March 12, 2025 • 55 mins
💡 Episode 8: “Navigating Your First Year as a Nurse: Thriving as a Clin 1”
Welcome to another episode of Nursing Lyfe 101! Today, Christopher and Colby dive into the realities of being a Clin 1, or a brand-new nurse. From managing nerves and mastering medications to handling tough shifts and advocating for yourself, we’re giving you the real talk on how to not just survive, but thrive in your first year.
🔥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ The top 3 things every Clin 1 should focus on
✅ How to handle overwhelming shifts and tough assignments
✅ The truth about asking questions (spoiler: it’s ALWAYS better to ask)
✅ Managing time, stress, and self-doubt in your first year
✅ Why biohacking and self-care matter for nursing longevity
👂 Listen now and take away practical strategies to make your transition from student nurse to professional RN a little smoother. Don’t forget to share this episode with your fellow new grads!
✨ Follow & Support Us ✨
Stay connected and never miss an episode:
• Twitter: @NurseLyfe101
• Facebook: Nursing Lyfe 101
• Patreon: NL 101: Office Hours
💬 Join the Conversation:
We want to hear from YOU! Share your thoughts, questions, and nursing stories on social media using #NursingLyfe101.
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share Nursing Lyfe 101 with your friends in scrubs. Your support keeps us going! 🩺
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Christopher (00:00):
Welcome to Nursing Lyfe 101, the most important
nursing class you never got totake in nursing school.
We will be traversing differentobjectives, like interviewing
what to do in nursing school,boundaries, burnout and so much
more, if this interests you.
I hope you are taking goodnotes because class is now in
session.
Hello and welcome to NursingLyfe 101.
(00:48):
We're so excited to have youhere with us as we dive into the
world of nursing, sharing ourexperiences, insights and a
little bit of fun along the way.
I'm Christopher and I couldn'tbe happier to introduce my
co-host.
Colby (01:00):
Hey guys, it's Colby.
Together, we'll be bringing youreal stories, practical tips
and discussions about all thingsnursing, whether you're a
fellow nurse or just curiousabout life behind the scrubs.
We're thrilled to have you joinus.
Christopher (01:12):
We are experienced nurses.
We have been experienced nurses, I guess, if you want to say
anything over the year.
I have been for four, you havebeen for nine, and there are
still times where we haveprecepted people, we've hired
(01:35):
people, we run across people whohave come to our unit and they
are completely new and you'relike, oh boy, this is different.
So we wanted to take a littlebit of time and recognize the
(01:56):
newbies in nursing career and Iguess really and truly, this
could also reflect a little biton newbies in any career.
But obviously we're going tofocus on those that are in ours,
because we know more about thatand we see it all the time.
So at our healthcare system wedo a kind of like step-based
(02:29):
approach in terms of nursing,where there are levels to what
nurse you can be.
Colby (02:31):
In relation to your experience.
Christopher (02:33):
Right, right, right .
And so the newbies are calledClin 1s.
Those that who have survivedtheir first year and are still
at the health system are calledClin 2s.
Colby (02:47):
Survived and still there.
Yeah, after your first year youautomatically move up to Clin 2.
Or this is and Clin is shortfor clinician.
Christopher (02:56):
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Colby (02:56):
Yeah, just in case someone's like Clin.
Yeah, what does that mean?
Christopher (02:59):
Yeah, I probably should have said that.
Then in clin 3 you have to do aportfolio and an interview.
Actually, I don't think youhave to do the portfolio anymore
, you just have to do theinterview.
It used to be very extensive toget clin
Colby (03:20):
I'm be totally honest, I'm not totally up to speed on
what the clinical ladder entailsbecause in my role they took
the clinical ladder out of thelike question.
Like they kind of took it awayfrom charge nurses because we're
in quote unquote leadershipinstead.
So I kind of lost sight.
(03:42):
But a lot of hospitals do asimilar thing which I've moved
up on the clinical ladder and itmay or may not entail some form
of portfolio or, um, what's theother word for resume?
It's not resume, but like uh,do you know I see your brain
(04:18):
working.
Like you know what the word is.
Christopher (04:20):
I do know, I do.
Colby (04:20):
Uh this is frustrating.
But its like a document similarto a resume where it gives you
an exemplar of the work that youare doing to kinda prove that
you are appropriate to move upto the next step in Y clinical
ladder.
You prove that you have acertification.
Um, these are the hours of CEUsyou've done.
These are, um, the, the subcommittees and committees that
you're involved with in thehospital.
Um, I really wish I could.
You're looking it up.
Christopher (04:35):
Yeah, I am.
Uh, so you have the cv, which is.
.
.
Colby (04:39):
yes, the cv.
Christopher (04:41):
But that's an actual word and I just can't
think of curriculum vitae.
Colby (04:45):
Yes, yeah, so you.
Sometimes it's a curriculumvitae or cv, which again is
similar to a resume.
Sometimes it's more involved,like a portfolio.
I mean I have a from my firstjob, um, as a nurse.
I stayed there for two yearsand I was a clin 3 when I left
it was was super involved,
Christopher (05:03):
holy cow,
Colby (05:03):
yeah.
Yeah, in two years.
So like, I went Clin 2 after myfirst year and then in that
year I worked and applied andgot approved for Clin 3.
So like, and I worked maybelike another three months yeah,
isn't that crazy.
Christopher (05:17):
That's wild.
Colby (05:18):
Yeah, but I was, I was like really involved in like
getting the hospital like magnetcertified.
Christopher (05:24):
Oh my God, really?
Colby (05:25):
I got kind of thrown into it because they needed someone
from a like graduate nurseperspective.
Christopher (05:31):
Okay.
Colby (05:31):
And then I guess, yeah, I don't know, I just like I was
in the right place, right time?
I guess, and I got I was on partof all these other
subcommittees.
I actually got to go to themagnet convention that year too,
which was really cool inAtlanta.
It was a blast.
What?
Yeah, and I'm in the.
I'm actually.
What year would this be?
2015?
Maybe I'm in the book from themagnet convention that year.
(05:55):
Yeah, there's a picture of mein the actual book.
So the so the magnet conventionthe year following 2016 had
pictures from the year beforeand I'm in the 2016 book.
Christopher (06:05):
That is wild yeah.
Colby (06:07):
So that's why I was like clin 3 baby.
Christopher (06:13):
That is insane.
Colby (06:14):
Yeah, but anyways, not to toot my own horn.
Christopher (06:18):
Well, you sure enough did.
Colby (06:22):
But anyways, yes, you can , I mean, and not every hospital
you're able to do that so soon.
I think it some like requireyears of experience to also move
up the ladder.
Christopher (06:33):
Yea, that is the case here in our healthcare
system.
I also just wanna say you talkabout me doing all the stuff,
I'm not in a magnet book, butyou went through the process and
clin 4s, clin 3s and clin 4shave to do interviewing and then
I'm pretty sure clin 4 has hada master's degree.
(06:54):
But you have all these thingsand you get a lot of the time's
extra pay.
You have more responsibilities,you are looked at as more of a
leader on the floor and can kindof really embrace the whole
like I know what I'm doing.
This is me now teaching someoneelse what they need to do.
Colby (07:17):
Being a great resource, that sort of thing, explain it.
Christopher (07:21):
But you know we did all of that to really just
focus back on the Clin 1s.
And oh, and to Colby's point,inpatient charge nurses
designated inpatient chargenurses are outside of that
because they are a different setof leaders that are looked
higher than the Clin 3s or Clin4s.
(07:41):
And so, going back to Clin 1s,there are a lot of things that
you have to like experience as aClin 1.
And I would like for us to kindof start and just kind of
explain kind of what theexpectations of Clin 1s are.
Colby (08:00):
I think so I'll give my perspective and then I because
this will be interesting from acharge nurse and then from like
actual someone that's likemanager, because you're going to
have the more defined, likeactually define what it is.
And I will give a perceptionfirst and you can tell me if I
am right or wrong.
Christopher (08:11):
Like I am actually going to be able to tell you
Colby (08:11):
that job description more than a hundred times this month
.
Christopher (08:26):
Yes.
Colby (08:27):
Because you have to go over with new hires.
Okay, so your expectation as anew grad, your first year, you
really have a lot of leniencyand grace, like you are really
just expected to learn what yourrole is Like.
You're learning how to be anurse and how to perform and how
to do your job and do your jobcorrectly and provide good
(08:49):
patient care.
So the bar is high, obviously,because you want to provide
great patient care and safepatient care.
But just know that like everyother year, the bar gets a
little bit higher.
So for me the bar looks lowfrom where I'm at and so, to put
(09:10):
myself in the shoes, like thebar is high for someone who's
coming out of school andlearning exactly what being a
nurse is.
It's your expectation in ourhealth system.
We have something that's like anurse residency program.
So your expectation is thatyou're taking a part of, you're
required to take part in thatand there's also like a project
(09:32):
that you do while you're on.
It's kind of like schoolextended.
It's a good transition pointfor I think for new grad nurses
it kind of helps again with likethe puzzle piece analogy, like
it's giving you more tools foryour toolbox.
It's helping you makeconnections into, like what you
learned in school to what you'reseeing on the floor in real
practice.
What else, what do you think onyour side of things?
Christopher (09:56):
yeah, I mean I agree everything you said.
The perception is right andreally and truly you, as a Clin
1, when you are coming to a unit, are just supposed to be safe.
Colby (10:11):
Mm-hmm Right, that's the number.
One thing is safe patient care.
Christopher (10:16):
Right, safe patient care.
You be safe and you learn.
Colby (10:21):
Mm-hmm.
Christopher (10:21):
That's it,
Colby (10:22):
mm-hmm
Christopher (10:22):
, like, yes, you can get involved into activities
and like committees and allthat stuff, because that's a
part of learning.
Colby (10:31):
Yeah, and we love that.
We love to see people with likenew energy coming in, because
it's new ideas and outsideperspectives that people who
necessarily, who haven'tnecessarily been around that
group, so you can kind of likecome up with, you know, like a
fresh perspective on somethingand really make a good change on
(10:51):
the floor early on.
But just know that, like nopressure, you don't have to do
that immediately if you're notready.
Christopher (10:56):
Right and, and more than likely, you're not gonna
feel ready
Colby (10:59):
no, you're gonna be overwhelmed,
Christopher (11:01):
yeah and
Colby (11:03):
that's and that's okay, that's normal.
Christopher (11:04):
Yeah, and it's not your expectation to be at least
in our health system and youknow I'm saying this as a big
brother or your crazy uncle, youknow whatever you want to call
me but you are not expected toprecept.
(11:24):
You're not expected to docharge nurse, you're not
expected to be any type ofleader on the unit.
Now you may have amazingleadership qualities and you
come in with those leadershipqualities, which is great.
(11:45):
Continue to cultivate thoseleadership qualities in
something outside of nursing andthen, when you get to the point
where you're actually in a moreknowledgeable state in nursing
role, then you start tofacilitate that leadership
quality outward into the nursingfield.
(12:06):
But don't think about doing itand it's okay.
You know I'm not saying don'tthink about it like it's a
terrible idea, but like you'rehere to learn, like it's a total
receiving clinician role.
Colby (12:21):
If you have like a natural-born instinct to be a
leader, like think about otherways that you can use those
skills.
Like, for instance, like oneexample of that would be like
you started six months ago andthen another new grad or like a
nurse's aide of tech starts.
Like you can take them underyour wing and show them like
(12:41):
friendship, being a goodcolleague, that sort of thing
like making other peopleconfident and comfortable in the
unit too.
There's nothing wrong with likehaving those skills naturally.
Just know, don't get in underlike don't get in over your head
is what I'm saying like toosoon, like just really
concentrate, like we said, onsafe patient care and making
sure that, like you'reeverything's clicking for you,
(13:04):
you're feeling like good doingthe work that you're doing, your
patients are healthy andresponding well.
