Hello, and welcome back to another episode of the New Grad Radio podcast. For years, we study for exams, work on assignments, and attend pracs and tutorials at uni. Even last year, starting as a grad nurse, I was also completing formal assignments and workbooks as part of a transition program. In today’s episode I talk about my feelings of no longer working on assignments; of no longer having any formal topics to work towards. It haven’t been easy, but I feel the break I had made a significant d...
Jun 20, 2019•8 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Welcome back to another episode of the New Grad Radio Podcast! It’s been a little while since I made an episode, whereby I provide an update on my own journey of working in the Emergency Department. I’m currently finishing off a two-week holiday. In this episode, I talk about some of the challenges I’ve faced, that I’ve only felt I’ve overcome in the last few weeks. These include time management, not being able to please everyone, communication, and the ability to prioritise.
Jun 12, 2019•10 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Welcome back to another episode of the New Grad Radio Podcast! This evening I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr Pauline Calleja. Dr Calleja is a Senior Lecturer, and Director of Post Graduate Nursing and Infection Prevention & Control programs at Griffith University. It was incredible to hear Pauline's journey; starting as a graduate nurse in a small rural Queensland hospital, all the way through to being the director of post graduate studies at a leading university. The diversity of expe...
May 30, 2019•53 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Welcome back to another episode of the New Grad Radio Podcast! The other day, I had a valid question from one of my students. Only moments prior to my arrival, he had already recorded vital signs for all of my patients. Yet, he was confused as to why I prioritised a repeat set, and a full head to toe on one of my trauma patients. In today’s episode, I explain what I’m looking for during a head to toe assessment for a patient coming of a mechanism of injury that could mask secondary injuries; plu...
May 22, 2019•11 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Welcome back to another episode of the New Grad Radio Podcast! In celebration of International Day of the Midwife, I interview Charlotte Stephenson. Charlotte graduated with a double degree in Nursing/Midwifery, and currently works as a Registered Midwife in Australia. The role of a registered midwife, takes these professionals further than the birthing suite. Charlotte outlines the variety of roles she plays from day-to-day when caring for her pregnant patients, from the emergency department, t...
May 12, 2019•34 min•Season 2Ep. 13
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY!!! Welcome back to another episode of the New Grad Radio Podcast. In celebration of International Nurses Day, I chat with an incredible paediatric nurse, hailing all the way from the United Kingdom, Lauren Philpott. Lauren is the Author of 'Being a Nurse: From Graduation to Revalidation', a book aimed at providing a real-perspective of what it's like to start as a new graduate nurse. As I mention in today's episode, as I was reading through, I kept thinking to myse...
May 11, 2019•27 min•Season 2Ep. 12
In celebration of International Nurses Day (12/05), this week i'll be interviewing three incredible nurses, to highlight their careers, achievements and journeys. In today's episode, I speak with Christine Hicks. Christine is about to finish her Graduate Nursing Program, commencing her career directly into a Major Trauma Centre's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in America 🇺🇸 . Christine highlights her reason for entering nursing; a clinical placement in South Africa that cemented her drive...
May 05, 2019•1 hr 6 min•Season 2Ep. 11
This week, we celebrate international day of the midwife (05/05) and international nurses day (12/05). This week, I’ll be releasing three episodes, whereby I’ll be highlighting the achievements and journeys of three incredible nurses. These include: Christine Hicks (NICU 🇺🇸), Charlotte Stephenson (Midwife 🇦🇺) and Lauren Philpott (RN & Author 🇬🇧).
May 04, 2019•2 min•Season 2Ep. 10
In today’s episode, I go over the most common patient and family complaints/concerns; and go over how I personally resolve these using real strategies.
Apr 30, 2019•13 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Ever wondered what equipment is in each acute bed space? In today’s episode, I talk through exactly what is in each acute bed space, from the monitoring, to the layout of the room; even what’s in each drawer.
Apr 30, 2019•7 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Welcome back to another episode of the New Grad Radio podcast. In today’s episode, I’ll be talking about my first experience of responding as part of the Rapid Response Team. I’ll go over what this team does, who makes up the team, and what my role is as an emergency nurse as part of the RRT.
Apr 20, 2019•9 min•Season 2Ep. 7
ALS, or Advanced Life Support, is an essential piece of training that most Australian nurses will undergo throughout their careers. In today’s episode, I break down what ALS is, what the training day involved, and what I’m able to do, within the Emergency Department, now that I’ve competed the training.
Apr 20, 2019•10 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Following on from the previous episode on what I have loved about starting in ED; today, I’ll be going over a few of the things I have noticed to be immediately different regarding the switch to the Emergency Department. Again, I absolutely love my job as a Registered Nurse; and I’d say a few of these are just acute reactions to the very big transition from ICU.
Apr 17, 2019•12 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Welcome back to another episode of the New Grad Radio Podcast. In today’s episode, I talk about the different areas that encompass the ED that I work in. I also quickly highlight what happens in each area, and what my role entails as a Registered Nurse. Remember each ED is different; a metro major trauma centre will be different in regards to resources, staffing etc than a rural regional centre; however I believe the basics of each area should be highly transferable as to what to expect.
Apr 16, 2019•16 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Welcome back to the New Grad Radio podcast. In this episode, I talk about my experiences so far of mental health within the Emergency Department. This is predominantly an outline of how these patients progress through the ED, from prehospital setting, all the way through to the ward. It allay be a little long-winded, but I really wanted to re-emphasise the fact that there are excellent resources at our disposal, and that the majority of the time all goes without a hitch.
