Life In Scrubs

Latest Episodes:

Nurse Off Duty Mar 02, 2021

Show notes

What have you done lately to energize yourself and fill your cup? As nurses, it's in the job description to take care of others. In this episode, our hosts Kristen and Maddi are talking about the importance of taking care of yourself and taking advantage of your days off! In such a physically and emotionally demanding job it can be easy for new and seasoned nurses to burnout if they're not careful. Tune in to hear our ideal day off, reminders to leave work at work, and how you can make your own ideal, energizing, restful, and fulfilling day off a reality with a little intentionality.

01:00 How important is self-care when you're working in healthcare?

03:10 How to pace yourself to avoid burnout!

06:00 What do you do to energize yourself on your days off?

11:20 How do you manage taking time to rest and accomplishing things on your days off?

16:40 The importance of leaving work at work - you're not clocked in at home!

20:00 What would your perfect day off look like?

23:30 How to make plans ahead of time to create your ideal day!

25:15 The importance of making yourself a priority!

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Connect with us on Instagram: @lifeinscrubspodcast

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Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too!

@thenursekristen

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@nurse.maddi

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Navigating COVID and Dealing with Death as a Nurse Feb 23, 2021

Show notes

Being a nurse is knowing you will at some point or another deal with death. What we couldn't have predicted is what it would be like working as a nurse in a pandemic that has taken so many lives. In this episode, Kristen and Maddi open up about what it has been like working on the front lines in the COVID units of their hospitals. Kristen shares her experience learning to care for her patients as a new nurse, and navigating this virus that has challenged both new and seasoned nurses. Maddi, as a CVICU nurse, shares her experience treating the most critical COVID patients, working overtime to keep up with the demand, and what it has been like dealing with death throughout the pandemic.

01:15 What was it like working in the ICU during the first surge of COVID in 2020?

03:10 How did you adjust to the constant policy changes as your hospital was filling with COVID patients?

05:20 How have you responded to questions about what treatment is working to combat COVID?

07:15 The most common question: What is the recovery rate you see working on COVID units?

08:40 How did you handle seeing patient after patient decline?

12:00 What did your hospital do to prepare as supplies were running out in other parts of the country?

13:30 What was it like starting your first nursing job and treating COVID patients as a new nurse?

16:20 How do you handle dealing with death as a nurse?

17:40 How has COVID changed the experience of supporting patients and their loved ones as the patient passes away?

20:40 How has it affected you as a nurse doing everything you can to care for a patient and not getting the result you want?

22:00 What got you through working overtime to keep up with the demand?

22:40 The kind gesture that kept me going after losing a patient I cared for over 6 straight shifts.

26:30 Things you can do to find support when dealing with death as a nurse.

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Connect with us on Instagram: @lifeinscrubspodcast

https://www.instagram.com/lifeinscrubspodcast/?hl=en

Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too!

@thenursekristen

https://www.instagram.com/thenursekristen/?hl=en

@nurse.maddi

https://www.instagram.com/nurse.maddi/?hl=en

Fighting New Grad Anxiety Feb 16, 2021

Show notes

Stress and Anxiety are unavoidable. As a nurse, especially a new grad, you share a lot of responsibility as an integral part of your patient's care team. The good news is, the fear and weight of that responsibility is evidence that you care, which shows what an incredible nurse you are! The even better news is, this feeling of anxiety will alleviate more and more over time and experience. In this episode, our hosts Kristen and Maddi share their experiences with anxiety as new nurses, tips for what you can do in a moment of feeling anxious, and how you can set up your shifts for success!

01:20 How did you feel when you were finishing your preceptorship?

05:00 What did you do to prepare for your shifts that helped with your anxiety?

07:15 What is your routine before you go to work?

08:50 How researching and continuing to learn will help you as a new grad.

11:40 How seasoned nurses also continue to refresh!

13:30 What can you do to eliminate stress in the future and in the current moment?