Christopher (13:12):
Yeah, because I mean that that's the main goal
for a clin 1.
You have way too much stuffbeing overwhelmed and kind of
going to those like being thingsthat you're overwhelmed with.
You have a lot of problems as aclin 1 and it's expected for
you to have these problems,honestly, because you don't know
anything.
Colby (13:32):
Yeah, it's a big problem solving year.
It's when your critical thinkingskills come into.
Like fruition it's.
It's like a big.
This is so cheesy and corny,but like it's a big, like
blossoming year, like you'restarting off as like a little
bud in the spring and then, like, by the end of it, you're a
full-blown flower.
That's so corny, they're theanalogy, but it it is.
Christopher (13:58):
The eye rolls I'm giving the camera.
Colby (14:02):
But it works.
It's a big problem solving year.
I mean you are learning timemanagement.
You're learning medicationsthat you went over for one unit
in pharmacology class.
Christopher (14:16):
And you know, you dumped those after that class.
Colby (14:18):
Yeah, it's like rote memorization.
Then all of a sudden you haveto apply and you're like wait, I
think metoprolol soundsfamiliar.
What does that do again?
And then all of a sudden you'regiving this med every single
day to multiple patients, likeyou know it, all of a sudden,
like the back of your hand, butit takes time, you're going to
start and just be like I don'tknow, and that's okay and that's
(14:39):
why you are getting preceptedand you're on orientation and
this is a great opportunity andtime for you to ask questions.
Christopher (14:48):
And please do Like there was a preceptor that was
precepting someone else and theyhad told this person.
There are no stupid questions,except for the ones you don't
ask that lead to a patient'sdeath.
Colby (15:03):
I love that there are no stupid questions, except for the
ones that you don't ask.
Say it again louder for thepeople in the back.
I always say that to people.
I love the new graduate nurseson my unit and I feel they
always come up to me and they'relike I'm so sorry, I'm asking
you so many questions.
I always say don't apologize,I'd rather you ask me a hundred
(15:24):
questions than you go dosomething you're not sure about
and you mess it up and thepatient pays for it.
Like, ultimately, ask yourquestion.
If you're right.
I'll tell you.
You're right, yeah, you got it.
Like, thanks for asking.
You totally know what you'redoing, though, in this situation
, and if it turns out that youdidn't know, it's a good thing.
You asked because now I'm hereas your resource to tell you or
(15:45):
give you advice or, you know,help you form your thoughts, to
send a page to a doctor.
Like, I would rather you ask meevery single question that you
think might be so annoying,because it's not annoying to me,
trust me.
Like, when it comes down to it,it's about safe patient care.
So you ask your, ask yourelders and I hate to refer to
(16:06):
myself as an elder, but ask yourelders on the floor, people
with experience any question,and that's part of the learning
process.
Christopher (16:13):
All right, y'all, it's time for our segment break,
and today we're diving intosomething that could literally
change how you perform, recoverand last in your nursing career.
Welcome to Biohacking forNurses.
Colby (16:25):
So this is one that's like near and dear to our hearts
.
Christopher (16:30):
It really is.
Colby (16:31):
It really is so.
Biohacking isn't just for eliteathletes or Silicon Valley tech
bros.
It's all about understandingand optimizing your own body,
and, as nurses, that's crucial,right.
All right, we push our limitsevery shift, but what if we
could work smarter, not harder,by tracking our own biometrics?
Christopher (16:50):
So let's break it down.
There are key biometrics we cantrack that directly affect our
performance, recovery andoverall health.
Here are some of the mostimportant ones your heart rate
variability, which is also knownas HRV, tracks stress and
recovery.
A low HRV might mean you'veoverworked or not recovering
(17:10):
well.
Resting heart rate, also knownas RHR, is a great indicator of
overall cardiovascular healthand fitness.
You know those patients thatturn on the cardiac alarm
because they're sleeping andthey're dropping into the 40s
because they're 20 years old andrun marathons.
They have a low.
RHR, yeah, rhr and yep andprobably HRV, and probably also
(17:36):
Sleep quality and REM cycles,one I don't do very well.
Poor sleep is the number oneway to burn out faster.
Tracking sleep can revealpatterns affecting performance
Blood glucose levels monitoring.
This can prevent energy crashesduring your shifts.
Hydration and electrolytes manynurses don't drink enough water
(17:57):
on shift.
Colby (17:58):
Facts.
Christopher (18:00):
I drink a gallon so
Colby (18:01):
You're actively doing 75 hard right now.
That's why you're drinking agallon.
Christopher (18:05):
Yeah, that's a little bit different.
Colby (18:06):
Right Previously you were slacking off.
Christopher (18:08):
It's true, but I also have a scale that shows me
my hydration and electrolytesDid I tell you that?
Colby (18:22):
No, yes, yes, on what?
Christopher (18:22):
Huh,
Colby (18:22):
we'll get into it,
Christopher (18:23):
okay.
Hydration levels impactcognitive function and fatigue.
Body temperature trends canindicate early signs of illness
or stress-related burnout.
Colby (18:30):
And the best part is that you don't even need labs to
track this.
Wearables like the Oura RingWhoop Band, apple Watch and CGMs
, which are continuous glucosemonitors, can give you real-time
insights.
And let me tell you,Christopher and I have all of
the above.
We are enthusiastic aboutbiohacking ourselves and we've
(18:53):
done tons of extracurricularresearch on how to live
healthier and longer.
Christopher (18:59):
Yeah, I said it briefly in one of the other
episodes.
It's important to keep a veganin your life.
Colby (19:07):
That is one of the suggestions that we've come
across.
It is, and that's why I keepChristopher around.
Christopher (19:13):
Only for that reason, just that, that's it.
Okay, so why does this matter?
Nursing is physically andmentally demanding, and if we're
not paying attention to thesebiometrics, we're setting
ourselves up for burnout,exhaustion and even long-term
health problems.
Colby (19:29):
Right.
So let's say that your HRV issuper low for weeks and you
might be overstressed.
You might be not sleepingenough.
Your body isn't recoveringbetween shifts.
If you track that and makesmall adjustments like better
hydration, getting a couplehours extra sleep, stress
management, you're preventingfuture exhaustion.
This is biohacking 101.
Christopher (19:49):
It is it really is, and same goes for sleep
tracking.
If you're constantly gettingpoor REM sleep, it might be
affecting your reaction time,your mood and even patient
safety.
Imagine being able to fine-tuneyour routine to show up sharper
and more alert on your shift.
Colby (20:05):
This is why we're obsessed with it.
Christopher (20:07):
It's true, it's so true, and I mean like, literally
, I look at my Whoop data in themornings and I am constantly
sleep.
I have a constant sleep debt,which is bad.
Colby (20:18):
It is bad.
Christopher (20:19):
It's not good.
Colby (20:19):
But is it?
Is it making you want to fix it?
Because it would me?
It would motivate me to like be, like, okay, what can I get
done?
And like, how can I squeeze inan extra hour?
Christopher (20:28):
yeah,
Colby (20:29):
Of sleep.
Christopher (20:30):
I mean, I'm trying
Colby (20:32):
disappointment.
I'm trying well, we both.
You recently just got the whoopand you have the Apple Watch
and Oura ring which is cool.
I have been on a long journey offinally breaking down to get
the Oura ring and I am currentlywearing this the sizing kit to
determine what would be the bestsize for me, because I have
officially broken down, have anapple watch and I think, while
(21:01):
it's, it does basic need foryour biomet, like keeping track
of your biometrics.
There's technology out therethat's so much better.
So that's why I'm like, okay, Ineed more information, I need
better battery life, I'm gonnaget the Oura ring.
But then something we both justdid together recently was get
the cgms, the continuous glucosemonitors, because they're new,
like newer, easily easilyaccessible over the counter
technology.
And not that I had any fearthat I might be like a diabetic
(21:25):
or have high blood sugars, but Ijust like wanted to use that as
another tool to figure out howmy body is reacting to things.
Christopher (21:33):
It's wild.
Colby (21:34):
And it's been so fun it is.
Christopher (21:36):
And I mean, you know there was.
There was one day I had eatensomething.
I had eaten Utz pretzels.
Colby (21:42):
Gotta be careful with the pretzels.
Christopher (21:44):
I went from between 75 and 85 to 150.
Colby (21:50):
Yeah Off of like one serving of pretzels.
Christopher (21:53):
Like a slight handful of pretzels.
Yeah, I was like there's no wayI'm eating these ever again.
Colby (21:59):
Well, you can just in moderation, I think, I think
something is moderation.
How long did it take you?
So for me, so not pretzels, butfruit.
Christopher (22:08):
Yeah.
Colby (22:10):
I had an orange and I went up to like 169 in orange
and then like blueberries.
But I think it's the amount oftime I think also we need to
take in consideration and Ipersonally need to do even more
research about endocrine systembut like, how long you're in
that spike for?
Like how long are you above one?
Like the?
You know, quote unquote normalgold.
Gold star values would be 70 to140.
(22:33):
Range you are within recommendquote-unquote recommended range.
So when I do have these littlespikes spikes after eating fruit
or like like for breakfast, Ilike to have like overnight oats
and like fresh fruit in it yeah, I spike up to like 150, but
usually within an hour, if notsooner, I'm back within the
(22:53):
normal range.
So I think, while it's superdistressing because us as health
caregivers are like, oh my god,we're not normal, like our
sugar is not within that normalrange all the time, I think also
we need to take in factor likehow long we're above the green.
Christopher (23:06):
Yeah, yeah, that's true, I mean, and even our CGM
tells us that we should be, ashealthy individuals should be,
within the 70 to 140, about 96%of the time.
Colby (23:21):
We are
Christopher (23:22):
no.
Colby (23:22):
Oh,
Christopher (23:23):
last week,
Colby (23:23):
what?
Christopher (23:24):
Last week?
I was only 81% of the time.
I know
Colby (23:28):
what were you eating,
Christopher (23:29):
I don't know.
But it also was like the lastcouple of days of the CGM and
there were, like I had multiple,like under 70 moments.
But then just two nights agoyeah, that sounds right to just
two nights ago I had the worstsleep of my life by the way and
I was like you're constantlyhigh weird.
Colby (23:51):
Yeah, what did you eat before you went to bed?
Christopher (23:53):
I can't remember.
I would have to.
I have to go back and look yeah, I would have to look.
Which is cool with the CGM, youcan track what you actually ate
.
Colby (24:01):
Yeah, what might have?
I've just been like fascinated,absolutely fascinated by it.
(24:22):
So yeah, and then I'll continuewith my journey of fascination
when my Oura ring comes in themail and I get to dabble in the
app for that.
So I highly suggest everyoneget it.
Christopher (24:37):
Yeah, no, like at least one thing Right, and
Colby (24:39):
yeah, you don't need to be all of them Not like us.
We're just crazy.
Christopher (24:44):
But the cool thing is, majority of them you can use
your HSA or FSA to get it.
Colby (24:51):
That's very true.
Yeah, so like that's free money.
That's not true, but that's howI think of my HSA.
Christopher (24:59):
That's girl math.
Colby (25:04):
And that's what I use to pay for my Oura Ring.
So you know, and for me, liketo spend 500, you know, a couple
hundred dollars on a biometrictool.
I feel like to gain thatinsight and get that information
(25:31):
on myself and have like abaseline of health for myself is
worth it in the long run,instead of a lot of the time
your patient comes to thehospital when their body is like
at the end of the line, like Iam, like I.
They are in so much distress,their body is like alarm, alarm.
But they probably have beenliving with, for example, heart
failure, with like small signsof heart failure for months to
(25:54):
years, years.
