What’s up everyone! I have a super fun episode for you this week. I’m wrapping up the East Coast run of my PTO Comedy Tour in Tampa, and my grandmother Nan is in town! I’m so excited to finally introduce my Nan, who is an avid listener of the podcast. My favorite thing this week is Todd Patrick, which is a luxury queer-owned streetwear brand I found in Atlanta.

I’m breaking down types of nursing schools, and give some tips for applicants looking for the right program. I’m also sharing stories with my Nan, and asking her questions about her life so you all can get to know her better. I also go over the classes you take in nursing school, and the certifications you’ll earn. What type of nurse would Nan be?

I also answer some nursing school related “Dear Blake” submissions. Then, I quiz Nan on her East Coast knowledge in honor of closing out my East Coast run on tour. To close out we read shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners.

Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/

Enter for a chance to win through the free NurseCon app, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/

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Happy Thursday! This week, I’m recording another episode on the road! This time Brett and I are in a hotel conference room, because we’re so fancy. To start, I talk about crashing a nursing school lecture in Pittsburgh, and the local lingo my cousin taught me. My favorite thing this week is my fanny pack! I share what’s in my bag and why I love it.

Then, I get into the main topic of the episode, which is all about nurse ride-out teams. I’m covering the differences between being on the ride-out team vs. the recovery team. I’m sharing my tips for ride-out nurses, and Brett and I discuss how we’ve handled natural disaster situations in the past. I also take a preparedness quiz with Brett to see if we’re prepared for another natural disaster!

Shoutout to all the ride out healthcare workers, you all are amazing! To close out we read shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners.

Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/

Enter for a chance to win through the free NurseCon app, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING

Thanks for listening!

I’m back!! And I’m on the road. This week, I’m recording the podcast from a dressing room because my PTO Comedy Tour has started! As always, I’m with Brett with two T’s, and we’re talking about bus life, our tour crew, and the cities we’ve stopped at so far. To start, I explain how my tour is going, and the work I’ve put in with my team to make this show amazing!

Brett and I break down what it’s like to live on a tour bus, and we get into all the ins and outs. I love being on the road, because it’s so fun to connect with all of you across the country! My favorite thing this week is my new headphones, which leads to a story about how I got lost in the woods in North Carolina.

I’ve also launched the 4th Annual Nurse Blake Awards, which is a sweepstakes! There is the Grand Prize: 2022 Tesla Model 3 or $25,000, two First place winners: $5,000 each, and ten Second place winners: $500 each. It’s the biggest Nurse Blake Awards yet! Then, Brett and I play “This or That - Travel Edition”. Would you rather travel by plane or bus? Tropical vacation or mountain vacation? I also go through the 5 states where nurses are the happiest!

To close out we read shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners.

Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/

Enter for a chance to win through the free NurseCon app, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING

Thanks for listening!

We made it!! This week I’m sipping on a High Noon with my husband to celebrate 25 episodes of the podcast. TW: the carbonation led to some burps. This episode is really fun because it’s all about dating a nursing student! I share my experience, and Brett with two T’s shares his perspective on being the partner of a nursing student.

My favorite thing this week is my brand new shoes. They look like fancy crocs, so they’re comfortable and practical. Dating a nursing student isn’t easy, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Nursing school is stressful and it takes up a lot of your time. You can make dating work though, and I share 8 tips on how to do it.

I also go through the 5 love languages, and I take the love language quiz to see how well my husband knows my love languages. I’d say we’re pretty compatible! Even if your love languages are very different from your partner’s, you can learn how to show the love they want to receive.

To close out, I answer a “Dear Blake” question. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners. After next week’s break I’m going to start to record the podcast on the road! I’m so excited!

Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/

Become a member of NurseCon, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING

Thanks for listening!

For this episode, I get serious and give my unfiltered thoughts on nurse retention, and a New York Times article that came out this week titled “Nursing is in Crisis”. To start, I get into my favorite thing this week, which is pumpkin spice lattes! Summer is over y’all. That means my tour is starting so so soon! Check out my website for tickets.

Most of the people cited in the NY Times article were executives, not bedside nurses. I will always advocate for bedside nurses, and the general public needs to hear from the nurses themselves. Nursing has been in a crisis before the pandemic, and now it’s become clear nurse’s needs are often forgotten. To lighten things up- Happy National Dog Day! My husband Brett and I ask each other some dog trivia questions to celebrate.

Nurses deserve more recognition than gum and water bottles. It’s time for hospitals to implement safe staffing protocols. Advocate for each other, because nurse advocacy and patient advocacy go hand in hand at the end of the day.

Next week is our drinking episode, so be sure to tune it! To close out I answer a “Dear Blake” question and give a shout out. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners.

NY Times Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/21/health/covid-nursing-shortage-delta.html

Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/

Become a member of NurseCon, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING

Thanks for listening!

This week, I’m sharing stories from childhood with my husband Brett! My favorite thing is Air Head Extremes, which leads to a conversation about candies and how they’ve changed over the years. From cereal milk to embarrassing moments, Brett and I are diving into growing up stories that helped shape us into who we are today.

I talk about my rivalry with the “other” Blake from elementary school. Brett talks about breaking his nose, but luckily for me I wasn’t great at sports so I never got injured. I was talented in other ways though, and I talk about my acting roles in high school. 

