Student Nurse Teacher

Becoming a nurse is a big process! There's all the classes , tests , and clinicals of nursing school. Once you successfully complete that and graduate, then begins the process of the NCLEX . Finally that hurdle is past and you are officially a nurse! Yay you!! Now you can find the perfect job, and settle in to get your years of experience. But, don't forget, every 2 years you will need to renew your license! Be sure to check your state board of nursing website for exact details pertaining to your licensure. Typically, renewal involves proving your work hours, completing continuing education units (CEUs), filling out a form, and paying a fee. Some states also require a background check, so be sure to check ahead of time to see if you need to get fingerprinted. If you are working at a hospital, chances are you have been building your arsenal of completed CEUs without even realizing it. Every time you attend a training seminar, especially for a new procedure or medication, as...

A few days ago a new grad reached out to me with the question: "Do you have any tips on how to survive/thrive on night shift?" I sure do! I have worked over 2,300 hours of night shift, including time in home health and hospital nursing. There are things I love about night shift and things I...don't love. But, through those hours, I learned what worked for me. I hope these tips are helpful! 1. Recognize that night shift isn't for everyone. Night shift is a great place for new grads to start out. The pace is typically slower than during the days (though night shift nurses work incredibly hard, and some nights will be c.r.a.z.y). However, you don't have as many discharges and admissions, and your patients do not have physical therapy, occupational therapy, multiple doctors rounding on them, etc. There is time for you to sit down, look through the patient's chart, ask questions, get feedback, and LEARN. Take advantage of that! Ask the other nurses questions, ...

Is your path looking a little uncertain? Are you second guessing your decision to go to nursing school or wondering if you should change careers entirely? I've been there! And I want to share a few things that helped me.  1. Realize you are not alone. If you haven't read my nursing story yet, check it out  here.  I struggled throughout college and several years after wondering if I had a made a mistake and why I seemed to be the only one struggling. You are NOT alone. 2. Shadow other nurses. If you are in high school or college, find a nurse that you can spend a shift with. I shadowed in a private school, an ER, and a radiation oncology unit, and talked to many other nurses, to understand more what types of nursing were available. If you are already a nurse, talk to nurses on other floors to get an accurate picture of their job. 3. Branch out to other interests. Your life doesn't have to be 100% nursing. I do copywriting and editing, play the piano, am very involved...

For every shift I have a few essentials. You know, things like scrubs, my stethoscope, comfortable shoes, my cell phone charger, water and coffee, a positive attitude, my brain etc. 😉 I also always take my nursing bag and I thought it would be fun to show you what I pack in it! So here is my nursing bag: RN edition. The Bag. I love Vera Bradley bags . This one has several pockets for pens and small items. The shoulder strap is comfortable and it is just the right size to be manageable but hold what you need with ease! 😊 For Reference. For the first several months on a new floor I like to keep my basic orientation information with me to review. My floor provided me with information on common procedures and medications, EKG rhythms, and more. It was super helpful to be able to review details and brush up on things when I had some extra time in the middle of the night. After I was more comfortable on my floor I compiled a lot of this information onto little cheat sheets that I ...

I see you walking into your shift. Coffee in hand, bag slung over your shoulder. You casually glance at the assignment board as you go to clock in and set your things down. It seems in that moment, you already know how your shift will go. A few minutes later you are on the computer, flying through your charts while waiting to get report. You know more about your patients than the off-going nurse, and know exactly what questions to ask as she gives you report.  As I begin my night, I am anxious; I grab some supplies to fill my pockets, and have to stop and think about what patient I should assess first. I am calculating how to most effectively pass meds when you pass me in the hall. Your eyes meet mine. "Your patient in room 201 just called asking for water, do you want me to get it for him?" you ask. I say no, I will be in there soon and don't want to put you out. But, I wonder how you seem to know more about my patients than I do. Your confidence is intimidating and ...

Whether you are a nurse or a nursing student, chances are you feel overwhelmed, and stressed, at least a few times a week 😄 We work in a demanding field with a high level of responsibility. No one, no matter how seasoned or how smart, is immune from the pressures of healthcare. So how do you deal with the stress of the your classes or job? There are many avenues of #selfcare and hopefully you have already learned your favorite ways to unwind. Here are a few of mine! -- Hang out with friends, especially those who remind me I am not alone in this journey -- Play the piano (love me some Rachmaninov  if it was an especially stressful shift 😉) -- Get outside and enjoy nature So what about you? How do you find refreshment after a tough day? Cheering you on, Laura Follow me on Instagram