The Nurses' Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN

Jenny Lytle. RN
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Nurses don’t often get to visit the breakroom in real life. Welcome to The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN — a warm, encouraging space where hospice nurses and caregivers can pause, feel seen, and find practical support for the emotional realities of this work. Hosted by Jenny Lytle, RN, with over 20 years of hospice experience in case management, on-call, and leadership roles, this podcast offers honest conversations about what it really feels like to care deeply for others while also learning to care for yourself. Through The Hospice Nurse Well-Being Project and real conversations with hospice nurses, each 5–10 minute episode shares emotional validation, practical self-care tools, nervous system support, and gentle reminders that you do not have to carry it all alone. Whether you’re a hospice nurse, caregiver, or helping professional, you’ll find encouragement, reflection, and realistic strategies that fit real life. Because self-care isn’t selfish.It’s essential if we want to continue to care for others and live our best lives. stress, self-care, nursing, nurse, healthcare, holistic health, mental health, relax, RN hospice nurse, caregiver stress, compassion fatigue, nurse burnout, self-care for nurses

  1. 5D AGO

    79. Why Hospice Nurses Feel So Exhausted (It’s Not Just the Workload)

    Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕 Are you a hospice nurse feeling more exhausted than your workload alone can explain? In this episode of The Nurses’ Breakroom, Jenny Lytle, RN, explores emotional exhaustion in hospice nursing—and why it’s not just about caseload, charting, or long shifts. You’ll learn:  Why hospice nurses carry more than they realize  How emotional experiences build up throughout the day  A simple 30-second awareness practice to help release stress If you’re experiencing burnout, compassion fatigue, or emotional overload, this episode offers validation and a practical starting point for self-care. 🔗 Get the companion reset practice: https://jennylytle.com/newsletter If you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or like there’s never enough time, I’ve got something just for you! Head to https://selfcareisntselfish.com to grab your FREE copy of my book, Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: The Compassionate Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Personalized Stress Relief. It’s packed with simple, effective strategies to help you prioritize your needs—without guilt—so you can feel energized, focused, and ready to take on the day. Go to https://selfcareisntselfish.com  Feeling stressed? Grab my quick and easy Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress for practical stress relief that truly fits into your life!  https://www.jennylytle.com/guide Looking for connection with people who get the stress and self-care struggles of nurses and caregivers? Check out https://thenursesbreakroom.com  Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylytlern/ More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle

    5 min

  2. SEASON 4, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

    78. I Didn’t Plan This Pause… But It Changed Everything

    Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕 After an unexpected injury and a couple of months away from the podcast, I’m finally back — and this pause brought more clarity than I ever expected. In this episode, I’m sharing what happened, what this season taught me, and why The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN is shifting to focus more intentionally on the emotional realities of hospice nursing. After 20 years in hospice case management, on-call, and leadership roles, one thing has become increasingly clear: Hospice nurses carry a lot. Emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. This new season will center more on supporting hospice nurses through practical self-care tools, emotional resilience, and honest conversations about what this work really feels like. I’m also introducing The Hospice Nurse Well-Being Project and inviting hospice nurses to participate in Hospice Nurse Conversations — relaxed, confidential 20–30 minute conversations about the realities of this work. 💛 If you’re a hospice nurse and would like to share your story, you can sign up here: https://calendly.com/jennylytlern/hospice Next episode: Why hospice nurses carry so much — and why it’s not just about the workload Until next time, remember: Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential if we want to continue to care for others and live our best lives. If you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or like there’s never enough time, I’ve got something just for you! Head to https://selfcareisntselfish.com to grab your FREE copy of my book, Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: The Compassionate Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Personalized Stress Relief. It’s packed with simple, effective strategies to help you prioritize your needs—without guilt—so you can feel energized, focused, and ready to take on the day. Go to https://selfcareisntselfish.com  Feeling stressed? Grab my quick and easy Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress for practical stress relief that truly fits into your life!  https://www.jennylytle.com/guide Looking for connection with people who get the stress and self-care struggles of nurses and caregivers? Check out https://thenursesbreakroom.com  Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylytlern/ More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle

