In this episode of Better Every Shift for Nurses we speak with Fiona Fitzgerald and Emily Daley. From their small gesture of connecting two people a new friendship, collaboration and podcast has grown.

Fiona and Emily celebrate the value of connection, collaborating and conversation about doing things better. Their work is about helping leaders and teams explore what they do, what is working and what needs to change.

They sit outside of the daily grind and this perspective allows them to step back from the dustbin fires so many of us are trying to put out, to see the bigger picture - that many of the fires we are fighting will put themselves out, but we may be missing other activity that we should develop and grow.

In this episode we explore part A of our two part conversation. We hope you are just as delighted as we are

How are you going to make 2026 Better Every Shift?

Join us on Friday 10th January to set your intentions. This will be a great exercise to set you up for a great year.

Book via our website www.bettereveryshift.com.au

Join our Shift One Crew with On Shift Membership.

As a thank you for joining our journey early your membership price will remain at the low price of $15 for the life of your membership.

www.bettereveryshift.com.au/pricing plans

This shift is a bit like that Early shift you arrive to only to find out you are actually rostered for the afternoon.

Some technical difficulties has delayed production of the next episode. We had a lot of fun recording, this is some of our fun.

Join our Shift One Crew with On Shift Membership.

As a thank you for joining our journey early your membership price will remain at the low price of $15 for the life of your membership.

www.bettereveryshift.com.au/pricing plans

his episode uncovers the real cost of avoiding feedback, how “being nice” can sabotage growth, and why clear conversations—however uncomfortable—are the greatest kindness. This episode dives into the messy, human side of feedback in healthcare, exploring what happens when we sidestep tough conversations and the ripple effects on individuals and teams, and the care they provide

Through candid stories and practical wisdom, we unpack why feedback often fails to land, how emotions shape our willingness to speak up, and the consequences of letting patterns persist. You’ll hear how clarity, curiosity, and a touch of light-heartedness can transform feedback from a dreaded task into a powerful tool for learning and trust.

We invite you to join us and review your approach, so you can build a culture where feedback is a gift, not a threat.

Everyone who enters health care wants to do the best they can - for their patients, their colleagues, and themselves. But wanting to do your best is only the beginning. True excellence isn’t a fixed point; it’s a process of personal and professional growth, reflection, and transformation.

At Better Every Shift, we dive into real stories that reveal how our “best” is something that evolves as we learn, stretch, and allow ourselves to mature. Together we explore the messy, inspiring, and sometimes uncomfortable moments that shape us into more effective clinicians and leaders.

Connect with us further at our website www.bettereveryshift.com.au and access our Tea Room Notes

Join our Shift One Crew with On Shift Membership.

As a thank you for joining our journey early your membership price will remain at the low price of $15 for the life of your membership.

www.bettereveryshift.com.au/pricing plans

Some patients leave our shift; others stay in our bodies for years.
In this episode of Better Every Shift, Naomi and Tubi explore the legacies that nursing leaves in us – the patients we still carry, the smells and sounds that transport us back in an instant, and the way our bodies react long after the event is over.

Naomi and Tubi unpack why certain patients stay with us, how “first times” and “people who look like our own” land differently, and what happens when we never quite process those moments.

Together they explore:

• How nursing experiences are stored in the body as learned reactions and triggers
• Why emotional granularity (finding the right word for what you feel) can calm both brain and body
• The difference between hot debriefs, cold debriefs and reflective clinical supervision – and when each helps
• The role of nurses in crisis resource management and speaking up in ways others can actually hear
• Practical strategies to gently process “your people”: breathing, writing, naming emotions, and regular check-ins

This conversation is for any nurse, midwife or health professional who has ever found themselves back in a resus bay while standing in a supermarket aisle, or who has wondered, “Why is this patient still with me?”

🎧 By the end of this episode, you’ll have:

• Language for talking about the patients and moments that stay with you
• A simple writing practice you can use after tough shifts
• Ideas for making debriefs safer, kinder and more useful
• Small, repeatable habits to protect your future self from today’s work

🔗 Explore more from Better Every Shift

• Website & Tea Room Notes: bettereveryshift.com.au
• Share this episode with a colleague who “gets it” and start a conversation about the legacies you both carry.

#BetterEveryShift #NursingLegacies #NurseWellbeing #Debriefing #ReflectivePractice #NurseLeadership

Join our Shift One Crew with On Shift Membership.

As a thank you for joining our journey early your membership price will remain at the low price of $15 for the life of your membership.

www.bettereveryshift.com.au/pricing plans

“Interviews, Mindset and Missed Opportunities: What Panels Really Look For”

You’ve done the acting stints. You’ve put in the extra hours. You’ve sat through interview after interview… and still missed out.
In this episode of Better Every Shift, Naomi shares the story of applying twice for the same leadership role — and only getting it the second time. Together, Naomi and Tubi pull back the curtain on how interviews really work in health services, and what both panels and candidates often get wrong.

