Life After Nursing School – Details, episodes & analysis

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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 my nursing business, Bryan and I get real about what it takes to balance marriage, family, and demanding careers in medicine. We reminisce about our early days, meeting while I was a nursing student and he was an orthopedic PA sharing a story that feels straight out of Grey’s Anatomy (minus the drama).

You’ll hear Bryan’s perspective on watching me pivot from bedside nursing into entrepreneurship, the challenges and joys of supporting each other through career changes, and why time (more than money) has become our family’s greatest priority.

Whether you’re a nurse, student, or simply curious about what it’s like to build a marriage and career in healthcare, this episode is heartfelt, funny, and full of honest reflections.

Thank you to our Life After Nurse School Podcast Affiliate

Mometrix: Study for the NCLEX or entrance exams (HESI & TEAS) with affordable resource Mometrix. Apply “ Caroline20” to get 20% off: https://ref.mometrix.com/1191-852.htm 

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline:

Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Stan Store Webinar & Freebies → Stan Store

Join the Community →⁠ The New Nurse Society

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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 First Aid, she blends evidence-based wellness with real-world nursing experience.

Since 2019, Nicole has led Unwound Retreats across Mexico, Morocco, and California, offering nurses a chance to rest, reflect, and build community. Her retreats combine yoga, meditation, journaling, and CE-accredited education with meaningful connection and plenty of fun.

In our conversation, Nicole shares her own life after nursing school, how one season of burnout shifted her path, and why creating space for nurses to breathe is so important. She also gives us a preview of her upcoming Sayulita, Mexico retreat—with luxury lodging, daily wellness practices, paddleboarding, chef-prepared meals, and up to 8 CE credits.

Whether you’re a new grad nurse or an experienced RN, this episode will inspire you to prioritize self-care and community.

Thank you to our Life After Nurse School Podcast Affiliate

Mometrix: Study for the NCLEX or entrance exams (HESI & TEAS) with affordable resource Mometrix. Apply “ Caroline20” to get 20% off: https://ref.mometrix.com/1191-852.htm 

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline:

Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Join the Community →⁠ The New Nurse Society

Connect with Nicole & Unwound Retreats:

*SPECIAL Discount Code: ‘NEWGRADNURSE’ - $200 off Unwound November 2025 Retreat!

Unwound Retreats Instagram → @unwoundretreatsfornurses

Nicole Johnson Instagram → @nicolejohnson.rn

Nicole Johnson TikTok → @nicolejohnson.rn

Retreat Website →  Unwound Retreats Website

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you <3

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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're a nursing student, new grad, or just someone figuring out your own path, I hope this episode helps you feel seen, supported, and inspired.

Resources Mentioned

• Book: 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dan Sullivan

• Podcast Recommendations:

• Goal Digger Podcast – Jenna Kutcher

• The Liz Moody Podcast

• Dream Bigger Podcast – Siff Haider

• My Online Community: The New Nurse Society

• Instagram: @nursecoachcaroline

• Tiktok: @nursecoachcaroline

If this episode resonated with you, I’d love to hear from you. DM me on Instagram, send a message through TikTok, or shoot me an email. Your feedback, stories, and questions inspire future episodes and remind me that we’re in this together.

Let’s Connect!

💌 Email: info.nursecoachcaroline@gmail.com

📥 New Nurse Society: Link here to join

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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 applying to over 100 positions!), how she’s learning to trust her gut as a nurse, and what it’s like to show up online as a creator while working full time. This one is honest, encouraging, and packed with helpful tips.

📣 Resources Mentioned:

• RN Shift Clarity Tool: Download here

• Mometrix Study Resources: 20% off with code “Caroline20”

• Follow Alyssa on IG, TikTok, and YouTube: @alyssamjobes 

  
  

  💬 Connect with Caroline:

• Instagram: @NurseCoachCaroline

• TikTok: @NurseCoachCaroline

• Website: nursecoachcaroline.com

Online Community: The New Nurse Society

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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 steer nurses off course. Drawing from her own real-world experience in hospital leadership and bedside nursing, Caroline helps listeners reflect on their nursing identity, protect their time outside of work, and find clarity in their professional goals. Whether you’re in nursing school, on your first job hunt, or navigating your first year as a nurse, this episode is packed with practical advice, mindset shifts, and encouragement to help you feel more confident, empowered, and in control of your future.

