If I could hop in a time machine and redo my journey to becoming a nurse, knowing what I know now... I’d take a very different path (and spend a lot less money). In this episode, I’m walking you through what I actually did: From changing majors to juggling basketball and nursing school, and what I’d do differently if I could go back.

We’ll talk about:

✅ Why I wish I’d started as a CNA in high school

✅ How going the ADN route first could’ve saved me thousands

✅ What I learned about tuition reimbursement and scholarships the hard way

✅ The importance of progress over perfection when planning your nursing path

Plus, I’ll share some encouragement for anyone stuck in decision paralysis, trying to figure out their next step. Your nursing journey doesn’t have to be perfect to be worth it, and there are so many smart, affordable ways to get where you want to go.

My free workbook that will help you map out costs, pros/cons of different schools, applications, and more: https://www.freshrn.com/planner/ 

Sign up for my email list: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up

My nursing degrees and programs learning hub: https://www.freshrn.com/nursing-degrees-and-programs/ 

Need to take out loans? Check out my partner, Juno, to join a collective bargaining group and score lower interest rates better than the big-name lenders (the 2025-2026 rates start at 3.47%!). Free to join, and it can save you thousands → https://www.freshrn.com/juno 

Connect With Me Online! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshRN    X: https://x.com/Kati_Kleber  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Fresh_RN/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kati_kleber/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freshrn   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@freshrn 

Ok that title might be a little spicy, but stick with me. In this episode, I discuss why so many of us over-identify with our roles, how “we’re a family” culture keeps us stuck, and what learned helplessness looks like at the bedside. We’ll also talk about the sneaky way suffering becomes a badge of honor, and how to step out of that martyr mindset.

Sign up for my email list: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up

My professional development learning hub: https://www.freshrn.com/professional-development/

 

In this episode, we’re diving into what happens when perfectionism collides with the messy, high-pressure reality of nursing. If you’ve ever felt like your entire identity is wrapped up in being the “good nurse” ... you know, the one who never messes up, never says no, and always holds it together, this conversation is for you.

We’ll talk about:

• How nursing school subtly wires us for people-pleasing
• Why high-pressure roles make us more vulnerable to shame
• Why self-compassion (not shame) is the key to confidence and performance
• What to do when you disappoint someone—and how to recover with integrity

Join my email list, already! https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up 

Get thoughtful support, freebies, and honest pep talks straight to your inbox:

If you want to learn more about self-compassion, check out the resources from Dr. Kristin Neff: https://self-compassion.org/

Need to take out loans? Use Juno to join a collective bargaining group and score lower interest rates—usually 1–4% better than the big-name lenders. Free to join, and it can save you thousands → https://www.freshrn.com/juno 

Connect With Me Online! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshRN    X: https://x.com/Kati_Kleber  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Fresh_RN/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kati_kleber/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freshrn   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@freshrn 

In this episode, I interviews Dr. Kelly J. Dries, Ph.D., RN, Director of Nursing Program Success at Wolters Kluwer Health. As a former dean of a nursing school, Dr. Dries shares:

• Her educational journey from someone telling her she'd never make it in nursing school, all the way to her PhD
• How nursing schools decide what their curriculum will look like
• The (sometimes sutble but important) differences between programs
• Smart questions to ask about the schools you're considering
• Advice and encouragement 

Article Kelly mentions: https://www.dailynurse.com/solving-the-nursing-shortage-starts-with-investing-in-educators

Conversational AI tech article: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/news/wolters-kluwer-and-laerdal-medical-enhance-vr-simulation-for-nursing-education-with-conversational-a 

My free workbook that will help you map out costs, pros/cons of different schools, applications and more: https://www.freshrn.com/planner/ 

Money-Saving Tip: Private student loans tend to have higher rates and stricter terms compared to federal options. That’s why it’s smart to shop around. Services like Juno let you tap into group-negotiated loan rates, sometimes cutting interest by up to 4%. Signing up is free, and even a 1% lower rate could save you thousands over the life of your loan - https://www.freshrn.com/juno 

Sign up for my email list: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up

My nursing degrees and programs learning hub: https://www.freshrn.com/nursing-degrees-and-programs/ 

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Michelle Boes, FNP, a nurse practitioner and board prep expert who’s helped thousands of aspiring NPs pass their exams with confidence. We talk about what it’s really like to go through the certification process, how to choose the right study tools, and what Sarah wishes every NP student knew before sitting for the test.

