The FreshRN Podcast with Kati Kleber

Hate the ICU, but still thinking about CRNA school? You're not alone. And it might not be the dealbreaker you think. In this episode, I (Kati Kleber, MSN RN) sit down with Jenny Finnell, MSN, CRNA, to unpack what it really takes to get into CRNA school, and what life actually looks like on the other side. Jenny shares her honest experience of struggling emotionally in the ICU, why becoming a CRNA felt completely different, and how many nurses misunderstand what this career path truly demands. Instead of glamorizing CRNA school, we break down the realities: who's a good fit, who might not be (yet), and how to approach the process strategically: without burning yourself out or self-selecting out too early. What you'll learn: ✅ Why you don't have to love ICU nursing to thrive as a CRNA (and how the emotional load can be totally different) ✅ What CRNA programs are really looking for: ICU experience, prerequisites, references, and the details most applicants miss ✅ How to prepare for the interview (clinical questions + emotional intelligence) and how to handle questions you don't know without panicking We also talk candidly about fear, rejection, impostor syndrome, and why "no" doesn't mean never. If you're burned out in the ICU but curious about CRNA, or you're early in your ICU journey and trying to decide if this path is worth pursuing, this episode will help you make a more informed, grounded decision. 🔗 Resources & Links: 🎁 CRNA Conference Giveaway: Enter to win TWO full scholarship tickets (you + a CRNA buddy) to the in-person CRNA School Prep Academy Conference in Louisville, KY (June 12-14, 2026), plus travel vouchers for both of you. Learn more and ENTER HERE. Join Jenny's free aspiring CRNA Community of 3,500+ nurses Learn more about Jenny and CRNA School Prep Academy ➡️ https://crnaschoolprepacademy.com/ Follow CRNA School Prep on socials for free resources and giveaways: @CRNASchoolPrepAcademy Join the FreshRN email list ➡️ https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up Nurse leaders: Need a comprehensive residency program for your new grads? Check out: https://www.freshrn.com/enterprise/ 🎧 Follow & Subscribe: If this episode gave you something to think about, follow FreshRN wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with a nurse friend who might need it too!

Correctional nursing, home health, aesthetics, nurse leaders… and now AI? NSO's newest nurse liability report highlights some surprising trends in where claims are happening (and why), and this episode breaks it all down in a way that's actually useful for real-world nurses. In this episode, I (Kati Kleber, MSN RN) sit down with Jennifer Flynn from NSO to discuss their latest nurse liability data: what's increasing, what's getting more expensive, and what nurses can do today to reduce risk without practicing scared. What you'll learn: ✅ Why correctional nursing is showing up more in claim trends, and what "deliberate indifference" means in real cases ✅ Why home health continues to drive a huge portion of claims (even though far fewer nurses work in that setting) ✅ A real example of how blurred boundaries in home health can spiral into scope issues, board investigation, and job loss ✅ How lack of equipment + improvising (yes, even "I'll just YouTube it") can turn into devastating patient harm ✅ Why aesthetics/cosmetic nursing is higher risk than many nurses assume ✅ How nurse leaders and charge nurses can be named in claims, even without touching the patient ✅ The big AI questions no one can fully answer yet: Who's responsible if AI contributes to harm? Should patients be told? Is AI a tool… or a product? ✅ The "feast or famine" documentation problem: EMRs capture everything… except the context you actually need to defend care If you're a bedside nurse, a home health nurse, a correctional nurse, or a nurse leader, this episode will help you spot risk patterns before they become a problem, and reinforce the simplest truth in nursing liability: good care + good documentation = protection. 🔗 Resources & Links: Learn more about professional liability coverage through NSO: https://www.nso.com/ Join the FreshRN email list for free (non-spammy) resources & updates: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up Nurse leaders: Need a comprehensive residency program for your new grads? Check out: https://www.freshrn.com/enterprise/ 🎧 Follow & Subscribe: If this episode gave you something to think about, follow FreshRN wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with a nurse friend who might need it too!