And if they had a biometricdevice where they were tracking
it, they might have noticed like, oh, my heart rate variability
is changed, or my resting heartrate is changed, or, you know,
there's like the VCO2, like allof these things that track.
If you're cognizant and you'relooking at those things, you're
(26:14):
going to notice an acute changesooner than if you didn't have
access to that data.
Christopher (26:21):
Yeah, and you know it's just a cool way.
I remember Dang Colby.
It's Colby's Dang fault she has.
I've had my Oura ring since fortwo years now, I guess.
Colby (26:35):
Yeah, it's probably been.
It's definitely been over ayear.
It's probably close to twoyears.
Christopher (26:40):
Yeah, and it's because this one and I'm
pointing at it decides to belike Christopher, can you take
me to get my wisdom teethremoved?
And I'm like, yeah, I could dothat.
So I go take her to get herwisdom teeth removed.
And as we're driving there,she's like hey, have you heard
about this Oura ring?
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
It takes HSA.
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
I can't spend my HSA becauseI'm about to spend it with this.
Colby (27:02):
Get my teeth pulled.
Christopher (27:03):
Get my teeth pulled , blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
But you should get it,Christopher.
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
And I'm just as gullible afterthey've walked off to take Colby
to get her teeth, and I'm likewell, might as well go ahead and
get this.
Colby (27:21):
But not only Christopher.
I like convinced probably likefive people that year to get the
Oura ring and people were like,wait, you don't have one.
And I was like, no,
Christopher (27:29):
not at all.
Colby (27:31):
So the fact that I'm getting one now is really funny
to a lot of people, becausethey're like you convinced us to
spend like a couple hundreddollars on a device that you
didn't even have and I was likeI should get a cut.
Is what you're saying like?
What you're saying is Ourashould send me this, this
podcast is not sponsored.
But if they want to and give memy ring for free and upgrade
christopher's, the new gen 4,
(27:52):
I'll take that too.
Yeah, we are.
I'm here, I'm advocating foryou guys, but yeah, they're just
, I'm just.
We have a fascination with,like blue zones, just living
healthy, like I said, livinghealthier and for longer, and I
just love that.
I have tangible data that I cansee every day and like see what
(28:13):
I can do to biohack myself intofeeling better, performing
better.
Everything just enhanced
Christopher (28:21):
And it's really and truly like I've noticed, and
even if you pay attention toyour apple watch when you set it
to like do a workout, like ifyou just you don't, you don't
need all these other things, youdon't.
If you, I mean I, I suggest youget it.
I have the Whoop and the AppleWatch, one on each wrist but,
(28:42):
and the Whoop does just as muchas the Oura Ring, and so I'm
like I have all this information.
But even I know I was supposedto write Colby, a two-page
double-spaced report I waslooking at over the differences
between honestly like whoopsability to show, like strain
Colby (29:03):
OK
Christopher (29:04):
During your workouts.
Colby (29:05):
Yeah.
Christopher (29:05):
The Oura Ring doesn't really do that, but like
it puts a perspective, puts anumber out there to show like
how hard you actually went inyour workout.
And you know, obviously if yougo out, go all out all the time,
then you're going to get closerto injury possibly.
But there's like a balance inyou being able to like strain
(29:25):
your body enough to just like,man, I need to stop on this
whole working out and musclesand stretching and building
muscles, but you work it outjust enough to strain it, just
enough to build that muscle forthe next time.
Colby (29:40):
Yeah.
Christopher (29:41):
Yeah.
Colby (29:43):
It's just fascinating.
Christopher (29:44):
It is.
Colby (29:45):
All right guys.
So I'm going to present you allwith a challenge.
So if you have a smartwatchfitness tracker or even a good
old fashioned notepad, starttracking one of these metrics
for the next two weeks.
Maybe it's sleep, hydration oryour heart rate variability.
Write down what you noticed.
Do you even feel more energized?
Do you feel less fatigued?
Christopher (30:11):
And if you find something interesting, hit us up
on social media, at NursingLyfe 101 or Nurse Lyfe 101.
And let's talk about it.
The more we learn about ourbodies, the longer and stronger
we can stay in this career.
Colby (30:18):
Nursing is a marathon, not a sprint everyone.
So let's start playing the longgame.
That's it for biohacking fornurses.
Now back to our episode.
Christopher (30:30):
You know, in those moments I want to ask you
another question, but because wewere talking about this you had
mentioned, you know, I'm neverannoyed by those questions or
frustrated or like you know whyare they asking me all this?
There are some people thateither look like that and don't
(30:50):
feel that way I actually don'tactually feel that way but look
that way and actually feel thatway.
How do you, how do you navigatethat as a Clin 1?
Because you're like I reallydon't know, like what do I do?
Colby (31:02):
Yeah, right, yeah, I feel like, and I feel like
you'll always even not innursing specifically you'll
always have like that meanperson.
That it's just inevitable,that's life.
And so let's say you know what?
You still gotta ask.
If they're the only personaround, it's a safe.
Again, it comes down to safepatient care.
(31:23):
You got to ask, even if they'reannoyed, at least you didn't
kill a person.
You know what I mean.
But also, if there are morepeople around, you know that
person's not the friendliest Asksomeone else, like just don't
be afraid.
You just you got to get thequestion out.
You got to ask.
Christopher (31:36):
You really do.
You know it goes back to wejust had a couple of episodes
ago about interviews and likeasking about the culture of the
unit these are.
That's a question you need tolike.
Experience in itself you can'task that question.
That's why you shadow.
Colby (31:56):
Yeah, yeah, you can't say do you have anybody mean on the
unit?
They're going to be like, um,no, but they don't know.
Even your managers probablydon't know that someone's mean.
I mean they probably do, let'sbe honest.
But I mean they're also notgonna be like no, everyone's so
nice, like that.
of course that's gonna be theiranswer everyone's so nice
Christopher (32:15):
right, I mean we have interviewing skills just as
much as you do, right, like Imean we.
We've done it quite a few timesnow, yeah, and I've asked the
questions and have answered thequestions that we've been asked.
But you know, you going toshadow that person and having to
see the shadow and kind ofasking them while they're doing
(32:37):
their work, but also askingother people, you start to
figure out are these peopleactually going to be really nice
if I have all these questions?
Because I'm asking questionsnow?
Colby (32:47):
Yeah, you're getting a lot of information up front,
Right right, you know.
Yeah, that goes back to anearlier podcast episode about
interviewing and it's so true.
Yeah, you've just got to beready to ask questions, and also
(33:07):
keep in mind that, like, as thenew person whether you're
coming in with experience or not, like just new to the unit,
like the people who are therewith experience, like we also
are like anticipating beingasked questions.
So like, yeah, there's going tobe someone that's grumpy and
like doesn't really seem likethey have the time for you.
There's going to be somebodyelse around.
Ask anybody else.
We're anticipating that you'regoing to have questions.
Like that's we're here.
(33:28):
We on my unit and I know onChristopher's unit really try to
cultivate a culture that iswelcoming to others that are not
like normally working with usor new to working with us,
because we want to keep you like.
We want to keep you here, wewant to build our team and we
want to provide good patientcare to everyone together.
Christopher (33:48):
Right, so we talk about asking these questions as
a Clin 1.
What do you say they shouldfocus on, Like, what is the in
your eyes?
What is the top?
We'll just say the top threethings.
They should focus on learningbecause, you're right, they have
(34:08):
medications that they have tolearn.
They have they have.
um, how did how to communicateto a provider, how to
communicate to their techs, howto communicate to their
co-workers, their other nursesthat they're kind of working
alongside?
They've got how to survive anight shift and not fall asleep
(34:31):
and make it home safely,depending on how far they drive.
How much of the pathophysiologyshould they learn?
They have so much things thatthey have to learn as a Clin 1.
How do you use
Colby (34:45):
Very overwhelming, I think, the top three.
For me personally, number onewould be familiarize yourself
with the most common medicationsgiven on your unit.
Now, that could be hard ifyou're on, like, a general
medicine floor, but if you're ina specific specialty, like
myself with cardiology, there'sgoing to be like meds, like I
(35:07):
said, like metoprolol is onethat we give to almost every
single patient, like everysingle day that you have like
familiarize yourself withmedications that you're going to
be giving commonly or
Christopher (35:20):
sodolol or ticacin.
Where you have to give
Colby (35:22):
important to make sure you know what you're giving and
I say that there are stillmedicines today that I have.
(35:46):
I will look up before I givethe patient the medication,
because I'm like I've never evenheard of this.
What the heck kind of med isthis?
And a lot of times for me it'slike someone who's on my floor
and is, coincidentally, like ona random chemo med and I'm like
I don't know anything aboutchemo.
I'm like what is this one?
Let me look this up, because ifyou're giving a medication and
(36:07):
you don't know what you'regiving it for, what it does to
the body and the patient andI'll use metoprolol again as an
example it's a beta blocker.
It's going to lower bloodpressure and heart rate.
If you get the patient like, ifyou know that that does those
(36:28):
things, you're going to want toget a baseline blood pressure
and heart rate before you givethe medication.
So if you get a blood pressureand it's 90 over 50 and the
heart rate is 55, that shouldput a little red flag and say I
need to check with the physicianand make sure that they still
want this med, given they'realready brady, their heart
rate's 55 and their bloodpressure is soft.
Sometimes a physician will saygo ahead and give that med.
That's okay, we're expectingthat.
We want the blood pressure low.
(36:49):
We'll watch the heart rate andsometimes they say, you know
what Good catch, let's hold thatdose and we'll reevaluate at
the next dose that as a new gradto make those connections, you
could, you know you could havepotentially made someone
decompensate further veryquickly, whether that their
(37:09):
blood pressure tanks or theirheart rate, you know, comes down
even further.
Christopher (37:13):
Um, these, it's just, that's like my number one
yeah, and I mean you did thatwith the best intentions.
Right were like.
I know that this person needsmetoprolol yeah,
Colby (37:24):
and it's on their med list and this is the time and.
I did my five rights and youthink, like I did all the things
, I scanned all the meds, I didall you know, everything matched
.
So I went ahead and gave it,like without knowing what some
of the medications do to thebody.
It's just not, it's not safe,that's not safe patient care.
Christopher (37:42):
It's not.
Colby (37:44):
Like you just have to look it up and that's going to
take more time.
So as a Clin 1 or a newgraduate nurse, everything takes
more time.
So my second, my second, istime management.
Okay, so familiarize yourselfwith medications and then follow
up with time management.
That's my number two.
I'm going to sit here and thinkabout number three while I'm
(38:05):
talking about this.
But it's like in your new days,like you may have to do a little
extracurricular work outside ofwork to get yourself prepared
while you're at work, likeotherwise you're just going to
be bogged down by looking up 12medications at nine o'clock in
the morning times.
Four, five, six, depending onwhat your ratios are.
I mean that means MedPass won'tbe finished until 11 o'clock
(38:28):
noon and you still haven'tcharted anything.
So time management really canget away from you in your first
year, in your first weeks, inyour first months, some people
really kind of get a hold ofthings pretty quickly and some
people, for their whole careers,struggle with it.
Um, I've seen like nurses thatcome in and they they don't
(38:50):
clock out until like nineo'clock in the morning because
they're still charting, which islike unacceptable, but like
I've seen it happen.
So you want to do your best tofigure out like how to
prioritize tasks and like acuity, so that you're not one of
those nurses that are staying solate after your shift to catch
up.
Now, once in a while you'rehaving like the shift from hell.
(39:12):
That'll happen to you.
I it's been a long time sinceI've had one, but oh knock on
that I know I better knock onwood.
I do work the next two days butlike once in a while that will
happen and that's inevitable andthat's okay, but like when it's
a consistent issue for you redflags going down the line
further in your career.
So it's really important tokind of get a hold of your time
(39:33):
management skills and that kindof goes to my third.