17:40 What can you do to avoid burnout?

20:00 Treating each shift as a new shift!

22:00 Who is your support group?

23:30 Tell us: How do you handle stress and anxiety?

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Connect with us on Instagram: @lifeinscrubspodcast

https://www.instagram.com/lifeinscrubspodcast/?hl=en

Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too!

@thenursekristen

https://www.instagram.com/thenursekristen/?hl=en

@themaddiward

https://www.instagram.com/themaddiward/?hl=en

The In's and Out's of Interviews Feb 09, 2021

Show notes

We're back for another episode of Life In Scrubs! Our hosts Kristen and Maddi are talking all about interviewing for your nursing job! Per usual here on the podcast Kristen and Maddi share their different experiences from having to interview via ZOOM during the pandemic, to what impressed them when interviewing potential candidates to join their own unit! Tune in to hear their best tips from getting an interview, preparing for it, and how to follow through to get the nursing job you want!

01:40 What was your interview process like during the pandemic?

03:30 Differences between Maddi's Tele and ICU interviews!

06:30 What should you bring to your interview?

07:20 What should nursing students do to help get an interview during their last semester?

09:50 What research should you do to prepare for your interview?

12:30 What NOT to do for your interview!

14:40 What can you do to show confidence during your interview?

15:40 Questions we were asked when we were interviewed!

21:00 The questions YOU should ask in your interview!

23:40 What can I do to stand out as I end the interview?

26:50 What should I wear to my interview?

29:40 Our tips for answering questions and telling a story!

32:15 What should I do to follow up after my interview?

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Connect with us on Instagram: @lifeinscrubspodcast

https://www.instagram.com/lifeinscrubspodcast/?hl=en

Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too!

@thenursekristen

https://www.instagram.com/thenursekristen/?hl=en

@themaddiward

https://www.instagram.com/themaddiward/?hl=en

Code Blue Feb 02, 2021

Show notes

We've all watched dramatic scenes on TV shows of Code Blue's, but is it actually like they depict on TV? In this episode, Kristen and Maddi give us a real look at what Code Blues are like from their personal experiences! Maddi, as a CVICU nurse, is part of the team that gets assigned to respond to Codes and Rapids! As part of the code team Maddi breaks down the different roles as they respond to these emergencies, and both Kristen and Maddi talk about the most underrated roles of those helping during the code! Tune in to hear all about codes, rapid responses, and Kristen's first time being thrown into a Code Blue as a nursing student!

00:40 Are Code Blue's actually like they depict on TV shows?

02:00 What was your first experience with a code blue?

06:20 What are the different roles in the code team?

08:25 How do you know which role is best for you?

09:30 The most underrated jobs of everyone helping during the code!

13:50 What is the code team like at your hospital?

15:30 How has the code team changed because of COVID?

16:40 What do you bring to the code?

18:15 If you're the nurse that called the code for your patient, what do you do when the code team arrives?

20:00 What happens at your hospital after the code?

23:20 What about calling rapid responses?

26:40 Does it become easier over time of running to codes and rapids?

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Connect with us on Instagram: @lifeinscrubspodcast

https://www.instagram.com/lifeinscrubspodcast/?hl=en

Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too!

@thenursekristen

https://www.instagram.com/thenursekristen/?hl=en

@themaddiward

https://www.instagram.com/themaddiward/?hl=en

Getting the Most Out Of Your Preceptorship Jan 26, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, our hosts Kristen and Maddi are sharing their best tips for getting the most out of your preceptorship! You're starting your new job as a nurse and it's time to dive in and learn the ropes working as a team with your preceptor(s)! Kristen and Maddi share the experiences they had with their preceptors, and well as Maddi's experience being a preceptor herself! From creating good communication and trust, knowing how you personally learn best, and when they felt confident working as a nurse on their own - Kristen and Maddi talk all things preceptorship and taking the reigns in your new nursing job!

00:45 You'll get out - what you put into it!

