Have you ever started a new position and felt like orientation was not like it had been promised? Orientation challenges nurses encounter are frequently similar across many different care settings. In this episode, host Natalie D’Itri describes challenges an experienced nurse faced when starting a new outpatient job.  Experienced nurses have the potential to bring value and expertise to an organization that is constantly seeking to fill open positions. This is especially true at a time when...

The Gift of Life - Aging Well, Aging Smart, and Wisdom for the Journey is a book authored by Martha L. Henderson, GNP, D.Div., and Meg Mindell, LCSW. The life and work of Martha is the origin of this book. Camilla Taft Hicks, Martha’s niece, in collaboration with Meg, brought the manuscript to publication after Martha’s death. This book highlights the passion of the authors for celebrating the later years of life, just as the earliest moments in life are celebrated with so much anticipation...

The Gift of Life - Aging Well, Aging Smart, and Wisdom for the Journey is a book authored by Martha L. Henderson, GNP, D.Div., and Meg Mindell, LCSW. The life and work of Martha is the origin of this book. Camilla Taft Hicks, Martha’s niece, in collaboration with Meg, brought the manuscript to publication after Martha’s death. This book highlights the passion of the authors for celebrating the later years of life, just as the earliest moments in life are celebrated with so much anticipation...

Avoid the rush! It is the 4th quarter of 2022 and now is an ideal time to reflect on what you hoped to achieve this year. Reviewing your accomplishments and aspirations before the year is complete gives you back time later. Host Natalie D’itri highlights the benefits of finding support from a coach or expert to move forward on changes and references Careerwise Nurse episodes that may support you in the transformation of goals and aspirations into reality.    Podcasts referenced: Episodes 22...

Seeking to support nurses in today’s world of hospitals and healthcare, Beth Quaas, DNP, APRN, CRNA, created the Don’t Eat Your Young podcast in 2020 (Beth’s October 4th episode is referenced in this Careerwise Nurse episode). Beth returns to provide updates on the recent nursing strike in Minnesota. Beth also shares her experience in a near strike situation when she was in a leadership role.    About Beth:  Beth Quaas started her career as an LPN. She earned her doctoral degree in 2010....

Have you ever thought that your first nursing job might not work out? This episode brings Colleen back to talk briefly about how she carefully searched for a new job, after leaving the first nursing role she was hired into. She was prepared to answer questions from prospective employers about why she did not stay in the first nursing position. Colleen shares how she advocated for herself to find a residency that will help her transition to practice as an RN.   Connect with Colleen on...

Have you ever thought that your first nursing job might not work out? This episode introduces listeners to Colleen, who left her first nursing job after 4 months. Colleen was ecstatic about being hired for her first job right after graduation! She soon found herself as the first and only new grad in the department where she planned to begin her nursing career. Colleen shares what was missing in that first job, including a clear orientation plan, support from preceptors and educators, and the...

Thinking or returning to work after your nursing license has lapsed or you have been away from practice for quite a while? Curious about how to re-activate your license? More than ever, there are abundant opportunities out there when you are ready to formally jump back into the profession. Host Natalie D’itri talks in this episode about RN/nurse refresher programs. Learn how you can explore practice areas of interest and maximize your networking options during a refresher program. Natalie...

Natalie D’Itri, Careerwise Nurse host, shares 2 strategies that have increased her quality of life. In this episode, learn what has become most important to Natalie at this time when she has shifted her career to focus on helping nurses while also prioritizing her own health and wellness over the past few months.   Are you looking to get more out of nursing than just a job? Host Natalie D’Itri, MSN, RN, is asking you to become a Careerwise Nurse. The Careerwise Nurse podcast is meant for...

Careerwise Nurse guest Amanda Jacob, RN-BSN, is a financial coach who helps nurses take control of their money and mindset. Amanda will tell you about her work life balance and how she has achieved it in just 5 years working as a nurse. Also, Amanda shares how she and her husband paid off an $80,000 debt in 1.5 years.     Amanda coaches nurses on how to achieve what they want in the future, including building up opportunities to step away from the bedside (i.e. working part-time, retiring...

Careerwise Nurse Natalie D’Itri, an experienced nurse, maps out a year of life events using 24 days of earned time off in one year at a hospital. What about an occasional self-care day off and unplanned sick time? This episode presents you with questions about how to prioritize your paid time off and presents the possibility that time off provided by an employer may or may not be sufficient.   Are you looking to get more out of nursing than just a job? Host Natalie D’Itri, MSN, RN, is...

Seeking to support nurses in today’s world of hospitals and healthcare, Beth Quaas, DNP, APRN, CRNA, created the Don’t Eat Your Young podcast in 2020. In this episode you have the privilege of meeting Beth. Listen as she dives into the details of her podcast. Beth also shares perspective on hospital culture, healthcare leadership, nursing current events, and how to have an amazing career as a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA).    About Beth:  Beth Quaas started her career as an...