We cover:

• Sarah’s deeply personal and non-linear journey through nursing school, including nearly being removed from her program
• Her discovery that anxiety was a strength, not a weakness, in her nursing career
• Working in bone marrow transplant and oncology
• Returning to school for a master’s in nursing education
• Choosing to pursue an FNP degree, even though she wasn’t initially sure she wanted to practice as an NP
• Her experience with NP board prep programs and why she created her own (WILDLY successful) business
• A desire to teach and help others succeed academically

My NP blog post: https://www.freshrn.com/how-to-choose-an-np-program/ 

My top NCLEX prep programs: https://www.freshrn.com/best-nclex-reviews/

Article on her entrepreneurial journey: https://theygotacquired.com/content/sarah-michelle-np-reviews-acquired-by-blueprint-prep/ 

Sarah's NP board prep website (with a lot of NP resources): https://www.npreviews.com/  

My free workbook that will help you map out costs, pros/cons of different schools, applications, and more: https://www.freshrn.com/planner/ 

Sign up for my email list: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up

My nursing degrees and programs learning hub: https://www.freshrn.com/nursing-degrees-and-programs/ 

Need to take out loans? Check out my partner, Juno, to join a collective bargaining group and score lower interest rates better than the big-name lenders (the 2025-2026 rates start at 3.47%!). Free to join, and it can save you thousands → https://www.freshrn.com/juno 

Connect With Me Online! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshRN    X: https://x.com/Kati_Kleber  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Fresh_RN/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kati_kleber/  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freshrn   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@freshrn 

All of the NP track options are confusing. I'm Kati Kleber, an MSN-prepared nurse educator and in this video I'll explain the FNP role and differentiate it from other NP tracks.

Full article → https://www.freshrn.com/fnp-vs-agacnp/

We discuss:

• What is an FNP, really?
• Why the "family" part actually matter
• NP tracks and scope of practice explained
• What makes the FNP role stand out
• FNP vs. AGACNP vs. PNP and more
• What real NPs have to say about their roles

I have a platform full of free resources for current and prospective nurses. Here are a few!

The ultimate guide to different NP speciality options → https://www.freshrn.com/online-nurse-practitioner-programs/

Resource hub of nursing degrees and programs → https://www.freshrn.com/nursing-degrees-and-programs/

Free nursing school planning workbook: Compare schools, track tuition, and plan your next move (RN or grad school) → https://www.freshrn.com/planner/

Need to take out loans? Use Juno to join a collective bargaining group and score lower interest rates—usually 1–4% better than the big-name lenders. Free to join, and it can save you thousands → https://www.freshrn.com/juno

Join 30K+ nurses: Real talk. Career clarity. Nurse-to-nurse tips straight to your inbox → https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up

Connect With Me Online!

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FreshRN

X: https://x.com/Kati_Kleber

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Fresh_RN/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kati_kleber/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freshrn 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@freshrn 

Thinking about going back to school to earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) but feeling overwhelmed by what it actually means? In this episode, I break down what the DNP is, who it’s for, how it compares to an MSN or PhD, and share perspectives from DNP and DNAP-prepared nurses.

