The Critical Role of Critical Care Nurses: Dr. Dina Hewet...

In the fast-paced, high-stakes world of critical care, nurses are the calm in the chaos—and no one understands that better than Dr. Dina Hewett.

On Episode 514 of The Nurse Keith Show, The Critical Importance of Critical Care Nursing, host Keith Carlson sits down with Dr. Hewett, Ph.D., RN, MSN, JM, and Regional Vice President of Campus Operations at Chamberlain University, for an insightful conversation about the heart and science of critical care nursing. As the author of the newly updated 3rd edition of Fast Facts for the Critical Care Nurse (Springer Publishing, May 2025), Dr. Hewett brings clinical expertise and educational clarity to a specialty that demands precision, resilience, and empathy.

Whether you’re a seasoned ICU nurse, a new grad navigating your first code blue, or a nursing student eyeing a future in critical care, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, personal stories, and essential takeaways.

Dr. Hewett and Keith discuss:

How to bridge the daunting gap between nursing school and the critical care bedside
The evolving landscape of ICU care post-COVID, including ECMO and sepsis protocols
Why self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for critical care nurses
How her book helps nurses decode complex pathophysiology and interventions in real time

The latest edition of Fast Facts for the Critical Care Nurse is more than a clinical guide—it’s a lifeline for those on the frontlines. From trauma to transplant, burns to bundled care, this reference equips nurses with concise, evidence-based tools to think fast, act smart, and confidently deliver patient- and family-centered care.

Tune in to Episode 514 of The Nurse Keith Show and hear firsthand why critical care nurses are essential, irreplaceable, and more important than ever.