Losing a patient for the first time is something nursing school can’t truly prepare you for. In this heartfelt episode, Rachel shares honest reflections and personal stories about navigating grief as a new graduate nurse. From emotional overwhelm to the physical toll of unprocessed loss, she explores what it really means to care — and to mourn — in a profession that often expects you to “stay strong.”

You'll learn about disenfranchised grief, why it matters, and how to recognize its signs in yourself. Rachel also shares practical tools for coping, honoring patient deaths in meaningful ways, and reclaiming your own story at the end of each shift.

Whether you’ve just experienced your first loss or are supporting someone who has, this episode offers connection, validation, and gentle reminders: You are not alone. You are allowed to grieve. And feeling deeply doesn’t make you weak — it makes you human.

🔗 Show Notes:

Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

Start and End of Shift Wellness Check

What is Grief? Types, Symptoms & How to Cope (clevelandclinic.org)

How Nurses can Cope with a Patient's Death - NurseJournal.org

Öcalan, S., Kovanci, M. S., Uslu-Sahan, F., & Ozdemir, L. (2023). First death experiences of newly graduated nurses: A qualitative phenomenological study. Death Studies, 48(4), 303–311. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2023.2219648

Gimme 5 is your new go-to series for quick,no-fluff deep dives into the essentials. Each episode delivers the back-to-basics info you need—in just 5 minutes. No fillers, no distractions, just fast facts and key insights to get you up to speed, fast. Perfect for busy minds who want to learn efficiently. Ready? Let’s Gimme 5!

This episode covers how to get an accurate SpO2 reading every time...and how to KNOW it's accurate.

Gimme 5 is your new go-to series for quick, no-fluff deep dives into the essentials. Each episode delivers the back-to-basics info you need—in just 5 minutes. No fillers, no distractions, just fast facts and key insights to get you up to speed, fast. Perfect for busy minds who want to learn efficiently. Ready? Let’s Gimme 5!

This episode covers the need-to-knows about Arterial Blood Gases. What are they? Why would they be ordered? What do these numbers MEAN?

In this episode, we sit down with a newly graduated nurse as she shares her honest and inspiring journey to conquering the NCLEX. From the emotional rollercoaster of graduation to the pressure of preparing for one of the biggest exams of her career, she opens up about what worked, what didn’t, and the mindset shifts that made all the difference. Whether you're a nursing student, recent grad, or just curious about the process, this candid conversation offers valuable insights, tips, and encouragement from someone who’s just been through it.

Stay tuned for episodes on REx-PN and RPNCE exams.

Gimme 5 is your new go-to series for quick,no-fluff deep dives into the essentials. Each episode delivers theback-to-basics info you need—in just 5 minutes. No fillers, no distractions, just fast facts and key insights to get you up to speed, fast. Perfect for busy minds who want to learn efficiently. Ready? Let’s Gimme 5!

This episode covers IV fluids you may see on any med-surg floor. Why would someone receive NS instead of RL? Find out in the next 5 minutes!

Gimme 5 is your new go-to series for quick, no-fluff deep dives into the essentials. Each episode delivers the back-to-basics info you need—in just 5 minutes. No fillers, no distractions, just fast facts and key insights to get you up to speed, fast. Perfect for busy minds who want to learn efficiently. Ready? Let’s Gimme 5!

This week we do a quick review of manual blood pressures. This is maybe a skill you haven't touched since nursing school so listen in for key reminders to get accurate readings every time!

In this enlightening episode, we dive into the question, “What is spiritual care?” with special guest Zach Hair. Zach, a passionate advocate for holistic approaches, sheds light on this often misunderstood and overlooked area in healthcare. Tune in to learn how spiritual care fits into the broader healthcare system, what services are offered within Interior Health, and whether spiritual care is just for those with religious beliefs (spoiler: it’s not!).

You’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the role of spiritual care practitioners and how integrating this support can profoundly impact patient well-being. As Zach reminds us, spiritual care is healthcare—and recognizing the whole person is essential to truly effective care.

Show notes:

CASC/ACSS

Spiritual

Health Services [IH] - Home

New Nurses, Real Voices is a series that highlights authentic experiences from the frontlines of healthcare. We dive into the real, raw experiences of new nurses stepping into their professional roles as independent practitioners. From the first day on the job to navigating the challenges of patient care, our guests—New Grad LPNs, RNs, and RPNs—share their personal journeys through the transition from nursing school to clinical practice.

Listen as they open up about their triumphs, struggles, and everything in between: the overwhelming feeling of being on your own for the first time, building confidence in skills, managing stress, and learning how to trust yourself as a caregiver. Whether you’re a new nurse or just want to hear what it’s like to step into those shoes, these episode offer valuable insights and encouragement from those who have lived it.

Tune in for stories that will inspire, challenge, and remind us all why we chose this incredible profession.

This week's episode features Aly Moses, an incredible nurse who discovered a passion for rural & remote nursing in her final practicum of her BSN program. She sits down with Kelsey (Regional Educator-New Grad Program) to talk about what it's like being a new grad working rurally and remotely. She'll give you the inside scoop into education required for this specialty and what she loves about it. After talking to Aly, you'll want to try out rural/remote nursing!

Join in for another engaging presentation with Jill Boerstler from the IH Ethics Team. In this session she is going to deep dive into Imposter Syndrome-loosely defined as doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud- sound familiar to any new grad nurses

out there? How do ethics play a role? Well....Are you truly undeserving of your role as a new grad nurse? Have you tricked everyone? or.....are there some systems/workplace cultures in place that are contributing to these feelings? Let's talk about it!

Questions for the Ethics Team? [email protected] or 250-801-2757

Article link: Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome

In this episode, Clinical Specialists Jennifer Ellis and Jennifer Kalman from Access and Flow discuss Structured Team Rounds— a task that many new graduate nurses may initially find daunting. How do you know what information to share and what to focus on? Jenn and Jenn break it down and offer some helpful tips to make it easier for you in this episode. 

If you would like an STR lanyard card or 'cheat sheet'-reach out to your Regional Educator. 

[email protected]