Is The Nurse’s Glass Half Full?

Can the power of positivity really help nurses, when there is still so much wrong in both the world of nursing and healthcare as a whole?

From Nurse Keith’s Digital Doorway

It’s no secret that there’s a multitude of unhappy nurses out there in the world. From mandatory overtime to unhealthy nurse-patient ratios, I admit there are very valid reasons for this seeming epidemic of discontent. So, is the nursing glass half-full or half-empty? I guess it depends on who you’re drinking with (and perhaps what you’re drinking).

Reasons To Be Cheerful—Or Not

This blog post isn’t really about the aforementioned multitude of reasons that explain nurses’ rampant unhappiness. A new study mentioned recently on Twitter states that a full one-third of nurses are unhappy with either their jobs or their careers. I get it.

There are also nurses who say, “I love my work, but I hate my job“. I get that too.

Sadly, it’s a given that too many nurses work in environments that are unhealthy, unsupportive, demanding and back-breaking, and that’s indeed a sad state of affairs.

It’s Who You Talk To

Taking into consideration the relative level of discontent in the nursing profession, your worldview can be significantly influenced by who you talk to and who you spend time with. The tenor of the conversation amongst your nursing colleagues will, of course, influence your perspective, so think about who your conversational partners are—and who they could be.

If your Thursday morning coffee klatch is regularly attended by jaded nurses who spend the hour railing against the hospital and gossiping about doctors and interns (and one another), there’s a definite downside to the time you spend at that particular table.

And if your idea of a good time is focusing on what’s wrong rather than what’s right (or how to fix what’s wrong), then there are plenty of nurses who’ll eagerly buy you another round in order to keep you waxing negative, thus justifying and solidifying their own negative bias.

Bartender, another round of ‘Negatinis‘, please.

Let’s Be Realistic

Like I said towards the beginning of this post, I get it. There’s a lot that’s wrong with the picture in both nursing and the wider world of healthcare. That’s a given. At the same time, there are nurses, doctors, administrators and theorists who really want to make it right. Fighting the good fight to make things better is a noble cause, and many are called to engage in that particular battle. Kudos to them.

Simultaneously, there are nurses who, tired of the mainstream game, have dipped their toes into entrepreneurship, carving out satisfying careers that defy the very notion of what it even means to be a nurse. Kudos to them, too.

Meanwhile, some nurses are creating new opportunities for themselves within the mainstream healthcare system, leveraging their skills as coaches, consultants, IT gurus and all manner of novel yet robust professional roles. Kudos all around.

There’s a place for everyone at the table. In fact, you can even build your own table if the current ones don’t quite match your vision of what your career could be.

Nurse’s Choice

So, you can talk to the jaded, cynical and burnt out nurses who just want to see the glass as perpetually half empty, or you can interact with the nurses who are the positive role models and forward thinkers of the profession who definitely view the glass as perpetually half full.

It’s tiring to hang out with the jaded and cynical complainers, but it can be energizing (and fun!) to hang out with the optimistic nurses who are actively making their careers the best that they can be.

Who are you talking to and spending time with? Are you drinking the bitter and cynical dregs of nursing station coffee? Are you pounding down “Negatinis” with unhappy abandon? Or are you drinking from the cup of optimism, sharing with your colleagues a vision of what’s possible, even as you acknowledge the stark realities of 21st-century healthcare?

The choice is yours, my friends, and I invite you to my table, where we serve Positive Punch and Optimism Smoothies.

Thirsty?


Keith Carlson, RN, BSN, NC-BC, is the Board Certified Nurse Coach behind NurseKeith.com and the well-known nursing blog, Digital Doorway. Please visit his online platforms and reach out for his support when you need it most.

Keith is the host of The Nurse Keith Show, his solo podcast focused on career advice and inspiration for nurses. From 2012 until its sunset in 2017, Keith co-hosted RNFMRadio, a groundbreaking nursing podcast.

A widely published nurse writer, Keith is the author of Savvy Networking For Nurses: Getting Connected and Staying Connected in the 21st Century and Aspire to be Inspired: Creating a Nursing Career That Matters. He has contributed chapters to a number of books related to the nursing profession. Keith has written for Nurse.com, Nurse.org, MultiBriefs News Service, LPNtoBSNOnline, StaffGarden, AUSMed, American Sentinel University, Black Doctor, Diabetes Lifestyle, the ANA blog, NursingCE.com, American Nurse Today, Working Nurse Magazine, and other online and print publications.

