Life After Nursing School

Send us Fan Mail Learn what I wish I had done before starting my first nursing job. From preparing early for the new grad nurse job search to building a standout resume, setting boundaries, preventing burnout, and staying open to opportunities—this episode is your roadmap to thriving as a new nurse Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline: Instagram → ⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ TikTok → ⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline...

Send us Fan Mail As we close out 2025 and step into a brand new year, this episode is your invitation to pause, reflect, and reset. Whether you’re a new nurse, a nursing student, or somewhere in the early stages of your nursing career, today’s conversation will help you understand why the things that feel uncomfortable are the very things that help you grow. In this episode, I break down the scien...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Life After Nursing School Podcast, host Caroline Danna, MSN, RN, shares her biggest takeaways from attending the Indeed Careers in Care networking event in New York City. What started as a few days in Times Square turned into a powerful reminder about connection, courage, and career growth. Caroline reflects on meeting online connections in real life, findin...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Life After Nursing School podcast, host Caroline Danna sits down with Stephanee Beggs, the nurse, educator, and entrepreneur behind RNExplained and author of the bestselling book Debrief . After reading Debrief cover to cover, Caroline knew she had to connect with Stephanee to dive deeper into the real, unfiltered side of nursing — the part that goes beyond...

Send us Fan Mail What if nurse burnout wasn’t the end of your story—but the beginning of your healing? In this episode of Life After Nursing School , host Caroline Danna sits down with Kelly Dubowski, Holistic Nurse Coach and founder of Hope With Kelly and Nurturing the Nurse . After experiencing the exhaustion and emotional toll of burnout herself, Kelly transitioned from bedside nursing to holis...

Send us Fan Mail When life as a nurse feels heavy and burnout starts to blur your sense of purpose, sometimes the only way forward… is through. In this inspiring conversation, host Caroline Danna, MSN, RN sits down with Gaige Matthews, former ER nurse and founder of Beyond Bedside Fitness , to unpack what it really takes to rebuild your confidence, discipline, and faith when you’re running on empt...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling like your days off vanish before you can actually rest? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, host Caroline Danna, MSN, RN shares how to romanticize self-care and find calm, beauty, and joy in your everyday nurse life — no spa day required. Inspired by Taylor Swift’s song “Opalite,” Caroline explores how happiness can be man-made and how slowing down can recharge y...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know that 33% of new graduate nurses leave their first job within a year, and nearly one in five leave nursing altogether? In this episode of Life After Nursing School , host Caroline Danna, MSN, RN (a clinical instructor and new nurse career coach) dives into why so many new nurses are walking away from the bedside… and what you can do to protect your passion, peace, and...

Send us Fan Mail Level up your nursing career with some necessary tough love. In this episode, I share 10 tough-love lessons every nurse needs—perfect for nursing students, new grad nurses, and working nurses navigating today’s high-stress healthcare environment. From letting go of what you can’t control to building confidence before you feel ready, these are the mindset shifts that reduce burnout...

Send us Fan Mail Critical thinking is one of the most important skills you’ll ever develop as a new nurse  but it doesn’t come overnight. In this episode of Life After Nursing School , Nurse Career Coach Caroline shares how you can use ChatGPT as a practical tool to strengthen your clinical judgment and build confidence at the bedside. You’ll learn how to apply ChatGPT to the nursing process (ADPI...

Send us Fan Mail Are you curious about how nurses can build flexible, remote careers? In this episode of Life After Nursing School , Caroline sits down with David Rosenbeck, co-founder of Go Beyond the Bedside, to talk about breaking free from traditional hospital roles. David shares his journey from bedside nursing to launching a platform that connects nurses with remote nursing jobs, virtual car...

Send us Fan Mail This week, I’m joined by a very special guest - my husband, Bryan Danna, PA-C and Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Together, we’re celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary with a conversation that blends love, laughter, and a behind-the-scenes look at life as a dual healthcare couple. From marathon training to raising three kids, from military commitments to launching...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Life After Nursing School , I chat with Nicole Johnson, BSN, RN, CCRN - Critical Care Nurse and founder of Unwound Retreats. Nicole knows firsthand the challenges of burnout and has built a career around helping nurses reconnect with themselves and their purpose. With certifications in Happiness at Work, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Psychological Firs...

