New to Nursing

Do you ever wonder how experienced nurses seem to notice that something is wrong before anyone else does? How do they know a patient is starting to “crash”? Is it a sixth sense? Nope! It’s a pattern library.

Every shift, nurses encounter examples of what “normal” looks like. They also experience abnormal. Over time, these experiences build a mental library of patterns that helps experienced nurses recognize subtle changes and identify when something isn’t quite right.

If you’re a new grad and feel like you’re always a step behind, you’re not failing! You’re still building your pattern recognition skills. And the good news? You can actively strengthen them.

In this episode, we’ll explore how pattern recognition develops, why experience matters, and practical ways you can start building your own pattern library, so you can feel more confident recognizing when something just isn’t right.

References:

Using Questions to Promote Clinical Judgement.pdf

Ignatavicius, D. D., & Silvestri, L. (2025, January 8). How to shift from the nursing process to clinical judgment in nursing. Elsevier. https://www.elsevier.com/resources/shift-to-clinical-judgment-nursing

Welcome to Focus Forward!

In this special series, we’re exploring the Specialty Education programs offered by Interior Health.

In this episode, we’re focusing on Neonatal Nursing. Join New Graduate Regional Educators Erin Marchio and Rachel Brandvold as they interview Ashley Watson, Regional Educator for the Neonatal Education Specialty Training Program.

Together, they discuss what Neonatal Nursing involves, what to expect from the specialty education program, and what qualities and skills can help nurses thrive in this area.

Interested in Neonatal Nursing? This episode covers what you need to know about the specialty, the education program, and what it’s like to work in this unique area of nursing.

Stay tuned for future episodes of Focus Forward, where we’ll highlight each of the Specialty Education programs offered by Interior Health!

Show Notes and Resources:

1. [email protected]
2. Specialty Education
3. Focus Forward: Interior Health Specialty Education Frequently Asked Questions
4. Neonatal Education and Specialty Training (NEST) Program

Welcome to Focus Forward!

In this special series, we’re exploring the Specialty Education programs offered by Interior Health.

In this episode, we’re focusing on Perioperative Nursing. Join New Graduate Regional Educators Erin Marchio and Rachel Brandvold as they interview Jenna Lishman, Dylan Papp, Juli Dobie, and Kristina Bourgette, Regional Educators for the Regional Perioperative Education Program.

Together, they discuss what Perioperative Nursing involves, what to expect from the specialty education program, and what qualities and skills can help nurses thrive in this area.

Interested in Perioperative Nursing? This episode covers what you need to know about the specialty, the education program, and what it’s like to work in this unique area of nursing.

Stay tuned for future episodes of Focus Forward, where we’ll highlight each of the Specialty Education programs offered by Interior Health!

Show Notes and Resources:

1. [email protected]
2. Specialty Education
3. Focus Forward: Interior Health Specialty Education Frequently Asked Questions
4. Regional Perioperative Education Program (RPEP) Summary

Welcome to Focus Forward!

In this special series, we’re exploring the Specialty Education programs offered by Interior Health.

In this episode, we’re focusing on GI Endoscopy Nursing. Join New Graduate Regional Educators Erin Marchio and Rachel Brandvold as they interview Jennifer Funk, Regional Educator for the GI Endoscopy Regional Education Program.

Together, they discuss what GI Endoscopy Nursing involves, what to expect from the specialty education program, and what qualities and skills can help nurses thrive in this area.

Interested in GI Endoscopy Nursing? This episode covers what you need to know about the specialty, the education program, and what it’s like to work in this unique area of nursing.

Stay tuned for future episodes of Focus Forward, where we’ll highlight each of the Specialty Education programs offered by Interior Health!

Show Notes and Resources:

1. [email protected]
2. Specialty Education
3. Focus Forward: Interior Health Specialty Education Frequently Asked Questions
4. GREP - Program Summary

Welcome to Focus Forward! In this special series of episodes we are diving into Specialty Education offered in Interior Health.

This episode is an interview with the manager of Specialty Education, Taylor Munro. Join New Graduate Regional Educators Erin Marchio and Rachel Brandvold as they seek answers to frequently asked questions about Specialty Education programs.

Are you interested in Specialty Education Nursing? This episode covers everything you need to know about getting started in Specialty Education—from how to apply and what the programs involve to funding, practicum, return of service, and tips for becoming a strong applicant. Stay tuned for future episodes of this series featuring each individual specialty education program that IH offers!

Show Notes and Resources:

1. [email protected]
2. Specialty Education

In this episode of New to Nursing, we sit down with Nurse Practitioner, Crystal Grymaloski, whose career has taken her through every stage of the nursing profession—from Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) to Registered Nurse (RN) and now Nurse Practitioner (NP).

