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. APR 7

    60: Why I’m Pitching Myself to Nursing Schools (And Why It Scares Me)

    Send us Fan Mail My business is evolving again… and this next step feels exciting, aligned, and honestly a little scary. In this episode of Life After Nursing School, I talk about why I’m starting to pitch my workshops to nursing schools and how my nursing career keeps changing in ways I never expected. We talk about:  • Career growth as a nurse  • Imposter syndrome when you put yourself out there  • Becoming a nurse entrepreneur  • Teaching, speaking, and coaching nursing students  • How to know when your career is evolving  • Following your strengths instead of staying comfortable I also share how working as a clinical instructor helped me realize that education, career coaching, and helping new nurses navigate the job market might actually be part of my purpose. If you’re a nursing student, new grad nurse, or experienced nurse feeling called to do more, this episode will remind you that growth often feels uncomfortable, but that doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. ⬇️ Follow the show for weekly nursing career advice 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📲 Follow @NurseCoachCaroline for more nurse tips Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline: Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ Youtube → Nurse Coach Caroline  Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠ Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you!

    16 min

  2. MAR 31

    59: Success in Nursing Isn’t What Nursing School Told You

    Send us Fan Mail What does success really look like as a nurse? Is it working in the ICU, ER, or going back to school to become a nurse practitioner… or is that just what we’ve been told success should look like? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, we talk about the pressure nurses feel to chase high-stress specialties, advanced degrees, and job titles that sound impressive… even when they don’t lead to happiness or work-life balance. We’ll cover:  • Nursing burnout and career pressure  • How your definition of success changes over time  • Why more money or higher titles don’t always mean fulfillment  • How to build a nursing career that fits your life If you’re a nursing student, new grad, or experienced nurse questioning your path, this episode will help you redefine success in nursing (on your terms). ⬇️ Follow the show for weekly nursing career advice 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📲 Follow @NurseCoachCaroline for more nurse tips Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline: Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ Youtube → Nurse Coach Caroline  Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠ Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you!

    27 min

  3. MAR 24

    58: How to Start a Side Hustle as a Nurse

    Send us Fan Mail Thinking about starting a side hustle as a nurse? In this episode, I talk about what it really looks like to build something outside of bedside while still working in nursing. We cover:  • Why nurses are uniquely positioned to start side hustles  • How to figure out what you actually want to build  • What the beginning of a side hustle really looks like (hint: not overnight success)  • My personal story of starting a business while working as a nurse  • How side hustles can give you more flexibility, creativity, and career options Over the past few years, I’ve met so many nurses who started businesses, passion projects, or extra income streams without quitting their jobs. If you’ve ever felt like you want more freedom in your career but still want the stability of nursing, this episode will show you what’s possible. ⬇️ Follow the show for weekly nursing career advice 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📲 Follow @NurseCoachCaroline for more nurse tips Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline: Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ Youtube → Nurse Coach Caroline  Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠ Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you!

    27 min

  4. MAR 17

    57: How One ER Nurse Turned a Bedside Problem Into a Business

    Send us Fan Mail Every nurse knows the smells that come with patient care. One ER nurse decided to do something about it... and ended up building a business. In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline sits down with Jennifer, an ER nurse and the founder of StinkBalm, an odor-blocking stick designed for healthcare professionals. Jennifer shares how her experience with strong clinical odors led her to create a simple but innovative solution that is now used by healthcare workers across the country. What began as a small experiment eventually grew into a successful product-based business. In this episode, we discuss: • How Jennifer went from bedside nurse to nurse entrepreneur • Why nurses are natural problem-solvers and innovators • The power of networking in growing a business • Lessons learned while building a brand from scratch If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible beyond the bedside, or have an idea of your own, this episode will inspire you to think bigger about your nursing career. ⬇️ Follow the show for weekly nursing career advice 📲 Follow @NurseCoachCaroline for more nurse tips Connect with StinkBalm team: Instagram: @StinkBalm Website: www.StinkBalmOdorBlocker.com *USE DISCOUNT CODE: “NCC20” for 20% of Nurse Gift Sets link here!  Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline: Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ Youtube → Nurse Coach Caroline  Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠ Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your bedside life!