One is organization, and it'sgoing to help you with both of
the other two, so maybe that oneshould be.
First is to be organized.
You want to use your reportsheet.
It organizes your thoughtsabout what's going on with each
individual patient.
You're going to be able to seewhen medications are due.
If you're organized, you can mapout your whole day.
(39:54):
I mean you have to be flexible,of course, because there's
always going to be a wrenchthrown into your plan.
But I mean, if you have like ageneral outline because you were
organized at the start of yourshift, it's going to be okay to
be bendy and flexy and makemoves, because you know you can
anticipate what is going tohappen.
So you can, you know, makeadjustments where you need to.
(40:15):
So I think those are my three.
Christopher (40:17):
Yeah, I think those are good.
I think all of those soundgreat.
I also would agree that theunit-specific medications is a
very important thing to do andyou know I was in a unit that
was the same as Colby's, but itwasn't until I transitioned to
(40:40):
transplant that I had to learnantithymocyte globulin.
I had to learn what Celcept ormycophenolate was, or tacrolimus
or Prograf, or Bella or Similac, like, like Belatacept excuse
me, bella is Belatacept andSimilac, like all of these are
all transplant specificmedications but they also have
(41:04):
very unique side effects, like.
You really need to know thatand as a nurse, we have said
this before you educate yourpatient.
So when I give tacrolimus andwe talked about this you know
Prograf is good for your kidneybut tacrolimus is also the
(41:26):
quote-unquote nerve drug.
You get tremors.
If you have a high dose oftacrolimus you can have
headaches, you can have allthese things that kind of happen
.
And then Cellcept is more ofyour GI medication where you're
thinking nausea, diarrhea.
Colby (41:45):
So as a Clin 1, you're gathering all this information.
Eventually you'll get usedbecause you're giving again.
These are like unit-specificmeds.
If you're on the transplantfloor you're going to get used
to giving these meds.
You're going to know it likethe back of your hand.
But it's like Christopher said,part of our responsibility and
our job role is to educate thepatient.
So if someone came in and theygot a transplant you know on
(42:07):
this admission, and they have anew organ and now they're
getting all these new meds andlike of course they probably had
pre-op education and been toldthat they were going to start
these meds.
But it's a very overwhelmingtime before and after surgery
and so we are all workingtogether to kind of try and
solidify this.
And so we are all workingtogether to kind of try and
solidify this new informationwith our patients so they might
(42:29):
say, like what is the TAC drugagain?
And like while we're givingthese meds, we said this is
tacrolimus, this is ananti-rejection med for your new
organ.
Blah, blah, blah.
Like it is our responsibilityto do that education.
We actually have to documentthat we do that education their
ability to have conversation.
Christopher (42:47):
Communication is a class given in a lot of
different colleges.
There are different ways tocommunicate to people, there are
(43:10):
different books aboutcommunication, and it is
something that you will need notonly in nursing.
You will need communicationeverywhere.
And I will be the first one tosay I am not the great at my
communication skills.
I'm not.
I am very introverted.
I'd much rather just talk tomyself and have all my thoughts
(43:32):
in my head and never say themout loud.
But I am on multiple occasionsconfused as an extrovert,
because I have learned how tocome off as this person who
knows how to have communicationwith other people, but I don't.
I really don't.
It's a struggle for me and Iencourage you to embrace that
(43:57):
struggle and go through thatstruggle, the last thing being
willing to struggle.
Colby (44:02):
Yeah.
Christopher (44:04):
Because,
Colby (44:05):
it's uncomfortable,
Christopher (44:05):
it's uncomfortable, and I am one who also
absolutely hates to be last.
I am very competitive.
I hate.
I just hate it.
I hate being the struggle busof an anything.
But you as a clin 1 are goingto struggle and that's ok.
It is.
It is totally fine, when youstruggle you learn you allow
your muscles to just likelifting weights.
(44:42):
I don't know why I hate liftingweights, like genuinely.
I am more of a calisthenicNo-transcript workout person.
So I don't know why I keepreferring to lifting of weights
as analogies.
But as you lift weights, yourbody strains.
That strain, that strugglebuilds more muscles and that
more muscles makes you able tolift and strain more.
(45:03):
And so when you are in thetrenches struggling, know that
this is going to be hard.
It is not easy.
This is not an easy job.
This will not always besunshine and rainbows, with
wonderful daisies and sunflowers.
You will have days where you gohome and you cry yourself to
(45:27):
sleep.
That's going to happen.
is your ability to be resilientthat is going to get you
through your Clin 1.
It is, and you have the abilityto reach out to those that you
have mentors.
Your manager is a greatresource and does not want you
to struggle alone.
(45:47):
So reach out to them whenyou're struggling and talk to
them, because it's important.
It really is your charge nurses.
Though they might not be asavailable on the floor, I'm sure
would love to grab coffee withyou.
I'm sure would love to grab abite to eat, would like to do
things outside of work so thatthey can ensure you are taken
(46:11):
care of, because this is yourbig person job.
And you are like, I just jumpedin I'm drowning because I have
never known this amount ofacuity, because I was just a
nursing student and I only tookcare of that one patient, or I
(46:37):
was with the nurse, but I reallydidn't do it because the nurse
was the one that was actuallydoing the work and doing the
assessment.
I just kind of lackadaisicallydid an assessment on my own
computer or paper or whatever,and then you're, you're thrown
in and you're like hope youfloat.
Colby (46:52):
It does feel like that, at least the hope you float,
sink or swim situation.
But but no, that that's how itfeels, but it's not reality.
Christopher (47:02):
It's not.
Colby (47:02):
And don't be afraid to ask for a life preserver,
because there are people thatwant to help you.
Christopher (47:09):
And we really do.
Colby (47:11):
But if we don't know, then we can't.
So you do, you know you got tobe you have to ask for help.
Sometimes, I mean as charge, Ido keep a close eye on my
graduate nurses who are freshlyoff orientation, keep a close
eye on my graduate nurses whoare freshly off orientation.
And you know we're also makingassignments for you know the
next shift and there's graduatenurses on every shift.
So we want to make sure we'resetting you guys up for success
(47:31):
and giving you an appropriateassignment so that you don't
feel like you're drowning.
But there's always, you know,unexpected, unexpected outcomes
and, like a patient that wassuper stable all day can
suddenly start circling thedrain.
And so sometimes thosedifficult shifts happen and,
like Christopher said, like youmay feel like you're just gonna
(47:52):
like burst into tears.
And I've done it.
I've cried at work, I've criedon my way home, um, because just
the shift, overwhelming.
And this is not even like in mynew grad year.
I'm talking like I have, nottoo recently, but I have, in the
last year at least, have had abad enough shift.
(48:13):
On the way home I'm crying.
So it is an unfortunatebyproduct of our job, but know
that, like you are not alone,and when it all feels so
overwhelming, know that there'ssomebody else on the unit that
has been in your shoes in thatmoment as well, and we are
comrades
Christopher (48:33):
yeah yeah you're never alone.
And to colby's point, whencharge nurses makes an
assignment, 9.879% of the timethey are not doing a bad
assignment to be malicious.
Colby (49:02):
Oh yeah, no,
Christopher (49:04):
Like if you.
.
.
We as humans do not have theability to have a crystal ball
and say, oh yeah, this patientis going to decompensate at to
0200 and
Colby (49:13):
yeah, and they're gonna have a shit night
Christopher (49:15):
like yes, it doesn't happen that way.
Colby (49:19):
Yeah,
Christopher (49:19):
so you know, just just know that it's not
intentional, but you can this.
Those are, if you feel that way, that's something that you
should
Colby (49:28):
Speak up about for sure,
Christopher (49:29):
yeah, approach about.
And it's okay to be like hey, Ijust realized that, you know, my
assignment was a little harderthan I anticipated it for it to
be.
Is there any reason why, likeis there any way that I can, and
maybe it is something that youyourself can improve on?
(49:50):
right, like, maybe you have tohave something to improve on,
but maybe it's just that youknow
Colby (49:56):
also a note while we're talking, and I think it's super
important to empower um graduatenurses like if you do have a
shift and like one of thepatients on your in your group
was just kicking your ass likeyou just like are you were just
beat down at the end of theshift, like that patient was so
heavy and like whether it waslike emotionally heavy, like
(50:17):
they were a patient that wasjust like mean or crude, or like
if it was like actually likemedically heavy and you need a
break.
Like I empower a any nurse, notjust a graduate nurse, but
because we're speaking on beingclin 1s today um to talk to your
charge nurse and say, hey, I'mback, you know tomorrow, or I'm
(50:40):
back tonight, but depending onwhat shift you are and I don't
think I can take 13 back like Ineed, a break from that that
patient.
It was a hard night and that'stotally acceptable.
Yeah, like we can.
If, if you want to hold just,you just have to use your words
and explain and explain likejust that patient.
Or you're like just start meover with a whole new group.
(51:02):
Like you can ask for that at theend of your shift you're like
hey, this, this was not it likethis group should not, or you
know, or if you're like I'm finewith taking, like, some of
these patients back, but andmaybe you just didn't realize
that they're very heavy alltogether and maybe we need to
like just you know, make don'tput these two patients together
for your next, for your nextshift, like if you're leaving
(51:24):
and whatever.
Like that insight like while weare in charge, like charge nurse
roles, and we have we do know alittle bit about everyone, or
we know a lot about everypatient on the floor, like we
don't know everything.
So it could be just that youfeel like you're, maybe you feel
like you're getting beat downin your assignments as a Clin 1,
(51:44):
the charge nurse might notrealize the acuity of the
patient.
Hopefully you know it hashappened in the past.
It's just like you know humanerror.
So like, definitely, I want toempower you all to like speak up
and talk to your charge nursesand let them know, because they
are the ones making theassignments.
Christopher (52:01):
And really and truly, it really could just be
the layout of the unit, becauseyour unit, even its little
adjunct, is actually prettyclose together yeah and my unit
is,
Colby (52:16):
yeah, I twice as big
Christopher (52:18):
yeah, I could go the entire day and never know
someone else is working.
Colby (52:22):
Yeah, that's true
Christopher (52:24):
and that's you know .
The charge nurse is a resourceand does that's you know.
They truly are amazing becausethey do know a decent amount
about every patient.
Colby (52:46):
Something else about assignment making But you know
you just geographic.
Like I have a patient in oneend of the hallway in room 20
and another patient at the otherend of the hallway in room one.
Like that's kind of far.
I would like my patients to beclose together.
Can we consider that?
It's always fine to ask andmaybe it could be changed to
make it easier.
But just know that sometimeswhen the chargers is making
(53:10):
assignment, the front of thehallway one through six might be
super heavy patients, so youcan't give a nurse including
yourself as a new graduate nursethis.
You know the front of the heavypatient.
Yeah, because then you're likewhat the heck?
So it's, you've got to split itup.
But again, I empower you to askquestions and bring up your
(53:35):
observations, because if youdon't, then you just one you,
you don't, you don't share theinformation the charge nurse
doesn't know, and if you don'task the question, then you don't
know about the acuity of thewhole floor.
So I think it's just somethingto keep in mind.
Christopher (53:48):
Yeah, so you know.
To recap all of this, you know,in terms of learning, one
unit-specific medications.
Colby (53:58):
Yes.
Christopher (53:59):
Colby's number two.
Colby (54:00):
Time management.
Christopher (54:02):
And Colby's number three.
Colby (54:04):
Organization.
Christopher (54:04):
Okay, christopher's number two is is, you know,
being able to communicate?
Colby (54:10):
yes, it's important.
Christopher (54:12):
And then number three number three christopher's
number three is being willingto struggle, yes, and so you
know all of that is importantand I think when you combine all
of those things you really, asa clin 1, will start to blossom
and find your rhythm.
