Congratulations, you finished nursing school! Now what? In this episode, our hosts Kristen and Maddi talk about what it was like for them as they graduated nursing school and took the next steps to become a real nurse! All of the work in nursing school has led to this moment, taking your NCLEX exam! From knowing yourself and how you study best, to taking advantage of practice test resources, this episode is full of our best advice for this time after finishing nursing school! With completing nursing school, prepping to take the NCLEX, and getting hired for your first job as a nurse don’t forget to celebrate all the hard work you’ve done! Tune in to hear our stories of this exciting time when we finished nursing school, and what we did next! 01:10 What was your game plan to study for the NCLEX?  03:00 What was the timeline like from graduation to your test date? 04:40 Kristen, how did COVID-19 affect testing for the NCLEX? 08:00 What resources did you find helpful when studying? 11:40 How NCLEX will be changing in the future - select all that apply. 13:10 Knowing how you learn and study best to prepare for the NCLEX. 15:00 Resources we used to study and take practice tests! 18:40 When did you decide you were ready to take the test? 20:15 Our prep strategies and advice for the day before your test! 23:20 Our best advice for this time after you’ve finished nursing school!  25:30 How we prepped and applied for our first nursing jobs!   Check out these study resources mentioned in the episode! UWorld: https://www.uworld.com/NCLEX/NCLEX.aspx nursing.com  simplenursing.com ………………………….. Connect with us on Instagram: @lifeinscrubspodcast https://www.instagram.com/lifeinscrubspodcast/?hl=en Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too! @thenursekristen  https://www.instagram.com/thenursekristen/?hl=en @themaddiward   https://www.instagram.com/themaddiward/?hl=en

I Graduated Nursing School, Now What?

Welcome to Life In Scrubs Podcast – a podcast hosted by nurses, for nurses! Our podcast is mainly geared toward nursing students and new graduate nurses, however, we hope all healthcare professionals can find our information helpful. Our goal is to inspire, educate, and empower future and current nurses as they navigate the world of nursing. Join us weekly as we share our insights and experiences, answer common nursing questions, and dive into all things related to life in scrubs!

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In This Episode, You Will Learn: Things to DO and NOT DO to be the best co-worker. Ways to connect with your co-workers, support them and feel supported in return!   Resources + Links:   Connect with us on Instagram | @lifeinscrubspodcast   Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too!   Connect with Kristen on Instagram | @thenursekristen    Connect with Maddi on Instagram | @nurse.maddi     Show Notes: Simple as it may be, treating your co-workers how you want to be treated goes a long way!  In this episode, we’re sharing qualities we see in our favorite co-workers that we emulate. Of course there are a couple examples we’ve seen too that we want to make sure we DON’T do! In a career where teamwork is so important, this episode is a great reminder of how to intentionally show up to work, and qualities you want to look for when you’re applying for jobs. We’d love to hear what qualities you think make an amazing co-worker! Shoot us a DM on Instagram @lifeinscrubspodcast   02:00 What makes you that “work bestie” co-worker you can depend on? 04:30 How to be approachable and help as a true team player. 07:15 Don’t be a “lone wolf” nurse. 10:00 When do you ask for help from your co-workers? 14:40 How do you plan and cover your breaks? 19:00 How we prep for a smooth shift change. 21:30 Say no to gossip! 22:40 Are the nurses on your unit flexible with switching shifts? 26:15 How to create relationships with other nurses on your unit! 29:00 You are not above any tasks!  

How to be "THAT" Nurse

In This Episode, We Talk About: WHY apply to a DNP program and how to choose the right one. Similarities and differences between nursing school and DNP school! Why Courtney is passionate about getting her DNP and her best advice for pursuing your career goals!   Resources + Links:   Follow Courtney on Instagram | @court.nurse   Check out our last episode with Courtney: Episode 63  Breaking Down the Stigma Surrounding Death with Hospice RN Courtney   Connect with us on Instagram | @lifeinscrubspodcast   Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too!   Connect with Kristen on Instagram | @thenursekristen    Connect with Maddi on Instagram | @nurse.maddi     Show Notes: Let’s chat all things DNP! We’re excited to have Courtney back on the podcast to get her tips and behind the scenes look at her journey of navigating DNP school! If you are thinking about applying for DNP school, or just curious about the benefits and what the process looks like, Courtney isn’t holding back! She shares candid advice from things she doesn’t like about her DNP program, how to find the right one for you, and how to not let negativity and naysayers get in the way of pursuing your goals. We loved getting to have Courtney back, and learn from her and the reasons she personally decided to get her DNP. Tag is on Instagram with your favorite moment from this episode, and don’t forget to check out our first episode with Courtney in the resources section!   01:00 What have you been up to since we recorded last!? 05:00 What led you to the DNP program? 10:15 Do most programs offer a DNP program? 14:15 The shift we’re seeing in what degrees nurses need to get their dream job. 16:20 What is the difference between a PhD and a DNP? 19:15 Frustrations Courtney has experienced in her DNP program, and tips for choosing the right program. 23:40 What tips would you give someone thinking about going into a DNP program? 26:00 How common is it to have to find your own preceptors for clinicals? 31:00 Benefits of getting your DNP. 37:15 Tips for studying and preparing for your boards. 45:00 Where can we connect with you? 47:00 Don’t let negativity stop you from pursuing your career goals!