She reflects on the lessons, challenges, and opportunities that shaped her journey, sharing how each role helped build the knowledge, confidence, and compassion she brings to her practice today. Through her stories and practical advice, she reminds us that there is no single path to a fulfilling nursing career.

Whether you're a new graduate finding your footing, considering your next career step, or simply curious about advanced practice nursing, this conversation offers encouragement to embrace every learning opportunity, trust your growth, and remember that every experience has the power to shape the nurse you become.

*Disclaimer: The views and opinions shared in this episode are those of the individual guests and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of Interior Health. The experiences discussed are personal and intended for reflection and learning purposes only.

Show Notes:

For more information on Interior Health's New Graduate Nurse Transition Program and their Nurse Practitioner Program, check out the InsideNet that is linked below.

Referenced Guidelines and Resources:

• New Graduate Nurse Transition Program (NGNTP)
• Urgent Verbal Communication - SBAR
• Specialty Education
• Advanced Nursing Practice
• Nurse Practitioner Program
• Registered Nurse to Nurse Practitioner Pathway
• nurse practitioner competencies.pdf

In this episode of New to Nursing, we sit down with Interior Health's Regional Educator, Kali Holton, to explore the vital role Clinical Practice Educators play in supporting new graduate nurses. She reflects on her own transition into nursing, sharing the challenges she faced along with the lessons she's learned. Drawing from both her personal and professional experiences, she offers practical advice, reassurance, and encouragement for nurses navigating the early stages of their careers.

Whether you're a new graduate building confidence in practice or an experienced nurse mentoring the next generation, this episode is filled with relatable stories, valuable insights, and thoughtful reminders that no one succeeds alone—and that growth is a lifelong part of the nursing journey.

*Disclaimer: The views and opinions shared in this episode are those of the individual guests and do not necessarily reflect the views, policies, or positions of Interior Health. The experiences discussed are personal and intended for reflection and learning purposes only.

Show Notes:

For more information on Clinical Education at Interior Health, check out the Clinical Education page on the InsideNet that is linked below.

Referenced Guidelines and Resources:

• Interior Health - Clinical Education

The New to Nursing Podcast is taking a short pause while we work behind the scenes on Season 3.

We’re spending the next few weeks creating new episodes, practical tools, honest conversations, and more support for new nurses navigating the transition from student to practice.

We’ll be back in June 2026 with new content designed to help you move from surviving to thriving.

In the meantime, this is a great chance to catch up on previous episodes and Gimme 5s—whether you need support with confidence, communication, difficult shifts, or just a reminder that what you’re feeling is normal.

Thanks for listening and being part of our New to Nursing community. We’ll see you in June!

In this episode, New To Nursing welcomes four 4th-year UBC Okanagan nursing students (Esther, Luna, Bernice, Claudia) where they explore mindfulness and strategies for building resilience during the transition to practice as new graduate nurses

They unpack common challenges such as stress, compassion fatigue, emotional burnout, and moral distress. They also discuss practical mindfulness activities/strategies to help ground you before, during, and after a shift. 

This episode pairs well with the New Graduate Nurse Transition Program's (NGNTP) education session, Nurturing Resiliency: Responding to Compassion Fatigue and Burnout that is on the Interior Health (IH) New Grad Community Compass Page - (IH employees only).Responding to Compassion Fatigue and Burnout

Resources:

1. To find the summary poster of this episode, please refer to 👉 Summary Poster
2. Fill out the evaluation survey created by the students 👉 here
3. For the full transcript of this episode 👉 click here
4. For more information about the IH New Graduate Transition Program, refer to 👉  Interior Health's NGNTP or e-mail [email protected] 

References: 

1. Loyd, L. A., Stamler, L. L., & Culross, B. (2023). Early career nurses and moral distress: An integrative review. Nurse Education in Practice, 73, 103844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2023.103844 
2. Neff, K. (2024, February 20). Exercise 4: Supportive touch. Self-Compassion Institute with Dr. Kristin Neff. https://self-compassion.org/exercises/exercise-4-supportive-touch/ 
3. Provincial Health Services Authority. (2025). Moral distress A strategy-building guide. https://www.phsa.ca/our-services-site/Documents/Moral%20Distress_A%20strategy%20building%20guide.pdf 
4. TEDx Talks. (2017). 30 seconds to mindfulness | Phil Boissiere | TEDxNaperville [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad7HqXEc2Sc  
5. World Health Organization. (2023). Stress. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/stress 

In this episode, Kelsey discusses how to start your shifts off in a good way. She reviews what you can try in your morning routine, how to engage in morning report and what you can do in the first hour of your shift to get organized. She sprinkles in tips and advice specific for new nurses throughout, so listen in to fine tune your start of shift routine!