02:30 How long was your preceptorship?

03:15 How important is your relationship and trust with your preceptor?

04:50 What if you are paired with a preceptor that you don't feel comfortable with?

07:00 Did you have one or multiple preceptors? Did you mesh with them right off the bat?

09:00 Did your preceptors let you take the reigns and be hands-on?

12:40 Different styles of how you learn as a preceptee!

15:50 What are the Pros and Cons of having multiple preceptors?

18:15 What is the routine you have found works best for you for assessments, meds, and charting?

21:20 How did you become a preceptor?

23:00 What is your experience like being a preceptor?

25:40 Eliminating the fear of asking "dumb" questions!

28:15 How to deal with other nurses that aren't open to new nurses?

30:15 The best advice I got as a new nurse for creating relationships with my unit!

31:40 Was there a moment it hit you that you were confident as a nurse?

34:00 What was your experience starting in Tele and the ICU on your own when you finished your preceptorships?

37:00 One thing that will help you really get the most out of your preceptorship!

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Connect with us on Instagram: @lifeinscrubspodcast

https://www.instagram.com/lifeinscrubspodcast/?hl=en

Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too!

@thenursekristen

https://www.instagram.com/thenursekristen/?hl=en

@themaddiward

https://www.instagram.com/themaddiward/?hl=en

Surviving a 12-Hour Shift Jan 19, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, our hosts Kristen and Maddi are giving their best tips to survive a 12-hour shift! From what to wear, to teamwork they get down to the details of what supports them through these long and tiring shifts. With Kristen being a night shift new nurse, and Maddi being a day shift more seasoned nurse, this episode is full of tips from both of their perspectives and it's not just what physically helps them through their nursing shifts! Tune in to hear their best advice for your next 12-hour shift!

01:00 Do you prefer to work 3 12-hour shifts?

04:00 What is a typical 12 hour night shift like for you?

06:30 Do you meal prep before going in to work?

08:20 How do you keep your energy up throughout a 12-hour shift?

10:00 Tips and tricks to get yourself to drink enough water!

11:50 What shoes do you wear while you're on your feet for 12 hours?

16:40 Compression socks vs regular socks!

17:30 Do you wear underscrubs?

19:20 How does your shift run differently when you ask or offer help with co-workers?

21:00 It's ok to ask for help! Benefits of working as a team!

24:30 How do you handle not being able to get to EVERYTHING within your 12-hour shift?

27:40 How do you take breaks during a 12-hour shift?

30:30 What works best for you to be able to get through your shift?

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Connect with us on Instagram: @lifeinscrubspodcast

https://www.instagram.com/lifeinscrubspodcast/?hl=en

Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too!

@thenursekristen

https://www.instagram.com/thenursekristen/?hl=en

@themaddiward

https://www.instagram.com/themaddiward/?hl=en

Choosing the Right Nursing Job Jan 12, 2021

Show notes

In the field of nursing, there is no such thing as "one size fits all" when it comes to the best nursing job for you! There are so many pros and cons to consider, and so many specialty areas you can dive into! In this episode, our hosts Kristen and Maddi talk about their own experiences choosing the right nursing job for them and questions you should ask yourself to find what might be the best nursing job for you! From deciding on what specialty might be right for you, down to choosing the right hospital and if the unit itself is the right vibe for you, Kristen and Maddi dive into it all! Tune in for more on choosing the right nursing job for you, and even a few tips to take into your interview!

00:50 When did you start applying for nursing jobs?

02:30 Is there a "right" unit to start in as a new grad?

05:20 Breaking the stigma that one area of nursing is better than another!

06:30 Do you know what area of nursing you want to go into?

08:30 What to consider when choosing the right hospital or facility for you!

11:25 What is the pay like? Day vs Night shift?

14:15 What is the vibe of the director and unit you would be working on?

17:10 What if you realize the job/unit isn't where you want to stay?

