Hosts Kate Nesbitt and Brooke Mosley sit down with nurse practitioner Justin Rigoloso, who shares highlights from a 20-year nursing career that spans critical care, helicopter and ground transport, NICU work, and an emergency department observation unit.

Justin explains what an ED observation unit is, describes memorable transport and patient stories (including carrying a severed finger), and reflects on the rewards and challenges of nursing and transitioning to an NP role — including scope-of-practice issues, precepting, and burnout after COVID.

He also discusses practical tools and advice for students and clinicians, from using AI resources like OpenEvidence and ChatGPT as clinical adjuncts to the core lesson: treat the whole patient, not just the numbers.