You show up ready to learn. But your preceptor barely looks at you—or worse, tears you down. What do you do when the one person meant to guide you just… won’t?

In this episode, we talk about what it really feels like to be stuck with a toxic preceptor—and how to protect your confidence, your learning, and your future as a nurse.

We’ll cover:

• 5 red flags your preceptor is hurting more than helping

• How to still grow clinical judgment (without their help)

• What to say if you need to speak up—but don’t want to be labeled a “problem”

• A tool that gives you the feedback they’re not giving: Clinical Prep Cases

🎯 Start practicing today—no judgment, just growth: nursing.com/awful

I almost walked away from nursing school.

Not because I wasn't cut out for it. Not because I couldn't handle the material. But because I believed the soul-crushing lies that nearly broke me – the same lies that might be breaking you right now.

In this raw, unfiltered episode, I share my personal journey through the darkest moments of nursing school – including the crippling anxiety that forced me to withdraw before my final semester. I reveal how the system is designed to make you feel inadequate, how the "unsafe" label is weaponized against passionate students, and why your struggles aren't signs of weakness but potential sources of strength.

Through tears, brutal honesty, and hard-earned wisdom from helping over 500,000 nursing students, I expose the toxic traditions masquerading as "education" and offer the validation you've been desperately seeking:

• It's not just you. Everyone's crying in their car.
• Your C isn't making you dangerous. Your resilience is making you exceptional.
• The qualities making school hard might make you revolutionary at the bedside.

This isn't just another pep talk. It's permission to reject the lies and embrace your truth – because nursing doesn't just need more nurses. It needs YOUR unique perspective.

Ready to transform your nursing school experience? Visit nursing.com/lies for our FREE guide on overcoming these toxic myths, plus exclusive resources designed specifically for the way YOUR brain learns best.

You aren't just capable of becoming a nurse. You're capable of transforming what nursing can be.

Visit NURSING.com/different for exclusive resources designed specifically for nurses with learning differences.

In this deeply personal episode, Jon Haws, RN and founder of NURSING.com, shares his never-before-told story of withdrawing from nursing school due to crippling anxiety—and how that same anxiety later became his clinical superpower. Jon reveals shocking statistics showing that over 50% of nursing students have learning differences like ADHD, dyslexia, or anxiety, and how traditional nursing education fails these students.

Discover how these "different brains" aren't limitations, but unique advantages that healthcare desperately needs. Jon breaks down the specific strengths that come with ADHD, dyslexia, and anxiety in nursing practice, sharing real stories of nurses who've transformed their cognitive differences into clinical excellence.

This isn't just a survival guide—it's a revolutionary manifesto for transforming nursing education and practice by embracing cognitive diversity. Whether you're struggling through nursing school or thriving in your career, Jon's vulnerable journey will inspire you to see your "different" brain as exactly what nursing needs.

Ready to join the revolution? Visit NURSING.com/different for exclusive resources designed specifically for nurses with learning differences.

SOCK method quiz/cheatsheets/resources at: https://nursing.com/sock

In this raw and revealing episode, Jon Haws, RN, shares his personal journey from pharmacology nightmare to nursing confidence. With vulnerability and humor, Jon recounts his 3 AM study sessions surrounded by scattered flashcards and energy drinks, feeling like a failure as he struggled to memorize endless drug facts that wouldn't stick.

When a simple clinical question about Zofran administration left him frozen, Jon discovered a breakthrough approach that transformed his nursing education. Through heartfelt storytelling and evidence-based insights, Jon introduces the SOCK Method (Side Effects, Organs, Classes/Considerations/Cards, Know) - a framework that replaces overwhelming memorization with meaningful connections and clinical reasoning.

This episode features Jon's signature blend of nursing wisdom, personal struggle, and practical solutions, including a weekly study plan and Nurse Blake-inspired humor that will have you laughing through your pharmacology tears. Whether you're currently drowning in drug cards or looking to strengthen your medication knowledge, Jon's compassionate guidance offers a lifeline for every nursing student who's ever wondered: "Is there something wrong with me?"

Join the nursing family that's putting on their SOCKs and walking confidently toward pharmacology mastery.

See if you might have imposter syndrome: https://nursing.com/imposter

In this deeply personal episode, Jon Haws, RN and founder of NURSING.com, opens up about the universal yet rarely discussed feeling of inadequacy that plagues nursing students everywhere. Drawing from his own journey from self-doubting student to ICU charge nurse, Jon reveals the startling truth: 92% of nursing students feel like "the dumbest person in class" at some point, with 42% experiencing these feelings daily.

