The Functional Nurse Podcast - Nursing in Functional Medicine

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing — Learn more at www.fxnursing.com
 
What if many breastfeeding challenges aren’t just about latch or milk supply—but about maternal health and root causes?
 
In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager, DNP, IFMCP, interviews Katie Oshita, RN, IBCLC, lactation consultant and functional medicine nurse. Together, they explore how a functional medicine approach to lactation transforms outcomes for both mothers and babies.
 
Katie shares how her transition from hospital-based maternal-infant nursing to private practice allowed her to look upstream—addressing the ecosystem of mother and baby rather than isolated symptoms.
 
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
Why many “breast milk allergies” and infant gut symptoms are rooted in maternal physiology
How stress, thyroid health, hormone balance, and nutrient status affect milk production
Why elimination diets can provide clues, but don’t create full healing on their own
The role of mitochondrial health and toxin exposure in maternal recovery
How asking better questions (“When were you last well?”) changes care plans
Why education, empowerment, and nursing scope are central in perinatal functional care
This episode is essential listening for:
✔️ Nurses and nurse practitioners
✔️ IBCLCs and lactation consultants
✔️ Functional medicine clinicians
✔️ Professionals interested in women’s health and infant gut health
✔️ Nurses exploring private practice or telehealth
 
If you care about supporting families upstream—through root cause healing, perinatal nutrition, and functional nursing principles—this conversation will expand how you think about breastfeeding support.
 
Guest Information
Katie Oshita, RN, IBCLC Business: Cuddles & Milk Website: https://www.cuddlesandmilk.com Instagram & Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cuddlesandmilklactation
https://www.instagram.com/cuddlesandmilk/
 
Explore functional nursing education and training at: www.fxnursing.com

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) — empowering nurses to transform healthcare through functional medicine education and training. Learn more at www.fxnursing.com 
Where can a functional nurse make an impact? Everywhere.
In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager, DNP, IFMCP, reveals 12 surprising places where functional nurses are creating real change in healthcare. From primary care, school nursing, and urgent care to cardiology, endocrinology, and more, discover how functional medicine is being applied in roles far beyond private practice.
Brigitte shares powerful insights from her work as a nurse practitioner and educator, showing how nurses are integrating root cause care, lifestyle interventions, and whole-person approaches to improve outcomes and find greater meaning in their work.
If you're a nurse wondering: "Where can functional medicine fit into my career?" — this episode is for you.
What You’ll Learn:
12 unique and often-overlooked places functional nurses are working
How functional medicine enhances both traditional and non-traditional nursing roles
Real-life examples of nurses leading change in healthcare
Opportunities for entrepreneurship, collaboration, and practice ownership
Whether you're looking to pivot your nursing path, launch a functional practice, or incorporate holistic care into your current role, this episode offers practical inspiration and next steps.
Hosted by Brigitte Sager, DNP – Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Coach, and RN/NP Functional Nurse Educator.
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Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing – Explore IFN's courses and programs at fxnursing.com
In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager, FNP talks with Jill Jefferson, RN, a board-certified holistic nurse and nurse coach, about her transition from corporate healthcare to a holistic, functional medicine-based practice.
Jill shares how she moved from feeling disillusioned in traditional systems to launching a nurse-led wellness career that combines coaching, root cause care, and functional medicine—all within the nursing scope. This inspiring conversation explores:
The burnout many nurses feel in corporate healthcare—and how functional medicine offers a path forward
How nurse coaching shifts the focus from “noncompliance” to patient readiness and empowerment
The difference between treating symptoms and preventing illness through root cause assessment
How to integrate functional medicine, coaching, and lifestyle support without leaving nursing values behind
Practical insights for nurses exploring entrepreneurship without compromising financial stability
Whether you’re an RN, NP, or nurse coach, this episode offers insight and inspiration for building a career that prioritizes healing, connection, and sustainable change.
Learn more about functional nursing education and community at: https://www.fxnursing.com
Guest Information
Jill Jefferson, RNBoard Certified Holistic Nurse | Nurse CoachPractice: New Hampshire Health and Wellness Center (Nashua, NH)
 

In this episode, functional medicine nurse practitioner and educator Brigitte Sager explains how to effectively evaluate evidence in healthcare, specifically within the realm of functional medicine. Brigitte shares strategies for identifying reliable research, reviewing studies critically, and finding the most up-to-date, relevant data for best practices. From understanding the hierarchy of studies to exploring why functional medicine may not always have the large-scale trials seen in conventional medicine, this episode equips nurses, NPs, and healthcare practitioners with tools to make evidence-based decisions in functional medicine.
This episode is perfect for any healthcare professional curious about how to balance research with functional and holistic interventions. You’ll learn why smaller cohort studies and case studies are often more applicable in functional medicine and how to navigate PubMed and other research tools to find quality evidence to support your practice.
 