Mr. Carlson brings a plethora of experience as a nurse thought leader, keynote speaker, online nurse personality, social media influencer, podcaster, holistic career coach, writer, and well-known nurse entrepreneur. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his lovely and talented wife, Mary Rives, and his adorable and remarkably intelligent cat, George.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Top 3 States with the Most Nursing Jobs

371,500 RN jobs are expected to be added in the U.S. in the next 10 years, so it’s safe to say nursing is booming. Where are the most jobs right now?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses are expected to see 12% job growth between 2018 and 2028, with an estimated 371,500 jobs predicted to added to the workforce during that same time frame. That’s all well and good, but where are the jobs now? We analyzed data on our site and came up with the three states with the most available openings for nurses right now, as well as a selection of noteworthy positions.

1. California

Number of RN Jobs Available in California: 2,411

Average Annual RN Salary in California: $104,410

Noteworthy Openings in California:

Click Here to Search RN Jobs in California

2. Texas

Number of RN Jobs Available in Texas: 1,709

Average Annual RN Salary in Texas: $72,000

Noteworthy Openings in Texas:

Click Here to Search RN Jobs in Texas

3. New York

Number of RN Jobs Available in New York: 831

Average Annual RN Salary in New York: $85,300

Noteworthy Openings in New York:

Click Here to Search RN Jobs in New York

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

How Has Nursing “Broken” You?

During your career, you will see a lot of horrific things that will turn into cautionary tales. Nurses took to Twitter this week to discuss theirs.

This week, a trauma ICU nurse who goes by the handle @NurseKelsey, posed a question to the Twitterverse: “What is something non-medical people do [regularly] that you just cannot because of what you know/have seen working in healthcare?”

The replies poured in, ranging from funny gifs to more serious answers to the question, but one thing seemed certain—everyone who works in healthcare has seen something they would not want to happen to themselves or their loved ones.

One of the most popular responses included not using or letting their children use a trampoline or go to a trampoline park, or as one Twitter user called it, “otherwise known as the orthopedists’ waiting room annex.”

Some of the more serious responses included:

“Refuse the flu shot.” – @MarieJetteSLP
“Ride in the passenger seat with your feet up on the dash.” – @vfedirkadirka
“Live life without an advance directive and medical POA.” – @RN_Atheist
“Buy and use guns.” – @jro_joe
“Complain about wait times in the emergency room/clinic/urgent care.” – @AnnYoungMD

And some were a bit more lighthearted:

“So, I’m not remotely germ phobic (like, it hasn’t killed me yet), but I can’t watch medical shows without yelling at the TV.” – @MelissaSKeefer
“Oh, for sure, meth.” – @nazirahidris
“Get pregnant. L&D rotation is the most effective contraceptive there is.” – @darkwyngMD
“Eat at a normal pace at home. #NurseLunch #EatOnTheRun #NoTime” – @xo_Harmony_xo
“Say the ‘q’ word that rhymes with riot without cringing & checking to see if anyone heard. Especially on Friday & Saturday nights.” – @dawnphoenixk

What do you have to add? How has nursing “broken” you in ways that non-nurses don’t think about? Tell us in the comments below.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Elevate Your Nursing Job Interview Skills

Job interviews for nurses can be quite tricky, and a source of anxiety for a lot of nurses. Learn how to own your greatness and ace your next interview.

From Nurse Keith’s Digital Doorway

Job interviews are a source of stress for many job-seekers, and nurses are no exception. Nursing can feel like a rough and tumble profession when it comes to the high-stakes interview process, and for those nurses who are unsure how to articulate their value, the interview can seem like an insurmountable hurdle.

I’ve discussed interviews on this blog in the past, and I’ve also addressed the issue on episode 18 (Job Interviews 101) and episode 59 (Tips For Confident Job Interviews) of The Nurse Keith Show. I recommend those resources as a good place to start when it comes to optimizing your interview skills and strategies.