Apr 15, 2019•16 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Welcome back to another episode of the New Grad Radio Podcast. It is with my pleasure that I introduce my first special guest to be on the podcast: Hannah Cotterell. After completing our university together, Hannah was accepted into a prestigious graduate program into the Emergency Department at one of Australia's leading children's hospitals. In the episode today, Hannah elaborates on her own nursing journey, including a job she held whilst at university which has helped her immensely; an excit...
Apr 14, 2019•34 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Welcome to Season 2. In today’s episode, I start by going over some of the many reasons I have loved the move to the Emergency Department. I have done this by breaking it down into three headings: Skills, Exposure and Processes. By no means is this list exhaustive, but I feel it’s a pretty accurate start.
Apr 13, 2019•11 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Welcome back to another episode of the New Grad Radio Podcast. As you know, I’ve recently made the transition from the ICU, to the Emergency Department. Through the second season, I hope to paint a picture of what it’s actually like to work in this area of nursing. Not only will I be doing that through sharing my own experiences, but I’ll be bringing to some special guests, from areas such as Rural and Remote, Paediatric, Pre-Hospital, and Ward nurses, who will each share with you their own pers...
Apr 10, 2019•4 min•Season 1Ep. 103
Well everyone, after twelve months, and 102 episodes, this is the final episode of the New Grad Radio Podcast. In this episode I reflect on why I started the podcast, and how I intended this to be a resource for others long into the future. I also share what my next big venture will be once I return from holidays. Thank you so much for listening along!
Jan 14, 2019•7 min•Season 1Ep. 102
Over the duration of this year, I’ve had the pleasure to work with some of the most incredible doctors. Saying that, I found it fairly nerve-wracking to communicate with the doctors when first starting. In this episode I break down some of the different types of doctors I work with on a day-to-day basis; and provide some specific examples and tips on how to provide updates and information to the doctors.
Jan 09, 2019•16 min•Season 1Ep. 101
Welcome to Episode 100!!! As you’ve probably noticed, it’s been a few weeks now since I’ve published my last episode of the NGR Podcast. That’s because the last few weeks I’ve been working hard, preparing for my final 12 month CPAT. In today’s episode, I’ll reveal how I went on the day, and talk about the progress I’ve made in the lead up to the big event.
Jan 03, 2019•14 min•Season 1Ep. 100
As you’ve probably seen, today’s episode is quite lengthy. Why is this? Well, I go into detail of HOW I do things day to day regarding writing notes and delivering Handovers. These were some of the things I really struggled with when I first started, and I made this episode to hopefully ease the process for new nurses starting into ICU.
Dec 16, 2018•20 min•Season 1Ep. 99
As I mention, it took me almost 11 takes to produce this episode. That’s because there is just so much that could be said about mechanical ventilation, and the concepts behind its use, that it made it hard to concisely produce an episode on the topic. So, in today’s episode, I break down my own personal experiences using the ventilator; I explain a few concepts behind it’s use; and in general, share my thoughts on how I’ve progressed over the last 12 months.
Dec 16, 2018•15 min•Season 1Ep. 98
In the second episode of the End of Year Reflections, I reflect on my experience of starting as a Graduate Nurse starting in ICU, and the challenges that it had brought. As you’ll hear, it has been the things that I did not expect to be a challenge, that have been the most challenging. In this episode, I really tried to let down my guard, to bring you an episode that is as transparent, and as true of how I’ve felt as possible. I hope you enjoy.
Dec 07, 2018•13 min•Season 1Ep. 97
Now that I’m coming into the final few weeks of my graduate program, I thought I’d take this opportunity to update a few of my older episodes, and reflect on some of my biggest learning opportunities, and where I am now in comparison. This small series is called End of Year Reflections. To start with, here is an episode all about my experiences with Inotropes and Vasopressors. If you have any questions at all from what I discuss in this episode, please don’t hesitate to contact me via the NGR Fa...
Dec 01, 2018•19 min•Season 1Ep. 96
After recently receiving the news that I have passed my final transition assignment; today’s episode is all about one thing that you could do right now, that could help you to prepare for post-graduate level study.
Nov 23, 2018•6 min•Season 1Ep. 95
One of the most common questions that I have received this year, by far, is about my experience of receiving the Defence University Sponsorship Scheme by the Australian Army, to be a Nursing Officer. In this episode, I outline: What is the DUSS, What it involves, The Application process; along with my own personal experiences through university, my graduate year, and what will happen from here. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to send me a message via the New Grad Radio Po...
Nov 10, 2018•26 min•Season 1Ep. 94
Sometimes on a night shift you have a bit of time to re-organise equipment, and set up for the next nurse. As you’ll hear, there are a few things you could do that will help out the morning shift big time.
Nov 06, 2018•11 min•Season 1Ep. 93
I’ve probably painted the picture that my time in ICU has been non-stop every shift; with rapidly commencing interventions and patients in a constant state of deterioration. Yes, sometimes that is the case, but for the vast majority of the time, whilst I’m still keeping a VERY close eye on my patients condition, some shifts are a lot more ‘regimented’. Some of my favourite memories from my Graduate Program have been my sit-downs and chats with family members. Whether it be making them a cup of t...
Nov 02, 2018•4 min•Season 1Ep. 92
After signing on to my morning shift, I saw it written down that I was to perform my 9-month CPAT. Whilst it was a little nerve-wracking, I was also excited. In today’s episode, I recount some of the biggest lessons I learned about myself, and what I’ll focus on now to prepare for my final 12 month assessment.
Oct 31, 2018•14 min•Season 1Ep. 91