19:30 Is there a path I should follow to get to a specific specialty area?

21:15 The experience I gained from working in Tele and ICU!

25:40 What we can ALL learn from each other!

27:10 What is the teamwork like on the unit?

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Connect with us on Instagram: @lifeinscrubspodcast

https://www.instagram.com/lifeinscrubspodcast/?hl=en

Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too!

@thenursekristen

https://www.instagram.com/thenursekristen/?hl=en

@themaddiward

https://www.instagram.com/themaddiward/?hl=en

Day Shift vs Night Shift Jan 05, 2021

Show notes

We're back with another episode of Life In Scrubs, and our hosts Kristen and Maddi are talking about the Pro's and Con's of Day vs Night Shift! Since both of these nurses happen to work different shifts, they each give their perspective of what they like about their shifts and things to consider when choosing which shift may be best for you! Kristen, as our night shift nurse, gives great tips for adjusting your schedule to nights and the Pro's of working nights as a new grad nurse! Maddi also shares insight into the fast pace of day shift, what it's like coming on shift at 7 am, and needing to be prepared to do rounds at 8:30! Plus, she also asks the ever-important question, when night shifters wake up to go into work, do they eat breakfast foods or dinner foods!?

01:05 Do you work Day Shift or Night Shift?

03:40 What are Pro's and Con's of each shift for new grad nurses?

09:30 Are there different personalities of Day Shift and NIght Shift nurses?

11:15 Things to take into consideration when choosing which shift is best for you!

13:00 How do you adjust your schedule as a night shift nurse? What helps you sleep?

17:30 When you wake up to go into your night shift, do you eat breakfast or dinner food?

19:50 Do you prep food and snacks before your 12-hour shifts?

21:20 Pro's of night shift being "quieter" (knock on wood!)

24:00 The simultaneous Pro and Con of more procedures going on during the day!

27:30 How do you plan what you get done during the day as a night shift nurse?

29:15 Are there any little things that you've had to learn or adjust now that you work nights?

31:00 How we could all benefit from setting our phones to "Do Not Disturb".

32:40 Have you gained any bad habits because of working night shift?

34:15 The cycle of multiple days on and multiple days off - the mental game of both shifts!

36:30 Once you start working days or nights - are you stuck there? How do you transition?

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Connect with us on Instagram: @lifeinscrubspodcast

https://www.instagram.com/lifeinscrubspodcast/?hl=en

Follow along with our personal Instagram pages too!

@thenursekristen

https://www.instagram.com/thenursekristen/?hl=en

@themaddiward

https://www.instagram.com/themaddiward/?hl=en

I Graduated Nursing School, Now What? Jan 05, 2021

Show notes

Congratulations, you finished nursing school! Now what? In this episode, our hosts Kristen and Maddi talk about what it was like for them as they graduated nursing school and took the next steps to become a real nurse! All of the work in nursing school has led to this moment, taking your NCLEX exam! From knowing yourself and how you study best, to taking advantage of practice test resources, this episode is full of our best advice for this time after finishing nursing school! With completing nursing school, prepping to take the NCLEX, and getting hired for your first job as a nurse don't forget to celebrate all the hard work you've done! Tune in to hear our stories of this exciting time when we finished nursing school, and what we did next!

01:10 What was your game plan to study for the NCLEX?

03:00 What was the timeline like from graduation to your test date?

04:40 Kristen, how did COVID-19 affect testing for the NCLEX?

08:00 What resources did you find helpful when studying?

11:40 How NCLEX will be changing in the future - select all that apply.

13:10 Knowing how you learn and study best to prepare for the NCLEX.

15:00 Resources we used to study and take practice tests!

18:40 When did you decide you were ready to take the test?

20:15 Our prep strategies and advice for the day before your test!

23:20 Our best advice for this time after you've finished nursing school!

25:30 How we prepped and applied for our first nursing jobs!

Check out these study resources mentioned in the episode!