In previous positions as a nurse manager, Director of Nursing, and Chief Nursing Officer, I’ve interviewed a great many nurse job candidates. And in my career coaching practice, I’m privy to the fears and anxieties of nurse interviewees who are feeling the (interview) heat.

Many nurses who contact me about interview anxiety are often having trouble owning their greatness and elucidating what separates them from the pack. Standing out from the competition is paramount, and a nurse sitting in an interview has to deliver what makes him or her the ideal candidate for the position in question.

If your interview anxiety is all about not knowing how to make yourself shine, this is a calculus that needs to be changed as soon as possible.

Where Is Your Passion and Genius?

An interviewer wants to know where your passion lies. They would like to hear how you view your place within the nursing profession and how you’re able to bring the best of yourself to the table.

If you have special interests, areas of specific inquiry, notable experiences, or larger career goals, making these known can be a smart move. Ambition, critical thinking, the desire to learn and grow, and rich life experience can go a long way towards painting a picture of a forward-thinking, self-aware nurse job applicant who the potential employer would be foolish to pass over for someone else.

How Do You Relate to Organizations and Colleagues?

Interviewers want to know how you see your place in the world, how you relate to others, and the quality of your relationships with organizations you work for or interact with.

A potential employer wants to know if you’re a loyal team player. They also want to know if you value the collective genius of the organization and the people within it, as well as your willingness to contribute to that collective genius as an active participant within the workplace community.

Nursing doesn’t happen in a vacuum, it’s a collaborative venture. They want to see that you’re up to the task and if you’d be a good fit for the corporate culture.

How Do You Communicate?

In a job interview, you’re being very clearly assessed for how you communicate, both verbally and non-verbally. This is so important to pay significant attention to.

Your body language says a great deal about you, and there’s no doubt that your interviewer will be “reading” how you use your body to communicate. Crossed legs and arms can demonstrate a closed way of communicating with others, and poor eye contact can betray a lack of self-confidence. Are you busy drumming your fingers on your notebook or tapping your foot out of anxiety?

You must also remain aware of your facial expressions during the interview process. Do you smile easily? Do you make eye contact when speaking, or do you look at the floor or to the side? If you have a tendency to frown or wrinkle your forehead when thinking or speaking, that habit could be easily misinterpreted. Self-awareness is key.

In your communication, your potential employer wants to know if you’re a boastful person who thinks you know it all and have nothing to learn, or if you’re humble, self-reflective, and willing to acknowledge what you don’t know. They also want to see if you can own your intelligence and be clear about any specialized knowledge you hold.

Your Sense of Mission and Purpose

In the bigger picture, the employer wants to know why you’re even there in the first place, petitioning for a position within their organization. Are you just needing to get a job and put food on the table, or are you looking for an opportunity to truly grow as a member of their organization? What do you want and expect from them, and how much are you willing to give?

Some employers and interviewers may be seeking to clarify how you define your professional purpose and mission. They want to know what makes you tick. Make it clear.

Walk In Their Shoes

One method of interview preparation is to put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes. What are they after? What are their pain points when it comes to hiring and retention? What is the stated mission of the organization? What hiring mistakes have they made in the past? What would make you stand out from the pack? Which of your answers would shine with the authenticity that they’re dying to hear?

If you were the interviewer, what would you want to hear from a nurse applicant? What is it that would make you say “yes” to one candidate and “no” to another? Is it just a gut feeling or is it something else?

Market Yourself

Finally, when preparing for the interview process, you must think of yourself as a commodity — a brand — that needs to be marketed. You are, in essence, selling your services as a nurse to this potential employer, and for all intents and purposes, your interview is a sales pitch.

In business, we identify what’s known as the unique selling proposition (USP) behind our product or service, and we then use that USP to appeal to potential customers and buyers. To sell a product or service, we need to know our target market and use a sales pitch that appeals to their sensibilities. A product or service simply needs to affordably solve a “pain point” (problem needing to be solved) felt by the consumer.

For you and your nursing career, the pain point of your potential employer is that they need to fill a nursing position with the best possible candidate who will give them the best possible return on investment (ROI). Nurse turnover can cost tens of thousands of dollars; thus, a hiring manager wants to try to choose high-quality nurse employees who will contribute in positive ways and remain with the organization for as long as possible.