You really will.
Colby (54:31):
Yeah, for sure.
Christopher (54:32):
All right, class dismissed.
Colby (54:34):
Let's wrap it up.
Christopher (54:36):
That's a wrap for today's session of Nursing Lyfe
101.
We hope you found some usefultakeaways to bring back to the
floor.
Remember, nursing is a lifelonglearning journey and we're here
with you.
Colby (54:46):
If you want to connect, find us on Twitter at
NurseLyfe101, or on Facebook atNursingLyfe101.
And don't forget to subscribeand share with fellow nurses.
Until next time, take care ofyourselves and keep making a
(55:08):
difference out there.
Welcome to Nursing Lyfe 101, the most important
nursing class you never got totake in nursing school.
We will be traversing differentobjectives, like interviewing
what to do in nursing school,boundaries, burnout and so much
more, if this interests you.
I hope you are taking goodnotes because class is now in
session.
Hello and welcome to NursingLyfe 101.
(00:48):
We're so excited to have youhere with us as we dive into the
world of nursing, sharing ourexperiences, insights and a
little bit of fun along the way.
I'm Christopher and I couldn'tbe happier to introduce my
co-host.
Colby (01:00):
Hey guys, it's Colby.
Together, we'll be bringing youreal stories, practical tips
and discussions about all thingsnursing, whether you're a
fellow nurse or just curiousabout life behind the scrubs.
We're thrilled to have you joinus.
Christopher (01:12):
We are experienced nurses.
We have been experienced nurses, I guess, if you want to say
anything over the year.
I have been for four, you havebeen for nine, and there are
still times where we haveprecepted people, we've hired
(01:35):
people, we run across people whohave come to our unit and they
are completely new and you'relike, oh boy, this is different.
So we wanted to take a littlebit of time and recognize the
(01:56):
newbies in nursing career and Iguess really and truly, this
could also reflect a little biton newbies in any career.
But obviously we're going tofocus on those that are in ours,
because we know more about thatand we see it all the time.
So at our healthcare system wedo a kind of like step-based
(02:29):
approach in terms of nursing,where there are levels to what
nurse you can be.
Colby (02:31):
In relation to your experience.
Christopher (02:33):
Right, right, right .
And so the newbies are calledClin 1s.
Those that who have survivedtheir first year and are still
at the health system are calledClin 2s.
Colby (02:47):
Survived and still there.
Yeah, after your first year youautomatically move up to Clin 2.
Or this is and Clin is shortfor clinician.
Christopher (02:56):
Oh, yeah, yeah.
Colby (02:56):
Yeah, just in case someone's like Clin.
Yeah, what does that mean?
Christopher (02:59):
Yeah, I probably should have said that.
Then in clin 3 you have to do aportfolio and an interview.
Actually, I don't think youhave to do the portfolio anymore
, you just have to do theinterview.
It used to be very extensive toget clin
Colby (03:20):
I'm be totally honest, I'm not totally up to speed on
what the clinical ladder entailsbecause in my role they took
the clinical ladder out of thelike question.
Like they kind of took it awayfrom charge nurses because we're
in quote unquote leadershipinstead.
So I kind of lost sight.
(03:42):
But a lot of hospitals do asimilar thing which I've moved
up on the clinical ladder and itmay or may not entail some form
of portfolio or, um, what's theother word for resume?
It's not resume, but like uh,do you know I see your brain
(04:18):
working.
Like you know what the word is.
Christopher (04:20):
I do know, I do.
Colby (04:20):
Uh this is frustrating.
But its like a document similarto a resume where it gives you
an exemplar of the work that youare doing to kinda prove that
you are appropriate to move upto the next step in Y clinical
ladder.
You prove that you have acertification.
Um, these are the hours of CEUsyou've done.
These are, um, the, the subcommittees and committees that
you're involved with in thehospital.
Um, I really wish I could.
You're looking it up.
Christopher (04:35):
Yeah, I am.
Uh, so you have the cv, which is.
.
.
Colby (04:39):
yes, the cv.
Christopher (04:41):
But that's an actual word and I just can't
think of curriculum vitae.
Colby (04:45):
Yes, yeah, so you.
Sometimes it's a curriculumvitae or cv, which again is
similar to a resume.
Sometimes it's more involved,like a portfolio.
I mean I have a from my firstjob, um, as a nurse.
I stayed there for two yearsand I was a clin 3 when I left
it was was super involved,
Christopher (05:03):
holy cow,
Colby (05:03):
yeah.
Yeah, in two years.
So like, I went Clin 2 after myfirst year and then in that
year I worked and applied andgot approved for Clin 3.
So like, and I worked maybelike another three months yeah,
isn't that crazy.
Christopher (05:17):
That's wild.
Colby (05:18):
Yeah, but I was, I was like really involved in like
getting the hospital like magnetcertified.
Christopher (05:24):
Oh my God, really?
Colby (05:25):
I got kind of thrown into it because they needed someone
from a like graduate nurseperspective.
Christopher (05:31):
Okay.
Colby (05:31):
And then I guess, yeah, I don't know, I just like I was
in the right place, right time?
I guess, and I got I was on partof all these other
subcommittees.
I actually got to go to themagnet convention that year too,
which was really cool inAtlanta.
It was a blast.
What?
Yeah, and I'm in the.
I'm actually.
What year would this be?
2015?
Maybe I'm in the book from themagnet convention that year.
(05:55):
Yeah, there's a picture of mein the actual book.
So the so the magnet conventionthe year following 2016 had
pictures from the year beforeand I'm in the 2016 book.
Christopher (06:05):
That is wild yeah.
Colby (06:07):
So that's why I was like clin 3 baby.
Christopher (06:13):
That is insane.
Colby (06:14):
Yeah, but anyways, not to toot my own horn.
Christopher (06:18):
Well, you sure enough did.
Colby (06:22):
But anyways, yes, you can , I mean, and not every hospital
you're able to do that so soon.
I think it some like requireyears of experience to also move
up the ladder.
Christopher (06:33):
Yea, that is the case here in our healthcare
system.
I also just wanna say you talkabout me doing all the stuff,
I'm not in a magnet book, butyou went through the process and
clin 4s, clin 3s and clin 4shave to do interviewing and then
I'm pretty sure clin 4 has hada master's degree.
(06:54):
But you have all these thingsand you get a lot of the time's
extra pay.
You have more responsibilities,you are looked at as more of a
leader on the floor and can kindof really embrace the whole
like I know what I'm doing.
This is me now teaching someoneelse what they need to do.
Colby (07:17):
Being a great resource, that sort of thing, explain it.
Christopher (07:21):
But you know we did all of that to really just
focus back on the Clin 1s.
And oh, and to Colby's point,inpatient charge nurses
designated inpatient chargenurses are outside of that
because they are a different setof leaders that are looked
higher than the Clin 3s or Clin4s.
(07:41):
And so, going back to Clin 1s,there are a lot of things that
you have to like experience as aClin 1.
And I would like for us to kindof start and just kind of
explain kind of what theexpectations of Clin 1s are.
Colby (08:00):
I think so I'll give my perspective and then I because
this will be interesting from acharge nurse and then from like
actual someone that's likemanager, because you're going to
have the more defined, likeactually define what it is.
And I will give a perceptionfirst and you can tell me if I
am right or wrong.
Christopher (08:11):
Like I am actually going to be able to tell you
Colby (08:11):
that job description more than a hundred times this month
.
Christopher (08:26):
Yes.
Colby (08:27):
Because you have to go over with new hires.
Okay, so your expectation as anew grad, your first year, you
really have a lot of leniencyand grace, like you are really
just expected to learn what yourrole is Like.
You're learning how to be anurse and how to perform and how
to do your job and do your jobcorrectly and provide good
(08:49):
patient care.
So the bar is high, obviously,because you want to provide
great patient care and safepatient care.
But just know that like everyother year, the bar gets a
little bit higher.
So for me the bar looks lowfrom where I'm at and so, to put
(09:10):
myself in the shoes, like thebar is high for someone who's
coming out of school andlearning exactly what being a
nurse is.
It's your expectation in ourhealth system.
We have something that's like anurse residency program.
So your expectation is thatyou're taking a part of, you're
required to take part in thatand there's also like a project
(09:32):
that you do while you're on.
It's kind of like schoolextended.
It's a good transition pointfor I think for new grad nurses
it kind of helps again with likethe puzzle piece analogy, like
it's giving you more tools foryour toolbox.
It's helping you makeconnections into, like what you
learned in school to what you'reseeing on the floor in real
practice.
What else, what do you think onyour side of things?
Christopher (09:56):
yeah, I mean I agree everything you said.
The perception is right andreally and truly you, as a Clin
1, when you are coming to a unit, are just supposed to be safe.
Colby (10:11):
Mm-hmm Right, that's the number.
One thing is safe patient care.
Christopher (10:16):
Right, safe patient care.
You be safe and you learn.
Colby (10:21):
Mm-hmm.
Christopher (10:21):
That's it,
Colby (10:22):
mm-hmm
Christopher (10:22):
, like, yes, you can get involved into activities
and like committees and allthat stuff, because that's a
part of learning.
Colby (10:31):
Yeah, and we love that.
We love to see people with likenew energy coming in, because
it's new ideas and outsideperspectives that people who
necessarily, who haven'tnecessarily been around that
group, so you can kind of likecome up with, you know, like a
fresh perspective on somethingand really make a good change on
(10:51):
the floor early on.
But just know that, like nopressure, you don't have to do
that immediately if you're notready.
Christopher (10:56):
Right and, and more than likely, you're not gonna
feel ready
Colby (10:59):
no, you're gonna be overwhelmed,
Christopher (11:01):
yeah and
Colby (11:03):
that's and that's okay, that's normal.
Christopher (11:04):
Yeah, and it's not your expectation to be at least
in our health system and youknow I'm saying this as a big
brother or your crazy uncle, youknow whatever you want to call
me but you are not expected toprecept.
(11:24):
You're not expected to docharge nurse, you're not
expected to be any type ofleader on the unit.
Now you may have amazingleadership qualities and you
come in with those leadershipqualities, which is great.
(11:45):
Continue to cultivate thoseleadership qualities in
something outside of nursing andthen, when you get to the point
where you're actually in a moreknowledgeable state in nursing
role, then you start tofacilitate that leadership
quality outward into the nursingfield.
(12:06):
But don't think about doing itand it's okay.
You know I'm not saying don'tthink about it like it's a
terrible idea, but like you'rehere to learn, like it's a total
receiving clinician role.
Colby (12:21):
If you have like a natural-born instinct to be a
leader, like think about otherways that you can use those
skills.
Like, for instance, like oneexample of that would be like
you started six months ago andthen another new grad or like a
nurse's aide of tech starts.
Like you can take them underyour wing and show them like
(12:41):
friendship, being a goodcolleague, that sort of thing
like making other peopleconfident and comfortable in the
unit too.
There's nothing wrong with likehaving those skills naturally.
Just know, don't get in underlike don't get in over your head
is what I'm saying like toosoon, like just really
concentrate, like we said, onsafe patient care and making
sure that, like you'reeverything's clicking for you,
(13:04):
you're feeling like good doingthe work that you're doing, your
patients are healthy andresponding well.
Christopher (13:12):
Yeah, because I mean that that's the main goal
for a clin 1.
You have way too much stuffbeing overwhelmed and kind of
going to those like being thingsthat you're overwhelmed with.
You have a lot of problems as aclin 1 and it's expected for
you to have these problems,honestly, because you don't know
anything.
Colby (13:32):
Yeah, it's a big problem solving year.
It's when your critical thinkingskills come into.
Like fruition it's.
It's like a big.
This is so cheesy and corny,but like it's a big, like
blossoming year, like you'restarting off as like a little
bud in the spring and then, like, by the end of it, you're a
full-blown flower.
