Feeling torn between patient care and your own recovery? We dig into the real-world playbook for nurse PTO and RTO—what they are, how they accrue, and how to actually use them without guilt, drama, or burnout. From unit-level policies and state rules to the fine print managers forget to mention, we unpack the strategies that help you protect your time, your energy, and your sanity.

We walk through practical scheduling moves that turn a three-shift week into six or seven days off, compare the tradeoffs of stacking shifts, and explain when RTO stretches your rest versus when it backfires. You’ll hear candid stories about cashing out PTO (and the tax surprises), the hidden costs of “just push through,” and the hard-earned lesson that rest isn’t a luxury—it's career insurance. We also explore how holiday rotations, request windows, and equitable rules keep teams safe and morale high, and why “get it in writing” can save your vacation.

From the leadership side, we talk about modeling healthy boundaries, applying policies consistently, and building a culture where time off is respected, not resented. If you’ve ever wondered how to plan mental health resets before you hit the wall, how to combine PTO and RTO for mini-vacations, or how to navigate fairness when everyone wants July or Christmas, this conversation gives you a clear, humane framework.

If this helped you think differently about your time, hit follow, share it with a colleague who needs the nudge, and leave a review so more nurses can find it. Then go submit that PTO request—you’ve earned it.

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Nursing doesn’t pause for the holidays — and neither do the emotions that come with this work.

In this special Christmas Eve episode of Nursing Lyfe 101, Christopher steps behind the mic solo for a reflective, Office Hours–style letter to listeners. This episode is for nurses who are working the holidays, nurses who are off but still carrying work home, and nurses who are trying to close out the year without losing themselves in the process.

Together, we explore the unseen layers of nursing — emotional labor, moral residue, boundary guilt, and sustainable ambition — and why rest, reflection, and presence matter just as much as productivity.

No quizzes. No rushing. Just an honest conversation for the nurses who keep showing up.

From both Christopher and Colby, thank you for being here — and for being you.

If this resonates, share it with a colleague, subscribe for more grounded conversations about nursing life, and leave a review to help others find it. Your presence matters more than you know.

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🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share Nursing Lyfe 101 with your friends in scrubs. Your support keeps us going! 🩺

Remember walking onto the unit as a student nurse, heart racing, praying your patient wouldn’t code while you were in the room? Yeah… same.In this episode of Nursing Lyfe 101, Christopher and Colby head back to their clinical days — the rotations that built their confidence, broke their nerves, and taught them what kind of nurses they wanted to be.

We’re talking:

• Christopher’s first real code in cardiac surgery ICU (and where his love of chest compressions began)
• A med student who actually diagnosed scurvy in the 2010s (yes… like pirates 🏴‍☠️)
• Psych rotation chaos, locked units, and the patient who made Christopher rethink his life choices
• Awkward and gross moments (looking at you, Foley catheter commentary 👀)
• Clinical instructors and preceptors who either lifted us up or scarred us for a decade
• The moment it finally clicked: “Oh wait… I can actually do this nursing thing.”

We also share Scrub Hacks on:

• How to work with nursing students without making them cry
• How to correct gently, praise loudly, and involve them in real care
• What students should actually focus on in clinicals (hint: it’s not a perfect head-to-toe)
• How students can interact with techs, nurses, and management like professionals — and maybe even land a future job

Whether you’re still rocking student scrubs, precepting for the first time, or reliving your trauma from that one clinical instructor, this episode will make you feel seen, laugh a little, and remember where you started.

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio & more — just search “Nursing Lyfe 101.”

Stay curious. Stay kind. And never forget: clinicals are just the beginning.

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Stay connected and never miss an episode:

• Twitter: @NurseLyfe101

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We want to hear from YOU! Share your thoughts, questions, and nursing stories on social media using #NursingLyfe101.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share Nursing Lyfe 101 with your friends in scrubs. Your support keeps us going! 🩺

Ever wonder what really changes when a bedside nurse becomes a manager? We pull back the curtain on a leap that wasn’t about a title or a pay bump, but about finding the right fit: outpatient leadership in cardiac rehab and the stress lab, where patient momentum meets sustainable work-life balance. You’ll hear why timing and alignment matter more than ambition, how imposter syndrome sneaks in even with a decade of experience, and why earning trust starts with orienting shoulder to shoulder before making a single policy call.

We talk plainly about the tradeoffs. Management is a thankless job some days, and timelines from “above” rarely match the system’s reality. The antidote isn’t perfection—it’s transparent communication, consistent follow-up, and the courage to say no to the wrong things so you can say yes to the work that protects patients and staff. We share the admin learning curve, the power of mentors, and the tools that make the shift survivable: structured routines, checklists, and honest updates that show your team where advocacy is happening.

