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When life as a nurse feels heavy and burnout starts to blur your sense of purpose, sometimes the only way forward… is through.

In this inspiring conversation, host Caroline Danna, MSN, RN sits down with Gaige Matthews, former ER nurse and founder of Beyond Bedside Fitness, to unpack what it really takes to rebuild your confidence, discipline, and faith when you’re running on empty.

Gaige has helped over 800 nurses transform their health and mindset through her nurse-specific coaching program that blends fitness, nutrition, and faith-based encouragement. Together, Caroline and Gaige dive deep into:

• How to overcome nurse burnout and rediscover your “why”
• Building discipline over motivation—and why small consistent habits always win
• Letting go of the “all-or-nothing” mindset and creating sustainable routines that actually fit a 12-hour-shift lifestyle
• How faith and mindset can shift your energy, confidence, and career
• Practical steps to set boundaries, prioritize wellness, and start feeling good in your body again

If you’ve ever felt stuck in the cycle of exhaustion, guilt, and self-neglect, this episode is your reminder that you are not alone—and that you have the power to rebuild from the inside out.

✨ Tune in to learn how to move through burnout, strengthen your faith, and reclaim your confidence—one intentional choice at a time.

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline:

Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Join the Community →⁠ The New Nurse Society

Application Advantage - Resume/Cover Letter Course HERE

Episode Mentioned Resources:  

Connect with Guest: Gaige Matthews

Instagram → @gaigematthews_

TikTok → @gaigematthews_

Website → Gaige’s Website

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you <3

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Feeling like your days off vanish before you can actually rest? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, host Caroline Danna, MSN, RN shares how to romanticize self-care and find calm, beauty, and joy in your everyday nurse life — no spa day required.

Inspired by Taylor Swift’s song “Opalite,” Caroline explores how happiness can be man-made and how slowing down can recharge your mind, body, and spirit. From brewing coffee like a ritual to turning your commute or shower into a moment of peace, she shows simple ways to transform burnout into balance.

If you’re craving mindfulness, meaning, and intention in your nursing journey, this episode is your reminder that you don’t have to wait for joy — you can create it.

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline:

Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Join the Community →⁠ The New Nurse Society

Application Advantage- Resume/Cover Letter Course HERE

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you <3

Send us a text

Did you know that 33% of new graduate nurses leave their first job within a year, and nearly one in five leave nursing altogether? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, host Caroline Danna, MSN, RN (a clinical instructor and new nurse career coach) dives into why so many new nurses are walking away from the bedside… and what you can do to protect your passion, peace, and purpose in this profession.

Caroline breaks down the real reasons behind new nurse burnout and turnover -  from unsafe staffing and poor preceptorship to emotional exhaustion and lack of support. She also shares actionable strategies to help you survive and thrive during your first year, including how to set boundaries, find your people, and rebuild confidence when work feels overwhelming.

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I can’t do this anymore,” this episode will help you see that you’re not the problem, the system is. But you can take steps to protect your career, strengthen your mindset, and create a version of nursing that actually fits your life.

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline:

Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Join the Community →⁠ The New Nurse Society

Application Advantage - Resume/Cover Letter Course HERE

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you <3

Send us a text

Level up your nursing career with some necessary tough love. In this episode, I share 10 tough-love lessons every nurse needs—perfect for nursing students, new grad nurses, and working nurses navigating today’s high-stress healthcare environment. From letting go of what you can’t control to building confidence before you feel ready, these are the mindset shifts that reduce burnout, boost performance, and help you use your nursing license in a way that actually adds color to your life.

You’ll hear personal stories from bedside and leadership—ER shifts, AMA conversations, near-miss medication moments, and the season I realized I’d outgrown a role that looked great on paper. We’ll talk about consistency for skill mastery, why “fake it ’til you make it” (done safely) works, how to stop comparison and measure progress against yourself, why mistakes are lessons—not failure, and the freeing truth that you’re replaceable (which means you’re allowed to pivot). If you’ve been playing small, people-pleasing, or spiraling in “what-ifs,” this episode is your nudge to take the next right step.

Great for: nursing school motivation, new grad nurse confidence, clinical growth, time management, career pivots, and burnout prevention.

If this resonated, please rate and review the show—it helps more nursing students and new grads find practical support. And if you loved the boundary piece, don’t miss Episode 30 on the “Let Them” theory for stress and burnout. One hand for me, and the other for you. 💛

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline:

Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Join the Community →⁠ The New Nurse Society

Application Advantage - Resume/Cover Letter Course HERE

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you <3

Send us a text

Critical thinking is one of the most important skills you’ll ever develop as a new nurse  but it doesn’t come overnight. In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Nurse Career Coach Caroline shares how you can use ChatGPT as a practical tool to strengthen your clinical judgment and build confidence at the bedside.

You’ll learn how to apply ChatGPT to the nursing process (ADPIE) - Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation - and discover how it can help you practice patient scenarios, debrief after tough shifts, break down complex topics like lab values and medications, run prioritization drills, and even role-play SBAR handoffs or provider calls.

Caroline also highlights creative ways new nurses and nursing students are already using ChatGPT, from creating study tools for NCLEX prep to brainstorming strategies for orientation success. With real-life examples and actionable takeaways, this episode will show you how to use ChatGPT as a safe, judgment-free sandbox to practice and refine your thinking - so you can feel more prepared, confident, and capable in your nursing career.