Hosted by Brigitte Sager, NP, a functional medicine nurse practitioner, nurse coach, and an RN and NP FM educator.
 
Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page or share this link to the website and podcast..
 
Be well!

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing – Learn more at fxnursing.com
Is functional medicine just “alternative” care—or is it truly rooted in science and evidence-based practice? It’s one of the most common (and controversial) questions nurses ask—and in this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager, FNP and functional medicine educator, provides a grounded, clinical answer.
Drawing on her experience in both conventional and functional medicine, Brigitte explains how evidence-based nursing can look different when you're practicing root-cause care. She breaks down:
Why large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) often don’t reflect individualized care
How pharmaceutical influence in research shapes what gets studied—and what doesn’t
Why functional medicine relies on biochemistry, physiology, and patient outcomes
This episode reframes how nurses can apply science-based principles to support early intervention, prevention, and healing—well before a disease label is assigned.
Whether you're a nurse or nurse practitioner, this episode will help you feel confident navigating the intersection of holistic care and clinical evidence.
Ready to dive deeper into science-backed functional nursing?
Explore the Institute for Functional Nursing's education programs: https://www.fxnursing.com/learn

In this episode, functional medicine nurse practitioner and nurse educator Brigitte Sager answers a critical question often asked by her students: "Can a registered nurse practice functional medicine?" Brigitte dives into the scope of practice for RNs, emphasizing that education, advocacy, and promoting wellness are well within the scope of a registered nurse. While this episode is not a substitute for legal advice, it offers clarity on the significant role RNs can play in functional medicine without overstepping into diagnosis or prescription, and addresses common misconceptions about supplements and lab work.
Brigitte explores how registered nurses can use their foundational nursing skills to educate patients about root causes of health conditions and guide them towards healing. Whether you're an RN or NP, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding how to practice functional medicine within their scope, while focusing on lifestyle changes and patient empowerment, not just medical diagnoses.
 
Hosted by Brigitte Sager, NP, a functional medicine nurse practitioner, nurse coach, and an RN and NP FM educator.
 
Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page or share this link.
Be well!

In this episode, functional medicine nurse practitioner and nurse educator Brigitte Sager shares her personal journey to becoming a nurse and a functional medicine practitioner. Brigitte dives into her early experiences in healthcare, the frustrations she faced with the limitations of traditional nursing practices, and how discovering functional medicine transformed her career. She discusses the shift from symptom management to root cause analysis and how it has helped her find true healing for herself and her patients. This episode is filled with insights for nurses and healthcare practitioners looking to explore functional medicine and learn how it can align with their professional goals.
Brigitte emphasizes the critical role functional medicine plays in empowering patients and practitioners alike, guiding them beyond the typical "diagnose and prescribe" model of care. Whether you're a nurse, nurse practitioner, or nurse coach, this episode offers valuable insights into integrating functional medicine into your practice while remaining patient-centered. Listen in to find inspiration and practical advice on becoming a more holistic healthcare provider.
 
Hosted by Brigitte Sager, NP, a functional medicine nurse practitioner, nurse coach, and an RN and NP FM educator.
 
Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page or share this link.
Be well!

What is functional medicine—and why are nurses turning to it now more than ever?
In this foundational episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager, DNP, IFMCP, nurse educator and functional medicine practitioner, breaks down what functional medicine really is—and what it isn’t. If you're a nurse or nurse practitioner feeling frustrated by the limitations of conventional care, this episode will help you understand why functional medicine is such a natural fit for the nursing model.
Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) Helping nurses lead the future of healthcare through functional medicine education. Learn more at www.fxnursing.com
In this episode, you’ll learn:
The core principles of functional medicine
How it differs from conventional and integrative medicine
Why nurses are uniquely positioned to lead this shift
The role of nutrition, gut health, stress, toxins, genetics, and lifestyle in chronic disease
What functional medicine looks like within nursing scope (without prescribing or diagnosing)
This episode is the perfect starting point for building a more sustainable, patient-centered, and fulfilling career in nursing.
Hosted by Brigitte Sager, DNP – Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner and Functional Nurse Educator.
Connect:
Website: www.fxnursing.com
Functional Medicine Education for Nurses: www.fxnursing.com/learn
Instagram: www.instagram.com/fxnursing
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/fxnursing

A podcast that explores the unique role nurses and nurse practitioners RNs and NPs play in practicing the healing art of functional medicine. The show explores many aspects of functional medicine practice, emerging research, and the unique blessings and challenges that nurses experience when practicing functional medicine. Hosted by Brigitte Sager- a family nurse practitioner, board certified functional medicine practitioner, nurse coach, and the creator and lead faculty of Functional Medicine for Nurses course taught through the Integrative Nurse Coach Academy in partnership with the Institute for Functional Medicine.
 
Hosted by Brigitte Sager, NP, a functional medicine nurse practitioner, nurse coach, and an Functional Nurse educator.
 
Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page or share this link to the website and podcast.
Be well!