Thinking about becoming a functional medicine nurse? Before you dive in, there are a few things you need to know.

In this episode, I’m sharing 10 hard-earned truths I wish every nurse knew before stepping into functional nursing. This isn’t just a career shift—it’s a whole new way of thinking about patient care, your scope, and your purpose as a nurse.

We’ll talk about:

• Why you’ll never feel fully “ready”—and why that’s okay

• What makes functional medicine feel like coming home to nursing

• How to stop thinking in silos and start treating the whole person

• Why you don’t need 50 labs or supplements to be effective

• And why this path might finally align with why you became a nurse in the first place

Whether you're exploring root-cause healing, looking for more autonomy, or just craving work that matters—this episode is for you.

Let’s redefine what it means to be a nurse in today’s healthcare system.

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about IFN's current programs at https://www.fxnursing.com

Subscribe for more episodes on holistic nursing, functional medicine, and building your dream practice.

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at www.fxnursing.com

Functional psychiatry is one of the least common niches in the functional medicine world, but it is often where patients experience some of the most profound “whole person” care. In this episode, Brigitte Sager interviews Everest Goldstein, board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner and IFM certified clinician, about what functional psychiatry really means, how she built her practice, and why nursing is uniquely positioned to lead in this space.

Everest shares her own turning point after Lyme disease, when a provider spent the time to take a full functional history and connect the dots. From there, she explains how functional psychiatry treats depression and anxiety as symptoms with root causes, not labels that end the conversation. You’ll hear practical, surprising examples of how gut health, cortisol dysregulation, dysbiosis, H. pylori, constipation, and yeast overgrowth can drive mood symptoms, and why foundations like sleep, stress, movement, and nutrition matter more than “shiny objects” like endless supplements, peptides, or IVs.

They also discuss building community as a clinician, the realities of starting a practice, and how nurses can confidently work within scope by focusing on foundational health behaviors and patient education.

Missed the Redefining the Future of Nursing Summit? Click here to get access to all the session replays.

• Functional psychiatry is a root-cause approach that integrates conventional and functional tools to restore whole-person health

• Depression and anxiety can reflect underlying physiology such as gut dysfunction, cortisol patterns, hormones, sleep disruption, or unresolved trauma

• Gut health is a recurring driver in mental health cases, including dysbiosis, H. pylori, constipation, and yeast overgrowth

• “Treatment-resistant depression” often signals an incomplete root-cause workup, not a lack of options

• Many medication side effects and poor responses make more sense when you evaluate stress physiology (including low cortisol patterns)

• Nurses can create major impact within scope by prioritizing foundations: nutrition, sleep, movement, stress regulation, and lifestyle change support

• New functional providers often overuse supplements; experienced clinicians typically simplify and return to the basics

• Sustainable practice building requires boundaries, community, and a clear niche that patients can understand

Everest Goldstein, PMHNP-BC, IFMCP Founder, Everest Functional Psychiatry and Wellness, and Evergreen Functional Collective

Facebook

Instagram

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing – Explore courses and training at www.fxnursing.com

Elimination diets sound simple on paper, but in real life, they can create confusion, overwhelm, and unexpected setbacks for both nurses and their patients. In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager breaks down the top 7 challenges functional medicine nurses face when guiding clients through an elimination diet, and how to set the stage for success from the start.

You’ll learn how to help patients navigate challenges and avoid common reintroduction mistakes that sabotage their hard work. Topics include:

• How to choose the right timing and “create space” before starting

• Simplifying to reduce overwhelm and prevent burnout

• What to do when patients feel worse before they feel better

• How to handle slip-ups

• Making the reintroduction phase a true experiment with structure and tracking

• Avoiding common mistakes like reintroducing foods during illness or flare-ups

• Why food sensitivities are not the root cause

This episode empowers nurses to guide patients with confidence, empathy, and clarity while also keeping the focus on gut repair, root cause healing, and sustainable behavior change.

Access the full course: A Functional Nursing Approach to Food Reactions

Learn more about IFN's trainings and resources for functional medicine nurses at: https://www.fxnursing.com/learn

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing. Learn more about our programs at fxnursing.com

Functional Medicine is meant to be about healing the root cause, not just managing symptoms—but not every provider or clinic claiming to practice “FM” is truly doing it. In this powerful episode, I share a personal (and fully permitted) story about a loved one who finally sought Functional Medicine help—only to end up in a clinic focused more on selling expensive labs and supplements than offering real clinical strategy, support, or individualized care.

This isn’t about calling out individuals. It’s about protecting patients—especially those who are vulnerable, overwhelmed, or desperate for answers. I've had this same type of conversation with hundreds of RNs and NPs, and its an all too common problem. Whether you’re navigating chronic illness, searching for integrative support, or trying to help a loved one who’s struggling, this conversation will help you understand how to identify red flags, ask the right questions, and recognize when a provider isn’t truly practicing root-cause Functional Medicine.

Learn how to vet Functional Medicine providers Discover the red flags of “brand-based” FM vs. process-based FM Understand why supplement-heavy protocols often miss the mark Explore the importance of patient readiness before starting care See why IFM training is a valuable (but not foolproof) signal

If you're looking for ethical, effective, and personalized root-cause care—this episode is for you.

