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Life After Nursing School

Nurse Coach Caroline

41 episodes

6 days ago

Send us a text When life as a nurse feels heavy and burnout starts to blur your sense of purpose, sometimes the only way forward… is through. In this inspiring conversation, host Caroline Danna, MSN, RN sits down with Gaige Matthews, former ER nurse and founder of Beyond Bedside Fitness, to unpack what it really takes to rebuild your confidence, discipline, and faith when you’re running on empty. Gaige has helped over 800 nurses transform their health and mindset through her nurse-specific co...

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Send us a text When life as a nurse feels heavy and burnout starts to blur your sense of purpose, sometimes the only way forward… is through. In this inspiring conversation, host Caroline Danna, MSN, RN sits down with Gaige Matthews, former ER nurse and founder of Beyond Bedside Fitness, to unpack what it really takes to rebuild your confidence, discipline, and faith when you’re running on empty. Gaige has helped over 800 nurses transform their health and mindset through her nurse-specific co...

Show more...

Episodes (20/41)

Life After Nursing School

40: The Only Way Forward Is Through — Lessons on Discipline, Fitness & Faith with Nurse Gaige Matthews

Send us a text When life as a nurse feels heavy and burnout starts to blur your sense of purpose, sometimes the only way forward… is through. In this inspiring conversation, host Caroline Danna, MSN, RN sits down with Gaige Matthews, former ER nurse and founder of Beyond Bedside Fitness, to unpack what it really takes to rebuild your confidence, discipline, and faith when you’re running on empty. Gaige has helped over 800 nurses transform their health and mindset through her nurse-specific co...

6 days ago

49 minutes

Life After Nursing School

39: How to Romanticize Self-Care as a Nurse (and Actually Enjoy Your Rest Days)

Send us a text Feeling like your days off vanish before you can actually rest? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, host Caroline Danna, MSN, RN shares how to romanticize self-care and find calm, beauty, and joy in your everyday nurse life — no spa day required. Inspired by Taylor Swift’s song “Opalite,” Caroline explores how happiness can be man-made and how slowing down can recharge your mind, body, and spirit. From brewing coffee like a ritual to turning your commute or shower int...

1 week ago

21 minutes

Life After Nursing School

38: The Real Reason 33% of New Nurses Quit Within Their First Year

Send us a text Did you know that 33% of new graduate nurses leave their first job within a year, and nearly one in five leave nursing altogether? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, host Caroline Danna, MSN, RN (a clinical instructor and new nurse career coach) dives into why so many new nurses are walking away from the bedside… and what you can do to protect your passion, peace, and purpose in this profession. Caroline breaks down the real reasons behind new nurse burnout and turno...

2 weeks ago

24 minutes

Life After Nursing School

37: 10 Tough Love Lessons Every Nurse Needs to Hear to Stop Playing Small

Send us a text Level up your nursing career with some necessary tough love. In this episode, I share 10 tough-love lessons every nurse needs—perfect for nursing students, new grad nurses, and working nurses navigating today’s high-stress healthcare environment. From letting go of what you can’t control to building confidence before you feel ready, these are the mindset shifts that reduce burnout, boost performance, and help you use your nursing license in a way that actually adds color to you...

3 weeks ago

27 minutes

Life After Nursing School

36: How New Nurses Can Use ChatGPT to Build Critical Thinking Skills

Send us a text Critical thinking is one of the most important skills you’ll ever develop as a new nurse but it doesn’t come overnight. In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Nurse Career Coach Caroline shares how you can use ChatGPT as a practical tool to strengthen your clinical judgment and build confidence at the bedside. You’ll learn how to apply ChatGPT to the nursing process (ADPIE) - Assessment, Diagnosis, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation - and discover how it can ...

1 month ago

14 minutes

Life After Nursing School

35: Exploring Remote Nursing Jobs with the Co-Founder of Go Beyond the Bedside

Send us a text Are you curious about how nurses can build flexible, remote careers? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, Caroline sits down with David Rosenbeck, co-founder of Go Beyond the Bedside, to talk about breaking free from traditional hospital roles. David shares his journey from bedside nursing to launching a platform that connects nurses with remote nursing jobs, virtual care opportunities, and innovative ways to use their clinical skills outside the hospital. If you’re a ...