Since we both grew up in Florida, I share “Florida Man” stories that came out on our birthdays. Brett and I play a 2nd round of Favorite and Least Favorite! This time we're getting into social media, months of the year, nursing shifts, and more!

I talk about my first show rehearsal for my upcoming tour; I’m so excited to see you all! After that I answer some Dear Blake questions about nursing school and burnout at the bedside. 

To close out we read shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners.

Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/

Become a member of NurseCon, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING

Thanks for listening!

I’m talking about my very first nursing job for this episode! As usual I have to start with my favorite thing this week- my ice beanie. If you run hot like me, this is a game changer y’all.

I’m excited about my tour kicking off in less than a month! There might be a big surprise at one of my shows, and I tell my husband Brett all about it. I’m also talking about NurseCon, which is now available on the App store! It’s free to sign up, and you can get your CNEs for FREE.

Before I dive into my first nursing job story, I answer some Dear Blake questions for new grads. Some things you’ll just have to shake off, but in some circumstances it is the right thing to do to leave your new job.

I had my first nursing job in Greenville, SC at a level one trauma center. I get into the residency program, starting on the night shift, and bonding with my unit and patients. My biggest piece of advice is to remember to have fun! Remember why you wanted to be a nurse in the first place, because it will all feel overwhelming at first. You got this!

Brett and I also play “Favorite and Least Favorite”, from jobs, to classes in school, and I even reveal a big change to my coffee choices during the game! To close out we read shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners.

Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/

Become a member of NurseCon, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING

Thanks for listening!

I’m talking about my very first nursing job for this episode! As usual, I have to start with my favorite thing this week- my ice beanie. If you run hot like me, this is a game changer y’all.

I’m excited about my tour kicking off in less than a month! There might be a big surprise at one of my shows, and I tell my husband Brett all about it. I’m also talking about NurseCon, which is now available on the App store! It’s free to sign up, and you can get your CNEs for FREE.

Before I dive into my first nursing job story, I answer some Dear Blake questions for new grads. Some things you’ll just have to shake off, but in some circumstances it is the right thing to do to leave your new job.

I had my first nursing job in Greenville, SC at a level one trauma center. I get into the residency program, starting on the night shift, and bonding with my unit and patients. My biggest piece of advice is to remember to have fun! Remember why you wanted to be a nurse in the first place, because it will all feel overwhelming at first. You got this!

Brett and I also play “Favorite and Least Favorite”, from jobs, to classes in school, and I even reveal a big change to my coffee choices during the game! To close out we read shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners.

Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/

Become a member of NurseCon, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING

Thanks for listening!

This episode is all about surviving nursing school! My absolute favorite thing this week is my puppies coming home. Brett and I had our two dogs in training for 6 weeks, and I’m so happy to have them back full time! I also share the story of how we ended up with two dogs instead of one.

I answer some “Dear Blake” school related questions from listeners. Then, I go through the Top 10 Nursing Schools in 2021 according to nurse.org, and Brett tries to guess which schools made the list. So how do you survive nursing school once you find the best program for you? It’s important to focus on retention instead of memorization. Communicate with friends and family that you will be less available once nursing school starts. You’ll see who your real friends are!

Make sure you are staying on top of your work, because it’s easy to get behind. Staying organized will be key. Tackle your clinical nerves by being prepared. Get there early, ask questions, and stay engaged. This week’s game is “This or That- Nursing School Edition”. Brett asks me all the This or That questions since I’m the only former nursing student on the podcast. Iced coffee over energy drinks for sure!

This past year has resulted in a lot more online education, so be sure to ask lots of questions when you are on the job. Everyone will know your experience was different, and your unit will want to help you. Nursing is a learning journey, and you will continue to learn until you retire.

To close out we read shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners.

Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/

Become a member of NurseCon, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING

Thanks for listening!

Before I get started, I wanted to address the loss of Nurse Ebi last week. He was the creator of @nurselifern on Instagram, host of the Nurse Speak podcast, and overall an incredible nurse and advocate. You will be missed!

We made it to 20 episodes! I’m smiling through the pain from my dentist appointment, which I get into to start the episode. Then I talk about my favorite thing this week, which is Buzz Balls! No it’s not a toy- it’s an adult beverage in the shape of a ball! Please drink responsibly. #HotNurseSummer I’ve also added 9 new shows to my PTO Comedy Tour! Get your tickets before they’re gone.

This week, I am discussing the best and worst parts of nursing. I start with the best parts of nursing, like the ability to care for others, job security, diverse opportunities, and more! There are so many reasons why nursing is a great career choice. Of course, there are some negatives. I go through some of the worst parts- including working overtime, exposure to germs and viruses, and high stress environments. To me, the pros outweigh the cons, but don’t jump into the profession because it pays well. Choose nursing if it’s right for you!

I also quiz Brett with some basic nursing questions since he’s “basically” a nurse now. Then, I do my first installment of my new “Dear Blake” segment, where I answer questions you all submitted! To close out we read shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast.

Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners.

Tickets for my comedy tour are on sale now! https:/nurseblake.com/

Become a member of NurseCon, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/

SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING

Thanks for listening!