Working holidays is part of the job for many nurses. This episode details some of the benefits of working holidays and why some nurses may prefer not to work holidays. Highlights include an overview of the timeline to knowing what holidays you have to work this year and strategies for making the holiday shifts on the unit worth the time spent with patients and colleagues.     Are you looking to get more out of nursing than just a job? Tune in to start strong and feel good about the...

Ready to start your shift? Huddle first for the latest updates. As you prepare to receive report and begin the shift, you may have to hold off for a few minutes. This episode provides a list of topics covered in huddle. Ideally, huddle is meant to provide you with what is most pertinent for the staff to know right then. This may be the only time of the shift when the staff is all together.     Are you looking to get more out of nursing than just a job? Tune in to start strong and feel good...

Jackie Salas shares her typical day on a busy inpatient unit, where she started working in January 2022. Jackie provides recommendations for giving and receiving efficient shift change report, staying on top of med administration, documenting, and finishing the shift on time. Hear about scheduling strategies and how she is prepared for changing patient conditions.   Connect with Jackie: Instagram @jackie_salas    Email [email protected]   Are you looking to get more out of nursing...

The first several months of nursing practice are a time of immense learning and growth. Jackie Salas shares her strategies for success in this episode. Jackie began orientation as a new graduate nurse in January 2022. Now she is a champion of managing her time and communicating effectively, to provide the best patient care. Hear Jackie share what helps her to have the best day at work. Jackie also shares her love of patients and why she feels she landed in an amazing place with nursing as her...

Orientation is the time when you are living and learning the nursing experience (possibly for the first time!). Hospitals and healthcare systems need nurses and want to train you in all aspects of their care delivery model. There are teams of nurses dedicated to helping you succeed in orientation.     In this episode, host Natalie D’Itri continues the conversation about reasons why a role may not be the right fit and offers a few options for what might be the right action to take. Afterall,...

This episode provides real world examples of why hiring a coach may be the best move you make before your next shift or first shift begins. Do you feel like some days at work are the hardest days ever? Do you want to return to work and do it right or run away and find a new job? A coach can help you reflect on growth and gain perspective on how the role is really going for you.    Any nurse can benefit from a listening ear and an experienced voice that is a neutral party in the amazing...

The primary focus in nursing orientation is for you to learn to provide safe care to your patients. After you are hired and begin as an employee, the great challenge of caring for patients begins. Orientation is the time when you are living the caregiving experience!.  It is important to realize that the job you are hired to do may not be the right fit for you. How is it possible to know this before you really experience it?  Are you looking to get more out of nursing than just a job? Tune...

As you prepare to start taking care of patients on your own, a lot of time is dedicated to your transition into practice. Nursing orientation is a lengthy process and has many different components. In this episode, learn what onboarding may consist of and some of what you will be doing to prepare for your first shift taking care of patients. Also, hear about nursing orientation classes, nurse residency and fellowship, the preceptor’s role, and how to advocate for yourself amid a busy schedule...

This episode features Alyse Labat, a nurse educator, an author and an entrepreneur. Alyse talks about working as a nurse in numerous specialty settings, from Disneyland to Haiti, and beyond. New nurses will learn about places to launch careers that seem somewhat less traditional, but may have big returns for future work.    In 2021, Alyse published The Ultimate Guide to Nursing Specialties: Find Your Roadmap. Tune in to hear about steps for transitioning into a specialty of interest, as...

Although you are not in school any longer, you may want to start taking notes at the beginning of this episode!  There will be a flurry of emails and action items requiring your attention as you start employment (and in the days right before).  There will be orientation and information sessions, in person or online. The “to do” list will be lengthy, but certainly manageable, as you prepare to launch your new role or new career.      This is part 1 and focuses on much of what you will...

This episode features Kara Johnson, founder of the Mom Nurse, LLC (themomnurse.com). Kara shares her experience working while enrolled in a LPN to RN degree program, being committed to a sign-on bonus, succeeding in a rehab role as a new graduate RN, and working through pregnancy. Kara shares stories of when she has had to advocate for herself as a nurse.    Are you looking to get more out of nursing than just a job? Kara will share how her dedication to patients, the profession, and her...

Looking to get more out of nursing than just a job? Joining a nursing professional organization is a great way to enrich your nursing life and have some fun along the way.  Being an active member of a professional organization expands your horizons. In this episode host Natalie D’Itri shares a summary of benefits from membership in a professional nursing organization.  Nursing specialty organizations mentioned in this episode: Oncology Nursing Society www.ons.org Emergency Nurses...

Are you a new nurse searching for your first job or an experienced nurse seeking a new opportunity? In this episode, you will be given strategies for making a lasting impression during conversations that are less formal than job interviews.    Do you recall conversations you have had with other nurses at work or during a clinical rotation? Do you see a particular unit as a place you want to be as a new nurse or for a new role? Have you introduced yourself to the unit director, supervisors,...