new digital systems as actual co-pilots without annoying their nurses—starting with making sure clinicians are actively included at the decision-making table from Day 1. Plus, Anas unpacks the reality of "transition shock" and shares how his approach to somatic leadership coaching helps nurses slow down and listen to their nervous systems, ensuring they don't just carry their bedside burnout into a brand-new environment.

In this episode, we ask:

• Why are so many nurses jumping to non-traditional roles, and what are the very first steps to making that pivot successfully?

• How can healthcare organizations implement AI as a clinical co-pilot—rather than a data-entry chore—by including nurses from Day 1?

• What exactly is a healthcare influencer, and does that mean Anas knows how to dance?

Connect with Anas on LinkedIn and check out his podcast, Uncharted Narrative, on YouTube and Spotify.

Check out his company KIYAN also mentioned on the episode.

Ready to make your pivot?

• Get the Guide: Subscribe to The Space Nurse LLC newsletter to get exclusive access to the technical roadmap and resume translation guide.

• Take the Course: Looking for a structured path? Enroll in the Space Nurse Academy to begin building your operational expertise today.

In this very special episode of The Space Nurse Podcast, I’m joined by my twin sister, Catherine Rincon, LMHC! Catherine is the founder of Happy Thoughts Mental Health, a practice specializing in trauma-informed care, somatic therapy, and decolonizing mental health.

Today, we are bridging the gap between terrestrial mental health and bioastronautics to discuss a critical hurdle in human space exploration: power dynamics in isolation.

We dive into the research behind our upcoming paper on Isolated, Confined, and Extreme (ICE) environments, exploring how rigid hierarchies foster conflict and abuse, and why the old "Right Stuff" mentality of emotional suppression is a danger to future missions. We also break down our proposed framework for psychological safety in space—including decentralized leadership and peer accountability—and explain how the principles of group therapy on Earth are the exact tools astronauts will need to survive the trip to Mars.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Bridging the gap between rural/low-resource health and space medicine.

• The impact of chronic power imbalances on the nervous system and the threat of the "Right Stuff" mentality.

• Why rigid hierarchies and isolation in ICE environments can lead to mission failure.

• Our proposed framework for spaceflight: psychological crew selection, rotating leadership, and embedded support.

• How terrestrial group therapy builds agency, normalizes stress reactions, and provides a blueprint for crew cohesion.

• A look at the future of AI monitoring and why it must be a supplement, not a replacement, for human connection.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

• The Daily Show Skit: Check out the hilarious and informative segment featuring Dr. Maria Santaguida and Dr. Simon Dubé discussing their Kinsey Institute research and the space suit that facilitates intimacy in microgravity. Here is the article we mentioned that highlighted that interpersonal relationships could be a problem. A very eye opening article about the experience and subsequent blackballing of Judith LaPierre

• Happy Thoughts Mental Health: Learn more about Catherine’s private practice, group counseling, and mindfulness training.

• Healing Couch: The group therapy firm Catherine works with, offering expanded support in somatic treatments, EMDR, and sex therapy.

• Shoutouts: A huge thank you to the researchers and theorists we mentioned in this episode, including Dr. Suzanne Bell (NASA), Irvin Yalom, Carl Rogers, Dr. Kostukina, and Dr. Devjoy Dev.

Your Technical Roadmap Starts Here: Subscribe to The Space Nurse LLC newsletter to receive my Resume Translation Guide—a step-by-step breakdown of how to rewrite your clinical experience so you’re seen as a necessity, not an afterthought. [Insert Newsletter Link Here]

(And as always: Lupe Fiasco, the invitation to come on the podcast is still open!)

Welcome to the very first installment of The SBAR Sessions on The Space Nurse Podcast, where I sit down with fellow nursing experts to think through real-world clinical challenges and brainstorm how we can close the gap in aerospace medicine

In this episode of The Space Nurse Podcast, we are tackling one of the most complex clinical challenges in aerospace medicine: managing burn trauma. What happens when the standard terrestrial protocol of cooling a burn with running water is impossible because water simply floats?

Joining the show is Kristina Stiles, a former burns and plastic surgery nurse specialist with 23 years of critical care experience and the founding chair of the British Burn Association's Pre-hospital Special Interest Group. Kristina is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Birmingham, focusing on the "burn care gap"—the critical window of time between an injury occurring and the patient receiving professional medical attention.

Together, we dive into the stark realities of burn trauma and explore how we can translate Earth-based first aid into effective clinical protocols for the microgravity environment.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Burn Care Gap: We explore the critical window of time immediately following a burn, addressing the severe lack of public and professional knowledge regarding appropriate first aid.

• The Terrestrial Gold Standard: A breakdown of the "Remove, Cool, Cover, Call" protocol, emphasizing why cooling a burn with running water for at least 20 minutes is absolutely essential for patient outcomes.

• Hazards in Microgravity: How fire behaves differently in space—crawling on surfaces and forming spherical flames—and why traditional cooling is impossible when water forms floating globules instead of flowing.

• Off-Grid Solutions: We brainstorm potential alternatives for austere and space environments, from utilizing hydrogel dressings and cooling sleeves to applying synthetic skin substitutes.

• The Nursing Imperative: A look at why clinical boots-on-the-ground experience is vital, and why nurses need to be at the table when aerospace medical protocols and safety standards are being designed.

Whether you're a terrestrial first responder, an aerospace engineer, or a fellow space medicine enthusiast, this conversation highlights exactly why clinical expertise is essential for human survival in the final frontier.

Follow Kristina on Linkedin

Stop letting your clinical resume get lost in translation. The Clinical-to-Operational Translation Matrix is a free, quick-reference guide that teaches you how to convert standard hospital jargon into the technical Human Systems Integration (HSI) language that aerospace hiring managers are actually looking for.