    6 min

  3. JAN 26

    77. When the Work Starts to Feel Heavier: Understanding Cumulative Emotional Weight

    Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕 If the work feels heavier than it used to, you’re not failing — you’ve been carrying a lot. This episode explores the cumulative emotional weight of caregiving and why it adds up over time. You’re not weak for feeling it. You’re human. Over time, caregiving work leaves a mark. Not from one shift, one patient, or one hard conversation — but from everything that accumulates along the way. In this episode of The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, hospice nurse and stress-relief coach Jenny Lytle talks about the cumulative emotional weight of caregiving work and how it quietly builds over the years. You’ll hear why feeling more tired, tender, numb, or emotionally full doesn’t mean you’re failing — it means you’ve been impacted by meaningful work that asks a lot of you. This episode offers validation, compassion, and permission to acknowledge what you’ve been carrying without needing to fix or unpack it all at once. In this episode, you’ll hear: How emotional weight accumulates over time in caregiving roles Why this weight doesn’t always show up as burnout What numbness, irritability, or disconnection can really mean Why needing support doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for this work A gentler question to ask instead of “What’s wrong with me?” This episode is especially meaningful for nurses, hospice professionals, and caregivers who feel like the work has changed them — and want reassurance that they’re not alone in that experience. 🔑 Key Takeaways / Action Steps Feeling heavier over time doesn’t mean you’re failing Cumulative emotional weight is a normal response to meaningful work You don’t have to process everything to acknowledge it Support is not a sign of weakness — it’s a sign of impact You deserve spaces where the weight is understood If you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or like there’s never enough time, I’ve got something just for you! Head to https://selfcareisntselfish.com to grab your FREE copy of my book, Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: The Compassionate Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Personalized Stress Relief. It’s packed with simple, effective strategies to help you prioritize your needs—without guilt—so you can feel energized, focused, and ready to take on the day. Go to https://selfcareisntselfish.com  Feeling stressed? Grab my quick and easy Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress for practical stress relief that truly fits into your life!  https://www.jennylytle.com/guide Looking for connection with people who get the stress and self-care struggles of nurses and caregivers? Check out https://thenursesbreakroom.com  Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylytlern/ More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle

    4 min

  4. JAN 19

    76. Why You Can’t Just “Turn It Off” — And How to Transition After Work

    Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕 Rest doesn’t just happen — it often needs a transition. In this episode of The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, hospice nurse and stress-relief coach Jenny Lytle explains why going straight from a shift into the rest of your life can leave you feeling wired, tense, and unable to relax — and what actually helps. Instead of trying to “flip a switch,” this episode offers gentle, practical ways to help your nervous system shift out of nurse mode and into a softer, safer place. You’ll learn how small, intentional transitions make rest possible — without guilt, perfection, or rigid boundaries. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why caregivers often stay in work mode long after a shift endsHow skipping transitions keeps your nervous system on high alertSimple pause points that help your body shift gearsWhy physical cues matter more than willpowerHow releasing responsibility makes rest more accessibleThis episode is especially helpful for nurses, hospice professionals, and caregivers who move from role to role without a break and want a kinder, more realistic way to unwind. Next episode preview: The cumulative emotional weight of caregiving work — and how it builds over time. 🔑 Key Takeaways / Action Steps You don’t need rigid boundaries — you need transitionsYour body needs help shifting out of work modeSmall, repeatable cues are more effective than willpowerReleasing responsibility doesn’t mean abandoning othersTransitions are a practice — not something to perfectIf you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or like there’s never enough time, I’ve got something just for you! Head to https://selfcareisntselfish.com to grab your FREE copy of my book, Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: The Compassionate Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Personalized Stress Relief. It’s packed with simple, effective strategies to help you prioritize your needs—without guilt—so you can feel energized, focused, and ready to take on the day. Go to https://selfcareisntselfish.com  Feeling stressed? Grab my quick and easy Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress for practical stress relief that truly fits into your life!  https://www.jennylytle.com/guide Looking for connection with people who get the stress and self-care struggles of nurses and caregivers? Check out https://thenursesbreakroom.com  Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylytlern/ More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle

