Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Shelli-Ann McKenzie.

Purpose of the Interview

The interview focuses on advocating for healthcare professionals, addressing the challenges they face, and introducing Shelli-Ann McKenzie’s nonprofit organization, Help for Healthcare Professionals (HCPP). The goal is to highlight burnout, financial struggles, and systemic issues in healthcare while promoting programs that support mental wellness, financial literacy, and career development.

Key Takeaways


Healthcare Workforce Challenges
Nurses and healthcare professionals face high stress, burnout, and long hours, leading to workforce shortages.
Many professionals struggle financially—24% live in poverty.
Lack of professors in nursing schools limits the number of students entering the profession.


Understanding Nursing Roles
Nursing includes multiple levels:

Registered Nurse (RN): Associate or bachelor’s degree.
Advanced Practice Nurses: Master’s level (e.g., Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator).
Doctorate Level: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD.
Nurse practitioners often function as an extension of physicians, providing quality care.


Respect and Recognition
Nurses provide more direct care than any other health profession but often lack recognition.
Advocacy is key to ensuring nurses can practice at the highest level and improve access to care.


Why HCPP Was Founded
Born out of COVID-19 crisis and Shelli-Ann’s personal experience with burnout.
Mission: Provide mental health referrals, financial assistance (gift cards, gas), and professional development.
Programs include:

Financial literacy workshops
Entrepreneurship training for healthcare professionals
Scholarships and internships for aspiring professionals


Youth Med Program
Targets ages 13–20 to build a healthcare workforce pipeline.
Offers hands-on training, CPR certification, exposure to neurosurgeons, and mentorship.
Tuition-free and designed to scale nationally.


Funding and Community Support
HCPP is a nurse-owned nonprofit, funded by federal grants and donations.
Annual event: Night of Grand and Gratitude—a charity awards dinner to raise funds for programs.

Notable Quotes
“No one else was coming to save us—so I created HCPP.”
“24% of healthcare professionals live in poverty.”
“If we don’t have enough professors, we cap nursing students—it’s cyclical.”
“The most rewarding part of nursing is showing up for people in their most vulnerable moments.”
“Every dollar we raise fuels education programs like Youth Med—strategic investment in the future of healthcare.”

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed&nbsp;Shelli-Ann McKenzie.
<hr>
Purpose of the Interview
The interview focuses on advocating for healthcare professionals, addressing the challenges they face, and introducing Shelli-Ann McKenzie&rsquo;s nonprofit organization, Help for Healthcare Professionals (HCPP). The goal is to highlight burnout, financial struggles, and systemic issues in healthcare while promoting programs that support mental wellness, financial literacy, and career development.
<hr>
Key Takeaways
<ol>
<li>
Healthcare Workforce Challenges
<ul>
<li>Nurses and healthcare professionals face high stress, burnout, and long hours, leading to workforce shortages.</li>
<li>Many professionals struggle financially&mdash;24% live in poverty.</li>
<li>Lack of professors in nursing schools limits the number of students entering the profession.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Understanding Nursing Roles
<ul>
<li>Nursing includes multiple levels:
<ul>
<li>Registered Nurse (RN): Associate or bachelor&rsquo;s degree.</li>
<li>Advanced Practice Nurses: Master&rsquo;s level (e.g., Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator).</li>
<li>Doctorate Level: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or PhD.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Nurse practitioners often function as an extension of physicians, providing quality care.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Respect and Recognition
<ul>
<li>Nurses provide more direct care than any other health profession but often lack recognition.</li>
<li>Advocacy is key to ensuring nurses can practice at the highest level and improve access to care.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Why HCPP Was Founded
<ul>
<li>Born out of COVID-19 crisis and Shelli-Ann&rsquo;s personal experience with burnout.</li>
<li>Mission: Provide mental health referrals, financial assistance (gift cards, gas), and professional development.</li>
<li>Programs include:
<ul>
<li>Financial literacy workshops</li>
<li>Entrepreneurship training for healthcare professionals</li>
<li>Scholarships and internships for aspiring professionals</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Youth Med Program
<ul>
<li>Targets ages 13&ndash;20 to build a healthcare workforce pipeline.</li>
<li>Offers hands-on training, CPR certification, exposure to neurosurgeons, and mentorship.</li>
<li>Tuition-free and designed to scale nationally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Funding and Community Support
<ul>
<li>HCPP is a nurse-owned nonprofit, funded by federal grants and donations.</li>
<li>Annual event: Night of Grand and Gratitude&mdash;a charity awards dinner to raise funds for programs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<hr>
Notable Quotes
<ul>
<li>&ldquo;No one else was coming to save us&mdash;so I created HCPP.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;24% of healthcare professionals live in poverty.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;If we don&rsquo;t have enough professors, we cap nursing students&mdash;it&rsquo;s cyclical.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;The most rewarding part of nursing is showing up for people in their most vulnerable moments.&rdquo;</li>
<li>&ldquo;Every dollar we raise fuels education programs like Youth Med&mdash;strategic investment in the future of healthcare.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!

https://www.moneymakingconversations.com

https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations

https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/

https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv

https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!
https://www.moneymakingconversations.com
https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations
https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/
https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv
https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Money Making Conversations Master Class

Careers: Offers hands-on training, CPR certification, exposure to neurosurgeons, and mentorship.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/605d16c6-fa62-4fd2-8f6c-b3cc018092f6/transcript