The FreshRN Podcast with Kati Kleber

This episode discusses very practical tips for learning how to live the night shift life from the perspective of both current and former night shift nurses.   We discuss it all: from eating and sleeping tips, to how to manage your nursing care on the night shift, to communicating with the healthcare team at night, and more.   Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/tips-for-working-as...

In this episode, Elizabeth (former code-team nurse) takes the lead in discussing what's important for new nurses to know about STEMI, stroke, and sepsis.  Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/code-stemi-code-stroke-and-code-sepsis-show-notes/ [FREE MINI COURSE] Nursing Report Basics for Med-Surg Nurses (includes my fav med-surg report sheet and my top abbreviations) I would use whe...

Working on nursing units can be amazingly rewarding with great teamwork, but having a negative unit culture or having to deal with nurse bullies can change your entire nursing experience (and not in a good way), especially as a new nurse. In this episode, we cover: how to deal with a negative unit culture the importance of emotional intelligence and self-inventory how to respond to bullies and con...

This episode covers the essential aspects of landing a job as a new nurse: resumes, applications, and interviews. All three of the hosts have experience interviewing new graduates and we give you our insider tips on the process. To check out my full nurse resume and interview course, click here:  https://www.freshrn.com/hired Prep for nursing job interview questions with this PDF download list: ht...

Contrary to popular belief, nurses are not perfect. We make mistakes. In this episode, we discuss the mistakes we'll never forget, as well as a few others. We also discuss some tips for how to deal with mistakes as a new nurse. Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/nurses-make-mistakes-show-notes/ Get weekly tips, encouragement, stories from the bedside and more - just for nursing s...

Striking the balance between too much pain medicine and not enough can be tough for any nurse, let alone a brand new nurse. What throws a big wrench in everything is the fact that we, as a nation, are experiencing a very real and very devastating epidemic of opioid use and abuse. Bedside nurses feel the brunt of this due to many patients requesting sometimes very concerning amounts of intravenous...

In this episode, we dive into 8 tips for success for newbies in the ICU! This episode is hosted by 3 CCRN nurses. We cover: characteristics of the intensive care nurse normal expectations critical thinking communication and more! Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/tips-for-new-grads-in-the-icu-show-notes/ Get weekly tips, encouragement, stories from the bedside and more - just fo...

We continue our journey through neurocritical care nursing! This episode discusses some important meds (mannitol, hypertonic saline), different kinds of monitoring (ICP), diagnostics (CTA, MRI), and surgeries (craniotomies) that are pertinent to the neurocritical care patient. This episode is hosted by three neurocritical care nurses. Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/neuro-nurs...

This episode discusses a few disease processes that are typically seen by the neuro ICU nurse as well as a neuro floor. We chat about subdural hematomas, epidural hematomas, seizures, brain tumors, and diffuse axonal injury. And as always, this episode is hosted by three neuro ICU nurses! Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/disease-processes-show-notes/ Get weekly tips, encouragem...

If neuro changes are subtle, when do I worry? In this episode, we answer that question along with many of the common questions newbies to neuro have. We also discuss common neuro disease processes, including ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage, and more. This episode is hosted by three neuro ICU nurses. Show notes are located here: https://www.fres...

Giving and receiving report can be one of the most nerve-wracking parts of being a new nurse. In this episode, we discuss the basic nursing considerations for report. We cover: etiquette LDA's meds alarm management what to expect when giving and receiving report from various levels of care and more! Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/nursing-report-for-newbies/ Get weekly tips, e...

This episode discusses why time management is essential for every nurse to consider, as well as practical tips for the floor and critical care environment. Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/episode-011-time-management-tips-for-new-nurses-show-notes/ Get weekly tips, encouragement, stories from the bedside and more - just for nursing students and new nurses at:  https://www.fresh...

This episode discusses how to practically deal with a patient's death as it is happening right in front of your eyes, and how to support the patient's loved ones. We also share practical considerations, and our own personal stories and tips for how to emotionally process this once you get home. Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/dealing-with-patient-deaths/ Get weekly tips, encou...

In this episode, Kati and Elizabeth talk: diagnostics for new nurses. They discuss basic differentiation and considerations for CT's, MRI's, and X-rays, as well as collecting and interpreting lab results. Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/freshrn-podcasts-episode-009-diagnostics-new-nurses/ Get weekly tips, encouragement, stories from the bedside and more - just for nursing stud...

It's tough to figure out how to deal with people being rude to you while you're trying to do your job, in a way that maintains your trusting nurse-patient relationship. You're not alone. In this episode, we discuss practical tips and tricks and share personal experiences dealing with frustrating, demeaning, demanding, or difficult patients and/or families. Show notes are located here: https://www....

Documenting is like painting a clinical picture – why did you give that PRN med? What was their response? In this episode, we discuss practical tips and tricks for efficient, yet thorough documentation, as well as important things to consider that many nurses don't realize. Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/freshrn-podcasts-episode-007-documentation-for-nurses-show-notes/ Get we...

This episode discusses the frequently challenging topic of delegation, specifically to nursing aides as well as colleagues. We'll discuss tips and tricks, as well as the importance of building rapport. Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/delegation-for-new-nurses-show-notes/ [FREE] Nursing Report Basics for Med-Surg Nurses (includes my fav med-surg report sheet and my top abbrevia...

This episode discusses some basics that are essential to understand when working with a medical team, including how they function and what their expectations are from the nurse. We discuss rounding, common new grad mistakes when working with doctors, and as always, share our own personal stories! Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/freshrn-podcast-episode-005-working-physicians/ G...

This episode discusses how to structure your life outside of work so that you're able to fully enjoy both your work life and your home life. Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/freshrn-podcast-episode-004-nursing-worklife-balance-show-notes/ Get weekly tips, encouragement, stories from the bedside and more - just for nursing students and new nurses at:  https://www.freshrn.com/ Co...

This episode discusses the warning signs of an impending code and when to get concerned. We also discuss rapid response situations, and what to do in a code blue situation when you... don't know what to do. We also share our first code blue situations. Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/episode-003-code-show-notes/ Get weekly tips, encouragement, stories from the bedside and more...

In this episode, we share the basic information the bedside nurse should know related to central lines or central venous catheters. This includes things you should never do, things you should always do, when to be concerned, and how to educate your patients. Show notes are located here: https://www.freshrn.com/episode-002-central-venous-catheters-101-show-notes/ Get weekly tips, encouragement, sto...

So you're officially a nurse, congratulations! In the first episode of the FreshRN podcast, Kati and Elizabeth discuss all things new grad orientation. We chat about: The structure of a typical nursing orientation What to expect throughout your nursing orientation Tips for working with a preceptor What to do when you and your preceptor don't get along And how to acclimate yourself to the culture o...