Recently, I hosted a webinar in the Nutrition for Nurses  course focused on the vagus nerve and its role in digestion—and it sparked some powerful reflections. Specifically, it reminded me just how underutilized heart rate variability (HRV)  is in nursing practice. If you’ve never explored HRV before, you’re not alone. Most of us were never taught about it in nursing school. But I believe that HRV is one of the most valuable, accessible metrics we can use to better understand

We’re standing at the edge of a healthcare revolution—and nurses are the ones holding the blueprint. For too long, our system has been reactive: chasing symptoms, writing prescriptions, and rushing through appointments without truly listening. And nurses? We’ve been expected to follow orders in a system that often doesn’t align with the heart of our profession. But here’s the truth: we’re not just caregivers—we’re leaders, educators, and healers. And the future of healthcare?

By Brigitte Sager, DNP When nurses first learn functional medicine, something big happens: We don’t just see our patients  differently—we start seeing everyone  differently. We think about our kids’ nutrition, our partner’s stress levels, our best friend’s hormone symptoms. We wonder why our parents were never told about gut health or blood sugar or the impact of inflammation. We want everyone in our circle to experience the kind of healing we just discovered. And it’s not co

A Conversation That Hit Deeper Than Expected Last month, during one of our Functional Nursing Membership MeetUps, I sat down with the intention of leading a discussion on how stress and trauma impact our patients. But as I mentally prepared for leading the discussion, something shifted. Instead of staying purely clinical, the topic and conversation became deeply personal. We found ourselves opening up about what it really means to practice as a nurse—the unseen burdens we car

Let’s Clear the Air If you’re a nurse who has ever asked, “Is functional medicine even evidence-based?” you’re not alone—and you’re not wrong to ask. Nurses are trained to think critically, assess data, and practice based on proven interventions. So when we hear terms like "root cause" or "functional approach," it’s completely fair to wonder: Is this grounded in real science or just another wellness trend? Here’s the short answer: Yes, functional medicine is absolutely eviden

Food dyes have been making headlines lately, and for good reason. In a move that has been long overdue, Red Dye No. 3 was recently banned from food in the U.S. —yet it had already been prohibited in cosmetics for over 30 years. Let that sink in. The same dye deemed unsafe for lipstick and skincare  was still being used in children’s snacks and drinks until now. This raises an important question: If a chemical isn’t safe for our skin, why has it been allowed in our food? As fu

Cruciferous vegetables—think broccoli, kale, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts—are often praised as nutritional powerhouses, but they also come with a fair share of myths and misconceptions. For functional nurses, understanding the science behind these veggies is essential—not only for our own health but for educating our patients on their benefits. The Benefits of Cruciferous Vegetables Cruciferous vegetables are packed with nutrients that support whole-body health. Some key

As nurses, we dedicate much of our lives to healing others, but how often do we think about the environment we’re working and living in? Our surroundings—at home, at work, and even in the air we breathe—directly impact our health. We’re exposed to toxins daily, from the disinfectants used in healthcare settings to the air pollution in our neighborhoods. If we want to show up as the healthiest versions of ourselves for our patients and our families, environmental biohacking is

Winter in the Pacific Northwest is a time for grey cloud cover and drizzle. A fairly well-known side effect of the season is a common health challenge: vitamin D deficiency. Here in the PNW, the lack of sunlight during the colder months leaves many of us vulnerable to low levels of this essential nutrient. While a sunny winter getaway might feel like a temporary fix (and one of my favorite interventions), it’s not enough to sustain your body’s needs. And it’s not just PNW res

Why So Many Nurses Feel Stuck in Traditional Healthcare Nursing is often described as a calling—a deep-rooted desire to help, heal, and care for others. But for many nurses, the reality of working in hospitals and clinics doesn’t always align with the vision that first led us into the profession. I remember the weight of long, dizzying overnight shifts, the constant charting, and the endless patient load. Despite pouring everything I had into patient care, I would leave work

In the fast-paced world of healthcare, nurses see firsthand how diet and lifestyle impact patients’ physical health, but brain health is often overlooked. Emerging research shows that nutrition can be one of the most powerful tools for supporting brain function and preventing cognitive decline. Certain foods, nutrients, and lifestyle changes have been shown to significantly impact conditions like dementia, ADHD, migraines, and anxiety, among others. In my own practice, I have

In today’s healthcare landscape, many nurses are feeling the weight of burnout, questioning if there’s a better way to support their patients and reconnect with their purpose in care. Functional medicine, with its holistic, patient-centered approach, offers a refreshing perspective that empowers both patients and healthcare providers. For nurses, understanding the foundational concepts of functional medicine can breathe new life into their practice, providing a pathway toward