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In this episode of the Life After Nursing School Podcast, host Caroline Danna sits down with Ashleigh Small, a seasoned NICU nurse, certified critical care expert, and founder of Flip the Shift. With over a decade of experience working nights in a Level 4 NICU, Ashleigh knows exactly what it takes to go from sleep-deprived zombie to thriving night shift nurse—and she's here to share her wisdom.

Whether you're a new grad nurse struggling to adjust to nights or an experienced RN feeling the burnout, this episode is packed with practical advice, real stories, and actionable strategies to help you find balance and actually enjoy your off-hours.

Ashleigh dives into the three biggest mistakes new nurses make on night shift—from falling for the “night shift is terrible” stigma to living without boundaries—and how to fix them fast. You’ll also hear her inspiring journey from bedside nurse to business owner, and get the inside scoop on Night School, her coaching program for nurses ready to reclaim their sleep, schedule, and sanity.

We talk burnout, circadian rhythms, mental health, and what every new nurse needs to know to survive and thrive on night shift—before you find yourself crying in the frozen food aisle (trust us, we’ve been there).

🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The top 3 mistakes new night shift nurses make

• How to protect your energy, sleep, and mental health

• Why mindset matters more than melatonin

• Ashleigh’s journey from NICU to nurse entrepreneur

• Tools to transition smoothly into night shift life

If you're a new nurse, night shifter, or just need some nurse-to-nurse real talk, this episode is your lifeline.

Connect with Ashleigh Small:

• Instagram: @that.nightshift.nurse https://www.instagram.com/that.nightshift.nurse

  TikTok: @that.nightshift.nurse https://www.tiktok.com/@that.nightshift.nurse

  Website: www.fliptheshift.com

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Thank you to our Life After Nurse School Podcast Affiliate

-Mometrix: Study for the NCLEX or entrance exams (HESI & TEAS) with affordable resource Mometrix. Apply “ Caroline20” to get 20% off: https://ref.mometrix.com/1191-852.htm 

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline 

• Instagram: @NurseCoachCaroline ⁠https://instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline⁠

• TikTok: @NurseCoachCaroline ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@nursecoachcaroline⁠⁠

• Website: ⁠www.nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

• Caroline's Online Community for New Grad Nurses: The New Nurse Society