Life After Nursing School

Nurse Coach Caroline
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Careers

Life After Nursing School is a podcast for new nurses navigating their first year in healthcare. Hosted by Nurse Coach Caroline, each episode offers practical advice, expert interviews, and real stories to help you build confidence, manage stress, and overcome imposter syndrome. From landing your first new graduate nurse job to battling imposter syndrome on the unit, this podcast will provide the support and guidance you need to succeed beyond nursing school. Tune in to every episode to thrive in your nursing career!

  1. 4d ago

    Nurses Can Do Hard Things: Why Challenging Yourself Changes Everything

    Send us Fan Mail What if the things you're avoiding because they're hard are actually the things that could change your life? Nursing school is hard. The NCLEX is hard. Your first year as a nurse? REALLY hard. But here's what I've learned: Confidence isn't something you need before doing hard things. Sometimes, confidence is what you earn by doing them. In this solo episode of Life After Nursing School, we're exploring the science behind doing hard things and how challenging ourselves can build confidence, resilience, and a growth mindset. I'm also sharing personal stories from running marathons, building LuminaRN, and almost turning down a speaking opportunity I'd literally put on my vision board. 😂 ✨ In This Episode: Building confidence: How self-efficacy helps us believe in our abilities.Developing resilience: Why manageable challenges can help us cope with stress.Embracing a growth mindset: How stepping outside your comfort zone expands what's possible.Overcoming self-doubt: How to recognize when fear is holding you back.Achieving big goals: Why focusing on the next step matters more than the finish line.Betting on yourself: Learning to say YES to opportunities that scare you.Whether you're navigating nursing school, starting your nursing career, or pursuing a dream that feels out of reach, this episode is your reminder that you're capable of more than you think. 🎧 Hit play and remember: You CAN do hard things! Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline  Instagram: instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursecoachcaroline  Website: www.nursecoachcaroline.com LuminaRN: https://www.joinluminarn.com/ ⭐️ Join LuminaRN Waitlist here

  2. Oct 14

    Travel Nursing Unfiltered: Contracts, Recruiters & the Truth About Travel Nursing with Lindsey Lawson

    Send us Fan Mail What really happens behind the scenes of travel nursing and what do travel nurses need to know before signing their next contract? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline sits down with Lindsey Lawson, RN, longtime travel nurse, former travel nurse recruiter, author, and content creator, for an unfiltered conversation about the travel nursing industry. Lindsey’s nursing career has been anything but traditional. She started as an LPN, worked in corrections, urgent care, emergency nursing and more before taking her first travel nursing assignment in January 2020, just weeks before COVID changed healthcare forever.  After working pandemic crisis contracts, including one paying more than $10,000 per week, Lindsey eventually stepped behind the scenes and became a travel nurse recruiter herself.  Now, she’s using what she learned on both sides of the industry to help travel nurses make smarter, more informed career decisions. In this episode, we talk about: Lindsey’s unconventional journey from LPN → RN → travel nurse → recruiterWhat travel nursing was really like during COVIDThe reality behind pandemic travel nurse payWhat travel nurse recruiters and agencies are like behind the scenesHow to communicate and negotiate with your recruiterTravel nurse contracts/work orders and red flags to watch forWhy nurses shouldn’t be afraid to advocate for better pay or terms Lindsey’s experience writing about nursing during the COVID-19 pandemicWhy finding the right recruiter can matter just as much as choosing an agency.Building a nursing career that gives you room to evolveAnd the reminder every new nurse needs to hear: being a nurse is what you do—it doesn’t have to be who you are. Whether you’re considering your first travel nursing assignment, already working as a travel nurse, or simply curious about what happens on the recruiter side of the industry, this episode gives you a candid look at travel nursing from someone who has lived it from both sides. Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline  Instagram: instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursecoachcaroline  Website: www.nursecoachcaroline.com LuminaRN: https://www.joinluminarn.com/ Connect with Today’s Guest: Lindsey Lawson, RN Instagram: @lindsey_leisures Tiktok: @lindsey_leisures Email: lindseysleisures01@gmail.com Website: lindseysleisures.net ⭐️ Join LuminaRN Waitlist here