We explore how to prepare beyond “Googling common questions”, how to stop assuming “they already know me”, and how to find the people who can help you translate feedback into real career movement.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why a “failed” interview can set you up for the next one
• The difference between knowing the job exists and understanding what the service is trying to fix
• Practical ways to prepare: conversations, mock interviews, and mindset rituals
• The trap of assuming your panel knows your history, budget responsibilities or leadership experience
• Why traditional interviews are biased and imperfect — and how good panels try to do it better
• What to focus on if you’ve had serial acting roles or repeated knock-backs
• The skills that are easy to teach vs the relational skills panels are really hunting for

This week’s action:
Pick one role you’re curious about and book a 20–30 minute conversation with your manager, a mentor or someone currently in the job. Ask them:

• “What does great look like in this role?”
• “What gaps do you see for me over the next 6–12 months?”

One honest conversation. One step closer.

To access the Tea Room Notes and connect with us further Check out www.bettereveryshift.com.au

Join our Shift One Crew with On Shift Membership.

As a thank you for joining our journey early your membership price will remain at the low price of $15 for the life of your membership.

www.bettereveryshift.com.au/pricing plans

Ever felt technically confident, only to realize there’s a whole new level of understanding waiting for you? Wondered if excellence is a finish line or a journey? Or found yourself growing most in the messy, uncomfortable moments? This episode explores how our “best” is always evolving, and why that’s something to celebrate.

Drawing on our own stories, we unpack the many shifts we had to make from technical competence to holistic care, and how growing mastery means seeing the whole person and the system. We talk about excellence as an ongoing process—one that’s shaped by reflection, learning, and transformation, not just ticking technical, clinical boxes. We share why discomfort is a sign you’re stretching and how lifelong learning keeps us resilient and adaptable, no matter your role or seniority.

If you’re a nurse or healthcare leader who wants to keep growing, challenge your assumptions, and support your team’s development, this episode is for you. Tune in for practical insights, a few laughs, and a reminder that we’re all in this learning journey together.

Ready to reflect, grow, and lead with us? Listen now and join the conversation—your next shift in thinking could start here.

Everyone who enters health care wants to do the best they can - for their patients, their colleagues, and themselves. But wanting to do your best is only the beginning. True excellence isn’t a fixed point; it’s a process of personal and professional growth, reflection, and transformation.

At Better Every Shift, we dive into real stories that reveal how our “best” is something that evolves as we learn, stretch, and allow ourselves to mature. Together we explore the messy, inspiring, and sometimes uncomfortable moments that shape us into more effective clinicians and leaders.

Subscribe to access the latest episodes and engage at www.bettereveryshift.com.au On Shift membership currently at First Crew Rates.

Join our Shift One Crew with On Shift Membership.

As a thank you for joining our journey early your membership price will remain at the low price of $15 for the life of your membership.

www.bettereveryshift.com.au/pricing plans

Curious how feedback could feel less like a dreaded performance review and more like a daily act of support? Wondering what ballet studios can teach healthcare teams about trust, growth, and radical candor? Ready to rethink how feedback shapes your leadership and team culture?

In this episode, we explore the surprising parallels between ballet and healthcare, revealing how feedback in ballet is public, frequent, and normalized—while in healthcare, it’s often private and high-stakes. We unpack why nurses and leaders sometimes fear critique, and how shifting feedback from criticism to “having your back” can transform team dynamics. You’ll hear practical strategies for normalising feedback, clarifying intent, and balancing honesty with kindness, plus real stories from nursing and management.

Whether you’re a mid-career nurse, manager, senior clinician, or leader, you’ll find reflective prompts and actionable ideas to help you grow, develop, and lead with confidence. Tune in for a warm, explorative conversation that challenges you to make feedback a tool for continuous improvement – just like the ballet.

Everyone who enters health care wants to do the best they can - for their patients, their colleagues, and themselves. But wanting to do your best is only the beginning. True excellence isn’t a fixed point; it’s a process of personal and professional growth, reflection, and transformation.

At Better Every Shift, we dive into real stories that reveal how our “best” is something that evolves as we learn, stretch, and allow ourselves to mature. Together we explore the messy, inspiring, and sometimes uncomfortable moments that shape us into more effective clinicians and leaders. https://www.bettereveryshift.com.au

Join our Shift One Crew with On Shift Membership.

As a thank you for joining our journey early your membership price will remain at the low price of $15 for the life of your membership.

www.bettereveryshift.com.au/pricing plans

Join our Shift One Crew with On Shift Membership.

As a thank you for joining our journey early your membership price will remain at the low price of $15 for the life of your membership.

www.bettereveryshift.com.au/pricing plans