Let's Chat DNP with RN Courtney

In This Episode, You Will Learn: The top Pros and Cons of travel nursing! What Matt and Peter wish they knew before becoming travel nurses. Experiences they’ve been able to have in and outside of work as they’ve traveled!   Resources + Links:   Follow Cup of nurses on Instagram | @cupofnurses Follow Frontline Warriors on Instagram |  @wearefrontlinewarriors   Check out Cup of Nurses Travel Checklist   http://cupofnurses.com/best-travel-nursing-checklist/   AND Cup of Nurses NCLEX Study guide   https://cupofnurses.com/nclex-study-guide/   Find more resources on their website Cup of Nurses https://cupofnurses.com/ Frontline Warriors https://frontlinewarriorsclub.com/   Connect with us on Instagram | @lifeinscrubspodcast   Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too!   Connect with Kristen on Instagram | @thenursekristen    Connect with Maddi on Instagram | @nurse.maddi     Show Notes: Is travel nursing for you? What experience do you need to have before becoming a travel nurse? In this episode, we’re chatting with Matt and Peter from @cupofnurses about all things travel nursing! Matt and Peter both share their experiences, what they wish they knew before becoming travel nurses, and advice for those that want to take on the adventurous life of a travel nurse! They’re sharing the Pros, Cons, and where some of their favorite assignments have been. Matt and Peter also share why they started Cup of Nurses, and how that has led to creating Frontline Warriors! Tune in to this episode to see if travel nursing might be right for you, and make sure to check out all the links we have listed because there are some great resources!   01:40 What led you to nursing, and eventually becoming travel nursing? 04:30 How has the pandemic changed travel nursing? 07:00 For nurses interested in travel nursing, how should they get started? 09:00 The top 3 Pros of travel nursing. 12:20 Do you see travel nurses who have kids and families, or are most travel nurses single? 13:40 Our top 3 Cons of travel nursing. 17:00 Do you usually take a break in between assignments or go directly from one to another? 18:30 How much experience do you think nurses should have before traveling? 23:00 Have you had any contracts you’ve extended because you’ve loved the hospital? 26:20 What is something you wish you knew about travel nursing before getting into it? 29:20 Having experienced different hospitals, what do you wish hospitals everywhere implemented? 34:00 What inspired you to start your podcast Cup of Nurses?35:40 The beginning of Frontline Warriors.  

Off We Go with Travel Nurses Matt & Peter from @cupofnurses

This week we're throwing it back to one of our most popular episodes, Code Blue! In this episode, you will learn:  What are the different roles in the code team? How do you know which role is best for you? What happens at your hospital after the code?  We’ve all watched dramatic scenes on TV shows of Code Blue’s, but is it actually like they depict on TV? In this episode, Kristen and Maddi give us a real look at what Code Blues are like from their personal experiences! Maddi, as a CVICU nurse, is part of the team that gets assigned to respond to Codes and Rapids! As part of the code team Maddi breaks down the different roles as they respond to these emergencies, and both Kristen and Maddi talk about the most underrated roles of those helping during the code! Tune in to hear all about codes, rapid responses, and Kristen’s first time being thrown into a Code Blue as a nursing student! 00:40 Are Code Blue’s actually like they depict on TV shows? 02:00 What was your first experience with a code blue? 06:20 What are the different roles in the code team? 08:25 How do you know which role is best for you? 09:30 The most underrated jobs of everyone helping during the code! 13:50 What is the code team like at your hospital? 15:30 How has the code team changed because of COVID? 16:40 What do you bring to the code? 18:15 If you’re the nurse that called the code for your patient, what do you do when the code team arrives? 20:00 What happens at your hospital after the code?  23:20 What about calling rapid responses? 26:40 Does it become easier over time of running to codes and rapids? ………………………….. Connect with us on Instagram: @lifeinscrubspodcast https://www.instagram.com/lifeinscrubspodcast/?hl=en Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too! @thenursekristen  https://www.instagram.com/thenursekristen/?hl=en @themaddiward   https://www.instagram.com/themaddiward/?hl=en

Code Blue

In This Episode, You Will Learn: What a clinical quality nurse specialist is. What the day to day of a clinical quality nurse specialist looks like. The pros and cons of working from home.   Resources + Links:   Connect with us on Instagram | @lifeinscrubspodcast   Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too!   Connect with Kristen on Instagram | @thenursekristen    Connect with Maddi on Instagram | @nurse.maddi     Show Notes: How do you know if working from home is right for you? Today, Kristen is flying solo in order to answer your questions about working a remote position as a clinical quality nurse specialist! First, we’ll dive into what a clinical quality nurse specialist is, including what they do, what they can expect from patients, and what their daily routine looks like. Then, it’s time to explore the pros and cons of working from home. What does Kristen miss about working in the hospital? Is it possible to achieve work life balance? How and where can you find remote positions for yourself? If you’re curious about remote work or uncertain if it would suit you, this episode may help you find the answer you’re looking for!   00:40 Why am I flying solo today? 02:40 What is my background in pharmacy? 05:55 What is a clinical quality nurse specialist, and what do they do? 08:30 Breaking down pulmonary hypertension WHO groups. 10:20 What should you expect from patients as a clinical quality nurse specialist? 13:05 What are the three different medication pathways we use? 15:05 What does my day to day look like? 21:50 How much time & money do you save when you don’t have to commute? 22:50 Why do I prefer working day shift? 23:50 How does remote work give you way more flexibility? 25:00 How can you increase your productivity? 26:05 Finding your work life balance. 27:00 Why is working from home so comfortable? 29:15 How does it help promote eating healthier? 30:50 Is there good pay in remote work? 32:00 What skills do you use (and lose) from remote work? 33:10 How much socialization do you miss out on while working from home? 34:30 Is it difficult finding an office space at home? 36:15 What are the cons of scheduling? 37:50 Combatting the lack of movement & exercise. 39:25 How can you keep yourself disciplined? 41:25 How do you know if working from home is right for you? Where can you find remote positions?

I Graduated Nursing School, Now What?

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