  3. Oct 6

    How to Quantum Leap Your Nursing Career: 10 Rules I Wish I Knew Sooner

    Send us Fan Mail What if the biggest changes in your nursing career don't come from working harder... but from making a few really intentional decisions? After 14 years in nursing, I've worked at the bedside, in leadership, recruiting, education, career coaching, and entrepreneurship. Looking back, there are certain lessons that completely changed the trajectory of my career. I'm calling them my 10 cardinal rules for quantum leaping your professional life. And no, I'm not telling you to write your dream job on a piece of paper and put it under your pillow. 😂 A “quantum leap” can look sudden from the outside, but most of the time, there are years of learning, networking, failing, experimenting, and planting seeds behind it.  In this episode, we're talking about how to become more intentional about those seeds. In this episode: Why you should talk about money with your coworkers and advocate for your payThe surprising power of maintaining old professional relationshipsWhy you should never burn a bridge in healthcareHow confidence and the way you show up professionally can create opportunitiesWhy getting to know all of your coworkers matters—not just your work bestiesHow boundaries can actually help you grow your career without burning outWhy being the newbie is something you should take advantage ofHow to recognize when you've outgrown a nursing jobWhy you should pay attention when someone specifically chooses you for an opportunityThe most important rule of all: don't lose yourself while chasing successI also share one of the most pivotal moments of my own career: being offered a hospital nurse recruiter position I didn't want, and why saying yes ultimately changed the entire trajectory of my professional life. Because your dream nursing career doesn't have to look traditional. Maybe your quantum leap is becoming a CRNA. Maybe it's leaving bedside nursing. Starting a business. Becoming an educator. Making more money while working less. Or simply finding a nursing job that allows you to have a life you actually enjoy outside of work. You don't have to build your career around what you think you're supposed to do. You can build it around the life you actually want. Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline  Instagram: instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursecoachcaroline  Website: www.nursecoachcaroline.com LuminaRN: https://www.joinluminarn.com/ ⭐️ Join LuminaRN Waitlist here

  4. Sep 29

    How to Protect Your Nursing License: Documentation, Malpractice & Legal Advice with Legal Nurse Allen

    Send us Fan Mail What does it actually take to protect your nursing license and could the way you document put you at risk? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline sits down with Legal Nurse Allen (Bianca Allen), RN, a legal nurse consultant, expert witness, nursing educator, and registered nurse with 16 years of experience. Bianca takes us behind the scenes of the legal side of nursing and shares what she has learned from reviewing medical records, working alongside attorneys, serving as an expert witness, and even being deposed about her own nursing documentation. We’re breaking down practical ways nurses can protect themselves, their practice, and their nursing license, without becoming afraid to do their jobs. In this episode, we talk about: What a legal nurse consultant actually does and how it differs from being an expert witnessHow Bianca transitioned from bedside nursing into legal nurse consultingThe biggest nursing documentation mistakes she sees when reviewing medical recordsWhy vague or absent charting can become a major problemWhat nurses should document when notifying a providerWhen direct patient quotes belong in the medical recordWhy “will continue to monitor” may not be as helpful as you thinkWhether nurses should consider carrying their own malpractice insuranceProtecting yourself from malpractice claims and Board of Nursing complaintsCareer opportunities for nurses beyond traditional bedside rolesWhether you’re a nursing student, new grad nurse, or experienced RN, this episode is packed with practical insight to help you document more intentionally, protect your nursing license, and practice with greater confidence. Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline  Instagram: instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursecoachcaroline  Website: www.nursecoachcaroline.com LuminaRN: https://www.joinluminarn.com/  Connect w Today’s Guest: Bianca Allen MS, BSN, NEA-BC, CV-BC, MEDSURG-BC Instagram: @Legalnurseallen Tiktok: @legalnurseallen Linkedin: Legal Nurse Bianca Allen Website: https://linktr.ee/legalnurseallen.com  ⭐️ Join LuminaRN Waitlist here

  5. Sep 23

    The PRN Princess: Reva Lewis on Travel Nursing, Dating & Building a Life You Love

    Send us Fan Mail What if your nursing career could fit your life instead of your entire life revolving around work? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline sits down with Reva Lewis, a NICU nurse with over 15 years of experience, longtime travel nurse, content creator, and self-proclaimed PRN Princess. Reva shares how an unexpected path into nursing eventually led her to the NICU, travel nursing, and a career built around flexibility, freedom, and experiencing life outside of work. In this episode, we talk about: Getting started in travel nursingThe pros and cons of PRN nursingCreating more flexibility in your nursing careerThe realities of travel nurse contracts, recruiters, housing, and financial preparationBuilding additional income through content creationDating, travel, and choosing a life outside the traditional timelineWhy your nursing career doesn't have to look like everyone else'sWhether you're considering travel nursing, per diem nursing, or simply looking for more freedom in your nursing career, Reva's story is a refreshing reminder that there is no one "right" path after nursing school. Sometimes the best career is the one that allows you to build a life you actually love. Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline  Instagram: instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursecoachcaroline  Website: www.nursecoachcaroline.com Connect with Today’s Guest: Reva Lewis Instagram: @revamoments Tiktok: @revamoments ⭐️ Join LuminaRN Waitlist here

  6. Sep 15

    From Nurse to Entrepreneur: How Cat Golden Built, Sold & Reclaimed Nurses Inspire Nurses