If you’re considering leadership, we outline the questions that reveal a unit’s true temperature: how the management team collaborates, what patient experience says about culture, and how decisions actually get made. We also offer compassionate guidance for leaving well—how to tell your coworkers, keep bridges intact, and make space for the next person to grow into their own leadership shoes. For those staying, there’s a reminder that departures aren’t an indictment; they’re invitations to step forward.

Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more nurses find conversations that tell the truth about career growth. Then tell us: what would it take for you to say yes to leadership?

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We want to hear from YOU! Share your thoughts, questions, and nursing stories on social media using #NursingLyfe101.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share Nursing Lyfe 101 with your friends in scrubs. Your support keeps us going! 🩺

Long shifts, leashes, and a lot of love. We open up about what it really takes to be a nurse and a pet parent, from the 12-hour stretch to the 2 a.m. vet run, and why a wagging tail can still turn the worst shift into a decent day. This conversation gets practical—how night shift routines can help puppies settle, why “a tired dog is a well-behaved dog” actually works, and how crates, enrichment, and pet cams reduce chaos when you’re not home. We also get real about the money side: insurance vs building a savings buffer, senior checkups, and budgeting for the surprise Tuesday night emergency.

Travel is another puzzle we solve out loud. We compare boarding, trusted sitters, and taking your pet along—what it costs, how it affects your itinerary, and when bringing them adds joy versus anxiety. City weekends and museum marathons? Probably a sitter. A cabin, trails, and campfires? That’s a dog’s dream. Along the way we trade wins and woes (chewed remotes, GI flares, and the occasional crate confession), plus the deep connection that grows as pets age and our caregiving shifts. It’s honest, a little messy, and fully worth it.

We also talk mental health and motivation: how pets push us outside, how therapy dogs transform hospital hallways, and how pet photos can build instant rapport with patients. Different philosophies welcomed—whether you see your pet as your child or your companion, we focus on clear routines, realistic planning, and a supportive community that keeps everyone safe and seen. If you’re juggling nursing life with fur, feathers, or scales, you’ll leave with ideas you can use tonight.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a nurse-pet parent you love, and leave a quick review so more listeners can find us. Then tag your pet photos with #nursinglyfepets—we want to meet your co-worker at home.

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Stay connected and never miss an episode:

• Twitter: @NurseLyfe101

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💬 Join the Conversation:

We want to hear from YOU! Share your thoughts, questions, and nursing stories on social media using #NursingLyfe101.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share Nursing Lyfe 101 with your friends in scrubs. Your support keeps us going! 🩺

Welcome back to Nursing Lyfe 101 — Season 2 is officially in session! 🎉 In this hilarious and relatable premiere, Christopher and Colby dive into the weird, wild, and downright spooky world of nursing superstitions — from the infamous Q-word that jinxes your shift to the full moon frenzy every nurse swears is real.

They swap stories about sports rituals, haunted hospital halls, “black cloud” coworkers, and why you should never order Chinese food on shift. Plus, in this episode’s Medical News Minute, they discuss a cutting-edge non-opioid pain management approach making waves in emergency medicine.

Whether you’re superstitious, skeptical, or somewhere in between, this episode brings laughs, insight, and a dose of nursing culture you’ll instantly recognize. Knock on wood — it’s a good one!

If this spoke to you, follow and share with a teammate. Subscribe and leave a quick review so more nurses can find us and join the conversation.

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🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share Nursing Lyfe 101 with your friends in scrubs. Your support keeps us going! 🩺

From bloopers to backfires (literally!), Christopher and Colby celebrate the conclusion of Nursing Life 101's inaugural season with a heartfelt reflection on their podcasting journey. Diving into listener favorites like "Battling Burnout: Self-Care Strategies for Nurses" and the politically charged episode on nursing with integrity, they unpack what made these conversations resonate so deeply with their audience.

The duo tackles a fascinating array of listener questions that reveal both the challenges and rewards of nursing life. They share candid insights about transitioning between specialties without burning bridges, the development of "nursing intuition" that helps them anticipate patient deterioration before vital signs change, and the surprising reality that the nursing world is remarkably small—where reputations follow you everywhere. Their discussion of how nurses emotionally disconnect after difficult shifts offers valuable wisdom for anyone in a high-stress profession.

Throughout the episode, Christopher and Colby's authentic friendship shines through their easy banter and occasional disagreements, demonstrating the mutual respect that has made their podcast so engaging. They offer a glimpse into potential season two topics, including nursing management styles and analysis of medical TV shows, while expressing sincere gratitude for their listeners' support. Whether you're a healthcare professional or simply curious about the human side of nursing, this reflective conversation invites you into the world behind the scrubs.