A home health nurse thought she was helping her patient, but her actions ultimately led to probation with the state board of nursing. In this episode, I (Kati Kleber, MSN RN) sit down with my husband, licensed clinical counselor John Kleber, to walk through a real NSO case study involving a nurse who crossed professional boundaries, practiced outside her scope, and failed to document critical aspects of care. Step by step, we break down what happened, where the nurse's intentions and actions diverged, and how small decisions compounded into some serious professional consequences. We talk: ✅ How good intentions can still result in board discipline ✅ Where professional boundaries were crossed, and why that matters legally ✅ What "practicing outside your scope" actually looks like in real life ✅ How documentation gaps can become your biggest liability ✅ Why informal care and "just helping out" can carry serious risk ✅ Practical guardrails to protect your license, your patients, and yourself This episode is especially important for home health nurses, new grads, travel nurses, and anyone practicing with a high degree of autonomy. If you've ever wondered how nurses end up before the board (and how to make sure it doesn't happen to you) this conversation is for you. 🔗 Resources & Links: Learn more about professional liability coverage through NSO: https://www.nso.com/ John's counseling practice: https://www.klebercounseling.com/ Join the FreshRN email list for free (non-spammy) resources & updates: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up Nurse leaders: Need a comprehensive residency program for your new grads? Check out: https://www.freshrn.com/enterprise/ 🎧 Follow & Subscribe: If this episode gave you something to think about, follow FreshRN wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with a nurse friend who might need it too!

Being a new nurse is overwhelming enough, but what if you also feel out of sync socially with the people around you? Socially awkward. Emotionally drained. Cognitively overloaded. Loving nursing, but quietly wondering if you're doing it "wrong." In this episode, I (Kati Kleber, MSN RN) sit down with my husband, licensed clinical counselor John Kleber, to talk honestly about what it's like to be a new nurse who doesn't feel like they fit the mold. Together, we unpack how neurodivergence, social anxiety, uneven emotional skill sets, and public expectations can collide during the already-intense transition from nursing school to practice. Rather than trying to "fix" us nurses, we normalize why feeling awkward with the social side of nursing is just part of the learning process, and how to stay grounded while you grow into the role. What you'll learn: ✅ Why it's common to love nursing but still feel awkward about the social side, and feel misunderstood, or out of place (especially for anyone who's neurodivergent) ✅ The difference between a genuine skill deficit and VERY normal developmental stages in new nurses ✅ Why perfectionism and people-pleasing are so common, and so exhausting ✅ Practical therapy frameworks, scripts, and tools to help you communicate your needs, protect your energy, and build confidence without pretending to be someone you're not 🔗 Resources & Links: John's counseling practice: https://www.klebercounseling.com/ Join the FreshRN email list for free (non-spammy) resources & updates: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up Nurse leaders: Need a comprehensive residency program for your new grads? Check out: https://www.freshrn.com/enterprise/ 🎧 Follow & Subscribe: If this episode gave you something to think about, follow FreshRN wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with a nurse friend who might need it too!

New nurses step onto the floor with a license, but not with all the answers. Yet patients, families, and even friends often expect brand-new RNs to perform like seasoned experts. In this episode, I (Kati Kleber, MSN RN) sit down with my husband, licensed clinical counselor John Kleber, to unpack what it's like to learn under that spotlight of public expectations. Together, we explore how new nurses can manage the gap between what people expect of you, and what you realistically know as you grow into the role. What you'll learn: ✅ Why people assume you "know everything now" the second you pass NCLEX, and what's actually realistic ✅ How the Dunning-Kruger effect shows up in new grad nursing (the "I've got this!" → "Oh no I don't" roller coaster) ✅ How Benner's Novice-to-Expert model explains the long game of becoming truly competent ✅ Why shame, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome hit so hard in your first year ✅ Simple phrases you can use when you don't know the answer... but still want to build trust with patients and families ✅ Practical mindset shifts (from a counselor's perspective) to build confidence that's grounded and not fake 🔗 Resources & Links: John's counseling practice: https://www.klebercounseling.com/ Join the FreshRN email list for free (non-spammy) resources & updates: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up Nurse leaders: Need a comprehensive residency program for your new grads? Check out: https://www.freshrn.com/enterprise/ 🎧 Follow & Subscribe: If this episode gave you something to think about, follow FreshRN wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with a nurse friend!