As you market yourself to your potential employer, the case you make must clearly proclaim that:

  • You are the ideal candidate for the position
  • Your longevity within the organization will provide them with an excellent return on their investment in your training and acculturation
  • You will be a good cultural fit within the organization
  • The skills and experience you bring to the table are exactly what they need
  • You have exactly what it takes to deliver consistently high-quality nursing services (in whatever capacity you are hired for)
  • They will never regret their decision of bringing you into the organization

An interview is about marketing, language, mission, purpose, values, and communicating that you, the candidate, have a contribution to make. You need to differentiate yourself from the pack. The relationship between employer and employee is a two-way street, and you can also hold the expectation that the organization will offer its allegiance and commitment to you, the highly valued and valuable nurse.


Keith Carlson, RN, BSN, NC-BC, is the Board Certified Nurse Coach behind NurseKeith.com and the well-known nursing blog, Digital Doorway. Please visit his online platforms and reach out for his support when you need it most.

Keith is the host of The Nurse Keith Show, his solo podcast focused on career advice and inspiration for nurses. From 2012 until its sunset in 2017, Keith co-hosted RNFMRadio, a groundbreaking nursing podcast.

A widely published nurse writer, Keith is the author of Savvy Networking For Nurses: Getting Connected and Staying Connected in the 21st Century and Aspire to be Inspired: Creating a Nursing Career That Matters. He has contributed chapters to a number of books related to the nursing profession. Keith has written for Nurse.com, Nurse.org, MultiBriefs News Service, LPNtoBSNOnline, StaffGarden, AUSMed, American Sentinel University, Black Doctor, Diabetes Lifestyle, the ANA blog, NursingCE.com, American Nurse Today, Working Nurse Magazine, and other online and print publications.

Mr. Carlson brings a plethora of experience as a nurse thought leader, keynote speaker, online nurse personality, social media influencer, podcaster, holistic career coach, writer, and well-known nurse entrepreneur. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his lovely and talented wife, Mary Rives, and his adorable and remarkably intelligent cat, George.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Suicide Risk Among Nurses Higher than Non-Nurses

Nurses are at a higher risk of suicide than the general population according to the findings of the first national investigation into nurse suicide in over twenty years.

Nurses are at a higher risk of suicide than the general population according to the findings of the first national investigation into nurse suicide in more than two decades.

The study, which was published in Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, found that suicide incidence was 11.97 per 100,000 female nurses and even higher among male nurses, with suicide claiming 39.8 per 100,000. Both figures are significantly higher than that of the general population, which is 7.58 per 100,000 women and 28.2 per 100,000 men. Overall, the suicide rate was 13.9 per 100,000 nurses versus 17.7 per 100,000 for the general population.

In all, over 400 nurses per year die by suicide, and according to the study, nurse anesthetists and retired nurses were at the highest risk.

“We are overworked and stressed, and on the edge of the breaking point at any given moment,” said Ariel Begun, BSN, RN, who was willing to speak with us regarding the alarming rate of nurse suicides. “In the last 10 years I have seen the expectations of nurses increase and the staffing and quality of supplies decrease. Nurses have been told they need to do more with less for years and it keeps getting worse.”

When asked how the healthcare industry and its employers can better support the mental health of nurses, Begun had a lot to offer.

“First, fix the systemic problems in healthcare. Starting with patient to nurse ratios being lowered, and increased staffing for support of the department and to ensure someone is available to help in emergencies. We should not consider barebones staffing to be the norm. We also need to provide better resources for nurses to care for patients without having to use the cheapest thing on the market. Additionally, we need better hours and shift options. We should not need to work to the point of jet lag mental conditions, where our basic thought capacity is diminished to the point where we have trouble remembering to care for ourselves.

“Guilt is also a driving factor for nurses. We don’t call out when we are sick because we know the department will be hurt by us not being there. We don’t get decent breaks and we work to the point of dehydration and kidney failure potential. Toss in Neurogenic Nurse Bladder, a condition that develops because of the nurse’s lack of bathroom break time. Can’t pee, I might miss a call from the doc, or my patient might code while I am away.