    34 min

  5. MAR 10

    56: How to Quit Your Nursing Job Without Regret

    Send us Fan Mail Thinking about quitting your nursing job? Before you hand in your notice, this episode walks you through how to leave strategically and professionally. In Part 2 of this series, we break down how to plan a nursing career pivot with clarity instead of emotion. You will learn: • How to define what you are running toward, not just what you are escaping • How to identify your natural talents and align them with your next role • Why you should not quit without another job lined up • The pros and cons of internal transfers versus resigning • How to negotiate, line up references, and protect your professional reputation • Why PTO, seniority, and guilt are not good reasons to stay If you are a nursing student, new grad nurse, or experienced RN considering a job change, this episode will help you make a confident, strategic decision about your next move. Because leaving well is just as important as choosing well. 💛 ⬇️ Follow the show for weekly nursing career advice 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📲 Follow @NurseCoachCaroline for more nurse tips Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline: Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ Youtube → Nurse Coach Caroline  Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠ Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you!

    21 min

  6. MAR 3

    55: Burned Out or Just Outgrown? How to Know If It’s Time to Leave

    Send us Fan Mail Are you experiencing nurse burnout or have you simply outgrown your nursing job? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline breaks down the difference between burnout and career growth. Learn the true signs of nurse burnout, including micro moral injuries, chronic exhaustion, lack of control, and emotional detachment. You’ll also discover what it feels like to outgrow a nursing role, why you should never quit on a losing day, and how to reflect before making a career pivot. If you’re a nursing student, new grad nurse, or experienced RN feeling stuck, exhausted, or restless, this episode will help you gain clarity and make your next move strategically. Before you update your resume or resign, listen to this. 💛 Journal Prompts Mentioned in the Episode:  Am I tired… or uninspired?If fear wasn’t a factor, would I stay?Do I feel expanded or contracted imagining another year here?What skill am I craving to learn next?Lets Connect! ⬇️ Follow the show for weekly nursing career advice 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📲 Follow @NurseCoachCaroline for more nurse tips Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline: Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ Youtube → Nurse Coach Caroline  Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠ Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you!

    20 min

  7. FEB 24

    54: Behind the Scenes of My Nurse Coaching Business: Year 2 Recap and Year 3 Plans

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Life After Nursing School, I’m sharing a real and honest look at Year 2 of building my nurse coaching business and my vision for Year 3 as a nurse entrepreneur. I talk about what it actually looks like to run an online business as a nurse, including: • Doubling revenue but reinvesting everything back into the business • Hiring and working with a virtual assistant • Learning to delegate and think like a CEO • Saying no to opportunities that are not aligned • Overcoming shiny object syndrome • Facing my fear of visibility • Shooting my shot and pitching big guests • Investing in courses and business education I also share what I want Year 3 to look like, including more in person networking, workshops for nursing students, and staying focused on helping new grad nurses land their first job. If you are thinking about starting a business as a nurse, building a side hustle, or just curious what entrepreneurship really looks like behind the scenes, this episode is for you. Entrepreneurship has stretched me in ways nursing never did but nursing gave me the resilience to handle it ⬇️ Follow the show for weekly nursing career advice 🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple Podcasts 📲 Follow @NurseCoachCaroline for more nurse tips Want to connect about workshop opportunities for nursing students? ⬇️ email: info.nursecoachcaroline@gmail.com Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline: Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ Youtube → Nurse Coach Caroline  Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠ Please consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you!

    46 min

  8. FEB 17

    53: A Simple Money System for Nurses with April Waddell

    Send us Fan Mail Caroline talks with April Waddell, former ICU nurse and founder of NurseMoneyDate, about financial literacy for nurses and how to build wealth without burnout. If budgeting, debt, investing, or retirement planning feels overwhelming, this episode gives you a simple starting point. April shares a practical system that helps nurses: Understand where their money is goingBuild a 3 to 6 month emergency fundPay off high interest debt strategicallyStart investing with confidenceUnderstand 401k matching and vesting policiesOther topics discussed:  Money mindsetEmotional spendingHow financial clarity creates career flexibilitySyncing funds Vesting period When you understand your finances, you can reduce overtime, avoid burnout, and make career decisions based on your goals, not just your paycheck. Whether you are a nursing student, new grad nurse, or experienced nurse planning your next move, this conversation will help you feel more confident and in control of your money. Connect with Nurse Coach Caroline: Instagram →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ TikTok →⁠ @NurseCoachCaroline⁠ Youtube → Nurse Coach Caroline  Website →⁠ nursecoachcaroline.com⁠ Guest Information and Resources mentioned in this episode:  Book recommended by April Waddell: Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel  Connect with April:  Instagram: @NursemoneydateLinkedin: April Rose WaddellWebsite: www.nursemoneydate.comPlease consider rating & subscribing to the show if this episode brought value to your life! I am here for you 3

    52 min
See All (61)

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
    61
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Life After Nursing School
  • Show Website
    Life After Nursing School

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