This episode is part of a PodSwap, where we swap episodes so each of our audiences can learn from one another! We are swapping episodes with Nurse Mo, MSN RN from Straight A Nursing. She currently works in the PACU, teaches in a BSN program, and manages her educational platform for nursing students. In this episode, Nurse Mo is sharing all the reasons why older nursing students can (and do!) thrive in their programs. Hit play on this episode so you can focus on the positives, recognize your stre...
Oct 18, 2024•27 min
We sit down with Will Kelly, MSN FNP-BC, who has experience as a telemetry nurse, ER nurse, ER nurse practitioner, and inpatient hospitalist. We discuss: Our first codes and lessons we learned Advice for students in clinical Tips for rapid response situations and calls How to be calm and collected in the face of controlled chaos For ALL of our ICU nursing content: https://www.freshrn.com/critical-care-icu-nursing/ For our free mini-course ICU Drips For Beginners, click here: https://courses.f...
Aug 08, 2024•46 min
In this interview, Kati chats with Jeannie Cisney, MSN RN. She is a 20+ year veteran of the CVICU (cardiovascular intensive care unit). We discuss: The types of patients you'll see in a CVICU Her favorite and least favorite types of patients A walkthrough of the patient pathway of a typical CABG patient New grad vs. experienced nurse orientation experience into CVICU Unexpected challenges of CVICU RNs The advice she'd give her younger self Jeannie is my co-author of Cardiac Confidence, a Crash C...
Jul 25, 2024•1 hr 12 min
In this episode, we are re-sharing an episode where we sit down with Sean Dent, DNP ACNP APRN, a highly experienced ICU nurse practitioner. We dig deep into the types of equipment you'll run into in the ICU. These include: Arterial lines Different options for monitoring fluid status Cooling devices CRRT Hemodialysis catheters Impellas and aortic balloon pumps Internal pacing Proning devices These episodes were originally recorded in 2019, but the information is still incredibly relevant today fo...
Jul 11, 2024•1 hr 14 min
In this episode, Kati interviews Elizabeth Fields, MSN FNP APRN, a nurse practitioner specializing in orthopedics. She sees patients in the hospital after they undergo ortho surgery, so she works closely with acute care ortho nurses! In this episode, we discuss: What new ortho nurses struggle with most Common surgeries acute care patients undergo Why ortho nursing is so great How to impress providers Examples of cringe-worthy moments General tips and encouragement for new ortho nurses If you wan...
Jun 27, 2024•34 min
In this episode, Kati and two nursing professionals who interview new grad nurses for a well-known accredited nurse residency program walk through four common interview questions. We explore a bad and sub-par response as well as examples of dazzling responses. The questions we outline are: Tell me about a mistake you have made. What are you most excited about, and what are you looking forward to most? Tell me about a time you went above and beyond. Tell me about a time you received feedback that...
Jun 13, 2024•1 hr 14 min
Giving and receiving hand-off from an experienced nurse is pretty overwhelming to a nursing student or newly licensed nurse. In this previously released episode, Kati and Elizabeth discuss: What nursing report is for an acute care nurse Unspoken nursing report etiquette Basics of what should be communicated during a normal full hand-off report Notes of this episode: https://www.freshrn.com/nursing-report-for-newbies/ For ALL of our new nurse content: https://www.freshrn.com/new-grad-nursing/ For...
May 30, 2024•28 min
This interview comes from the archives! Kati interviewed Beth Hawks, MSN RN-BC, a highly experienced and amazing nursing professional development specialist and preceptor, on tips for new nurse preceptors. Expect to learn: How to give feedback in a constructive manner Tips for nurses going into the precepting role who are not yet confident in their own skills How to support nurses through reality shock Coping with preceptees who take correction personally How to handle preceptees who question ab...
May 16, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Previously, Kati had a series of episodes on nursing communication. This mega dose combines all episodes into one for easy listening! The topics include: How to talk to your nursing colleagues, CNAs, and medical unit receptionists and deal with things like how to navigate when your urgency level changes or challenges in working together Learning what everyone on the healthcare team actually wants to know when they want an update (PT, OT, ST, Case Management, Social Work, medical team, and more) ...
May 02, 2024•1 hr 52 min
In this episode, we are re-sharing our most popular neuro episodes from the archive in one massive episode. Kati Kleber, Elizabeth Mills, and Melissa Stafford (all experienced neuro ICU nurses) discuss: When to worry about your neuro patient The most common disease processes for acutely ill neuro patients Common neuro meds Frequent diagnostics How neuro patients are monitored Common neuro surgeries These episodes were originally recorded in 2018, but the information is still incredibly relevant ...