Send us Fan Mail Fall is here - pumpkin spice, busy schedules, and all the chaos that comes with it. Whether you’re a nursing student heading back to clinicals or a new grad nurse starting your first job, this season can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 simple strategies to help you stay organized, reduce decision fatigue, and actually enjoy pumpkin spice season. From creating a w...

Send us Fan Mail Starting your first nursing job is exciting, but what if your preceptor isn’t the right fit? Orientation sets the foundation for your nursing career, and a mismatched preceptor can make it harder to build confidence and independence as a new grad nurse. In this episode of Life After Nursing School , we’ll break down what a supportive orientation should look like, the red flags of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re diving into Mel Robbins’ “Let Them” Theory and how it can transform your nursing practice, especially if you’re a new grad or navigating the pressures of the job. The “Let Them” Theory is simple yet powerful: Let Them: Release the need to control other people—their actions, emotions, or opinions. Let Me: Give yourself permission to focus on what you can cont...

Send us Fan Mail If you’re a nursing student or new grad nurse dreaming of financial freedom or just wanting more control over your career this episode is for you. Today, I’m joined by Savannah Arroyo, The Net Worth Nurse , who went from hustling to land her first job in California’s saturated market to building a $3+ million real estate portfolio and leaving bedside nursing behind. Savannah share...

Send us Fan Mail Are you a new nurse feeling overwhelmed by everything they didn’t teach you in nursing school? You’re not alone—and in this episode, I’m answering some of the most commonly asked questions from both listeners and members of The New Nurse Society. We’re covering real-life topics every new grad nurse wants (and needs) to know about:  ✅ What the heck is a 401(k) and how do you use i...

Send us Fan Mail Are you a nursing student or new grad nurse dreaming of a life that feels aligned, balanced, and fulfilling - both in and out of scrubs? In this episode of Life After Nursing School , we’re diving deep into manifestation, not the vague, "wish-upon-a-star" kind, but a grounded, step-by-step approach to creating the life and nursing career you actually want. Whether you’re...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Life After Nursing School , I share how I accidentally manifested my dream life and nursing career - without even realizing it. Whether you're a nursing student, new grad nurse, or feeling burnt out in your current role, this story will give you hope, clarity, and a new way to think about your career. I open up about my early struggles as a cross-country ru...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling stuck in survival mode as a nursing student or new grad nurse? In this episode, I sit down with ICU nurse, fitness coach, and content creator Niko Saunders (@officialfitrn) to talk all things nurse burnout, healthy habits, and building a life outside the bedside. Niko opens up about the moment he realized he wasn’t okay, how a medical diagnosis led to a wake-up call, and t...

Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary This episode is a little different - it's a personal one. After six months of podcasting, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing more about who I am beyond the mic. From my journey through nursing school and loss, to marriage, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and self-discovery in my 30s - this is the real, unfiltered story behind the podcast. Whether you'...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s episode is a must-listen if you’re a new nurse wondering what it’s like to jump into the ER right after graduation—or if you're curious about building an online presence as a nurse. I’m joined by Alyssa Jobs, a new grad ER nurse and content creator based in California. We talk about her nursing school journey, what it actually felt like to land her first job (after ap...

Send us Fan Mail In this empowering episode, nurse career mentor Caroline shares three essential strategies every nursing student and new grad nurse needs to take control of their nursing career and avoid burnout. She explores the importance of achieving financial stability as a new nurse , building a work-life balance in nursing , and recognizing limiting beliefs and societal pressures that can s...

Send us Fan Mail Curious about what it’s really like to be an OR nurse? Wondering if the operating room could be your future home as a new grad? In this episode, Caroline sits down with Dr. Yasmin Sharifi , also known as The OR RN Mentor , to give you a behind-the-red-line look into perioperative nursing. With over 30 years of experience, Yasmin shares her journey from med-surg burnout to falling...