What topics would you like to hear Christopher and Colby explore in season two? Connect with us on social media and let us know!

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🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share Nursing Lyfe 101 with your friends in scrubs. Your support keeps us going! 🩺

Is it love… or just shared trauma and back-to-back 12s?

In this episode of Nursing Lyfe 101, Christopher and Colby dive into one of the most controversial topics in healthcare—dating your coworkers. From dating within your own unit to navigating relationships across departments, they unpack the real-life stories, workplace drama, and lessons learned from love on the floor.

💬 Should you tell your manager?

📋 What’s the risk of unit gossip and awkward breakups?

📣 How do you keep things professional—or know when to walk away?

Plus, the Listener Pulse segment features wild, honest takes from nurses all over the country, sharing their own experiences with dating in scrubs.

Whether you’ve found love on night shift or learned the hard way that HR does get involved, this episode will have you laughing, nodding, and questioning your work crush.

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• Twitter: @NurseLyfe101

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💬 Join the Conversation:

We want to hear from YOU! Share your thoughts, questions, and nursing stories on social media using #NursingLyfe101.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share Nursing Lyfe 101 with your friends in scrubs. Your support keeps us going! 🩺

Ever wonder why nursing friendships hit different? When you've held pressure on a bleeding wound together or laughed hysterically at 3 AM after your fifth admission, something profound happens between colleagues that non-healthcare friends simply cannot understand.

Christopher and Colby dive deep into the fascinating paradox of nursing relationships – how spending 12-hour shifts together can either forge unbreakable bonds or create uncomfortable tensions. They explore the complexity of maintaining boundaries when the person who knows your deepest secrets is also critiquing your charting, and the delicate balance required when friend dynamics shift to charge nurse hierarchies.

The hosts share personal experiences of nursing friendships gone wrong, including Christopher's admission that he once declared "I'm not here to make friends" (spoiler: it didn't stick), and Colby's heartbreak over a Christmas party with specially-made vegan treats that went uneaten. They explore why relationships with non-healthcare friends often struggle under the weight of misunderstood schedules and the inability to relate to nursing trauma.

Most powerfully, they reveal how true nursing friendships become lifelines in the chaos – these are the people who notice when you haven't taken a break, who understand without explanation why yesterday's code is still affecting you, and who know exactly when to step in and take the charge phone so you can finally eat something. As Colby puts it, "That's like love, you know? That really is love and caring."

Whether you're struggling with workplace relationships or cherishing your nursing tribe, this episode offers both validation and practical advice for navigating the unique social landscape of healthcare. Subscribe now to continue exploring the aspects of nursing school never prepared you for, and join our growing community of nurses who get it.

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🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share Nursing Lyfe 101 with your friends in scrubs. Your support keeps us going! 🩺

The nursing profession faces a crisis that rarely makes headlines but affects nearly every healthcare worker: burnout. With alarming numbers of nurses leaving bedside care within just five years, we tackle the critical question of sustainability in a career meant to span decades.

Stress and burnout might seem like synonyms in healthcare, but they represent different points on a dangerous continuum. We explore the subtle warning signs that appear long before you reach your breaking point - those moments when you're unusually exhausted after a normal shift, finding yourself snapping at colleagues, or losing sleep thinking about work. By recognizing these early signals, you can intervene before reaching the dreaded "I can't do this anymore" moment.

What makes this conversation particularly revealing is our examination of generational differences in approaching work-life balance. While older healthcare professionals might pride themselves on working through breaks and staying late, younger nurses often establish firmer boundaries around their time and energy. Rather than viewing this as a weakness, we consider whether this approach might actually support longer, more sustainable careers in healthcare.

The heart of our discussion centers on practical, accessible self-care strategies that fit into a nurse's demanding life. From the restorative power of a simple bathroom break during a chaotic shift to the science behind contrast therapy (alternating sauna and cold plunge), we share evidence-based techniques for managing stress. We explore how nutrition, sleep hygiene, and community connections form the foundation of resilience in healthcare work.

Technology offers both challenges and solutions in the battle against burnout. While social media can drain your mental reserves, tools like stress-tracking wearables provide valuable insights into your body's response to workplace pressure. Most importantly, we highlight mental health resources available to nurses in crisis, emphasizing that seeking help isn't weakness—it's professional self-awareness.

Join us for this honest conversation about protecting your wellbeing in a profession dedicated to caring for others. Because remember: you can't pour from an empty cup, and your mental health matters just as much as the patients you serve.

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Support the show

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• Twitter: @NurseLyfe101

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💬 Join the Conversation:

We want to hear from YOU! Share your thoughts, questions, and nursing stories on social media using #NursingLyfe101.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share Nursing Lyfe 101 with your friends in scrubs. Your support keeps us going! 🩺