Dave Dovell, RN, joins the Careerwise Nurse podcast to talk about his recently published book, Brand New Nurse: Surviving your First Day on the Job. Dave points out right away that the book is not only for new nurses. He wrote the book to share stories, advice, and tips acquired over the years. Dave tells touching stories of passing on what he has learned from his own mentors to new nurses. Buy Dave’s book:  Brand New Nurse: Surviving your First Day on the Job:  Written by nurses for nurses,...

Nursing is a 24/7 career. For nurses, getting the schedule you want on or around the holidays is a big deal! Holiday coverage is a big deal for the employers and organizations who are responsible for providing care 24/7. This episode highlights the reality of holiday scheduling and what it can mean for nurses working in hospitals or settings where holiday coverage comes with the job.  The Careerwise Nurse podcast is meant for you if you are launching your career, growing into your role, or...

It was just over 12 hours after leaving the OR when I recorded this episode. I had a mastectomy the day before. I had a very short night of sleep and I was still wobbly when I got up in the morning. I had a pretty good memory of getting ready to be wheeled to the OR, being in recovery, and being awakened by the plastic surgeon before 7am on post op day 1.  It was a completely novel experience, as is the journey ahead, as I navigate breast cancer life. This is my patient experience, on the...

The Gift of Life Journal: Reflections for Loved Ones  This episode brings us back together with Camilla Taft Hicks, MPH, and Meg Mindell, LCSW, authors or the Gift of Life Journal: Reflections for Loved Ones. In 2022, this journal was published by Camilla and Meg, as a companion to the book The Gift of Life - Aging Well, Aging Smart, and Wisdom for the Journey.  Buy the journal: Giftoflifejournal Buy the book: https://thegiftoflifebook.com About Meg Mindell, LCSW, C-ASWCM: Meg has been a...

It is the day of surgery. This episode describes my pre-operative experience. I arrived 3 hours before I was scheduled to go to surgery. There were several things I needed to do to be ready for the operating room. I refer to some of what I know from work as a nurse and describe much of the unfamiliarity that comes with being a patient and undergoing surgery for the very first time.    The Careerwise Nurse podcast is meant for you if you are launching your career, growing into your role, or...

I did not put breast cancer screening (aside from a routine mammogram) on my 2023 to-do list. I did suddenly become well aware of what the process is over several months this year. The experience of screening and diagnosis continues in this episode. Learn about the activities leading up to surgery.    The Careerwise Nurse podcast is meant for you if you are launching your career, growing into your role, or seeking ways to thrive as a nurse!  The Careerwise Nurse podcast is from nurses for...

I did not put breast cancer screening (aside from a routine mammogram) on my 2023 to-do list. I found out what happens when your mammogram is abnormal. In this episode, I share my experience as a patient. This journey started in February and continued into  June. I had multiple appointments and procedures. Despite being a nurse (oncology nurse) and being well-cared for, there was a lot I did not know in this more in-depth diagnostic process. Learn more in part 3.  The Careerwise Nurse podcast...

I did not put breast cancer screening (aside from a routine mammogram) on my 2023 to-do list. I found out what happens when your mammogram is abnormal. In this episode, I share my experience as a patient. This journey started in February and continued into May. This journey continues in this episode, part 2. B FOLLOW the show RATE & REVIEW!!  Help grow the show to reach more nurses!!! Talk with Natalie about tuning into your best nursing life.  The Careerwise Nurse podcast is meant for...

I did not put breast cancer screening (aside from a routine mammogram) on my 2023 to-do list. I found out what happens when your mammogram is abnormal. In this episode, I share my experience as a patient. This journey started in February and continued into May. I saw mostly techs and providers, but not many nurses, in the process. There were several calls with schedulers and those who obtained insurance authorization. I had multiple appointments and procedures. Despite being a nurse (oncology...

Colleen returns to the show to share her experience at a new job in PACU, where she has now been working for several months. This position is an outpatient role, avoiding the need to work nights or weekends. It is an opportunity to learn and be supported in the earliest time of practice.  Note: Colleen left her first new graduate job after just 4 months. She moved forward in search of a role that supported her transition to practice as a novice RN in a nurse residency. Listen to Careerwise...

Host Natalie D'Itri, MSN, RN, AOCN, may take messy action to new heights when it comes to what messy action truly means. In this episode, Natalie reflects on her busy life, that sometimes falls out of order. She has has been requesting 2 more hours in her day for years!! Natalie compares the reality of a long to-do list to the long list of responsibilities included in nurse job postings. Natalie shares how she is frequently evaluating balance in life. Natalie discusses her essential pillars -...

Seeking a way to move away from working shifts, weekends, and holidays? A clinical research nurse role may be the perfect fit. If you want to stay connected as part of the healthcare team and you love teaching patients, then clinical trials nursing may be just what you are looking for. The job opportunities are abundant and another degree is not required to get hired.    The role of the clinical research nurse allows nurses to step away from hospital shift work and demanding patient...