1 month ago

38 minutes

Life After Nursing School

34: A Real-Life Grey’s Anatomy Nurse & PA Love Story: Celebrating 10 Years Married

Send us a text This week, I’m joined by a very special guest - my husband, Bryan Danna, PA-C and Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force. Together, we’re celebrating our 10-year wedding anniversary with a conversation that blends love, laughter, and a behind-the-scenes look at life as a dual healthcare couple. From marathon training to raising three kids, from military commitments to launching my nursing business, Bryan and I get real about what it takes to balance marriage, family, and dema...

1 month ago

1 hour 1 minute

Life After Nursing School

33: Maybe a Nurse Retreat is Exactly What You Need

Send us a text In this episode of Life After Nursing School, I chat with Nicole Johnson, BSN, RN, CCRN - Critical Care Nurse and founder of Unwound Retreats. Nicole knows firsthand the challenges of burnout and has built a career around helping nurses reconnect with themselves and their purpose. With certifications in Happiness at Work, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Psychological First Aid, she blends evidence-based wellness with real-world nursing experience. Since 2019, Nicole has...

1 month ago

36 minutes

Life After Nursing School

32: Pumpkin Spice Season Prep: Energy, Sleep, and Stress Hacks for Nurses

Send us a text Fall is here - pumpkin spice, busy schedules, and all the chaos that comes with it. Whether you’re a nursing student heading back to clinicals or a new grad nurse starting your first job, this season can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I’m sharing 5 simple strategies to help you stay organized, reduce decision fatigue, and actually enjoy pumpkin spice season. From creating a weekly reset routine to building a bedtime wind-down and protecting your energy, these practical nur...

2 months ago

28 minutes

Life After Nursing School

31: Surviving Nursing Orientation When Your Preceptor Isn’t the Best Fit

Send us a text Starting your first nursing job is exciting, but what if your preceptor isn’t the right fit? Orientation sets the foundation for your nursing career, and a mismatched preceptor can make it harder to build confidence and independence as a new grad nurse. In this episode of Life After Nursing School, we’ll break down what a supportive orientation should look like, the red flags of an ineffective preceptor, and how to advocate for yourself if you’re struggling. You’ll hear practic...

2 months ago

20 minutes

Life After Nursing School

30: The Unique Mindset Shift Every Nurse Needs to Beat Stress and Burnout: The ‘Let Them’ Theory

Send us a text In this episode, we’re diving into Mel Robbins’ “Let Them” Theory and how it can transform your nursing practice, especially if you’re a new grad or navigating the pressures of the job. The “Let Them” Theory is simple yet powerful: Let Them: Release the need to control other people—their actions, emotions, or opinions.Let Me: Give yourself permission to focus on what you can control—your goals, growth, and well-being.We will walk through real-life nursing scenarios - from being...

2 months ago

17 minutes

Life After Nursing School

29: How to Build Financial Freedom as a Nurse (Even with Student Loans) ft. The Net Worth Nurse

Send us a text If you’re a nursing student or new grad nurse dreaming of financial freedom or just wanting more control over your career this episode is for you. Today, I’m joined by Savannah Arroyo, The Net Worth Nurse, who went from hustling to land her first job in California’s saturated market to building a $3+ million real estate portfolio and leaving bedside nursing behind. Savannah shares how she climbed the nursing ladder from bedside RN to nurse manager with her sights set on becomin...

2 months ago

56 minutes

Life After Nursing School

28: New Nurses - What No One Tells You During Orientation

Send us a text Are you a new nurse feeling overwhelmed by everything they didn’t teach you in nursing school? You’re not alone—and in this episode, I’m answering some of the most commonly asked questions from both listeners and members of The New Nurse Society. We’re covering real-life topics every new grad nurse wants (and needs) to know about: ✅ What the heck is a 401(k) and how do you use it? ✅ What to do if your preceptor just isn’t a good fit ✅ How to handle scary nurse...

