From Classroom to Competitive Careers: How Nurse Career Coach Dr. Farah Laurent Is Empowering New Graduate Nurses

Women's Journal Staff on June 13, 2025

June is graduation season, and for thousands of nursing students across the country, the celebration is bittersweet. While walking across the stage in cap and gown marks a major milestone, what lies ahead can feel like a steep, uncertain climb. The healthcare industry is in flux, and many newly minted nurses are finding that their dreams of immediate impact—and income—can quickly be dampened by confusion, burnout, and the all-too-familiar “you need experience to get hired” cycle.

But there’s one woman offering a different perspective: Dr. Farah Laurent, a nurse career coach, personal branding strategist, and advocate for the next generation of nurses. Through her company, Farah Laurent International Nurse Coach LLC, she has supported new grads in securing specialty roles with competitive starting salaries, often just after graduation.

Coaching Nurses Into Confidence—and Paychecks

Farah is far from your average coach. A former emergency room nurse, educator, and professional development leader, she knows firsthand what it’s like to be underpaid, overlooked, and overworked. What sets her apart is how she’s channeled that experience into something powerful—not just for herself, but for over 100 nurses (and counting) who’ve passed through her coaching programs and successfully transitioned into competitive roles in specialties like labor & delivery, maternal-newborn, OR, emergency, and critical care.

“This isn’t just about getting a job—it’s about securing the job that’s right for you,” she says. “And doing it with confidence, clarity, and compensation that aligns with your worth.”
With a unique mix of résumé strategy, mindset work, interview preparation, and personal branding, Dr. Farah helps nurses become not only hirable but highly sought after. Her platform doesn’t just teach nurses how to navigate the job market; it empowers them to reshape their career paths with a greater sense of purpose.

Shifting the Narrative for First-Gen and Minority Nurses

The journey from nursing school to the bedside isn’t the same for everyone. For first-generation college graduates and nurses of color, the pressure can feel overwhelming, and the barriers are numerous. Farah understands this deeply and has made it her mission to be the mentor she wishes she had.

Her message is clear: You don’t have to limit your aspirations. You deserve to aim high.

This ethos fuels her work. Whether through one-on-one coaching, her podcast The Nursing Dose with Farah, or her LinkedIn Live show reaching nurses globally, Farah’s energy is unapologetically bold. She’s not just offering career advice—she’s challenging outdated norms and urging institutions to rethink how they support the next generation of nurses.

Building a Bold Brand—Beyond the Bedside

One of the most innovative aspects of Dr. Farah’s method is teaching nurses that they are their own brand. “Nurses are entrepreneurs, educators, creators, leaders,” she says. “They’re not confined to one role or one environment.”

This philosophy comes to life at her annual Nurses Making Business Moves Conference, a powerful event for nurse entrepreneurs, executives, and women in business. The conference provides nurses with opportunities to network, expand their visibility, and learn how to monetize their expertise, whether through speaking, writing, launching products, or starting side businesses.

Her approach speaks to the modern nurse: one who is multifaceted, ambitious, and ready to take on leadership roles. She doesn’t want nurses to be limited by convention; she’s here to help them build expansive opportunities.

A Leading LinkedIn Voice and Nationally Recognized Thought Leader

Farah’s influence has gained considerable recognition. She was recently featured on the Jennifer Hudson Show for her efforts to redefine career pathways in nursing. She’s also a Recognized LinkedIn Voice, where her content often sparks conversations about leadership, self-worth, and professional growth within healthcare.

Hospitals and healthcare systems are also taking note. As a corporate trainer and speaker, she helps organizations improve how they onboard and support new nurses, with a focus on fostering healthy work environments and creating sustainable career paths.

Farah is a rare leader who is equally comfortable in a boardroom as she is guiding a nervous new grad on a Zoom call. Her contagious positivity, coupled with deep industry knowledge, makes her an invaluable resource for nurses navigating today’s demanding job market.