This isn't just commiseration—it's a thoughtful exploration of imposter syndrome in nursing education, backed by recent research showing how this psychological phenomenon specifically impacts healthcare students. Jon breaks down why nursing school creates the perfect storm for self-doubt and offers seven evidence-based strategies that helped him move from feeling like a fraud to embracing authentic practice.

Whether you're questioning your place in nursing school, struggling with clinical anxiety, or simply wondering if you're the only one who feels lost in pathophysiology, this episode offers both validation and a practical pathway forward. Jon's vulnerable confessions and compassionate insights remind us that sometimes what feels like incompetence is actually the beginning of wisdom—and that your fears about harming patients might just be evidence that you're exactly the kind of nurse patients need.

#NursingStudent #ImposterSyndrome #NursingEducation #NCLEX #NursingSchool #SelfDoubt #ProfessionalGrowth #MentalHealth

Is nursing still worth it, or is burnout making it impossible to stay in the profession? In this episode, Jon Haws, RN, gets real about the struggles nurses face, sharing his own story of quitting nursing school just 10 weeks before graduation. He breaks down the shocking statistics behind nursing burnout, why it might actually be PTSD, and the hard lessons he learned from hitting rock bottom.

But here’s the truth—nursing can still be one of the most rewarding careers IF you take care of yourself. Jon shares six game-changing strategies to prevent burnout, the mindset shifts that saved his career, and why stepping away helped him come back stronger.

If you’re questioning whether nursing is right for you—or if you’re barely holding on—this episode is for you. Tune in for raw, honest insight into the challenges of nursing, why self-care is non-negotiable, and how to find your path without losing yourself.

• How burnout is wrecking nurses—and patients
• Why quitting nursing school was the best decision Jon ever made
• 6 anti-burnout strategies that actually work

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. Listen now and take control of your nursing journey.

Read the blog post here: https://nursing.com/burnout 

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my unexpected path—from stepping up as a charge nurse to creating a community of thousands of nursing students and professionals. I share how I started by posting my own notes and podcast episodes, only to realize how deeply my story resonated with others struggling through nursing school.

You’ll hear how NRSNG rapidly grew, why I left my job in the NEURO ICU, and how I hired a passionate team to meet the skyrocketing demand for our resources. I also recount the exciting leap we made when we rebranded to Nursing.com in early 2020, unveiling an all-in-one platform dedicated to nurses at every stage of their journey. 

Plus, I’ll give you an inside look at the powerful sense of family and support that blossomed along the way—proving that together, we can change the culture of nursing for the better. Finally, I hint at what was just around the corner: the onset of COVID-19 and how it would impact our evolving mission. Don’t miss this heartfelt reflection on building a community that’s changing nursing education forever.

Happy Nursing!

-Jon, RN

In today’s episode, I’m taking you through a pivotal part of my nursing journey—from my early days in the Neuro ICU to precepting students, becoming a charge nurse, and the moment I realized nursing education was broken.

This realization is what fueled me to start NURSING.com (formerly NRSNG). I wanted to fill the gaps I saw in nursing education and give you the tools I never had.

I share my struggles with imposter syndrome, the pressure of caring for patients, and why never feeling fully ready actually makes you a better nurse.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, this one’s for you. 💙

Happy Nursing!

-Jon Haws, RN

Welcome to The Nursing Podcast, where we dive deep into the real-life experiences of being a nurse. I’m Jon Haws, RN, founder of Nursing.com, and today, we continue my journey—picking up from landing my first ICU job.

In this episode, I share the raw realities of my 13-week neuro ICU internship at a Level 1 trauma hospital, from my first nerve-wracking shift to the heartbreaking cases that shaped my career. I reflect on the profound impact nurses have, including a moment I’ll never forget—when a grieving mother hugged me and said, “I will always remember you.”

I also discuss the challenges and rewards of precepting new nurses, the chaos of ICU life, and the lessons that stuck with me over the years. Join me as I break down what it truly means to provide comfort and care in a patient’s most vulnerable moments. Let’s get started!

Happy Nursing!

Oh man . . . it's hard to believe that about 14 years ago I was sleeping on a mattress I'd found in the dumpster - not even sure if nursing school would ever end. 

It did.  I survived.  I passed the NCLEX.  And I got a job in the Neuro ICU right out of nursing school. 

Today I want to share part IV of my journey.

Happy Nursing

Jon Haws, RN