New nurses are often handed a long "allergy list" and five minutes to make sense of it. In this episode, Kati Kleber talks with Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, former President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and NP at DePaul Community Health Centers, about how to take a focused allergy history that actually improves patient care. What you'll learn: ✅ A fast framework to separate side effect vs intolerance vs sensitivity vs true allergy ✅ The exact questions to verify things like "penicillin allergy" and when to consider delabeling ✅ How and when to use allergen-specific IgE blood testing (no antihistamine washout) ✅ High-impact pitfalls: alpha-gal syndrome and heparin; birch–apple cross-reactivity ✅ Documentation that helps providers choose safer meds and diets ✅ When to loop in pharmacy/allergy, and what to tell families about prevention This episode is great info for new grads, med-surg, ICU/ED, primary care, school nurses, and anyone updating intake workflows. 🔗 Resources & Links: Connect with Dr. Sophia Thomas on LinkedIn and X Join the FreshRN email list for free resources & updates: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up/ Nurse leaders: Looking for a comprehensive residency program for your new grads? Check out: https://www.freshrn.com/enterprise/ 🎧 Follow & Subscribe: If this episode gave you something to think about, follow FreshRN wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with a nurse friend!

Traditional nursing models are breaking under the weight of higher acuity, staffing shortages, and relentless workload. But nurse leaders aren't waiting for permission to fix it, they're redesigning care delivery right now. In this episode, Kati Kleber, MSN RN, talks with Dr. Bethany Robertson, Clinical Executive at Wolters Kluwer, Health Learning Research & Practice, about how hospitals are experimenting with new care models that actually work. From team-based care to virtual nursing, Bethany explains how leaders are offloading cognitive overload, improving patient flow, and helping nurses feel valued for their clinical judgment... not just their ability to survive the shift. We discuss: ✅ What virtual nursing really looks like in action: how it's being used across acute care to support bedside teams without cutting FTEs. ✅ Why simply adding more staff won't fix burnout, and what true workload redesign looks like when nurses can finally think, not just react. ✅ How nurse leaders are rewriting the rules using insights from the FutureCare Nursing 2025 report, to build care models that protect both patients and the profession. 🔗 Resources & Links: Read the full FutureCare Nursing 2025 survey report from Lippincott® Solutions Join the FreshRN email list for free resources & updates: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up/ Nurse leaders: Looking for a comprehensive residency program for your new grads? Check out: https://www.freshrn.com/enterprise/ 🎧 Follow & Subscribe: If this episode gave you something to think about, follow FreshRN wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with a nurse friend!

In this episode of The FreshRN Podcast, host Kati Kleber, MSN RN, sits down with Dr. Susan Grant, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN (Chief Clinical Officer at symplr) to talk about how AI can actually make nursing better. We focus less on "what AI is" and more on how to successfully integrate it into nursing practice. Susan will share leadership strategies for building trust, creating a culture where AI empowers rather than intimidates, and ensuring nurses are part of decision-making from the very beginning. We'll also talk about practical ways to prepare both seasoned nurses and new grads for the AI-driven workplace. With more than 30 years of leadership experience at Wellstar, Beaumont, Emory, the University of Washington Medical Center, and Dana-Farber, Dr. Grant shares how technology can remove administrative burden, strengthen nurse-patient connections, and help managers and educators reclaim their time to focus on what really matters: people. You'll learn: ✅ Why AI won't replace nurses, and the irreplaceable human skills that define our profession ✅ How ambient listening technology is capturing the unseen value of nursing care ✅ The biggest mistakes leaders make when rolling out new tech (and how to build trust instead) ✅ How AI could transform the daily workflow of both bedside nurses and nurse leaders within the next decade Whether you're a bedside nurse, an educator, or a hospital leader, this conversation will leave you hopeful and ready to lead the change. 🔗 Resources & Links: Connect with Dr. Susan Grant and symplr: https://www.symplr.com Join the FreshRN email list for free resources & updates: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up/ Nurse leaders: Looking for a comprehensive residency program for your new grads? Check out: https://www.freshrn.com/enterprise/ 🎧 Follow & Subscribe: If this episode gave you something to think about, follow FreshRN wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with a nurse friend!

