Related: Attitude, Career, Confidence, Nursing Jobs, Success, Travel Nursing

Travel nursing takes a unique skill set as well as a flexible personality.

You know you are cut out to be a travel nurse if you have excellent clinical skills and love to travel. As a travel nurse, you’re constantly on the go, moving from state to state.  This is exciting for individuals who enjoy learning about new cities—their history and culture.

You don’t always know the [...]

Related: Attitude, Doctor-Nurse Relationships, Doctors, Mindset

In the gazillion years I've been a nurse, I'm happy to report that I've learned a lot. Some from nursing school. Some from other nurses. Some from study. Some from patients.

And hard as it may be for you to hear, lots has been from my docs.

I call them "my docs" because I've spent most of my career in a family practice [...]

Related: Attitude, New Grad, New Nurse, Orientation, Orientee, Preceptor

Kim Rapper, RN, BSN, has years of precepting experience; she knows the struggles between preceptors and orientees. In this video, she shares what orientees don't know about their preceptors--and how this knowledge could lead to a more positive precepting experience.

Related: Anxiety, Attitude, Confidence, Gossip, Learning, New Nurse, New Nurse Tips, Nurse Relationships, Nursing Shortage, Professionalism

Building rapport with co-workers is challenging at any age and any stage of your career. For new nurse grads it can be overwhelming. The first day is always the hardest. Your own anticipatory anxiety can make things worse than they are in reality.

One of the most important things to remember is that there will be at least one person who you will annoy no matter [...]

Related: Attitude, Compassion Fatigue, Humor, Morale, Nurse Relationships, Nurse Support, Support

Ever felt like you were stuck in a bad situation and could do nothing about it?

Sometimes it’s the little things that can really help to turn things around. While there are many things that may be outside of your control, sometimes all it takes is one person choosing to focus on creating positive change to really get the momentum going

A few ideas on how to [...]

Related: Attitude, Caregivers, Caring, Compassion Fatigue, Emotions, Energy, Feelings, Morale, Patients

I am drained: mentally, physically, emotionally, and psychologically.

One month at the PICU, I’m so tired. It's been the kind of month that keeps you up all night. If you finally get to sleep, you wake up from a disturbing dream.

You smile and joke the whole day at work, but subconsciously you're bleeding from the gut. And there are no sutures to keep the wound closed. [...]

Related: Anxiety, Attitude, Emotions, Expectations, Fear, Feelings, Mindset, New Grad, New Nurse, Seasoned Nurses, Stress, Student Nurse, Success

I do my best thinking in the shower. I should probably take more. Yesterday I was thinking about a friend who got married over the weekend and the new season of life she's entered. New nurse, new bride, new stress.

Here's the thing about seasons. They come and they go. That's important to remember. Especially the going part. Some [...]

Related: Attitude, Career, Interview, Job Search, New Nurse Tips, Professionalism, Resume

You’ve heard the stories about over-the-top interviewing gaffes. Like the applicant who smelled her armpits as she walked through the door. Or the applicant who answered a personal call and asked the interviewer to leave the room for a few moments. Or the applicant who asked the interviewer for a ride home after the interview.

Most of us have enough sense to not make these blunders. [...]

Related: Attitude, Balance, Career, Compassion Fatigue, Feelings, Gossip, Morale, Patience, Quitting

I have first-hand experience with “sticking it out” in a bad job situation. However, there are also benefits to seeking out change. If you can no longer thrive in the environment you are in, move on. But how do you know when to stick it out or start looking for a new job?
1. Gauge your feelings over a long period of time (six months or [...]

Related: Attitude, Career, Doctor-Nurse Relationships, Education, Mindset, Patient Advocate, Stereotypes

I am an RN studying to be a Physician Assistant. I have been training in the medical model for PA school after my nursing school education. I’ve essentially sat in on the training of both MDs and RNs and can tell you stereotypes are ingrained on both sides.

Doctors are groomed to expect to have nurses “bugging” them for orders, calling them with useless and non-important [...]