Apr 18, 2024•2 hr 34 min
Almost two-thirds of nurses (62%) experience burnout in the U.S. And it's especially common among younger nurses. In this episode, Kati interviews Dr. Kate King, an associate professor in the clinical psychology doctoral program at William James College, and they discuss: signs of burnout, and whether this is destined to happen to every nurse the importance of being proactive balancing the desire to be perfect with the very real seriousness of mistakes redefining 'self-care' tips and encourageme...
Apr 04, 2024•48 min
Maybe you've heard the term "clinical nurse specialist" or "CNS" before but are not exactly sure how that differs from a nurse practitioner or nurse educator. In this episode, Kati interviews Dr. Mitzi Saunders, PhD, APRN, ACNS-BC, the President of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, and they discuss: The definition of a CNS and how the CNS supports the bedside nurse CNS vs. NP A typical day in the life of a CNS The educational pathway to CNS Tips and encouragement from Mitzi...
Mar 14, 2024•49 min
In today's episode, we chat with Sheri Walsh, MSN RN, a highly experienced nurse manager of a cardiac progressive unit that has over 100 staff members. We pull back the veil between employee and manager and discuss things like: Reasonable and unreasonable things to discuss with your manager Practical tips for new nurses on giving and receiving feedback in a tactful way How to handle the "Where do you see yourself in 5 years?" common interview question And more! Links to things mentioned in the e...
Mar 07, 2024•1 hr 20 min
In this episode, Brittney Wilson role plays as a new grad RN and asks me the most common questions I get via email and social media from new nurses all over the country. Get weekly tips, encouragement, stories from the bedside and more - just for nursing students and new nurses at freshrn.com We have a full library of courses to support new nurses, including our new All-Access Pass! Check it out at courses.freshrn.com . Connect With Me Online! Facebook: facebook.com/FreshRN Twitter: twitter.com/...
Feb 27, 2024•1 hr 15 min
In this episode, we dig into practical tips for functioning in a high-pressure environment, like the hospital, if you already deal with anxiety. We discuss: Nervousness vs. anxiety How to lower your baseline level of anxiety Routines to outsmart your brain Responding to anxiety flares or freezes at work When to seek professional help To check out the full guide, click here: https://www.freshrn.com/for-the-anxious-nurse/ To learn more about the FreshRN All-Access Pass - https://courses.freshrn.co...
Feb 20, 2024•46 min
In this episode of the FreshRN Podcast, Kati interviews Morgan Melancon MSN, RN, CCRN-K and Annabeth Davis, MSN, RN, NPD-BC. It's Part II of our two-part interview. Morgan is the director of Nursing Education and Professional Development at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, and Annabeth is the manager of Transition to Practice within the department of Nursing Education of the same organization. We discuss: Special training required to give chemotherapy What people love about work...
May 09, 2023•39 min
In this episode, Kati Interviews Morgan Melancon MSN, RN, CCRN-K and Annabeth Davis, MSN, RN, NPD-BC. Morgan is the director of Nursing Education and Professional Development at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, and Annabeth is the manager of Transition to Practice within the department of Nursing Education of the same organization. We discuss specific details of their unique nurse residency program like: Why they needed to revitalize program How it is structured Special educatio...
May 02, 2023•23 min
Join Brittney Wilson, BSN RN, founder of The Nerdy Nurse , as she interviews Kati about where FreshRN started, why she created it and is so passionate about helping new nurses, and where she sees the brand going over the next 10 years. Right now, all of Kati's courses and bundles are 30% off to celebrate her 10-year brand-iversary! Head to https://courses.freshrn.com and use promo code 10YEARS to get 30% off of your purchase. The sale is from April 23-29, 2023. Current courses available include:...
Apr 25, 2023•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, I interview Sarah Lorenzini from the Rapid Response RN Podcast about delirium. We discuss a powerful experience Sarah had with delirium in the ICU, common mistakes new nurses make regarding delirium, and tidbits about new nurses working with RRT nurses. This episode is part of a Nurse Podcrawl focused on the topic of delirium. Head to upmynursingame.com/podcrawl to check out all of the other amazing podcasts too. For this episode's show notes, click here: https://www.freshrn.com...
Apr 21, 2023•1 hr 1 min
If you're a nurse working in a hospital who cares for intubated and sedated patients (ICU nurses!) or on units in which your patients were intubated and sedated (med-surg RNs, I'm talking to you!) you're going to want to listen to this episode. We dig into some mind-blowing and humbling facts about delirium in the ICU, and how we might actually be making things worse. "Sedation is NOT sleep. Propofol and benzodiazepines disrupt brain activity and PREVENTS REM cycle. We are causing lethal and inh...