The Future of Nursing Starts Now

At a time when the healthcare industry is eager for well-trained professionals, Dr. Farah Laurent is showing that the solution isn’t just recruitment—it’s empowerment. Her work challenges healthcare institutions to value nurses from day one, and it encourages nurses to recognize and value their own potential even more.

Whether you’re a new grad beginning your job search or a visionary nurse exploring entrepreneurial paths, Farah’s message is clear:

“You’re not stuck. You’re not too late. You’re not underqualified. You just might need a new approach—and I’m here to help guide you.”

For more on Dr. Farah Laurent and her coaching programs, visit nursefarah.com or follow her on Instagram @nursefarahinc and LinkedIn at Nurse Farah.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional career, financial, or legal advice. The views and experiences shared by Dr. Farah Laurent are based on her personal and professional journey. Readers are encouraged to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals before making career or financial decisions.

Exploring the Link Between Childhood Trauma and Brain Changes

Womens Journal Staff 2 on June 13, 2025

The Inflamed Mind: How Childhood Trauma Alters Brain Development and Function

Childhood trauma doesn’t just leave emotional scars—it can physically reshape the brain. Emerging research reveals that early adversity, such as abuse or neglect, can trigger chronic neuroinflammation and disrupt brain development, increasing vulnerability to mental health disorders later in life. This process can continue to impact an individual’s emotional regulation, cognition, and ability to form healthy relationships well into adulthood.

What Happens to the Brain After Childhood Trauma?

Traumatic experiences during childhood can interfere with normal brain maturation. The brain’s stress response system, known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, becomes dysregulated, leading to elevated levels of stress hormones like cortisol. This dysregulation can impair neurogenesis, synaptic pruning, and myelination—processes essential for healthy brain development. When these processes are disrupted, the brain’s capacity to adapt to new experiences or regulate emotions is compromised.

The hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex, key areas involved in memory, emotion regulation, and decision-making, are particularly vulnerable. Trauma impacts these regions’ growth and functionality, which can result in cognitive deficits, emotional dysregulation, and challenges in social interactions. The damage to the brain’s architecture often sets the stage for a lifetime of mental health struggles, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Inflammation plays a significant role in these changes. Childhood trauma can activate the immune system, leading to persistent neuroinflammation. This inflammation affects the development of neurons and synapses, particularly in regions like the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, which are crucial for memory, learning, and emotional regulation. Chronic inflammation can affect brain plasticity, making it more difficult for individuals to form new connections, learn new information, or regulate their emotions effectively.

Which Brain Areas Are Most Affected?

Certain brain regions are particularly vulnerable to the effects of childhood trauma. These areas play a critical role in emotional regulation, memory processing, and cognitive functions such as learning and decision-making:

Hippocampus: The hippocampus, which is involved in memory formation and learning, can shrink in response to chronic stress. This shrinkage leads to difficulties in forming new memories and recalling past experiences, which can create cognitive challenges for individuals who experienced trauma in childhood. In addition, a smaller hippocampus has been linked to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders.
Amygdala: The amygdala is responsible for processing emotions and detecting threats. Childhood trauma often leads to an overactive amygdala, making individuals more prone to fear responses, heightened anxiety, and emotional outbursts. This heightened state of alertness can impair an individual’s ability to regulate emotions and manage stress in healthy ways.
Prefrontal Cortex: The prefrontal cortex is essential for decision-making, impulse control, and emotional regulation. In individuals who have experienced childhood trauma, the prefrontal cortex may become underactive, which can impair cognitive functions such as planning, organizing, and maintaining attention. An underactive prefrontal cortex also reduces the ability to control emotions, making individuals more prone to impulsive behaviors and difficulty managing stress.

These structural and functional changes in the brain can result in long-term challenges in behavior, cognition, and emotional health. As individuals with childhood trauma struggle to adapt to the demands of daily life, they may encounter difficulties in their relationships, employment, and overall well-being.

How Does Inflammation Play a Role?

Neuroinflammation is a key mechanism through which childhood trauma affects brain development. The immune system’s response to stress can lead to the activation of microglia, the brain’s resident immune cells. When activated, microglia release inflammatory molecules to combat what they perceive as harmful stimuli. However, when these cells remain in an activated state due to prolonged trauma, they begin to disrupt neuronal development and synaptic plasticity, processes that are essential for memory and learning.