That's so corny, they're theanalogy, but it it is.
Christopher (13:58):
The eye rolls I'm giving the camera.
Colby (14:02):
But it works.
It's a big problem solving year.
I mean you are learning timemanagement.
You're learning medicationsthat you went over for one unit
in pharmacology class.
Christopher (14:16):
And you know, you dumped those after that class.
Colby (14:18):
Yeah, it's like rote memorization.
Then all of a sudden you haveto apply and you're like wait, I
think metoprolol soundsfamiliar.
What does that do again?
And then all of a sudden you'regiving this med every single
day to multiple patients, likeyou know it, all of a sudden,
like the back of your hand, butit takes time, you're going to
start and just be like I don'tknow, and that's okay and that's
(14:39):
why you are getting preceptedand you're on orientation and
this is a great opportunity andtime for you to ask questions.
Christopher (14:48):
And please do Like there was a preceptor that was
precepting someone else and theyhad told this person.
There are no stupid questions,except for the ones you don't
ask that lead to a patient'sdeath.
Colby (15:03):
I love that there are no stupid questions, except for the
ones that you don't ask.
Say it again louder for thepeople in the back.
I always say that to people.
I love the new graduate nurseson my unit and I feel they
always come up to me and they'relike I'm so sorry, I'm asking
you so many questions.
I always say don't apologize,I'd rather you ask me a hundred
(15:24):
questions than you go dosomething you're not sure about
and you mess it up and thepatient pays for it.
Like, ultimately, ask yourquestion.
If you're right.
I'll tell you.
You're right, yeah, you got it.
Like, thanks for asking.
You totally know what you'redoing, though, in this situation
, and if it turns out that youdidn't know, it's a good thing.
You asked because now I'm hereas your resource to tell you or
(15:45):
give you advice or, you know,help you form your thoughts, to
send a page to a doctor.
Like, I would rather you ask meevery single question that you
think might be so annoying,because it's not annoying to me,
trust me.
Like, when it comes down to it,it's about safe patient care.
So you ask your, ask yourelders and I hate to refer to
(16:06):
myself as an elder, but ask yourelders on the floor, people
with experience any question,and that's part of the learning
process.
Christopher (16:13):
All right, y'all, it's time for our segment break,
and today we're diving intosomething that could literally
change how you perform, recoverand last in your nursing career.
Welcome to Biohacking forNurses.
Colby (16:25):
So this is one that's like near and dear to our hearts
.
Christopher (16:30):
It really is.
Colby (16:31):
It really is so.
Biohacking isn't just for eliteathletes or Silicon Valley tech
bros.
It's all about understandingand optimizing your own body,
and, as nurses, that's crucial,right.
All right, we push our limitsevery shift, but what if we
could work smarter, not harder,by tracking our own biometrics?
Christopher (16:50):
So let's break it down.
There are key biometrics we cantrack that directly affect our
performance, recovery andoverall health.
Here are some of the mostimportant ones your heart rate
variability, which is also knownas HRV, tracks stress and
recovery.
A low HRV might mean you'veoverworked or not recovering
(17:10):
well.
Resting heart rate, also knownas RHR, is a great indicator of
overall cardiovascular healthand fitness.
You know those patients thatturn on the cardiac alarm
because they're sleeping andthey're dropping into the 40s
because they're 20 years old andrun marathons.
They have a low.
RHR, yeah, rhr and yep andprobably HRV, and probably also
(17:36):
Sleep quality and REM cycles,one I don't do very well.
Poor sleep is the number oneway to burn out faster.
Tracking sleep can revealpatterns affecting performance
Blood glucose levels monitoring.
This can prevent energy crashesduring your shifts.
Hydration and electrolytes manynurses don't drink enough water
(17:57):
on shift.
Colby (17:58):
Facts.
Christopher (18:00):
I drink a gallon so
Colby (18:01):
You're actively doing 75 hard right now.
That's why you're drinking agallon.
Christopher (18:05):
Yeah, that's a little bit different.
Colby (18:06):
Right Previously you were slacking off.
Christopher (18:08):
It's true, but I also have a scale that shows me
my hydration and electrolytesDid I tell you that?
Colby (18:22):
No, yes, yes, on what?
Christopher (18:22):
Huh,
Colby (18:22):
we'll get into it,
Christopher (18:23):
okay.
Hydration levels impactcognitive function and fatigue.
Body temperature trends canindicate early signs of illness
or stress-related burnout.
Colby (18:30):
And the best part is that you don't even need labs to
track this.
Wearables like the Oura RingWhoop Band, apple Watch and CGMs
, which are continuous glucosemonitors, can give you real-time
insights.
And let me tell you,Christopher and I have all of
the above.
We are enthusiastic aboutbiohacking ourselves and we've
(18:53):
done tons of extracurricularresearch on how to live
healthier and longer.
Christopher (18:59):
Yeah, I said it briefly in one of the other
episodes.
It's important to keep a veganin your life.
Colby (19:07):
That is one of the suggestions that we've come
across.
It is, and that's why I keepChristopher around.
Christopher (19:13):
Only for that reason, just that, that's it.
Okay, so why does this matter?
Nursing is physically andmentally demanding, and if we're
not paying attention to thesebiometrics, we're setting
ourselves up for burnout,exhaustion and even long-term
health problems.
Colby (19:29):
Right.
So let's say that your HRV issuper low for weeks and you
might be overstressed.
You might be not sleepingenough.
Your body isn't recoveringbetween shifts.
If you track that and makesmall adjustments like better
hydration, getting a couplehours extra sleep, stress
management, you're preventingfuture exhaustion.
This is biohacking 101.
Christopher (19:49):
It is it really is, and same goes for sleep
tracking.
If you're constantly gettingpoor REM sleep, it might be
affecting your reaction time,your mood and even patient
safety.
Imagine being able to fine-tuneyour routine to show up sharper
and more alert on your shift.
Colby (20:05):
This is why we're obsessed with it.
Christopher (20:07):
It's true, it's so true, and I mean like, literally
, I look at my Whoop data in themornings and I am constantly
sleep.
I have a constant sleep debt,which is bad.
Colby (20:18):
It is bad.
Christopher (20:19):
It's not good.
Colby (20:19):
But is it?
Is it making you want to fix it?
Because it would me?
It would motivate me to like be, like, okay, what can I get
done?
And like, how can I squeeze inan extra hour?
Christopher (20:28):
yeah,
Colby (20:29):
Of sleep.
Christopher (20:30):
I mean, I'm trying
Colby (20:32):
disappointment.
I'm trying well, we both.
You recently just got the whoopand you have the Apple Watch
and Oura ring which is cool.
I have been on a long journey offinally breaking down to get
the Oura ring and I am currentlywearing this the sizing kit to
determine what would be the bestsize for me, because I have
officially broken down, have anapple watch and I think, while
(21:01):
it's, it does basic need foryour biomet, like keeping track
of your biometrics.
There's technology out therethat's so much better.
So that's why I'm like, okay, Ineed more information, I need
better battery life, I'm gonnaget the Oura ring.
But then something we both justdid together recently was get
the cgms, the continuous glucosemonitors, because they're new,
like newer, easily easilyaccessible over the counter
technology.
And not that I had any fearthat I might be like a diabetic
(21:25):
or have high blood sugars, but Ijust like wanted to use that as
another tool to figure out howmy body is reacting to things.
Christopher (21:33):
It's wild.
Colby (21:34):
And it's been so fun it is.
Christopher (21:36):
And I mean, you know there was.
There was one day I had eatensomething.
I had eaten Utz pretzels.
Colby (21:42):
Gotta be careful with the pretzels.
Christopher (21:44):
I went from between 75 and 85 to 150.
Colby (21:50):
Yeah Off of like one serving of pretzels.
Christopher (21:53):
Like a slight handful of pretzels.
Yeah, I was like there's no wayI'm eating these ever again.
Colby (21:59):
Well, you can just in moderation, I think, I think
something is moderation.
How long did it take you?
So for me, so not pretzels, butfruit.
Christopher (22:08):
Yeah.
Colby (22:10):
I had an orange and I went up to like 169 in orange
and then like blueberries.
But I think it's the amount oftime I think also we need to
take in consideration and Ipersonally need to do even more
research about endocrine systembut like, how long you're in
that spike for?
Like how long are you above one?
Like the?
You know, quote unquote normalgold.
Gold star values would be 70 to140.
(22:33):
Range you are within recommendquote-unquote recommended range.
So when I do have these littlespikes spikes after eating fruit
or like like for breakfast, Ilike to have like overnight oats
and like fresh fruit in it yeah, I spike up to like 150, but
usually within an hour, if notsooner, I'm back within the
(22:53):
normal range.
So I think, while it's superdistressing because us as health
caregivers are like, oh my god,we're not normal, like our
sugar is not within that normalrange all the time, I think also
we need to take in factor likehow long we're above the green.
Christopher (23:06):
Yeah, yeah, that's true, I mean, and even our CGM
tells us that we should be, ashealthy individuals should be,
within the 70 to 140, about 96%of the time.
Colby (23:21):
We are
Christopher (23:22):
no.
Colby (23:22):
Oh,
Christopher (23:23):
last week,
Colby (23:23):
what?
Christopher (23:24):
Last week?
I was only 81% of the time.
I know
Colby (23:28):
what were you eating,
Christopher (23:29):
I don't know.
But it also was like the lastcouple of days of the CGM and
there were, like I had multiple,like under 70 moments.
But then just two nights agoyeah, that sounds right to just
two nights ago I had the worstsleep of my life by the way and
I was like you're constantlyhigh weird.
Colby (23:51):
Yeah, what did you eat before you went to bed?
Christopher (23:53):
I can't remember.
I would have to.
I have to go back and look yeah, I would have to look.
Which is cool with the CGM, youcan track what you actually ate
.
Colby (24:01):
Yeah, what might have?
I've just been like fascinated,absolutely fascinated by it.
(24:22):
So yeah, and then I'll continuewith my journey of fascination
when my Oura ring comes in themail and I get to dabble in the
app for that.
So I highly suggest everyoneget it.
Christopher (24:37):
Yeah, no, like at least one thing Right, and
Colby (24:39):
yeah, you don't need to be all of them Not like us.
We're just crazy.
Christopher (24:44):
But the cool thing is, majority of them you can use
your HSA or FSA to get it.
Colby (24:51):
That's very true.
Yeah, so like that's free money.
That's not true, but that's howI think of my HSA.
Christopher (24:59):
That's girl math.
Colby (25:04):
And that's what I use to pay for my Oura Ring.
So you know, and for me, liketo spend 500, you know, a couple
hundred dollars on a biometrictool.
I feel like to gain thatinsight and get that information
(25:31):
on myself and have like abaseline of health for myself is
worth it in the long run,instead of a lot of the time
your patient comes to thehospital when their body is like
at the end of the line, like Iam, like I.
They are in so much distress,their body is like alarm, alarm.
But they probably have beenliving with, for example, heart
failure, with like small signsof heart failure for months to
(25:54):
years, years.
And if they had a biometricdevice where they were tracking
it, they might have noticed like, oh, my heart rate variability
is changed, or my resting heartrate is changed, or, you know,
there's like the VCO2, like allof these things that track.
If you're cognizant and you'relooking at those things, you're
(26:14):
going to notice an acute changesooner than if you didn't have
access to that data.
Christopher (26:21):
Yeah, and you know it's just a cool way.
I remember Dang Colby.
It's Colby's Dang fault she has.
I've had my Oura ring since fortwo years now, I guess.
Colby (26:35):
Yeah, it's probably been.
It's definitely been over ayear.
It's probably close to twoyears.