Apr 12, 2023•57 min
In this mini episode, I discuss how to answer the common "what are your weaknesses?" interview question with confidence and without compromising credibility - all while coming off authentic and honest. To check out my full nurse resume and interview course, click here: https://www.freshrn.com/hired Prep for nursing job interview questions with this PDF download list: https://tinyurl.com/yyk94xxa Get a free 3-pack of nurse resume templates: https://tinyurl.com/2webz4zy Shownotes are located here:...
Mar 28, 2023•4 min
On Dec 5, 2022, two LPNs in South Carolina were arrested after dressing changes were not performed on two vulnerable adults from Sept. 9-11, 2022 resulting in worsening of their health. In this video, I SBAR the situation, why it may have led to criminal charges, and go over important considerations for nurses. Shownotes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/nurses-arrested-after-missing-dressing-changes/ Courses [free and paid]: https://courses.freshrn.com/ Get weekly tips, encouragement, s...
Mar 13, 2023•13 min
[MINI-EPISODE] When a patient gets admitted to the hospital, we ask routine questions to assess risk for self-harm. But... what should you say when they say yes? I asked my husband (professional counselor, worked in mental health for 10+ years) for some talking points! My free ebook called 10 Mistakes Nursing Students Make (and how to avoid them): https://tinyurl.com/ewf33te8 Shownotes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/what-to-say-when-a-patient-wants-to-harm-themselves/ Get weekly tips,...
Mar 09, 2023•4 min
In this episode, Kati covers how to plan your time to successfully pass the NCLEX. She starts by outlining what to do during your last semester, laying the post-graduation groundwork, and how to practically structure your study time. This episode was sponsored by TrueLearn. Go to https://truelearn.com/nursing/ and use promo code FRESHRN for 20%. To sign-up for Mission Accomplished: A Guide to Conquiring Your Final Year of Nursing School, click here: https://courses.freshrn.com/p/mission-accompli...
Jan 12, 2023•41 min
Four labor and delivery nurses were recently terminated over one TikTok video. In this episode, Kati outlines what happened, the response, and her thoughts. To sign-up for the FreshRN email list, head to freshrn.com . To learn more about our non-Facebook online community for nurses, head to freshrn.com/vip . Shownotes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/tiktok-nurses-fired/ Get weekly tips, encouragement, stories from the bedside and more - just for nursing students and new nurses at: http...
Dec 21, 2022•50 min
Get ready, people! The NCLEX is being updated in 2023! In this episode, Kati outlines the specific changes to scoring and new question formats, as well as answers common questions students tend to have regarding the NCLEX in general. This episode was sponsored by TrueLearn. Head to https://truelearn.com/ and use promo code FRESHRN for 20% off. If the whole concept of applying for the NCLEX and to your state board of nursing is confusing, we go over that process in detail in this free mini-course...
Dec 08, 2022•37 min
What are the major differences between the ER and the floor? In this episode, Kati covers how these two units differ in responsibilities, flow of the shift, patient population, and how to know which one would be the best fit for you. This episode is sponsored by TrueLearn. Head to https://www.trueLearn.com and use promo code FRESHRN for 20%. Shownotes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/major-differences-between-er-nurses-and-floor-nurses/ Get weekly tips, encouragement, stories from the b...
Nov 10, 2022•44 min
Has your clinical instructor or the primary nurse of your patient in clinical been cold or even rude to you? In this episode, Kati explores a few reasons behind it plus tips on how to deal with it. This episode is sponsored by Picmonic. Head to Picmonic.com and use promo code FRESHRN for 20% off. Shownotes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/4-reasons-why-nurses-are-mean-to-nursing-students/ Get weekly tips, encouragement, stories from the bedside and more - just for nursing students and n...
Oct 13, 2022•1 hr 9 min
In this episode, Maureen and I chat about her nursing story, and journey through nursing school. Maureen has experience in the ICU, PACU, and as a nurse educator. She is also the owner of straightanursingstudent.com. Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/maureen-osuna-interview/ Get weekly tips, encouragement, stories from the bedside and more - just for nursing students and new nurses at: https://www.freshrn.com/ Connect With Me Online! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshRN ...
Sep 22, 2022•47 min
In this episode, Kati discusses her tips to optimize your study time specifically for nursing school courses. We cover: How to organize your study life Tips to optimize your environment How to outsmart your brain Setting your physical body up for success This episode is sponsored by TrueLearn. Head to TrueLearn.com and use promo code FRESHRN for 20% off. Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/how-to-study-for-nursing-school/ Get weekly tips, encouragement, stories from the bedside ...
Sep 08, 2022•37 min