Chronic inflammation not only affects brain structure but also alters gene expression, potentially leading to lasting changes in brain function and behavior. These molecular changes can increase an individual’s vulnerability to mental health disorders like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, further exacerbating the challenges faced by individuals who experienced trauma in childhood.

Neuroinflammation can also lead to the development of other cognitive and emotional difficulties. For instance, individuals who have undergone significant trauma may struggle with attention and concentration, as inflammation impairs the brain’s ability to process information efficiently. The long-term effects of this inflammation underscore the need for early intervention to prevent the potential for lifelong difficulties.

Can the Brain Recover from Trauma?

While the effects of childhood trauma on the brain are profound, the brain retains a remarkable capacity for recovery, known as neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity allows the brain to reorganize itself, form new neural connections, and adapt to new experiences. This means that even if certain areas of the brain have been impacted by trauma, it is possible for individuals to rebuild and strengthen the brain’s networks over time.

With appropriate interventions, such as trauma-focused therapies and supportive environments, individuals can rebuild neural connections and improve cognitive and emotional functioning. Therapeutic interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) have shown promising results in helping individuals with childhood trauma heal and regain functionality.

Early intervention is particularly crucial. Programs that provide stable, nurturing relationships and address the effects of trauma can help mitigate its impact on brain development and function. Furthermore, therapeutic support that integrates mindfulness practices, emotional regulation skills, and trauma-sensitive care can significantly enhance recovery.

As individuals continue to heal from their traumatic experiences, they may experience improved cognitive abilities, greater emotional regulation, and stronger interpersonal relationships, allowing them to lead fulfilling lives despite their past experiences.

What Does This Mean for Society?

Understanding how childhood trauma alters brain development has significant implications for public health and policy. It underscores the importance of early intervention and the need for trauma-informed approaches in education, healthcare, and social services. By addressing the root causes of trauma and providing supportive environments, society can help individuals heal and thrive, reducing the long-term burden of mental health disorders.

Trauma-informed care practices are vital in creating supportive environments where individuals who have experienced childhood trauma can heal. These approaches not only enhance individual well-being but also reduce the economic and social costs associated with untreated trauma. Investing in trauma-informed education, healthcare, and community programs can foster healthier, more resilient populations.

By creating systems that support individuals who have experienced childhood trauma, society can mitigate the long-term consequences of these early experiences. This approach offers hope for those affected, helping them rebuild their lives and develop the skills necessary for success in various domains of life, including work, relationships, and emotional well-being.

How Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo’s 360 CoreBoard Can Support Core Strengthening

Women's Journal Staff on June 13, 2025

Most people who develop back pain don’t necessarily require surgery. For many, a highly effective and often recommended solution is core-strengthening exercises. Dr. Gbolahan (Bo) Okubadejo, a board-certified spine surgeon and the creator of the 360 CoreBoard, discussed this topic with ETHA co-founder Alexander Karp on the Live Fully with Kratom podcast in April 2025.

The Many Causes of Back Pain

When people experience back pain, it’s often a part of the aging process, though it’s not guaranteed to happen. As we mature, the normal wear and tear of daily life becomes more noticeable in the back, just as it does in other parts of the body.

According to a 2019 study by the National Center for Health Statistics, 39% of U.S. adults over age 18 reported back pain. This percentage increases with age, reaching 45.6% for respondents over 65.

For athletes and those who engage in intense physical activity early in life, the wear and tear may appear sooner, sometimes as early as their 20s or 30s. The same study showed 28.4% of adults between ages 18 and 29 reporting back pain. For others, back pain may stem from specific medical conditions, such as spondylolisthesis or a herniated disc.

Spondylolisthesis occurs when one of the facet joints that align the vertebrae becomes displaced and slips forward. Most often affecting the lower back, the pain of spondylolisthesis can become more noticeable when the person is upright, either walking or standing. In the case of a herniated disc, one of the shock-absorbing structures between the vertebrae becomes displaced. This condition often develops with age, as the disc material loses its flexibility and becomes more vulnerable to damage.