Thank you to our Life After Nurse School Podcast Affiliate

-Mometrix: Study for the NCLEX or entrance exams (HESI & TEAS) with affordable resource Mometrix. Apply “ Caroline20” to get 20% off: https://ref.mometrix.com/1191-852.htm 

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline:

Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠

Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

Join the Community →⁠ The New Nurse Society

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you <3

Send us a text

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 in love with the operating room—and how she now supports new OR nurses through mentorship and education.

Whether you’re a nursing student considering your first job or already on the unit and curious about the OR, you’ll walk away from this episode with a clearer picture of what it takes to thrive in one of nursing’s most misunderstood specialties.

You’ll hear:

• What circulating nurses actually do during surgery
• What orientation and call schedules look like for new OR nurses
• How to find OR opportunities as a student or new grad
• Smart questions to ask during OR interviews—and how to stand out
• The truth about OR teamwork, patient advocacy, and navigating high-pressure moments
  

Yasmin also shares the top clinical and non-clinical skills OR nurses need to succeed, and why the OR might just be the perfect place to build a fulfilling, long-term career.

🎧 If you’ve ever been curious about what goes on behind those OR doors, this episode is for you.

Connect with Yasmin:

Instagram: @orrnmentor

Website: OR RN Mentor

Thank you to our Life After Nurse School Podcast Affiliate: 📝 Study for the NCLEX, HESI, or TEAS with Mometrix. Use code Caroline20 for 20% off: 👉 Click here to study with Mometrix

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline:

Instagram → @NurseCoachCaroline

TikTok → @NurseCoachCaroline

Website → nursecoachcaroline.com

Join the Community → The New Nurse Society

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Feeling nervous about your first rapid response or code blue?

You’re not alone—and you’re not unprepared. In this episode, Nurse Coach Caroline chats with Sarah Lorenzini, The Rapid Response RN, who brings 20+ years of critical care experience to help new nurses feel more confident in emergencies.

Whether you’re still in nursing school or fresh on the floor, this episode is packed with real-world insight on how to recognize a crashing patient, what to do first during a code, and how to trust your nursing intuition—before the monitor alarms even go off.

You’ll Learn:

• Early signs of patient decompensation

• Sarah’s “Rescuer 1-2-3” code response model

• How to use closed-loop communication like a pro

• Grounding tips to stay calm when your adrenaline spikes

• Why calling a rapid isn’t failure—it’s advocacy
  

🎧 More from Sarah Lorenzini:

• Listen: Rapid Response RN Podcast
  

• Website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com
  

• Instagram: @therapidresponsern🎉

  
  

  Thanks to Our Sponsor – Mometrix Study for the NCLEX, HESI, or TEAS with trusted prep tools. Use code Caroline20 for 20% off: 👉 https://ref.mometrix.com/1191-852.htm

  
  

💬 Stay Connected with Caroline:

• Instagram: @NurseCoachCaroline

• TikTok: @NurseCoachCaroline

• Website: www.nursecoachcaroline.com

• Community: Join The New Nurse Society
  

📣 If this episode helped you, please subscribe, rate, and share it with a friend. Your support means the world!

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Are you a nursing student or new grad nurse looking for trusted, practical, and inspiring tools to support your journey? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, I’m sharing five incredible products and organizations created by nurses, for nurses—designed to make your life easier, more connected, and a lot more empowered.

Whether you're trying to coordinate shifts with your bestie, stay current on nursing news, boost your mental health, or streamline your job search, this episode has something for you.