Christopher (26:40):
Yeah, and it's because this one and I'm
pointing at it decides to belike Christopher, can you take
me to get my wisdom teethremoved?
And I'm like, yeah, I could dothat.
So I go take her to get herwisdom teeth removed.
And as we're driving there,she's like hey, have you heard
about this Oura ring?
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
It takes HSA.
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
I can't spend my HSA becauseI'm about to spend it with this.
Colby (27:02):
Get my teeth pulled.
Christopher (27:03):
Get my teeth pulled , blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
But you should get it,Christopher.
Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.
And I'm just as gullible afterthey've walked off to take Colby
to get her teeth, and I'm likewell, might as well go ahead and
get this.
Colby (27:21):
But not only Christopher.
I like convinced probably likefive people that year to get the
Oura ring and people were like,wait, you don't have one.
And I was like, no,
Christopher (27:29):
not at all.
Colby (27:31):
So the fact that I'm getting one now is really funny
to a lot of people, becausethey're like you convinced us to
spend like a couple hundreddollars on a device that you
didn't even have and I was likeI should get a cut.
Is what you're saying like?
What you're saying is Ourashould send me this, this
podcast is not sponsored.
But if they want to and give memy ring for free and upgrade
christopher's, the new gen 4,
(27:52):
I'll take that too.
Yeah, we are.
I'm here, I'm advocating foryou guys, but yeah, they're just
, I'm just.
We have a fascination with,like blue zones, just living
healthy, like I said, livinghealthier and for longer, and I
just love that.
I have tangible data that I cansee every day and like see what
(28:13):
I can do to biohack myself intofeeling better, performing
better.
Everything just enhanced
Christopher (28:21):
And it's really and truly like I've noticed, and
even if you pay attention toyour apple watch when you set it
to like do a workout, like ifyou just you don't, you don't
need all these other things, youdon't.
If you, I mean I, I suggest youget it.
I have the Whoop and the AppleWatch, one on each wrist but,
(28:42):
and the Whoop does just as muchas the Oura Ring, and so I'm
like I have all this information.
But even I know I was supposedto write Colby, a two-page
double-spaced report I waslooking at over the differences
between honestly like whoopsability to show, like strain
Colby (29:03):
OK
Christopher (29:04):
During your workouts.
Colby (29:05):
Yeah.
Christopher (29:05):
The Oura Ring doesn't really do that, but like
it puts a perspective, puts anumber out there to show like
how hard you actually went inyour workout.
And you know, obviously if yougo out, go all out all the time,
then you're going to get closerto injury possibly.
But there's like a balance inyou being able to like strain
(29:25):
your body enough to just like,man, I need to stop on this
whole working out and musclesand stretching and building
muscles, but you work it outjust enough to strain it, just
enough to build that muscle forthe next time.
Colby (29:40):
Yeah.
Christopher (29:41):
Yeah.
Colby (29:43):
It's just fascinating.
Christopher (29:44):
It is.
Colby (29:45):
All right guys.
So I'm going to present you allwith a challenge.
So if you have a smartwatchfitness tracker or even a good
old fashioned notepad, starttracking one of these metrics
for the next two weeks.
Maybe it's sleep, hydration oryour heart rate variability.
Write down what you noticed.
Do you even feel more energized?
Do you feel less fatigued?
Christopher (30:11):
And if you find something interesting, hit us up
on social media, at NursingLyfe 101 or Nurse Lyfe 101.
And let's talk about it.
The more we learn about ourbodies, the longer and stronger
we can stay in this career.
Colby (30:18):
Nursing is a marathon, not a sprint everyone.
So let's start playing the longgame.
That's it for biohacking fornurses.
Now back to our episode.
Christopher (30:30):
You know, in those moments I want to ask you
another question, but because wewere talking about this you had
mentioned, you know, I'm neverannoyed by those questions or
frustrated or like you know whyare they asking me all this?
There are some people thateither look like that and don't
(30:50):
feel that way I actually don'tactually feel that way but look
that way and actually feel thatway.
How do you, how do you navigatethat as a Clin 1?
Because you're like I reallydon't know, like what do I do?
Colby (31:02):
Yeah, right, yeah, I feel like, and I feel like
you'll always even not innursing specifically you'll
always have like that meanperson.
That it's just inevitable,that's life.
And so let's say you know what?
You still gotta ask.
If they're the only personaround, it's a safe.
Again, it comes down to safepatient care.
(31:23):
You got to ask, even if they'reannoyed, at least you didn't
kill a person.
You know what I mean.
But also, if there are morepeople around, you know that
person's not the friendliest Asksomeone else, like just don't
be afraid.
You just you got to get thequestion out.
You got to ask.
Christopher (31:36):
You really do.
You know it goes back to wejust had a couple of episodes
ago about interviews and likeasking about the culture of the
unit these are.
That's a question you need tolike.
Experience in itself you can'task that question.
That's why you shadow.
Colby (31:56):
Yeah, yeah, you can't say do you have anybody mean on the
unit?
They're going to be like, um,no, but they don't know.
Even your managers probablydon't know that someone's mean.
I mean they probably do, let'sbe honest.
But I mean they're also notgonna be like no, everyone's so
nice, like that.
of course that's gonna be theiranswer everyone's so nice
Christopher (32:15):
right, I mean we have interviewing skills just as
much as you do, right, like Imean we.
We've done it quite a few timesnow, yeah, and I've asked the
questions and have answered thequestions that we've been asked.
But you know, you going toshadow that person and having to
see the shadow and kind ofasking them while they're doing
(32:37):
their work, but also askingother people, you start to
figure out are these peopleactually going to be really nice
if I have all these questions?
Because I'm asking questionsnow?
Colby (32:47):
Yeah, you're getting a lot of information up front,
Right right, you know.
Yeah, that goes back to anearlier podcast episode about
interviewing and it's so true.
Yeah, you've just got to beready to ask questions, and also
(33:07):
keep in mind that, like, as thenew person whether you're
coming in with experience or not, like just new to the unit,
like the people who are therewith experience, like we also
are like anticipating beingasked questions.
So like, yeah, there's going tobe someone that's grumpy and
like doesn't really seem likethey have the time for you.
There's going to be somebodyelse around.
Ask anybody else.
We're anticipating that you'regoing to have questions.
Like that's we're here.
(33:28):
We on my unit and I know onChristopher's unit really try to
cultivate a culture that iswelcoming to others that are not
like normally working with usor new to working with us,
because we want to keep you like.
We want to keep you here, wewant to build our team and we
want to provide good patientcare to everyone together.
Christopher (33:48):
Right, so we talk about asking these questions as
a Clin 1.
What do you say they shouldfocus on, Like, what is the in
your eyes?
What is the top?
We'll just say the top threethings.
They should focus on learningbecause, you're right, they have
(34:08):
medications that they have tolearn.
They have they have.
um, how did how to communicateto a provider, how to
communicate to their techs, howto communicate to their
co-workers, their other nursesthat they're kind of working
alongside?
They've got how to survive anight shift and not fall asleep
(34:31):
and make it home safely,depending on how far they drive.
How much of the pathophysiologyshould they learn?
They have so much things thatthey have to learn as a Clin 1.
How do you use
Colby (34:45):
Very overwhelming, I think, the top three.
For me personally, number onewould be familiarize yourself
with the most common medicationsgiven on your unit.
Now, that could be hard ifyou're on, like, a general
medicine floor, but if you're ina specific specialty, like
myself with cardiology, there'sgoing to be like meds, like I
(35:07):
said, like metoprolol is onethat we give to almost every
single patient, like everysingle day that you have like
familiarize yourself withmedications that you're going to
be giving commonly or
Christopher (35:20):
sodolol or ticacin.
Where you have to give
Colby (35:22):
important to make sure you know what you're giving and
I say that there are stillmedicines today that I have.
(35:46):
I will look up before I givethe patient the medication,
because I'm like I've never evenheard of this.
What the heck kind of med isthis?
And a lot of times for me it'slike someone who's on my floor
and is, coincidentally, like ona random chemo med and I'm like
I don't know anything aboutchemo.
I'm like what is this one?
Let me look this up, because ifyou're giving a medication and
(36:07):
you don't know what you'regiving it for, what it does to
the body and the patient andI'll use metoprolol again as an
example it's a beta blocker.
It's going to lower bloodpressure and heart rate.
If you get the patient like, ifyou know that that does those
(36:28):
things, you're going to want toget a baseline blood pressure
and heart rate before you givethe medication.
So if you get a blood pressureand it's 90 over 50 and the
heart rate is 55, that shouldput a little red flag and say I
need to check with the physicianand make sure that they still
want this med, given they'realready brady, their heart
rate's 55 and their bloodpressure is soft.
Sometimes a physician will saygo ahead and give that med.
That's okay, we're expectingthat.
We want the blood pressure low.
(36:49):
We'll watch the heart rate andsometimes they say, you know
what Good catch, let's hold thatdose and we'll reevaluate at
the next dose that as a new gradto make those connections, you
could, you know you could havepotentially made someone
decompensate further veryquickly, whether that their
(37:09):
blood pressure tanks or theirheart rate, you know, comes down
even further.
Christopher (37:13):
Um, these, it's just, that's like my number one
yeah, and I mean you did thatwith the best intentions.
Right were like.
I know that this person needsmetoprolol yeah,
Colby (37:24):
and it's on their med list and this is the time and.
I did my five rights and youthink, like I did all the things
, I scanned all the meds, I didall you know, everything matched
.
So I went ahead and gave it,like without knowing what some
of the medications do to thebody.
It's just not, it's not safe,that's not safe patient care.
Christopher (37:42):
It's not.
Colby (37:44):
Like you just have to look it up and that's going to
take more time.
So as a Clin 1 or a newgraduate nurse, everything takes
more time.
So my second, my second, istime management.
Okay, so familiarize yourselfwith medications and then follow
up with time management.
That's my number two.
I'm going to sit here and thinkabout number three while I'm
(38:05):
talking about this.
But it's like in your new days,like you may have to do a little
extracurricular work outside ofwork to get yourself prepared
while you're at work, likeotherwise you're just going to
be bogged down by looking up 12medications at nine o'clock in
the morning times.
Four, five, six, depending onwhat your ratios are.
I mean that means MedPass won'tbe finished until 11 o'clock
(38:28):
noon and you still haven'tcharted anything.
So time management really canget away from you in your first
year, in your first weeks, inyour first months, some people
really kind of get a hold ofthings pretty quickly and some
people, for their whole careers,struggle with it.
Um, I've seen like nurses thatcome in and they they don't
(38:50):
clock out until like nineo'clock in the morning because
they're still charting, which islike unacceptable, but like
I've seen it happen.
So you want to do your best tofigure out like how to
prioritize tasks and like acuity, so that you're not one of
those nurses that are staying solate after your shift to catch
up.
Now, once in a while you'rehaving like the shift from hell.
(39:12):
That'll happen to you.
I it's been a long time sinceI've had one, but oh knock on
that I know I better knock onwood.
I do work the next two days butlike once in a while that will
happen and that's inevitable andthat's okay, but like when it's
a consistent issue for you redflags going down the line
further in your career.
So it's really important tokind of get a hold of your time
(39:33):
management skills and that kindof goes to my third.
One is organization, and it'sgoing to help you with both of
the other two, so maybe that oneshould be.
First is to be organized.
You want to use your reportsheet.
It organizes your thoughtsabout what's going on with each
individual patient.
You're going to be able to seewhen medications are due.
If you're organized, you can mapout your whole day.
(39:54):
I mean you have to be flexible,of course, because there's
always going to be a wrenchthrown into your plan.
But I mean, if you have like ageneral outline because you were
organized at the start of yourshift, it's going to be okay to
be bendy and flexy and makemoves, because you know you can
anticipate what is going tohappen.
So you can, you know, makeadjustments where you need to.