Host Natalie D’Itri shares reflection on a day that went by too quickly and how this affects the demands of every day. Natalie shares how she is still working the art of time management. She provides insight on how time and managing time (or a schedule) can be affected by the work nurses do. At different points and in different roles in a nursing career, the time available to take care of everything else (on top of work) is variable, depending on the work and the season of life. Having...

Is there a habit you want to kick? Are you in search of greater peace in how you care for yourself? Host Natalie D’Itri shares how and why she finally was able to break up with Diet Coke. This diet soda relationship was cemented in her early years as a nurse, working shifts in the hospital.    Natalie references Careerwise Nurse Episode 34  featuring guest Victoria Yates. Victoria is an intuitive eating coach for women who shares strategies that Natalie found helpful in breaking the Diet Coke...

The Nurse’s Way Part 2 with Nurse Coach Rachel Dick, BSN, RN, HWNC-BC    Rachel Dick returns to talk about her life away from direct patient care (she left hospital work in 2022). Rachel is making a move to help nurses express themselves creatively by writing, through the Nurse’s Way program.    Have you ever thought that your hospital would penalize you for what you do on your day off?   Tune in to Episode 29 to hear the full story from Rachel.    There is a place for you to work as a nurse...

Self Care and Self Evaluation for Nurses  It is December and there is still time to reflect on goals and growth opportunities before 2023 arrives. Host Natalie D’Itri provides suggestions for ending 2022 strong and planning action items for 2023.  Episodes recommended in this podcast: Episode 7 - Your Roadmap to Nursing Career Opportunities with Alyse Labat, RN.  Resilient Nursing  Episode 30 - Making Time for the Best Nursing Life Every Day  Laura Vanderkam Tranquility by Tuesday Episode 34...

Rachael Murray created Elevate Nurses to bring quality training to nurses. Elevate Nurses exists to develop, teach, and exemplify the best stress management and communication techniques! Rachael's career journey led her to create this business so nurses would have the opportunity for quality training and development that strengthens communication and builds confidence in the stressful of healthcare. Rachael also discusses knowledge transfer versus skill transfer. Learn how work on...

Natalie D’Itri provides recommendations on how to maximize nursing career opportunities by simply sending a note of thanks. This episode highlights 4 situations when more formally expressing gratitude will expand opportunities (including getting hired) and connections with colleagues and leaders in nursing life.    The Careerwise Nurse podcast is meant for you if you are launching your career, growing into your role, or seeking ways to thrive as a nurse!  The Careerwise Nurse podcast is from...

Nurses face stressful days and nights at work, often straining self-care behaviors on and off the job. In this episode, Victoria Yates joins host Natalie D’Itri to talk about mindful eating without dieting. Tune in to the conversation on how to avoid adding stress about how you should eat. Walk away with 2 tips on how to manage food temptations this time of year.    Victoria is an intuitive eating & body image coach for women, specializing in helping women to stop struggling with food...

Nurses have many opportunities to put clinical knowledge to work beyond the bedside. Dreaming of work that does not require shifts or rapid response calls? Interested in building relationships with clinicians as a job? Love to educate? Want to work from home or earn a higher salary? Host Natalie D’Itri offers strategies for searching industry jobs and getting hired!   Nurses can pursue a multitude of opportunities in industry, the place where business intersects with healthcare. The clinical...

Nolan Gonzalez is in the first semester of his nursing degree program. Nolan has been a college student previously. At this point, he has implemented 3 strategies for student success. Nolan describes these strategies as being life-changing. Listen as Nolan shares his journey to becoming a full-time nursing student and how he has developed a plan for success that is leading him to make his dream of becoming a nurse reality.    Connect with Nolan: [email protected] Nolan on Instagram:...

Colleen returns to the show to share her experience at a new job, where she has been working for about 1 month. This new position is in a surgery setting,which is an outpatient trole.  In this episode, she reports 3 ways in which she feels supported in her new workplace. Listener Note: Colleen left her first new graduate job after just 4 months in the position. . Listen to Careerwise Nurse podcast episodes 22 and 23 to hear Colleen share why she left her first new graduate role at a hospital...

Time flies when you are having fun or when you have not set aside time for fun. There are so many facets to a nurse’s life. How to fit it all in is challenging. Consider also how you feel after a stretch of shifts at work? Host Natalie D’Itri talks about a book and the author, Laura Vanderkam. Laura writes books, podcasts, and blogs about making the most of time.    Laura Vanderkam  Tranquility by Tuesday Are you looking to get more out of nursing than just a job? Host Natalie D’Itri, MSN,...

Have you ever thought that your hospital would penalize you for what you do on your day off?   Listen as Rachel Dick shares how what she did on her day off changed her career trajectory. At the time of this recording, Rachel was working her final hospital shifts.    There is a place for you to work as a nurse to be your true self, without fear of consequence  for what you do outside of work, on your own time. Learn more at www.racheldickcoaching.com   In addition to coaching, Rachel is making...