“In regards to mental health specifically, it would be nice to have group support sessions where nurses can get together and talk about the issues they have. Resources for home-work balance need to be available, too. I always thought that a group yoga session would be a nice thing to have as a way to get your day started in a healthy manner. The first lesson I learned in nursing school was, now is not the time to try to quit any vices you have, in fact you might as well double down on them, because they are going to be what helps you get through your day. Nurses are taught to do the things that we then need to teach our patients not to do. Nurses are not taught coping strategies for how to handle their stress. They are only taught that it is a thing and you can’t escape it.”

If you are having thoughts of hurting yourself or others, we encourage you to seek help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or by texting 741741 to have a conversation with a trained crisis counselor via the Crisis Text Line.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Had a Tough Shift? Here’s 5 Ways to Recover.

Nursing is a hard job to begin with, but some days are harder than others. Here are five ways to help put that extra tough shift behind you and move forward.

Nursing is a hard job to begin with, not just physically, but also emotionally. And some days will be harder than others. Some days, your patience and your mettle will be tested in ways you never imagined—you’ll mess up something important, an extra combative patient will curse you out, a well-liked patient will die. How do you recover from those shifts? Here are five things to try.

Talk It Out

Whether it’s with a coworker or a close friend, take the time to honor what you are feeling and unload your emotions. Crying it out, if you need to, or simply saying aloud just how much your day truly sucked, can offer a cathartic release and help you let go of the negative emotions you are holding on to. Speaking to management, as well, can prove useful, as they can often help you to find the learning opportunities in your strife, or reassure you that you did the right thing in a hard situation.

Find Joy

Whatever makes you happy, do that. After your shift, snuggle your pets or your partner, cook a good meal or order in, curl up with Netflix or hit the gym, call a friend or read a book. Take the time to partake in whatever it is that typically brings you joy, instead of stewing in the negativity of your day.

Sleep It Off

After a noisy day at work—and let’s be honest, it can get very noisy—climbing into a cozy bed, surrounded by quiet, can offer comfort in a way that most other things cannot. This can be extra beneficial after a hard day, as well. Curl up and get some sleep—it’s going to be okay in the morning (or evening, if you’re working the night shift).

Focus on the Future

The next day is always a new day, with potential for new victories, no matter how trying the day before was. Focus on the fresh start tomorrow affords you and try not to dwell on the past. There are always new chances to help people and change lives in the days ahead, and isn’t that the best part of nursing?

Get Help

If you truly cannot move beyond what happened, do not be afraid to seek professional help. There is no shame in not being able to work through things on your own. A non-biased third-party, such as a therapist, can help you objectively look at whatever happened and move beyond it by talking things through in ways that your personal confidants might not be able to.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Where Are You Most Needed? 6 Nursing Shortage Facts.

The nursing shortage is a growing problem that’s putting serious pressure on nursing staff around the country. Here are 6 facts to know about it.

By Deborah Swanson

It’s no secret that the United States is in desperate need of nurses. Due to patients living longer, educational bottlenecks, and a staggeringly high turnover rate in the healthcare industry, the nursing shortage is a growing problem that’s putting serious pressure on nursing staff around the country.

As a nurse or nursing student, you’re probably well aware of these issues. In fact, it may even be one of the primary reasons you’ve pursued a nursing career in the first place. After all, what could be more fulfilling than providing care and support for patients who desperately need it?

There are several areas—both physical and occupational—where the need for nurses is at an all-time high. If your true calling is to make a difference in the lives of your patients, here are six nursing shortage facts that may influence where you end up.

  1. California has the greatest nursing shortage of any state.

    Although California employs the highest number of registered nurses in the country, it needs more—a lot more, in fact. According to a 2017 report by the Health Resources and Services Administration, California is predicted to have the highest demand for nurses in the country, with a shortage of nearly 45,000 registered nurses.

    With its strong economy and thriving metropolitan areas, California has long been a desirable place to live. If you’re thinking about working as a nurse in the Golden State, check out the California Nursing Students’ Association (CNSA) for mentorship and networking opportunities.

  2. Rural towns need the most help.

    If you prefer small town life to the hustle and bustle of urban living, healthcare institutions in rural America will gladly accept your help. Attracting and retaining qualified nurses has long been a problem for hospitals in rural locations, mainly due to the lower pay rate and less lively social scene.

