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Have you ever had a patient who just didn't seem right, even though their vital signs looked normal? That feeling is often called nursing intuition, and in this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline sits down with emergency nurse, educator, speaker, and author Jennifer Johnson to explore what it really is.

Drawing from more than 18 years of emergency nursing experience and insights from her book Nursing Intuition, Jennifer explains how intuition develops, how it differs from clinical judgment, and why it's an essential part of safe, evidence-based nursing practice.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What nursing intuition really is
• How to build confidence and trust your clinical instincts
• The difference between intuition and critical thinking
• Why experienced nurses recognize subtle patient changes
• How new graduate nurses can strengthen intuition over time
• The role of intuition in improving patient safety and outcomes

Whether you're a nursing student, new graduate, or experienced nurse, this conversation will help you better understand the powerful connection between clinical knowledge, experience, and the intuition that helps nurses provide exceptional patient care.

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline 

Instagram: instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline 

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

Website: www.nursecoachcaroline.com

Connect with todays guest, Jennifer Johnson

Instagram: @ernurse.jenn

Tiktok: @ernurse.jenn

LinkedIn: Jennifer Johnson BScN RN

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Have you ever wondered what it's really like to work as a NICU nurse or whether new graduate nurses can start their careers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit?

In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline sits down with Lisa Houston, MSN, RNC-NIC, C-ELBW, a neonatal nurse, nurse educator, and Business Development Manager at the Vermont Oxford Network (VON). With more than 20 years of NICU experience, Lisa shares how one unexpected opportunity changed the course of her nursing career and why she still loves caring for the tiniest patients.

Together, they discuss what it's really like to work in the NICU, the skills and qualities that help nurses succeed in neonatal nursing, and practical advice for nursing students and new graduates interested in this highly specialized field.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Can new graduate nurses work in the NICU?
• What it's really like to be a NICU nurse
• How to stand out when applying for neonatal nursing positions
• The importance of mentorship and lifelong learning
• Common misconceptions about NICU nursing
• Why one conversation can completely change your nursing career

Whether you're exploring nursing specialties, preparing for your first nursing job, or dreaming of becoming a neonatal nurse, this episode is full of practical advice, encouragement, and career insights you won't want to miss.

🎧 Be sure to subscribe for weekly conversations designed to help you confidently navigate life after nursing school.

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline 

Instagram: instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline 

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

Website: www.nursecoachcaroline.com

Connect with Our Guest: Lisa Houston 

Instagram: @nicueducator.lisa

Tiktok: @nicueducator.lisa

Website: www.niculearningnest.com 

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In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline sits down with ER nurse, content creator, speaker, and entrepreneur Joscel James to discuss how embracing authenticity—and not taking yourself too seriously—can open doors you never imagined.

Known for his hilarious healthcare videos and relatable nursing content, Joscel shares the story behind his unconventional career journey, from working in the emergency department to becoming one of nursing's most recognizable creators. Along the way, he opens up about burnout, personal growth, social media, and the importance of building a career that aligns with your values instead of other people's expectations.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How humor can improve resilience and connection in healthcare
• Joscel's journey from ER nurse to entrepreneur and content creator
• Navigating burnout and redefining success
• The importance of authenticity in your nursing career
• Why nurses don't have to fit into one career path
• The impact of Filipino nurses on the nursing profession

Whether you're a nursing student, new graduate, or experienced nurse, this conversation is a reminder that your greatest strengths may be the very things that make you different. If you've ever questioned whether there's room to be yourself in nursing, this episode will inspire you to embrace your unique gifts and create a career that truly reflects who you are.

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline 

Instagram: instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline 

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

Website: www.nursecoachcaroline.com

Connect with Our Guest: Joscel James

Instagram: @josceljames

TikTok: @josceljames

Website: Joscel StanStore

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What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your résumé or your experience - but the way you see yourself?

In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline sits down with ICU travel nurse and Professional Nurse Life Coach, Julia Joseph to explore how coaching can help nurses build confidence, navigate career transitions, prevent burnout, and create a life they truly love.

Drawing from her unique background in critical care nursing and professional life coaching, Julia shares her philosophy of "coaching with a twist", an approach that goes beyond career advice to help nurses reconnect with their strengths, gain clarity, and move forward with confidence. Rather than telling clients what to do, Julia creates a supportive, low-pressure environment where they can discover their own answers and recognize the potential that's been there all along.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What nurse coaching actually is (and what it isn't)
• Building confidence as a new nurse
• Navigating burnout and career transitions
• The importance of mentors and asking the right questions
• Why your nursing career doesn't have to fit into one box

Whether you're a nursing student, a new graduate, or an experienced nurse searching for your next step, this conversation will leave you feeling encouraged, empowered, and excited about what's possible in your nursing career.

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline 

Instagram: instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline 

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

Website: www.nursecoachcaroline.com

Connect with Our Guest: Julia Joseph 

Instagram: @juliadelea

Coaching Website:  https://juliajosephconsulting.com/jj 

Bedside Baddie Merch

Free Virtual Nurse’s Station Resource: Join Here!

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Have you ever felt like you needed to keep doing more, achieving more, and checking off one more task just to feel worthy?

In this solo episode, Caroline shares the unexpected story behind her three-month podcast pause - and why it became one of the most transformative seasons of her life.