3 months ago

33 minutes

Life After Nursing School

27: How to Manifest YOUR Dream Nurse Life

Are you a nursing student or new grad nurse dreaming of a life that feels aligned, balanced, and fulfilling - both in and out of scrubs? In this episode of Life After Nursing School, we’re diving deep into manifestation, not the vague, "wish-upon-a-star" kind, but a grounded, step-by-step approach to creating the life and nursing career you actually want. Whether you’re spiritually curious, full-on into manifestation, or just looking for more clarity in your post-nursing school journey, thi...

3 months ago

33 minutes

Life After Nursing School

26: How I Accidentally Manifested My Dream Nursing Career

In this episode of Life After Nursing School, I share how I accidentally manifested my dream life and nursing career - without even realizing it. Whether you're a nursing student, new grad nurse, or feeling burnt out in your current role, this story will give you hope, clarity, and a new way to think about your career. I open up about my early struggles as a cross-country runner and how a session with a hypnotist introduced me to the power of the subconscious mind. Years later, after burnou...

3 months ago

28 minutes

Life After Nursing School

25: Nurse Burnout Recovery: Fitness, Boundaries & Motivation with Niko Saunders

Feeling stuck in survival mode as a nursing student or new grad nurse? In this episode, I sit down with ICU nurse, fitness coach, and content creator Niko Saunders (@officialfitrn) to talk all things nurse burnout, healthy habits, and building a life outside the bedside. Niko opens up about the moment he realized he wasn’t okay, how a medical diagnosis led to a wake-up call, and the powerful mindset shift that helped him reclaim his health. We dive into nurse-friendly fitness tips, the trut...

3 months ago

46 minutes

Life After Nursing School

24: What Lights Me Up (& Drives Me Crazy) - The Real Me, Unfiltered

Episode Summary This episode is a little different - it's a personal one. After six months of podcasting, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing more about who I am beyond the mic. From my journey through nursing school and loss, to marriage, motherhood, entrepreneurship, and self-discovery in my 30s - this is the real, unfiltered story behind the podcast. Whether you're a nursing student, new grad, or just someone figuring out your own path, I hope this episode helps you feel seen, support...

3 months ago

24 minutes

Life After Nursing School

23: What It’s Really Like to Start in the ER and Create Content as a New Nurse with Alyssa Jobes

Today’s episode is a must-listen if you’re a new nurse wondering what it’s like to jump into the ER right after graduation—or if you're curious about building an online presence as a nurse. I’m joined by Alyssa Jobs, a new grad ER nurse and content creator based in California. We talk about her nursing school journey, what it actually felt like to land her first job (after applying to over 100 positions!), how she’s learning to trust her gut as a nurse, and what it’s like to show up online as...

4 months ago

49 minutes

Life After Nursing School

22: 3 Bold Moves to Build a Nursing Career (and Life) You Actually Love

In this empowering episode, nurse career mentor Caroline shares three essential strategies every nursing student and new grad nurse needs to take control of their nursing career and avoid burnout. She explores the importance of achieving financial stability as a new nurse, building a work-life balance in nursing, and recognizing limiting beliefs and societal pressures that can steer nurses off course. Drawing from her own real-world experience in hospital leadership and bedside nursing, Carol...

4 months ago

22 minutes

Life After Nursing School

21: Inside the OR: What New Grad Nurses Should Know About Operating Room Nursing with Dr. Yasmin Sharifi

Curious about what it’s really like to be an OR nurse? Wondering if the operating room could be your future home as a new grad? In this episode, Caroline sits down with Dr. Yasmin Sharifi, also known as The OR RN Mentor, to give you a behind-the-red-line look into perioperative nursing. With over 30 years of experience, Yasmin shares her journey from med-surg burnout to falling in love with the operating room—and how she now supports new OR nurses through mentorship and education. Whether you...

4 months ago

57 minutes