I outline:

• What the DNP really is (and how it’s different from a PhD)
• Why some nurses pursue it, and others don’t
• The difference between a DNP and a DNAP
• What to expect from a DNP program (time, cost, and the infamous DNP project)
• How to reverse-engineer your decision based on your future goals

Get your free workbook → If you're thinking about nursing school (at any level), this workbook will help you compare programs, weigh decisions, track finances, and more → https://www.freshrn.com/planner/ 

Read the article → https://www.freshrn.com/online-dnp-programs/ 

Want more support in your inbox? Join my email list to get exclusive content, encouragement, and nursing school tips I only share with subscribers → https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up/ 

Heads up → Even a small difference in your loan’s interest rate can add up to thousands over time. Before signing for a private loan, check what kind of rates you could qualify for through Juno. They use group buying power to negotiate lower rates for borrowers, often beating standard offers by 1–2%. It’s free to sign up with zero committment, and it could mean major savings down the road. Let's go! https://www.freshrn.com/juno 

I have been keeping my eye on NCLEX prep products for at least a decade and because of this, I maintain a checklist of features that make a program superior. I know a good one when I see one, what a reasonable price looks like, and what really moves the needle. 

In this episode, I explain my top three in detail. I would 10/10 use any of these if I were studying for the NCLEX again. (But thank GOSH I don't have to do that!)

You can read the full blog post (with all the links) here:

https://www.freshrn.com/best-nclex-reviews/

If you decide to give TrueLearn a try, use my promo code FRESHRN to get 20% off: https://truelearn.com/nursing/

Want more NCLEX tips + new grad support? Join my email list for exclusive resources and updates → https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up

And if you need private loans for school, check out my partner Juno to potentially save thousands through group rate negotiation → 

https://www.freshrn.com/juno

Are online nursing degrees respected? Do employers take them seriously? What about clinicals and accreditation? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Karen Cox, President of Chamberlain University—the largest nursing school in the U.S.—to tackle the most common misconceptions about online nursing education.

We cover things like:

• The evolution of online RN, BSN, and grad programs
• How online clinicals actually work
• What accreditation means and why it’s non-negotiable
• How employers view online degrees
• Confidence-building advice for nurses at every career stage

We even discuss her career path from LPN to PhD! (Yes, just took every step in between: LPN, ADN, BSN, MSN, and finally PhD!) So, if you're interested in an online program or if you're curious about the path of a PhD-prepared RN, this episode is for you. 

Link to the article on social determinants of learning that we mentioned: https://www.chamberlain.edu/about/social-determinants-of-learning 

New FreshRN freebie alert! I created a workbook to help you compare nursing schools (at any level) + track costs + map out your best path. Get it at no cost at https://www.freshrn.com/planner/ 

Don't overpay for student loans, people. After you max out your school's financial aid package and select your federal loans, most people have to take out private loans to bridge the gap. Make sure you're getting the best interest rate possible because even just 1-2% more can cost thousands over the lifetime of the loan. My new partner, Juno, uses group bargaining power to get lower interest rates, as much as 4% below market rates. It's free to join and check their rates to compare to yours before you sign on the dotted line. Use my link to sign up for free with no commitment here: https://www.freshrn.com/juno

Get on my email list already! https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up/ 

Considering getting your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) but feeling totally overwhelmed by the options? You’re not alone. In this episode, I break down what an MSN actually is (and what it isn’t), the difference between clinical and non-clinical paths, and how to choose a program that aligns with your goals, not just what seems affordable or popular.   You’ll learn:

• What an MSN really means (and why it’s not a job title)
• The difference between clinical MSN paths (like NP and CNS) vs. non-clinical paths (like education or leadership)
• What an APRN is, and how licensure + certification work
• Common program formats, including direct-entry, competency-based, and post-master’s certificates
• How to reverse-engineer your education based on the career you actually want
• Why clarity now can save you time, money, and frustration later

Free Resource: Download my Nursing School Planner to compare programs, track costs, and reflect on your long-term goals → FreshRN.com/planner   Read the full blog post: https://www.freshrn.com/msn-programs/   Want more support and clarity? Sign up for my email list → https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up/