As nurses, we're often conditioned to tie our worth to productivity. But what happens when your intuition tells you it's time to slow down? Caroline opens up about the guilt of stepping back, the pressure of constantly achieving, and how learning to be present helped her gain clarity on the future of her career and business.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why productivity isn't the same as progress
• How to recognize and trust your intuition
• The importance of creating space for reflection and creativity
• Practical ways to reconnect with your goals and purpose
• Why slowing down may be the key to moving your nursing career forward

Whether you're a nursing student, new graduate, or experienced nurse feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or uncertain about your next step, this episode is a reminder that sometimes the greatest breakthroughs happen when you stop forcing the path and start listening to yourself.

✨ If this episode resonates with you, be sure to subscribe and join us for Season 2 of Life After Nursing School, where we'll continue exploring career growth, confidence, and the many paths nursing can take you.

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline 

Instagram: instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline 

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

Website: www.nursecoachcaroline.com

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My business is evolving again… and this next step feels exciting, aligned, and honestly a little scary. In this episode of Life After Nursing School, I talk about why I’m starting to pitch my workshops to nursing schools and how my nursing career keeps changing in ways I never expected.

We talk about:
 • Career growth as a nurse
 • Imposter syndrome when you put yourself out there
 • Becoming a nurse entrepreneur
 • Teaching, speaking, and coaching nursing students
 • How to know when your career is evolving
 • Following your strengths instead of staying comfortable

I also share how working as a clinical instructor helped me realize that education, career coaching, and helping new nurses navigate the job market might actually be part of my purpose.

If you’re a nursing student, new grad nurse, or experienced nurse feeling called to do more, this episode will remind you that growth often feels uncomfortable, but that doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path.

⬇️ Follow the show for weekly nursing career advice
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
📲 Follow @NurseCoachCaroline for more nurse tips

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline:

Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Youtube → Nurse Coach Caroline 

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you!

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What does success really look like as a nurse?

Is it working in the ICU, ER, or going back to school to become a nurse practitioner… or is that just what we’ve been told success should look like?

In this episode of Life After Nursing School, we talk about the pressure nurses feel to chase high-stress specialties, advanced degrees, and job titles that sound impressive… even when they don’t lead to happiness or work-life balance.

We’ll cover:
 • Nursing burnout and career pressure
 • How your definition of success changes over time
 • Why more money or higher titles don’t always mean fulfillment
 • How to build a nursing career that fits your life

If you’re a nursing student, new grad, or experienced nurse questioning your path, this episode will help you redefine success in nursing (on your terms).

⬇️ Follow the show for weekly nursing career advice
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
📲 Follow @NurseCoachCaroline for more nurse tips

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline:

Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Youtube → Nurse Coach Caroline 

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you!

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Thinking about starting a side hustle as a nurse?
In this episode, I talk about what it really looks like to build something outside of bedside while still working in nursing.

We cover:
 • Why nurses are uniquely positioned to start side hustles
 • How to figure out what you actually want to build
 • What the beginning of a side hustle really looks like (hint: not overnight success)
 • My personal story of starting a business while working as a nurse
 • How side hustles can give you more flexibility, creativity, and career options

Over the past few years, I’ve met so many nurses who started businesses, passion projects, or extra income streams without quitting their jobs.

If you’ve ever felt like you want more freedom in your career but still want the stability of nursing, this episode will show you what’s possible.

⬇️ Follow the show for weekly nursing career advice
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
📲 Follow @NurseCoachCaroline for more nurse tips

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline:

Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Youtube → Nurse Coach Caroline 

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you!

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Every nurse knows the smells that come with patient care. One ER nurse decided to do something about it... and ended up building a business.

In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline sits down with Jennifer, an ER nurse and the founder of StinkBalm, an odor-blocking stick designed for healthcare professionals.

Jennifer shares how her experience with strong clinical odors led her to create a simple but innovative solution that is now used by healthcare workers across the country. What began as a small experiment eventually grew into a successful product-based business.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Jennifer went from bedside nurse to nurse entrepreneur
• Why nurses are natural problem-solvers and innovators
• The power of networking in growing a business
• Lessons learned while building a brand from scratch

If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible beyond the bedside, or have an idea of your own, this episode will inspire you to think bigger about your nursing career.

⬇️ Follow the show for weekly nursing career advice
📲 Follow @NurseCoachCaroline for more nurse tips

Connect with StinkBalm team:

Instagram: @StinkBalm

Website: www.StinkBalmOdorBlocker.com

*USE DISCOUNT CODE: “NCC20” for 20% of Nurse Gift Sets link here! 

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline:

Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Youtube → Nurse Coach Caroline 

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your bedside life! 

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Thinking about quitting your nursing job?

Before you hand in your notice, this episode walks you through how to leave strategically and professionally. In Part 2 of this series, we break down how to plan a nursing career pivot with clarity instead of emotion.

You will learn:

• How to define what you are running toward, not just what you are escaping
• How to identify your natural talents and align them with your next role
• Why you should not quit without another job lined up
• The pros and cons of internal transfers versus resigning
• How to negotiate, line up references, and protect your professional reputation
• Why PTO, seniority, and guilt are not good reasons to stay

If you are a nursing student, new grad nurse, or experienced RN considering a job change, this episode will help you make a confident, strategic decision about your next move.

Because leaving well is just as important as choosing well. 💛

⬇️ Follow the show for weekly nursing career advice
🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts
📲 Follow @NurseCoachCaroline for more nurse tips

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline:

Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Youtube → Nurse Coach Caroline 

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you!