✨ Here’s what you’ll discover:

• NurseGrid – the ultimate nurse scheduling app to sync shifts, share calendars, and simplify your schedule.

• The Nursing Beat – a free, nurse-led daily newsletter with bite-sized healthcare news, job tips, and wellness content.

• Nurses Inspire Nurses – a supportive movement founded by a pediatric nurse to uplift and connect nurses through mentorship and merch.

• Operation Happy Nurse – a nonprofit offering free mental health and wellness resources created specifically for nurses.

• Adni – an all-in-one platform for job searching, credential management, and community building—made by nurses for healthcare workers.

With over 4 million nurses in the U.S. and turnover at an all-time high, it’s never been more important to lean into tools made by people who understand this profession. These aren’t just businesses—they’re movements born from real nursing experiences, each designed to help you thrive inside and outside the hospital walls.

Organizations and Products Mentioned in this Episode: 

NurseGrid

Subscribe to The Nursing Beat

Nurses Inspire Nurses

Operation Happy Nurse

Adni

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline 

• Instagram: @NurseCoachCaroline ⁠⁠

• TikTok: NurseCoachCaroline

• Website: ⁠www.nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

• Caroline's Online Community: The New Nurse Society 

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you <3

Send us a text

Curious about travel nursing but not sure where to start? This episode is your no-fluff guide to understanding what travel nursing is really like—especially for new grad nurses and nursing students thinking ahead.

While I’ve never been a travel nurse myself (hello, homebody here!), I spent nearly two years as a travel nurse recruiter, and I’m pulling back the curtain to share the insider perspective you won’t get from the Instagram highlight reels.

In this episode, we’ll cover:

• What travel nursing actually is (and isn’t)

• The real pros and cons of taking travel nurse assignments

• How much experience you really need before traveling

• The risks—like canceled contracts, housing headaches, and tricky schedules

• How to find a good recruiter (and avoid getting spammed!)

• Why Med-Surg, Tele, and PCU might be your best bets for travel specialties

• The truth about pay in 2025 (spoiler: it’s not COVID-level anymore)

• Whether travel nursing is still worth it—and how to decide if it’s right for you

Whether you’re a nursing student, a brand-new nurse, or just curious about this flexible and financially rewarding career path, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to explore it with both eyes open.

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline 

• Instagram: @NurseCoachCaroline ⁠https://instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline⁠

• TikTok: @NurseCoachCaroline ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@nursecoachcaroline⁠⁠

• Website: ⁠www.nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

• Caroline's Online Community: The New Nurse Society ⁠⁠https://www.skool.com/the-new-nurse-society-5514/about⁠ ⁠

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you <3

Send us a text

As a new nurse, setting boundaries can feel uncomfortable—but it's one of the most important skills you can build early in your career. In this episode of Life After Nursing School, we’re talking about what healthy boundaries look like at the bedside and how to set them without guilt.

Caroline shares personal stories from her early days as a new grad nurse, including the hard lessons she learned from saying "yes" too often. You’ll learn practical ways to protect your time, energy, and mental health—while still being a team player. We’ll cover how to say no professionally, what to do when coworkers or patients push your limits, and how to manage guilt when you advocate for yourself.

If you’re a nursing student, new grad, or first-year nurse struggling with burnout or feeling stretched too thin, this episode is for you.

Thank you to our Life After Nurse School Podcast Affiliate

-Mometrix: Study for the NCLEX or entrance exams (HESI & TEAS) with affordable resource Mometrix. Apply “ Caroline20” to get 20% off: https://ref.mometrix.com/1191-852.htm 

Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline 

• Instagram: @NurseCoachCaroline ⁠https://instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline⁠

• TikTok: @NurseCoachCaroline ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@nursecoachcaroline⁠⁠

• Website: ⁠www.nursecoachcaroline.com⁠

• Caroline's Online Community: The New Nurse Society

⁠⁠https://www.skool.com/the-new-nurse-society-5514/about⁠ ⁠

Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you <3