    5 min

  5. JAN 12

    75. Why Rest Feels So Hard for Nurses and Caregivers (Even When You’re Exhausted)

    Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕 If rest feels uncomfortable, frustrating, or even unsafe — you’re not doing anything wrong. In this episode of The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, hospice nurse and stress-relief coach Jenny Lytle explores why rest feels so hard for nurses and caregivers, even when you’re exhausted and know you need it. You’ll learn how conditioning, nervous system patterns, and identity all play a role — and why the resistance you feel doesn’t mean rest isn’t for you. It means you’re unwinding years of responsibility. This episode offers reassurance, insight, and permission to approach rest in a way that actually feels doable. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why caregivers are taught (often unconsciously) that rest must be earnedHow a constantly alert nervous system makes it hard to slow downWhy rest can feel uncomfortable or unsafe at firstHow identity and caregiving roles affect your ability to restA gentler reframe that makes rest feel more accessibleThis episode is especially helpful for nurses, hospice professionals, and caregivers who feel tired but wired, guilty when resting, or unsure how to truly slow down. Next episode preview: Practical ways to transition out of nurse mode — without building hard boundaries or walls. 🔑 Key Takeaways / Action Steps Feeling restless during rest doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrongRest resistance often comes from conditioning and nervous system patternsYou’re not bad at resting — you’re unwinding responsibilityRest doesn’t have to mean stopping everythingYou don’t have to rest perfectly to benefit from itIf you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or like there’s never enough time, I’ve got something just for you! Head to https://selfcareisntselfish.com to grab your FREE copy of my book, Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: The Compassionate Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Personalized Stress Relief. It’s packed with simple, effective strategies to help you prioritize your needs—without guilt—so you can feel energized, focused, and ready to take on the day. Go to https://selfcareisntselfish.com  Feeling stressed? Grab my quick and easy Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress for practical stress relief that truly fits into your life!  https://www.jennylytle.com/guide Looking for connection with people who get the stress and self-care struggles of nurses and caregivers? Check out https://thenursesbreakroom.com  Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylytlern/ More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle

    7 min

  6. JAN 5

    74. The Hidden Weight of Hospice Work, Part 2: How to Release It After Your Shift

    Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕 Hospice work is sacred — and it’s heavy. If you find yourself replaying conversations, second-guessing decisions, or feeling like the emotional weight of the day follows you home, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, hospice nurse and stress-relief coach Jenny Lytle shares gentle, practical ways to release the emotional weight of a hard shift — without guilt, without “fixing,” and without needing better boundaries. You’ll learn why carrying work home doesn’t mean you’re too sensitive or doing it wrong — and how to begin transitioning out of nurse mode in a way that honors both your patients and yourself. ✨ In this episode, you’ll hear: Why caring deeply makes it harder to “turn off” after workHow your nervous system stays on high alert after a hard shiftThree gentle, menu-style options to help you set the work downWhy consistency matters more than perfection when it comes to self-careHow kindness toward yourself creates more relief than discipline ever willThis episode is especially helpful for hospice nurses, hospice professionals, and caregivers who feel emotionally full, exhausted, or wired after work and want practical support that actually feels doable. 🎧 Next episode preview: Why rest feels so hard — even when you’re exhausted and know you need it. Key Takeaways / Action Steps You’re not broken for carrying work home — you care deeplyThe goal isn’t to care less, but to transition out of the roleChoose one gentle reset — body, thought, or ritualConsistency > perfectionRest becomes possible when your nervous system feels safeIf you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or like there’s never enough time, I’ve got something just for you! Head to https://selfcareisntselfish.com to grab your FREE copy of my book, Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: The Compassionate Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Personalized Stress Relief. It’s packed with simple, effective strategies to help you prioritize your needs—without guilt—so you can feel energized, focused, and ready to take on the day. Go to https://selfcareisntselfish.com  Feeling stressed? Grab my quick and easy Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress for practical stress relief that truly fits into your life!  https://www.jennylytle.com/guide Looking for connection with people who get the stress and self-care struggles of nurses and caregivers? Check out https://thenursesbreakroom.com  Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylytlern/ More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle