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when a simple idea becomes a nationally recognized nursing brand—and then somehow finds its way back to you after you sell it? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline sits down with Cat Golden, nurse turned entrepreneur and founder of Nurses Inspire Nurses and 6th Ave Group. Cat shares how Nurses Inspire Nurses started with a few T-shirts and a desire to create genuine community for nurses, then grew into a successful business she eventually sold in 2024. She also opens up about burnout, reinvention, building 6th Ave Group, and the unexpected opportunity to reclaim Nurses Inspire Nurses and lead its next chapter. In this episode, we discuss: Going from nurse to entrepreneurBuilding and selling a nurse-owned businessBurnout, career pivots, and starting overAuthentic marketing and relationship-buildingWhy Cat believes in “Human First. Nurse Second.”If you've ever wondered what's possible beyond a traditional nursing career, Cat's story is proof that your nursing degree can be the starting point for something much bigger. Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline  Instagram: instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursecoachcaroline  Website: www.nursecoachcaroline.com Connect with Today’s Guest: Cat Golden Instagram: @catlgolden @nursesinspirenurses @6thavegroup Nurses Inspire Nurses: www.nursesinspirenurses.com  *20% off at NursesInspireNurses.com with code CAROLINEPOD* 6th Ave Group:  www.6thavegroup.com ⭐️ Join LuminaRN Waitlist here

  7. Sep 8

    Nursing Unions Explained: The Truth About Safe Staffing, Strikes & Nurse Advocacy with Nurse Erica

    Send us Fan Mail Are nursing unions really just about higher pay… or is there much more to the story? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline sits down with Nurse Erica - registered nurse, advocate, activist, independent reporter, and host of the Nurses Uncorked Podcast - to separate fact from fiction when it comes to nursing unions, safe staffing, and nurse advocacy. With more than 20 years of nursing experience and a platform reaching over 1.3 million nurses, Nurse Erica explains how unions work, why nurses choose to unionize, and the biggest myths surrounding union hospitals. She also shares why advocating for nurses ultimately means advocating for safer patient care. Together, they discuss the current Brigham and Women's Hospital nursing strike, what happens before nurses vote to strike, and how strikes are planned with patient safety in mind. They also explore workplace culture, nurse leadership, burnout, and why every nurse (union or non-union) has a voice. In this episode, you'll learn: What nursing unions actually doCommon myths about unionsWhy safe staffing matters for nurses and patientsWhat nursing strikes are really aboutHow nurses can advocate for themselves and their professionCareer advice for nursing students and new graduatesWhether you're a nursing student, new graduate, or experienced nurse, this episode will help you better understand one of the most important conversations happening in healthcare today. Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline  Instagram: instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursecoachcaroline  Website: www.nursecoachcaroline.com Connect with Today's Guest: Nurse Erica Instagram: @The.Nurse.Erica Tiktok: @The.Nurse.Erica Facebook: @TheNurseErica Youtube: @TheNurseErica Website: www.nurseerica.com ⭐️ Join LuminaRN Waitlist here

  8. Sep 1

    Nursing Intuition & Learning to Trust Your Gut as a Nurse with Jennifer Johnson BScN, RN

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever had a patient who just didn't seem right, even though their vital signs looked normal? That feeling is often called nursing intuition, and in this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline sits down with emergency nurse, educator, speaker, and author Jennifer Johnson to explore what it really is. Drawing from more than 18 years of emergency nursing experience and insights from her book Nursing Intuition, Jennifer explains how intuition develops, how it differs from clinical judgment, and why it's an essential part of safe, evidence-based nursing practice. In this episode, we discuss: What nursing intuition really isHow to build confidence and trust your clinical instinctsThe difference between intuition and critical thinkingWhy experienced nurses recognize subtle patient changesHow new graduate nurses can strengthen intuition over timeThe role of intuition in improving patient safety and outcomesWhether you're a nursing student, new graduate, or experienced nurse, this conversation will help you better understand the powerful connection between clinical knowledge, experience, and the intuition that helps nurses provide exceptional patient care. Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline  Instagram: instagram.com/nursecoachcaroline  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursecoachcaroline  Website: www.nursecoachcaroline.com Connect with todays guest, Jennifer Johnson Instagram: @ernurse.jenn Tiktok: @ernurse.jenn LinkedIn: Jennifer Johnson BScN RN ⭐️ Join LuminaRN Waitlist here

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5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Life After Nursing School is a podcast for new nurses navigating their first year in healthcare. Hosted by Nurse Coach Caroline, each episode offers practical advice, expert interviews, and real stories to help you build confidence, manage stress, and overcome imposter syndrome. From landing your first new graduate nurse job to battling imposter syndrome on the unit, this podcast will provide the support and guidance you need to succeed beyond nursing school. Tune in to every episode to thrive in your nursing career!

Information

  • Creator
    Nurse Coach Caroline
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Life After Nursing School
  • Show Website
    Life After Nursing School

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