Download it today to decode the 'hidden' job titles in the space sector and start positioning your critical care experience as a vital asset for mission success.

Subscribe to the Space Nurse, LLC to get it!

Engineers build the vessel, but medical teams ensure the crew survives the trip. In this episode of The Space Nurse Podcast, we bridge the gap between the bedside and the launchpad with Colin Hills, RN, a NASA HMS Operations Specialist supporting the International Space Station and the Artemis program.

From the high-pressure environments of Level 1 Trauma centers to the technical complexities of Mission Control, Colin explains how a background in austere medicine prepares nurses for the rigors of spaceflight. We dive deep into the concept of "Systems Thinking," the necessity of planning for your "second worst failure," and what it really means for a clinician to be the vital "Human in the Loop" within aerospace engineering. Whether you are looking to translate your clinical jargon into "NASA-speak" or want a behind-the-scenes look at 800-page medical checklists, this episode is your blueprint for the future of nursing in the final frontier.

Follow Colin on Linkedin

Colin said your first priority is to learn "your patient" you can do that with me by joining The Space Nurse® Academy, learn about the 5 hazards of space flight AND what microgravity does to EACH body system. What NASA knows and what they don't know (the gaps WE need to solve). PENDING approval for Florida Board of Nursing CEUs (valid in 48 states!)

Do you think the upcoming Artemis moon mission is a groundbreaking milestone? Or a rerun of past space endeavors, full of hype and political pivots? Christine Rincon, ICU nurse turned space medicine advocate, unpacks the myths and realities behind this modern-day space race — revealing why the headlines might be overselling what’s really happening on and off the lunar surface.

In this eye-opening hot take micro episode, Christine digs into the real science behind Artemis, from water ice on the lunar south pole to cutting-edge organ-on-a-chip tech testing how space radiation affects human DNA. She busts myths about the mission’s cost, scientific progress, and the true reason we're headed back to the moon — and why it all matters for humanity’s future. Spoiler: it's not just about rockets or political strategy — it’s about survival, diversity, and the innovations that could revolutionize healthcare on Earth.

You’ll discover:

• Why the Artemis mission targets the lunar south pole and the significance of water ice for future explorers
• The surprising truth about NASA’s budget and why space spending is more a matter of priorities than costs
• How space medical research, like astronaut CPR testing and organ-on-a-chip development, could radically improve healthcare here on Earth
• The political dance behind decades of spaceflight pivots, broken promises, and shifting goals that keep public interest teetering
• Why true innovation in space requires diverse minds and leadership that reflect humanity’s full spectrum — not just strategic dominance

This episode is perfect for space enthusiasts, healthcare professionals, engineers, and anyone frustrated by the hype and tired of the politics overshadowing science. If you've ever wondered why our moon missions seem caught in a loop — or how space tech can revolutionize medicine — this is essential listening.

Join Christine Rincon, an ICU nurse with over a decade of experience, as she bridges the worlds of medicine and engineering to reveal what’s really at stake in our pursuit of the stars. Whether you’re a clinician, a space fanatic, or just curious about humanity’s next giant leap, this conversation will challenge your perceptions and inspire action.

Why settle for reruns when we can write the future? Tune in and get inspired to see space exploration as a vital pathway to saving lives both on Earth and beyond.

Are you wondering how The Space Nurse can help you? Check us out at the Space Nurse Website!

Learn space medicine at the Space Nurse Academy

Discover how Dr. Devjoy Dev merges biomedical engineering, space medicine, and science communication to shape the future of human space exploration. From sleep in space to hackathons and public outreach, this episode dives into cutting-edge topics and innovative projects driving the industry forward.

In this episode:

✨ Dr. Devjoy Dev shares his diverse background, including space medicine, sleep biology, and neuroengineering

✨ Insights into how microgravity affects sleep and circadian regulation, including the role of sunlight and regulators like Zeitgebers

✨ The potential and ethics of genetically engineering humans for space resilience

✨ The evolution of interdisciplinary roles in space exploration, from engineers to healthcare professionals

✨ His ongoing projects: Humans of the Sky and a comprehensive book on the future of space medicine

✨ The significance of effective science communication amid social media and AI advancements

Also... Ethan Hawke was in Gattaca! 🤣

Follow Dr Devjoy on his website

Check out the Humans of the Sky on the website and on instagram @humansofthesky_

Fist My Bump! *Rocky Voice*

Celebrate Project Hail Mary weekend with us as we explore the reality of human hibernation! Harvard-trained researcher Dr. Ekaterina Kostioukhina joins the show to break down the science of hypometabolic states, animal-inspired torpor, and how lowering our metabolism could revolutionize both deep space travel and critical care right here on Earth.

But this science isn't just for interplanetary journeys. Dr. Kostioukhina shares remarkable case studies that prove how non-invasive methods to induce torpor could reduce the need for complex ICU care during Earth-bound crises. This is how we bridge the gap between aerospace medicine and improving healthcare on Earth, fundamentally changing disaster response and outcomes for rural communities. Dive into the future where humans might cycle in and out of lowered metabolism, enabling us to thrive in space and at home!

Main Topics:

• The science of hypometabolic states: What it actually is and how it differs from natural sleep.
• Biomimicry in space: What we are learning from bears, tardigrades, and natural hibernators.
• How non-invasive torpor could drastically reduce the need for complex ICU interventions.
• The massive potential for space medicine to revolutionize disaster response and rural healthcare.
• The future of deep-space transit: Cycling crews in and out of lowered metabolic states to conserve resources.

Follow Dr. Ekaterina on LinkedinFollow HIBERIA