In this episode, we're talking less about what sepsis is and more about how to build systems that actually help nurses catch and treat it earlier, without overwhelming us or compromising patient safety. Instead of focusing on textbook definitions, we explore how workflow, culture, and smart (nurse-driven!) processes can radically improve outcomes. I sit down with Jaclyn Bond, MS, MBA, RN, former Director of Nursing and an innovative leader known for transforming rapid response workflows, developing a nurse-consult activation process, and championing nurse-driven sepsis care. With a background in ER, ICU, trauma, informatics, and program development, Jaclyn brings practical, evidence-based insight that every nurse and leader needs to hear. Together, we talk about: ✅ Why many hospitals see too few rapid response calls, but too many codes ✅ How Jaclyn's "nurse consult" activation empowered bedside nurses to escalate sooner without the fear or judgment ✅ Using hard data as your strongest ally: whether you're influencing physicians, executives, or frontline staff ✅ Why the future of sepsis care is nursing-led precision resuscitation, supported by real-time physiologic data … and a lot more! This conversation is packed with insight for bedside nurses, rapid response teams, educators, and leaders, especially if you're trying to improve sepsis outcomes with limited resources. Jaclyn's approach blends compassion, critical thinking, and operational excellence in a way that feels both refreshing and highly actionable. 🚨 Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest and do not represent the official position of any organization with which they are currently or have previously been affiliated. 🔗 Resources & Links: Learn more about FloPatch and sepsis resuscitation: https://flosonicsmedical.com/ Read the Rapid Response / FloPatch case study Join the FreshRN email list for free (non-spammy) resources & updates: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up Nurse leaders: Need a comprehensive residency program for your new grads? Check out: https://www.freshrn.com/enterprise/ 🎧 Follow & Subscribe: If this episode gave you something to think about, follow FreshRN wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with a nurse friend!

If I could hop in a time machine and redo my journey to becoming a nurse, knowing what I know now... I'd take a very different path (and spend a lot less money). In this episode, I'm walking you through what I actually did: From changing majors to juggling basketball and nursing school, and what I'd do differently if I could go back. We'll talk about: ✅ Why I wish I'd started as a CNA in high school ✅ How going the ADN route first could've saved me thousands ✅ What I learned about tuition reimbursement and scholarships the hard way ✅ The importance of progress over perfection when planning your nursing path Plus, I'll share some encouragement for anyone stuck in decision paralysis, trying to figure out their next step. Your nursing journey doesn't have to be perfect to be worth it, and there are so many smart, affordable ways to get where you want to go. My free workbook that will help you map out costs, pros/cons of different schools, applications, and more: https://www.freshrn.com/planner/ Sign up for my email list: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up My nursing degrees and programs learning hub: https://www.freshrn.com/nursing-degrees-and-programs/ Need to take out loans? Check out my partner, Juno, to join a collective bargaining group and score lower interest rates better than the big-name lenders (the 2025-2026 rates start at 3.47%!). Free to join, and it can save you thousands → https://www.freshrn.com/juno Connect With Me Online! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshRN X: https://x.com/Kati_Kleber Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Fresh_RN/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kati_kleber/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freshrn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@freshrn

Ok that title might be a little spicy, but stick with me. In this episode, I discuss why so many of us over-identify with our roles, how "we're a family" culture keeps us stuck, and what learned helplessness looks like at the bedside. We'll also talk about the sneaky way suffering becomes a badge of honor, and how to step out of that martyr mindset. Sign up for my email list: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up My professional development learning hub: https://www.freshrn.com/professional-development/

In this episode, we're diving into what happens when perfectionism collides with the messy, high-pressure reality of nursing. If you've ever felt like your entire identity is wrapped up in being the "good nurse" ... you know, the one who never messes up, never says no, and always holds it together, this conversation is for you. We'll talk about: How nursing school subtly wires us for people-pleasing Why high-pressure roles make us more vulnerable to shame Why self-compassion (not shame) is the key to confidence and performance What to do when you disappoint someone—and how to recover with integrity Join my email list, already! https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up Get thoughtful support, freebies, and honest pep talks straight to your inbox: If you want to learn more about self-compassion, check out the resources from Dr. Kristin Neff: https://self-compassion.org/ Need to take out loans? Use Juno to join a collective bargaining group and score lower interest rates—usually 1–4% better than the big-name lenders. Free to join, and it can save you thousands → https://www.freshrn.com/juno Connect With Me Online! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshRN X: https://x.com/Kati_Kleber Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Fresh_RN/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kati_kleber/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freshrn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@freshrn

In this episode, I interviews Dr. Kelly J. Dries, Ph.D., RN, Director of Nursing Program Success at Wolters Kluwer Health. As a former dean of a nursing school, Dr. Dries shares: Her educational journey from someone telling her she'd never make it in nursing school, all the way to her PhD How nursing schools decide what their curriculum will look like The (sometimes sutble but important) differences between programs Smart questions to ask about the schools you're considering Advice and encouragement Article Kelly mentions: https://www.dailynurse.com/solving-the-nursing-shortage-starts-with-investing-in-educators Conversational AI tech article: https://www.wolterskluwer.com/en/news/wolters-kluwer-and-laerdal-medical-enhance-vr-simulation-for-nursing-education-with-conversational-a My free workbook that will help you map out costs, pros/cons of different schools, applications and more: https://www.freshrn.com/planner/ Money-Saving Tip: Private student loans tend to have higher rates and stricter terms compared to federal options. That's why it's smart to shop around. Services like Juno let you tap into group-negotiated loan rates, sometimes cutting interest by up to 4%. Signing up is free, and even a 1% lower rate could save you thousands over the life of your loan - https://www.freshrn.com/juno Sign up for my email list: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up My nursing degrees and programs learning hub: https://www.freshrn.com/nursing-degrees-and-programs/