If you’re ready to go beyond memorization and start thinking like a nurse, this episode is for you.

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline:

Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Join the Community →⁠ The New Nurse Society

Application Advantage - Resume/Cover Letter Course HERE

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you <3

Send us a text

Are you curious about how nurses can build flexible, remote careers? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline sits down with David Rosenbeck, co-founder of Go Beyond the Bedside, to talk about breaking free from traditional hospital roles. David shares his journey from bedside nursing to launching a platform that connects nurses with remote nursing jobs, virtual care opportunities, and innovative ways to use their clinical skills outside the hospital.

If you’re a new nurse exploring career options or a seasoned nurse ready for a change, this conversation will give you insights into remote work, telehealth, and the future of nursing. Tune in to learn how to create a career that fits your lifestyle, prevents burnout, and expands what’s possible for your nursing journey.

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

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Join the Community →⁠ The New Nurse Society

Episode Guest Info & Mentioned Resources:  

Go Beyond the Bedside Website

Connect with Go Beyond the Bedside Team on Instagram: @gobeyondthebedside

FREE Resource: 8 Most Common Remote Jobs PDF

Application Advantage - Resume/Cover Letter Course HERE

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you <3

Send us a text

This week, I’m joined by a very special guest - my husband, Bryan Danna, PA-C and Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Together, we’re celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary with a conversation that blends love, laughter, and a behind-the-scenes look at life as a dual healthcare couple.

From marathon training to raising three kids, from military commitments to launching my nursing business, Bryan and I get real about what it takes to balance marriage, family, and demanding careers in medicine. We reminisce about our early days, meeting while I was a nursing student and he was an orthopedic PA sharing a story that feels straight out of Grey’s Anatomy (minus the drama).

You’ll hear Bryan’s perspective on watching me pivot from bedside nursing into entrepreneurship, the challenges and joys of supporting each other through career changes, and why time (more than money) has become our family’s greatest priority.

Whether you’re a nurse, student, or simply curious about what it’s like to build a marriage and career in healthcare, this episode is heartfelt, funny, and full of honest reflections.

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

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Stan Store Webinar & Freebies → Stan Store

Join the Community →⁠ The New Nurse Society

Application Advantage - Resume/Cover Letter Course HERE

Send us a text

In this episode of Life After Nursing School, I chat with Nicole Johnson, BSN, RN, CCRN - Critical Care Nurse and founder of Unwound Retreats. Nicole knows firsthand the challenges of burnout and has built a career around helping nurses reconnect with themselves and their purpose. With certifications in Happiness at Work, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Psychological First Aid, she blends evidence-based wellness with real-world nursing experience.

Since 2019, Nicole has led Unwound Retreats across Mexico, Morocco, and California, offering nurses a chance to rest, reflect, and build community. Her retreats combine yoga, meditation, journaling, and CE-accredited education with meaningful connection and plenty of fun.

In our conversation, Nicole shares her own life after nursing school, how one season of burnout shifted her path, and why creating space for nurses to breathe is so important. She also gives us a preview of her upcoming Sayulita, Mexico retreat—with luxury lodging, daily wellness practices, paddleboarding, chef-prepared meals, and up to 8 CE credits.

Whether you’re a new grad nurse or an experienced RN, this episode will inspire you to prioritize self-care and community.

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

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Join the Community →⁠ The New Nurse Society

Connect with Nicole & Unwound Retreats:

*SPECIAL Discount Code: ‘NEWGRADNURSE’ - $200 off Unwound November 2025 Retreat!

Unwound Retreats Instagram → @unwoundretreatsfornurses

Nicole Johnson Instagram → @nicolejohnson.rn

Nicole Johnson TikTok → @nicolejohnson.rn

Retreat Website →  Unwound Retreats Website

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you <3

Send us a text

Fall is here - pumpkin spice, busy schedules, and all the chaos that comes with it. Whether you’re a nursing student heading back to clinicals or a new grad nurse starting your first job, this season can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 simple strategies to help you stay organized, reduce decision fatigue, and actually enjoy pumpkin spice season. From creating a weekly reset routine to building a bedtime wind-down and protecting your energy, these practical nurse tips will help you move through fall with more calm and confidence.

👉 Perfect for new nurses, nursing students, or anyone juggling school, shifts, and family life.

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
• TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠
• Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠
• Join the Community →⁠ The New Nurse Society

Episode Mentioned Resources:  

Factor75 Meal Service Link Here 

Hatch Alarm Clock 

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you <3

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Starting your first nursing job is exciting, but what if your preceptor isn’t the right fit? Orientation sets the foundation for your nursing career, and a mismatched preceptor can make it harder to build confidence and independence as a new grad nurse.

In this episode of Life After Nursing School, we’ll break down what a supportive orientation should look like, the red flags of an ineffective preceptor, and how to advocate for yourself if you’re struggling. You’ll hear practical scripts you can use when speaking with your manager, plus strategies to keep the conversation professional and solutions-focused.

We’ll also cover how to be a strong orientee - asking the right questions, taking initiative with skills, and using your unit’s resources to accelerate learning. And if your preceptor’s behavior is unsafe or crosses the line, I’ll share steps you can take to protect yourself and your practice.

This episode will help you navigate preceptor challenges with confidence and set yourself up for nursing success.

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

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Join the Community →⁠ The New Nurse Society

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you <3