    8 min

  7. 12/29/2025

    73. The Hidden Weight Hospice Nurses Carry part 1

    Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕 In this opening episode of a new season of The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, hospice nurse of 20 years Jenny  invites you to slow down and take a Monday moment for yourself. This episode isn’t about fixing anything or adding another task to your to‑do list. Instead, it’s about naming the emotional weight hospice professionals carry—and offering reassurance that what you’re feeling is normal, human, and deeply connected to the sacred work you do. Jenny speaks candidly about why hospice nurses often struggle to “leave work at work,” the mental replaying of conversations, the heaviness of patients’ stories, and the quiet exhaustion that can follow us home. Most importantly, she offers permission—permission to care for yourself without guilt and without believing you need to care less to survive this work. This conversation sets the foundation for what’s coming next. In next week’s episode, Jenny will continue this discussion by sharing practical, actionable ways to begin releasing emotional stress and creating healthier transitions after your shifts. ✨ This episode is for you if you: Feel emotionally drained after workStruggle to mentally disconnect from hospice careWorry that prioritizing yourself might feel selfishKnow something needs to change—but aren’t ready for a checklist yetGentle Takeaways: Instead of “what to do,” this episode offers space to reflect and recognize: Emotional fatigue in hospice work is a byproduct of deep caring, not poor boundaries or weaknessLoving your work and feeling weighed down by it can exist at the same timeThe challenge isn’t caring too much—it’s not having a way to set the work downYou don’t need to get tougher or detach emotionally to keep goingGiving yourself permission to pause is often the first step toward sustainable care➡️ Next week: We’ll move from reflection to action, with simple, realistic strategies to help you release stress and protect your energy—without adding more pressure. If you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or like there’s never enough time, I’ve got something just for you! Head to https://selfcareisntselfish.com to grab your FREE copy of my book, Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: The Compassionate Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Personalized Stress Relief. It’s packed with simple, effective strategies to help you prioritize your needs—without guilt—so you can feel energized, focused, and ready to take on the day. Go to https://selfcareisntselfish.com  Feeling stressed? Grab my quick and easy Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress for practical stress relief that truly fits into your life!  https://www.jennylytle.com/guide Looking for connection with people who get the stress and self-care struggles of nurses and caregivers? Check out https://thenursesbreakroom.com  Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylytlern/ More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle

    7 min

  8. 12/22/2025 ·  BONUS

    72. Bonus - Pause, Breathe, Reflect: A Heart-Centered Holiday Practice for Nurses

    Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕 As the holidays approach, stress and emotional overload can quietly build—especially for nurses and caregivers who are used to putting everyone else first. In this bonus episode of The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, Jenny offers a gentle, guided pause designed to help you slow down, reconnect with your inner wisdom, and settle your nervous system. You’ll be guided through a HeartMath-inspired Quick Coherence® breathing practice, followed by reflective questions centered on gratitude, appreciation, and calm. There’s nothing to fix, plan, or achieve—just space to breathe, feel, and listen. This short practice is perfect if you’re feeling overwhelmed, emotionally full, or simply craving a quiet moment that belongs just to you. ✨ What You’ll Experience A simple heart-focused breathing technique to promote calmGentle guidance to shift into feelings of appreciation or careSpace for reflection without pressure or expectationA grounding reset you can return to anytime during the holidays🧘‍♀️ Try This Listen somewhere quiet if possible—but perfection isn’t requiredLet your breath be slow and naturalIf your mind wanders, gently return to the heart areaCome back to this episode whenever you need a resetThis episode is a reminder: you don’t need to earn rest. You’re allowed to pause. If you're feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or like there’s never enough time, I’ve got something just for you! Head to https://selfcareisntselfish.com to grab your FREE copy of my book, Self-Care Isn’t Selfish: The Compassionate Nurse’s Step-by-Step Guide to Personalized Stress Relief. It’s packed with simple, effective strategies to help you prioritize your needs—without guilt—so you can feel energized, focused, and ready to take on the day. Go to https://selfcareisntselfish.com  Feeling stressed? Grab my quick and easy Busy Nurses' Guide to Less Stress for practical stress relief that truly fits into your life!  https://www.jennylytle.com/guide Looking for connection with people who get the stress and self-care struggles of nurses and caregivers? Check out https://thenursesbreakroom.com  Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylytlern/ More ways to connect here: https://linktr.ee/jennylytle

    7 min
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Nurses don’t often get to visit the breakroom in real life. Welcome to The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN — a warm, encouraging space where hospice nurses and caregivers can pause, feel seen, and find practical support for the emotional realities of this work. Hosted by Jenny Lytle, RN, with over 20 years of hospice experience in case management, on-call, and leadership roles, this podcast offers honest conversations about what it really feels like to care deeply for others while also learning to care for yourself. Through The Hospice Nurse Well-Being Project and real conversations with hospice nurses, each 5–10 minute episode shares emotional validation, practical self-care tools, nervous system support, and gentle reminders that you do not have to carry it all alone. Whether you’re a hospice nurse, caregiver, or helping professional, you’ll find encouragement, reflection, and realistic strategies that fit real life. Because self-care isn’t selfish.It’s essential if we want to continue to care for others and live our best lives. stress, self-care, nursing, nurse, healthcare, holistic health, mental health, relax, RN hospice nurse, caregiver stress, compassion fatigue, nurse burnout, self-care for nurses

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