In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Michelle Boes, FNP, a nurse practitioner and board prep expert who's helped thousands of aspiring NPs pass their exams with confidence. We talk about what it's really like to go through the certification process, how to choose the right study tools, and what Sarah wishes every NP student knew before sitting for the test. We cover: Sarah's deeply personal and non-linear journey through nursing school, including nearly being removed from her program Her discovery that anxiety was a strength, not a weakness, in her nursing career Working in bone marrow transplant and oncology Returning to school for a master's in nursing education Choosing to pursue an FNP degree, even though she wasn't initially sure she wanted to practice as an NP Her experience with NP board prep programs and why she created her own (WILDLY successful) business A desire to teach and help others succeed academically My NP blog post: https://www.freshrn.com/how-to-choose-an-np-program/ My top NCLEX prep programs: https://www.freshrn.com/best-nclex-reviews/ Article on her entrepreneurial journey: https://theygotacquired.com/content/sarah-michelle-np-reviews-acquired-by-blueprint-prep/ Sarah's NP board prep website (with a lot of NP resources): https://www.npreviews.com/ My free workbook that will help you map out costs, pros/cons of different schools, applications, and more: https://www.freshrn.com/planner/ Sign up for my email list: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up My nursing degrees and programs learning hub: https://www.freshrn.com/nursing-degrees-and-programs/ Need to take out loans? Check out my partner, Juno, to join a collective bargaining group and score lower interest rates better than the big-name lenders (the 2025-2026 rates start at 3.47%!). Free to join, and it can save you thousands → https://www.freshrn.com/juno Connect With Me Online! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreshRN X: https://x.com/Kati_Kleber Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Fresh_RN/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kati_kleber/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freshrn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@freshrn

All of the NP track options are confusing. I'm Kati Kleber, an MSN-prepared nurse educator and in this video I'll explain the FNP role and differentiate it from other NP tracks. Full article → https://www.freshrn.com/fnp-vs-agacnp/ We discuss: What is an FNP, really? Why the "family" part actually matter NP tracks and scope of practice explained What makes the FNP role stand out FNP vs. AGACNP vs. PNP and more What real NPs have to say about their roles I have a platform full of free resources for current and prospective nurses. Here are a few! The ultimate guide to different NP speciality options → https://www.freshrn.com/online-nurse-practitioner-programs/ Resource hub of nursing degrees and programs → https://www.freshrn.com/nursing-degrees-and-programs/ Free nursing school planning workbook: Compare schools, track tuition, and plan your next move (RN or grad school) → https://www.freshrn.com/planner/ Need to take out loans? Use Juno to join a collective bargaining group and score lower interest rates—usually 1–4% better than the big-name lenders. Free to join, and it can save you thousands → https://www.freshrn.com/juno Join 30K+ nurses: Real talk. Career clarity. Nurse-to-nurse tips straight to your inbox → https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up Connect With Me Online! Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/FreshRN X: https://x.com/Kati_Kleber Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/Fresh_RN/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kati_kleber/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@freshrn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@freshrn

Thinking about going back to school to earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) but feeling overwhelmed by what it actually means? In this episode, I break down what the DNP is, who it's for, how it compares to an MSN or PhD, and share perspectives from DNP and DNAP-prepared nurses. I outline: What the DNP really is (and how it's different from a PhD) Why some nurses pursue it, and others don't The difference between a DNP and a DNAP What to expect from a DNP program (time, cost, and the infamous DNP project) How to reverse-engineer your decision based on your future goals Get your free workbook → If you're thinking about nursing school (at any level), this workbook will help you compare programs, weigh decisions, track finances, and more → https://www.freshrn.com/planner/ Read the article → https://www.freshrn.com/online-dnp-programs/ Want more support in your inbox? Join my email list to get exclusive content, encouragement, and nursing school tips I only share with subscribers → https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up/ Heads up → Even a small difference in your loan's interest rate can add up to thousands over time. Before signing for a private loan, check what kind of rates you could qualify for through Juno. They use group buying power to negotiate lower rates for borrowers, often beating standard offers by 1–2%. It's free to sign up with zero committment, and it could mean major savings down the road. Let's go! https://www.freshrn.com/juno

