Podcast Summary: The Amazing Authorities Podcast

Episode: Nursing Intuition: Jenn Johnson on Trusting Your Gut, Surviving Burnout & Finding Purpose
Host: Mitch Carson
Guest: Jenn Johnson, ER Nurse, Author of Nursing Intuition
Date: August 28, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Mitch Carson sits down with ER nurse and author Jenn Johnson to explore the power of intuition in nursing, the impact of burnout during the COVID pandemic, and how to find meaning and resilience in a demanding healthcare career. Jenn shares personal stories from her nursing journey, discusses her new book Nursing Intuition, and provides actionable insights for trusting your gut, processing grief, and integrating science with holistic practices.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Origins of “Nursing Intuition”

• Jenn’s motivation:
  • The book was born out of the emotional toll from working as an ER nurse during COVID. Jenn began writing to leave stories for her young children, initially focusing on uplifting moments but soon confronting the “deep dark, never discussed things” from her career.

    “I chose to continue to go into work day in, day out… my kids were four and five and a half… I thought, okay, well, if something happens to me... how do you explain to kids that mom chose to continue to go to work?” (Jenn, 02:11-03:03)

  • Realization about intuition: After hearing a podcast on intuition at work, Jenn recognized that intuition ran through every story she wrote—whether she trusted it, ignored it, or was believed—and found significant scientific backing for intuition in nursing (03:58–05:22).

Powerful Personal Story: Intuition and Loss During Clinical Training

• First major experience of intuition:
  • Jenn recounts a formative moment as a student nurse during a scheduled C-section where both mother and baby coded. Jenn, at the head of the bed, felt something was “off” as the mother began to “see God” and talk about family memories before passing.

    “She starts talking about seeing God and talking to him and being at the cabin in the woods… I hear the anesthetist kind of over top my head. He’s yelling something and the alarms are dinging and I can’t figure out what’s going on.” (Jenn, 06:13–06:38)

  • She stayed in contact with the family for years, obtaining permission to share the story in her book.

    “I was, I was meant for this. It's hard, but I was definitely meant for this.” (Jenn, 09:34–09:41)

Processing Grief and the Silence Around Nurse Trauma

• Addressing the lack of support:
  • Nurse culture rarely addresses deep emotional processing:

    “We need to start talking about grief and how to process it. Because it took me years to process it. And a global pandemic.” (Jenn, 10:08–10:38)

Understanding & Educating on Intuition

• Definition and everyday relevance:
  • Intuition as the “gut feeling” everyone knows; it manifests in many forms, from “creep factor” in social situations to subtle warnings at work.

    “Everybody in the world knows that sensation that you know something's off… it's all a matter of just, are you giving it any space to actually listen to it and give it a little bit of validation?” (Jenn, 10:48–11:20)

• Advice for using intuition:
  • Recognize your biases, especially in high-stress or diverse environments (15:37–16:34).
  • We often override gut feelings due to workplace pressures or simply being too busy:

    “We're busy and going from one place to the next. We don’t have the time to give it just two seconds of recognition that it’s even happening.” (Jenn, 14:27–15:13)

Intuition and Relationships

• Personal example:
  • Jenn met her husband after a month of chatting; her "gut" told her it was right. After 14 years, her intuition still says “yes” despite everyday annoyances.

    Mitch: “Does your gut tell you today that he’s still the one?”
    Jenn: “Yeah… Every now and again… it’s like, oh, you’re just more annoyed than anything else… But when it comes down to it, it’s like, no, that’s, that’s it.” (13:11–13:41)

Scientific Foundation for Intuition

• Research-backed:
  • Jenn cites 32 references in her book, all within the last 5 years, on intuition in nursing (14:08–14:18).
  • “Some people would say that there’s a brain in your gut.”

    Jenn: “100%. It’s just a matter of giving it the time of day. You’re going to get little pings and some are going to be stronger than others.” (14:27–15:13)

• Checklist for using intuition:
  • Listen to your “pings”
  • Review personal biases
  • Imagine the consequences if you do or don’t act on your gut feeling

Gut Feelings, Success, and Decision-Making

• On trusting your gut in life and business:

  “If I follow my gut and don’t go into that room or don’t sign that deal… what’s the worst that could happen?... even though I’m getting that twinge, maybe I’ll just be extra cautious.” (Jenn, 15:37–16:51)

Holistic Health: West, East, and the Mind-Body Connection

• Blending traditions:

  “The West is there for a reason. The East is there for a very good reason. We just need to blend… Everything needs to work in tandem.” (Jenn, 18:49–19:06)

• Naturopathic medicine:

  “Be aware, right, that the placebo effect is 100% a real thing. But if the placebo effect and a naturopath are still getting you relief, what’s the harm?” (Jenn, 19:14–19:26)

• Emotions and illness:
  • Undealt emotions can manifest physically; Jenn cites broken heart syndrome (Takotsubo cardiomyopathy) as a real medical phenomenon.

    “Un. Dealt with emotions can manifest physically. 100%.” (Jenn, 19:36–20:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the emotional toll of COVID-era nursing:

  “Sleep deprived, anxious, depressed—the whole gamut of emotions as many of us, if not all, faced during that time...” (Jenn, 02:23–02:33)

• On intuition:

  “Are you giving it any space to actually listen to it and give it a little bit of validation?” (Jenn, 11:13–11:20)

• On permission and honoring patient stories:

  “He was just so thankful that somebody had remembered her and their story and that it was going to continue on.” (Jenn, 09:28–09:34)

• On generational differences:

  “I’m an elder millennial. So I'm on the cusp. I remember a time without Internet… and then having the internet.” (Jenn, 17:29–17:54)

• On the placebo effect and integrative medicine:

  “If the placebo effect and a naturopath are still getting you relief, what’s the harm?” (Jenn, 19:14–19:26)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:11–05:22]: Origin story of Nursing Intuition and discovering the science behind intuition in nursing
• [06:13–09:34]: Jenn’s formative clinical story: tragic mother and baby scenario, how intuition guided her
• [10:08–10:38]: Processing grief and why nurses need to talk
• [10:48–12:13]: Defining intuition and its everyday applications
• [13:11–13:41]: Jenn’s approach to marriage and relationships through intuition
• [14:08–15:13]: Research foundations; bridging intuition with science
• [15:37–16:51]: Framework for applying gut feelings in professional and personal contexts
• [18:49–19:26]: Holistic health philosophy: blending East, West, and naturopathy
• [19:36–20:13]: The connection between emotions and physical illness

Where to Find Jenn Johnson & Her Book

• Book: Nursing Intuition: How to Trust Your Gut, Save Your Sanity, and Survive Your Career
  • Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Indigo
• Connect:
  • LinkedIn: Jennifer Johnson, BSD, CNRN
  • TikTok/Instagram: @eldermillennialernurse.jen
  • Website: https://nursegenjenn.ca

Tone and Style

Uplifting, candid, and practical. Jenn brings raw honesty about trauma and intuition, balanced with actionable science and empathy. Mitch’s questions are direct, supportive, and occasionally humorous, keeping the tone open, hopeful, and deeply human.

For nurses, healthcare professionals, or anyone seeking to thrive in high-stress roles, this episode pulls back the curtain on the power of nursing intuition—and offers essential lessons on resilience, self-trust, and finding purpose despite the hardest days.