(40:15):
So I think those are my three.
Christopher (40:17):
Yeah, I think those are good.
I think all of those soundgreat.
I also would agree that theunit-specific medications is a
very important thing to do andyou know I was in a unit that
was the same as Colby's, but itwasn't until I transitioned to
(40:40):
transplant that I had to learnantithymocyte globulin.
I had to learn what Celcept ormycophenolate was, or tacrolimus
or Prograf, or Bella or Similac, like, like Belatacept excuse
me, bella is Belatacept andSimilac, like all of these are
all transplant specificmedications but they also have
(41:04):
very unique side effects, like.
You really need to know thatand as a nurse, we have said
this before you educate yourpatient.
So when I give tacrolimus andwe talked about this you know
Prograf is good for your kidneybut tacrolimus is also the
(41:26):
quote-unquote nerve drug.
You get tremors.
If you have a high dose oftacrolimus you can have
headaches, you can have allthese things that kind of happen
.
And then Cellcept is more ofyour GI medication where you're
thinking nausea, diarrhea.
Colby (41:45):
So as a Clin 1, you're gathering all this information.
Eventually you'll get usedbecause you're giving again.
These are like unit-specificmeds.
If you're on the transplantfloor you're going to get used
to giving these meds.
You're going to know it likethe back of your hand.
But it's like Christopher said,part of our responsibility and
our job role is to educate thepatient.
So if someone came in and theygot a transplant you know on
(42:07):
this admission, and they have anew organ and now they're
getting all these new meds andlike of course they probably had
pre-op education and been toldthat they were going to start
these meds.
But it's a very overwhelmingtime before and after surgery
and so we are all workingtogether to kind of try and
solidify this.
And so we are all workingtogether to kind of try and
solidify this new informationwith our patients so they might
(42:29):
say, like what is the TAC drugagain?
And like while we're givingthese meds, we said this is
tacrolimus, this is ananti-rejection med for your new
organ.
Blah, blah, blah.
Like it is our responsibilityto do that education.
We actually have to documentthat we do that education their
ability to have conversation.
Christopher (42:47):
Communication is a class given in a lot of
different colleges.
There are different ways tocommunicate to people, there are
(43:10):
different books aboutcommunication, and it is
something that you will need notonly in nursing.
You will need communicationeverywhere.
And I will be the first one tosay I am not the great at my
communication skills.
I'm not.
I am very introverted.
I'd much rather just talk tomyself and have all my thoughts
(43:32):
in my head and never say themout loud.
But I am on multiple occasionsconfused as an extrovert,
because I have learned how tocome off as this person who
knows how to have communicationwith other people, but I don't.
I really don't.
It's a struggle for me and Iencourage you to embrace that
(43:57):
struggle and go through thatstruggle, the last thing being
willing to struggle.
Colby (44:02):
Yeah.
Christopher (44:04):
Because,
Colby (44:05):
it's uncomfortable,
Christopher (44:05):
it's uncomfortable, and I am one who also
absolutely hates to be last.
I am very competitive.
I hate.
I just hate it.
I hate being the struggle busof an anything.
But you as a clin 1 are goingto struggle and that's ok.
It is.
It is totally fine, when youstruggle you learn you allow
your muscles to just likelifting weights.
(44:42):
I don't know why I hate liftingweights, like genuinely.
I am more of a calisthenicNo-transcript workout person.
So I don't know why I keepreferring to lifting of weights
as analogies.
But as you lift weights, yourbody strains.
That strain, that strugglebuilds more muscles and that
more muscles makes you able tolift and strain more.
(45:03):
And so when you are in thetrenches struggling, know that
this is going to be hard.
It is not easy.
This is not an easy job.
This will not always besunshine and rainbows, with
wonderful daisies and sunflowers.
You will have days where you gohome and you cry yourself to
(45:27):
sleep.
That's going to happen.
is your ability to be resilientthat is going to get you
through your Clin 1.
It is, and you have the abilityto reach out to those that you
have mentors.
Your manager is a greatresource and does not want you
to struggle alone.
(45:47):
So reach out to them whenyou're struggling and talk to
them, because it's important.
It really is your charge nurses.
Though they might not be asavailable on the floor, I'm sure
would love to grab coffee withyou.
I'm sure would love to grab abite to eat, would like to do
things outside of work so thatthey can ensure you are taken
(46:11):
care of, because this is yourbig person job.
And you are like, I just jumpedin I'm drowning because I have
never known this amount ofacuity, because I was just a
nursing student and I only tookcare of that one patient, or I
(46:37):
was with the nurse, but I reallydidn't do it because the nurse
was the one that was actuallydoing the work and doing the
assessment.
I just kind of lackadaisicallydid an assessment on my own
computer or paper or whatever,and then you're, you're thrown
in and you're like hope youfloat.
Colby (46:52):
It does feel like that, at least the hope you float,
sink or swim situation.
But but no, that that's how itfeels, but it's not reality.
Christopher (47:02):
It's not.
Colby (47:02):
And don't be afraid to ask for a life preserver,
because there are people thatwant to help you.
Christopher (47:09):
And we really do.
Colby (47:11):
But if we don't know, then we can't.
So you do, you know you got tobe you have to ask for help.
Sometimes, I mean as charge, Ido keep a close eye on my
graduate nurses who are freshlyoff orientation, keep a close
eye on my graduate nurses whoare freshly off orientation.
And you know we're also makingassignments for you know the
next shift and there's graduatenurses on every shift.
So we want to make sure we'resetting you guys up for success
(47:31):
and giving you an appropriateassignment so that you don't
feel like you're drowning.
But there's always, you know,unexpected, unexpected outcomes
and, like a patient that wassuper stable all day can
suddenly start circling thedrain.
And so sometimes thosedifficult shifts happen and,
like Christopher said, like youmay feel like you're just gonna
(47:52):
like burst into tears.
And I've done it.
I've cried at work, I've criedon my way home, um, because just
the shift, overwhelming.
And this is not even like in mynew grad year.
I'm talking like I have, nottoo recently, but I have, in the
last year at least, have had abad enough shift.
(48:13):
On the way home I'm crying.
So it is an unfortunatebyproduct of our job, but know
that, like you are not alone,and when it all feels so
overwhelming, know that there'ssomebody else on the unit that
has been in your shoes in thatmoment as well, and we are
comrades
Christopher (48:33):
yeah yeah you're never alone.
And to colby's point, whencharge nurses makes an
assignment, 9.879% of the timethey are not doing a bad
assignment to be malicious.
Colby (49:02):
Oh yeah, no,
Christopher (49:04):
Like if you.
.
.
We as humans do not have theability to have a crystal ball
and say, oh yeah, this patientis going to decompensate at to
0200 and
Colby (49:13):
yeah, and they're gonna have a shit night
Christopher (49:15):
like yes, it doesn't happen that way.
Colby (49:19):
Yeah,
Christopher (49:19):
so you know, just just know that it's not
intentional, but you can this.
Those are, if you feel that way, that's something that you
should
Colby (49:28):
Speak up about for sure,
Christopher (49:29):
yeah, approach about.
And it's okay to be like hey, Ijust realized that, you know, my
assignment was a little harderthan I anticipated it for it to
be.
Is there any reason why, likeis there any way that I can, and
maybe it is something that youyourself can improve on?
(49:50):
right, like, maybe you have tohave something to improve on,
but maybe it's just that youknow
Colby (49:56):
also a note while we're talking, and I think it's super
important to empower um graduatenurses like if you do have a
shift and like one of thepatients on your in your group
was just kicking your ass likeyou just like are you were just
beat down at the end of theshift, like that patient was so
heavy and like whether it waslike emotionally heavy, like
(50:17):
they were a patient that wasjust like mean or crude, or like
if it was like actually likemedically heavy and you need a
break.
Like I empower a any nurse, notjust a graduate nurse, but
because we're speaking on beingclin 1s today um to talk to your
charge nurse and say, hey, I'mback, you know tomorrow, or I'm
(50:40):
back tonight, but depending onwhat shift you are and I don't
think I can take 13 back like Ineed, a break from that that
patient.
It was a hard night and that'stotally acceptable.
Yeah, like we can.
If, if you want to hold just,you just have to use your words
and explain and explain likejust that patient.
Or you're like just start meover with a whole new group.
(51:02):
Like you can ask for that at theend of your shift you're like
hey, this, this was not it likethis group should not, or you
know, or if you're like I'm finewith taking, like, some of
these patients back, but andmaybe you just didn't realize
that they're very heavy alltogether and maybe we need to
like just you know, make don'tput these two patients together
for your next, for your nextshift, like if you're leaving
(51:24):
and whatever.
Like that insight like while weare in charge, like charge nurse
roles, and we have we do know alittle bit about everyone, or
we know a lot about everypatient on the floor, like we
don't know everything.
So it could be just that youfeel like you're, maybe you feel
like you're getting beat downin your assignments as a Clin 1,
(51:44):
the charge nurse might notrealize the acuity of the
patient.
Hopefully you know it hashappened in the past.
It's just like you know humanerror.
So like, definitely, I want toempower you all to like speak up
and talk to your charge nursesand let them know, because they
are the ones making theassignments.
Christopher (52:01):
And really and truly, it really could just be
the layout of the unit, becauseyour unit, even its little
adjunct, is actually prettyclose together yeah and my unit
is,
Colby (52:16):
yeah, I twice as big
Christopher (52:18):
yeah, I could go the entire day and never know
someone else is working.
Colby (52:22):
Yeah, that's true
Christopher (52:24):
and that's you know .
The charge nurse is a resourceand does that's you know.
They truly are amazing becausethey do know a decent amount
about every patient.
Colby (52:46):
Something else about assignment making But you know
you just geographic.
Like I have a patient in oneend of the hallway in room 20
and another patient at the otherend of the hallway in room one.
Like that's kind of far.
I would like my patients to beclose together.
Can we consider that?
It's always fine to ask andmaybe it could be changed to
make it easier.
But just know that sometimeswhen the chargers is making
(53:10):
assignment, the front of thehallway one through six might be
super heavy patients, so youcan't give a nurse including
yourself as a new graduate nursethis.
You know the front of the heavypatient.
Yeah, because then you're likewhat the heck?
So it's, you've got to split itup.
But again, I empower you to askquestions and bring up your
(53:35):
observations, because if youdon't, then you just one you,
you don't, you don't share theinformation the charge nurse
doesn't know, and if you don'task the question, then you don't
know about the acuity of thewhole floor.
So I think it's just somethingto keep in mind.
Christopher (53:48):
Yeah, so you know.
To recap all of this, you know,in terms of learning, one
unit-specific medications.
Colby (53:58):
Yes.
Christopher (53:59):
Colby's number two.
Colby (54:00):
Time management.
Christopher (54:02):
And Colby's number three.
Colby (54:04):
Organization.
Christopher (54:04):
Okay, christopher's number two is is, you know,
being able to communicate?
Colby (54:10):
yes, it's important.
Christopher (54:12):
And then number three number three christopher's
number three is being willingto struggle, yes, and so you
know all of that is importantand I think when you combine all
of those things you really, asa clin 1, will start to blossom
and find your rhythm.
You really will.
Colby (54:31):
Yeah, for sure.
Christopher (54:32):
All right, class dismissed.
Colby (54:34):
Let's wrap it up.
Christopher (54:36):
That's a wrap for today's session of Nursing Lyfe
101.
We hope you found some usefultakeaways to bring back to the
floor.
Remember, nursing is a lifelonglearning journey and we're here
with you.
Colby (54:46):
If you want to connect, find us on Twitter at
NurseLyfe101, or on Facebook atNursingLyfe101.
And don't forget to subscribeand share with fellow nurses.
Until next time, take care ofyourselves and keep making a
(55:08):
difference out there.
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!