I have been keeping my eye on NCLEX prep products for at least a decade and because of this, I maintain a checklist of features that make a program superior. I know a good one when I see one, what a reasonable price looks like, and what really moves the needle. In this episode, I explain my top three in detail. I would 10/10 use any of these if I were studying for the NCLEX again. (But thank GOSH I don't have to do that!) You can read the full blog post (with all the links) here: https://www.freshrn.com/best-nclex-reviews/ If you decide to give TrueLearn a try, use my promo code FRESHRN to get 20% off: https://truelearn.com/nursing/ Want more NCLEX tips + new grad support? Join my email list for exclusive resources and updates → https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up And if you need private loans for school, check out my partner Juno to potentially save thousands through group rate negotiation → https://www.freshrn.com/juno

Are online nursing degrees respected? Do employers take them seriously? What about clinicals and accreditation? In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Karen Cox, President of Chamberlain University—the largest nursing school in the U.S.—to tackle the most common misconceptions about online nursing education. We cover things like: The evolution of online RN, BSN, and grad programs How online clinicals actually work What accreditation means and why it's non-negotiable How employers view online degrees Confidence-building advice for nurses at every career stage We even discuss her career path from LPN to PhD! (Yes, just took every step in between: LPN, ADN, BSN, MSN, and finally PhD!) So, if you're interested in an online program or if you're curious about the path of a PhD-prepared RN, this episode is for you. Link to the article on social determinants of learning that we mentioned: https://www.chamberlain.edu/about/social-determinants-of-learning New FreshRN freebie alert! I created a workbook to help you compare nursing schools (at any level) + track costs + map out your best path. Get it at no cost at https://www.freshrn.com/planner/ Don't overpay for student loans, people. After you max out your school's financial aid package and select your federal loans, most people have to take out private loans to bridge the gap. Make sure you're getting the best interest rate possible because even just 1-2% more can cost thousands over the lifetime of the loan. My new partner, Juno, uses group bargaining power to get lower interest rates, as much as 4% below market rates. It's free to join and check their rates to compare to yours before you sign on the dotted line. Use my link to sign up for free with no commitment here: https://www.freshrn.com/juno Get on my email list already! https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up/

Considering getting your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) but feeling totally overwhelmed by the options? You're not alone. In this episode, I break down what an MSN actually is (and what it isn't), the difference between clinical and non-clinical paths, and how to choose a program that aligns with your goals, not just what seems affordable or popular. You'll learn: What an MSN really means (and why it's not a job title) The difference between clinical MSN paths (like NP and CNS) vs. non-clinical paths (like education or leadership) What an APRN is, and how licensure + certification work Common program formats, including direct-entry, competency-based, and post-master's certificates How to reverse-engineer your education based on the career you actually want Why clarity now can save you time, money, and frustration later Free Resource: Download my Nursing School Planner to compare programs, track costs, and reflect on your long-term goals → FreshRN.com/planner Read the full blog post: https://www.freshrn.com/msn-programs/ Want more support and clarity? Sign up for my email list → https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up/

In this episode, I'm joined by Ali Morin, MSN, RN-BC, CNIO, to talk about a topic that's generating a lot of buzz (and questions): AI in nursing. We dive into how artificial intelligence is already being used in clinical settings—like fall prevention, EMR automation, staffing optimization, and more. Ali shares her journey from pediatric critical care nurse to informatics leader and offers a clear, thoughtful breakdown of what AI can really do for nurses at the bedside. We also explore: How AI is helping reduce burnout and documentation overload Why trust is a major barrier for nurses with new tech What nurse leaders need to know about integrating AI tools A hopeful vision of what a med-surg shift could look like 20 years from now Insight on her professional nursing journey to informatics Whether you're a student, new grad, or experienced nurse feeling overwhelmed by clunky workflows—this episode will give you clarity, hope, and a realistic take on where nursing and technology are headed. "AI can never replace the human touch—but it can absolutely take work off your plate." Want more insights like this? Head over to https://www.freshrn.com and sign up for our email list! You'll get helpful, non-spammy updates packed with practical tips, resources, and encouragement—especially for new nurses navigating real-world practice. For our nursing school planner, head to https://www.freshrn.com/planner