About
Dr. Phyllis Heintz is a first generation college graduate who overcame a tumultuous home life to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse. She holds associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing, a master’s in nursing administration, and a doctorate in human development with a concentration in transformative learning for social justice. Dr. Heintz worked nearly two decades at the bedside in a variety of critical care settings. She spent the next two decades in leadership positions at a small rural hospital and non-profit organizations including the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. The last decade of her professional life has been dedicated to teaching the next generation of nurses at a small university in California’s central valley designated as a Hispanic serving institution. Her greatest hope is that by sharing stories of her life and career, these students can imagine a similar life path for themselves despite significant obstacles in their lives. She believes most of life’s goals can be achieved with perseverance, focus, and the unwavering belief you can prevail.
Featured Work
Bedside: Nurses, Miracles, and Medical Breakthroughs
What if you imagined a career filled with pivotal moments and surprising twists?
Could you imagine a myriad of paths in nursing?
Bedside captures the essence of nursing, emphasizing the urgent need for renewed passion and purpose in the field. Through firsthand insights, the book explores nurses' unique role in supporting medical miracles while forming profound connections with colleagues and patients. Anecdotes about innovations she witnessed firsthand, paired with resourceful practices, show these medical miracles in action.
Bedside also weaves in the broader story of American medical innovation, offering a deeper understanding of nursing as a critical driver of societal progress. Bedside serves as a powerful reminder of the vital role nurses play in shaping transformative moments in healthcare, showcasing their resilience, compassion, and essential contributions to medical breakthroughs.
Bedside emphasizes that the purpose and satisfaction in nursing come from an openness to unexpected paths, a commitment to patient-centered care, and a willingness to explore the diverse, evolving opportunities in nursing. Through her experiences, she encourages both new and seasoned nurses to recognize the unique power of their role, embrace change, explore diverse opportunities, and find renewed passion despite challenges like burnout and boredom.
Readers from all walks of life are invited to travel along with Phyllis as she relives the career of a lifetime. Her firsthand insights into nurses' unique position in witnessing and supporting medical miracles—and the profound connections formed along the way—will resonate with newcomers, experienced nurses, and anyone interested in healthcare.
Bedside is an inspiring journey through the world of nursing, blending the whimsical encouragement of Oh, the Places You'll Go! with the serendipitous unfolding of medical history as in Forrest Gump.
Other Works
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Bedside: Nurses, Miracles, and Medical Breakthroughs
2025
Awards and Recognition
- Top New Release in Nursing Issues and Trends on Amazon