While surgery is sometimes necessary for people with these conditions, even spondylolisthesis or a herniated disc can often be managed with physical therapy.

Treatment Options from Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo

Dr. Okubadejo’s first step in addressing back pain is to trace it to its origin and assess it in relation to the overall health of the patient. Each individual’s situation is unique, and treatment must be tailored accordingly.

For many people, back pain can be effectively treated through physical therapy, particularly with core-strengthening exercises. If diagnostic imaging such as MRIs show structural issues, more targeted physical therapy may be beneficial. When physical therapy doesn’t fully resolve the problem, Dr. Okubadejo may recommend injections or other pain management techniques. Surgery may be considered when all other treatment methods have been exhausted.

Core-strengthening exercises are generally useful for people of all ages in addressing or even preventing back pain. The gentlest and simplest exercises, such as leg lifts and planking, are ideal for strengthening the core with minimal stress on the spine. Dr. Okubadejo recommends exercises where the spine is in a neutral position rather than twisted. If these simpler exercises are well tolerated, it is generally fine to progress to weight training, such as kettlebell routines, or anti-gravity exercises like elevated leg raises.

Dr. Okubadejo also notes that squats and deadlifts are among the most common causes of spinal disc injuries. These movements can put pressure on the spinal discs, and he advises caution when deciding how much weight to use. When deadlifting, people often hold the weight too far in front of their bodies, which also stresses the spinal discs and increases the risk of injury. For this reason, Dr. Okubadejo emphasizes the importance of form when strength training. Keeping the weight closer to the center of the body is generally better for spinal health.

Strengthening the Core for Superior Results

The most effective core-strengthening routines are dynamic and well-rounded. This is the type of workout that Dr. Okubadejo’s patented 360 CoreBoard encourages.

The 360 CoreBoard is a home fitness product that offers a full-body workout while targeting specific physical issues. It enables a variety of movements that keep users engaged, offering flexibility that makes workouts more enjoyable. This adaptability is one of the key reasons why the 360 CoreBoard is considered a useful tool for achieving core-strengthening benefits not easily obtained with traditional workout aids.

The 360 CoreBoard works primarily on the upper body. It provides a wide range of flowing, gliding, spine-safe movements, and can be configured in various ways with detachable parts. This makes it an effective option for individuals looking for an alternative to conventional workout methods.

Getting the Most Out of Dr. Okubadejo’s 360 CoreBoard

To enhance your workout with the 360 CoreBoard, you can incorporate creative accessories and add-ons. For example, Dr. Okubadejo recommends using a balance board in conjunction with the CoreBoard for an advanced movement:

Balance with your elbows and forearms positioned on the balance board, keeping your toes on the CoreBoard while you’re in a plank position. From this position, you can perform more intensive knee tucks that target the core.

The 360 CoreBoard, combined with its accessories, can be used for a variety of advanced workouts. The possibilities are only limited by your creativity. Dr. Okubadejo recommends that beginners first get accustomed to using the 360 CoreBoard as you would a traditional ab wheel: Perform a series of forward-and-back movements while supporting your knees on a well-cushioned surface. This is a great way to become familiar with the device.

Once comfortable with this, you can begin to explore more of the 360 CoreBoard’s features, including alternate arm extensions using detachable rollers, rotational exercises, push-ups, and other complex movements. People who have recently undergone back or spinal surgery should consult their doctor before attempting exercises that involve bending, twisting, or crunching the spine.

On the 360CoreBoard.com website and the 360 CoreBoard YouTube channel, Dr. Okubadejo offers a series of how-to workout videos, tutorials, and tips. These resources are designed to help you strengthen your core and, in doing so, support your spine’s overall health.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical conditions. Core-strengthening exercises and the use of the 360 CoreBoard are not guaranteed to prevent or resolve back pain or avoid surgery. Results may vary depending on individual circumstances. It is recommended that you consult with a healthcare professional before starting any exercise program.