In This Episode:

• Signs a clinic may be using "Functional Medicine" as a sales tactic

• Why supplement-first protocols often backfire

• How to ask better questions before spending thousands

• The role of readiness in healing (and how to support someone who’s not ready yet)

• The value of proper Functional Medicine training (like IFM)

If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

What does it really mean to be a disruptor in healthcare, and why are nurses uniquely positioned to lead that change?

In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, Brigitte Sager, DNP, dives into how functional nurses are challenging outdated models of care and creating better outcomes through root cause healing, lifestyle medicine, prevention, and education.

Drawing from recent insights by Dr. Jeffrey Bland and other functional medicine pioneers, Brigitte explores:

• What makes a functional medicine nurse a disruptor

• Why questioning conventional care is a responsibility, not rebellion

• How functional nurses are transforming care through entrepreneurship, group programs, patient partnerships, and community-based care

She also covers the risks, challenges, and rewards of stepping outside the traditional nursing box — from professional reputation and system limitations to policy reform and values-driven practice.

If you're a nurse who's ever asked, "Why are we doing it this way?" or felt called to practice differently, this episode is your permission slip to lead, innovate, and disrupt with purpose.

Hosted by Brigitte Sager, DNP – Functional Medicine Nurse Practitioner and Functional Nursing Educator.

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) www.fxnursing.com

In this episode, Brigitte interviews Ryan Obermeier of Evexia Diagnostics to show nurses exactly how to streamline functional lab testing inside a holistic or functional nursing practice.

We break down how Evexia centralizes thousands of functional and specialty tests, simplifies ordering, integrates with systems like Practice Better, and reduces the administrative burden that often slows down new and growing practices.

Ryan explains Evexia’s Internal Physician Network, which supports nurses who need physician authorization for specialty testing, as well as the Ask the Doctor program for clinical interpretation of advanced labs. We also cover Evexia’s Functional Health Report, supply management, troubleshooting support, white-label marketing tools, and how nursing using the link below can access exclusive perks, waived fees, and discounted resources.

Whether you're launching a functional nursing practice or scaling an established clinic, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for improving efficiency, patient outcomes, and clinical confidence through better lab workflows.

What We Cover in This Conversation:

• How Evexia centralizes thousands of functional & specialty lab tests • Streamlined ordering, processing, and automated reporting • EHR integration with Practice Better and other platforms • Functional Health Report for blood chemistry interpretation • Internal Physician Network for non-licensed or collaborating providers • Ask the Doctor program for specialty lab interpretation • Reducing hidden costs, operational friction, and admin overwhelm • White-label and marketing tools available through the link below • How nurses can register and access waived fees + bonus support

Functional Nurses Offer: Register With Evexia Diagnostics

Evexia is extending exclusive benefits for our functional nursing community of RNs and NPs, including waived fees and access to additional support tools.

Create your account here: https://www.evexiadiagnostics.com/lp/brigitte-sager-landing-registration-page

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) www.fxnursing.com

In this episode, we unpack what functional nursing really means and why it’s time nurses had their own language and space in the world of functional medicine.

We’ll talk about:

• The difference between functional medicine and functional nursing
• How this approach aligns with nursing scope and values
• What makes the Institute for Functional Nursing™ unique
• Details on our programs, including the Functional Nursing Program™ (with early bird pricing through Monday, December 1st!)

If you’re a nurse looking for more alignment, purpose, and tools to truly transform patient care, this episode will feel like coming home. Learn more: https://fxnursing.com

Consider starting with our Introduction to Functional Nursing Course. Ready for more?

Our full Functional Nursing Program™ is open for registration with deep discounts through Monday, December 1st.

Sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN) www.fxnursing.com

In this episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast, host Brigitte Sager, DNP, IFMCP speaks with Megan Kroeker, MSN, NP, IFMCP about her journey into functional medicine, the importance of prioritizing personal health, and the value of functional nursing in today's healthcare landscape. They discuss the challenges and rewards of starting a private practice in Canada, the significance of using timelines in patient care, and the role of intuition in functional nursing. Megan shares insights on building a supportive community among nurses and the future of functional nursing as a vital part of healthcare.

Connect with Megan:

• Visit her website: https://functionalnp.ca/
• Follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megankroeker_functionalnp/#
• Find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/functionalnpmegankroeker

💻 Want to stay up to date on the latest in Functional Medicine and nursing? Sign up for the newsletter at: https://learn.brigittesager.com/the-functional-nurse-newsletter to never miss an update.

Hosted by Brigitte Sager, DNP, a functional nurse practitioner and holistic nurse educator. https://www.brigittesager.com/

✔️ Consider sharing this podcast with other nurses on your social media platforms, in a text, or listen together on this page. We also now have video episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fxnursing

This episode of The Functional Nurse Podcast is proudly sponsored by the Institute for Functional Nursing (IFN). At IFN, we equip RNs and NPs with the knowledge, confidence, and community to lead the future of healthcare through root-cause, patient-centered practice. We offer membership programs, continuing education, and a comprehensive, evidence informed education in functional nursing, all grounded in systems biology, clinical relevance, and the nursing process. Learn more about our offerings, upcoming courses, and how to join the movement at: https://www.fxnursing.com