    While the pay may be lower, the cost of living is often lower as well. Plus, you’ll never deal with the insane traffic that you’d find in a metropolitan area. For nurses who truly want to make a difference, the rural healthcare workforce is in desperate need of help.

  3. Demand for certified nurse midwives is growing.

    What could be more meaningful than caring for the newest generation? Certified nurse midwives are experiencing a huge surge in demand lately as more couples wish for positive and natural birth experiences.

    According to statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of nurse midwives is expected to grow 21 percent by 2026, with 1,700 jobs created in this occupation. As an added bonus, you’re looking at a median wage of $106,910 for this field, per estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

  4. Certified nurse anesthetists, dialysis nurses and other nurse specialties are growing, too.

    In addition to certified nurse midwives, there is a growing number of in-demand nurse specialties that nursing students should consider. Making one of these specialties your primary focus can help you facilitate change in the healthcare industry and pave the way towards a fulfilling career:

    • Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNAs): CRNAs work with surgeons, anesthesiologists and other healthcare professionals to safely deliver anesthesia to patients. CRNAs are one of the higher-paying fields in the industry, with a mean annual wage of $174,790.
    • Certified Dialysis Nurse: As our population continues to age, the need for dialysis services is growing. A certified dialysis nurse assists their patients with kidney function issues by supporting the administration of dialysis with a physician. Growth for this job is steady and is expected to increase 26 percent over the next decade.
    • Pediatric Endocrinology (PED ENDO) Nurse: As a PED ENDO nurse, you’ll provide care and support for children with endocrine disorders such as diabetes or hypoglycemia. Unfortunately, the need for this occupation may be growing due to our increasing risk of diabetes and obesity.
  5. The need for nurse educators has never been greater.

    One of the reasons why the country is facing such an immense shortage of registered nurses is partly due to educational bottlenecks. With an aging faculty, budget issues, and low pay, the demand for nurse educators is at an all-time high.

    According to a 2017 study published in Nursing Outlook, one-third of current nurse educators are expected to retire by 2025. Most younger faculty members who may potentially replace them don’t have nearly the same level of experience as their older counterparts.

    To address this shortage, many nursing programs and organizations are providing more funding for nursing students to seek doctoral degrees to replenish the supply of nurse educators and researchers. If you’re a current nursing student, don’t be afraid to talk with your advisor or senior nursing students about pursuing a doctoral degree.

  6. Travel nurses can greatly benefit nurses and hospitals alike.

    Travel nursing is just one of the ways in which the nation is addressing the decades-long nursing shortage. Being a travel nurse is exactly what it sounds like: You sign a short-term contract and travel to wherever you’re needed most, often for much better pay than staff nurses.

    If you’ve always dreamed of packing your nursing bag to see more of the world while making a positive difference in the lives of your patients, becoming a travel nurse can help you achieve both. Although you need roughly 18 months of experience in a nursing specialty to be a travel nurse, the opportunity to travel internationally or across the country for a high pay rate is undeniably appealing.

As a nurse or nursing student, you have the potential to make a huge impact in your community. Whether it’s by pursuing a doctoral degree or living the life of a traveling nurse, your choices going forward can make all the difference. By keeping these six nursing shortage facts in the back of your mind, you can opt for an extremely rewarding career path that sets you up for success.


Deborah Swanson is a Coordinator for the Real Caregivers Program at allheart.com. A site dedicated to celebrating medical professionals and their journeys. She keeps busy interviewing caregivers and writing about them and loves gardening.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Nursing Career Changes and the Soul

Nursing involves soul work—the desire to serve, to give back, to help—and that, too, can be a reason for a career change, not just salary or advancement.

From Nurse Keith’s Digital Doorway

When a nurse needs a career change, the reasons can be myriad and multifaceted. However, when we only reach for the money or for career “advancement”, we may miss a golden opportunity for a different kind of personal and professional blossoming to take place.

We nurses change the course of our careers based on many factors, one of which may be money or advancement. This is all well and good, but based on my beliefs about the soul work of evolving as a nurse, money and career development are only parts of a much more intricate puzzle.

The soul work of nursing is that which lies deep within you; it’s the desire to serve, to give back, to contribute, to tend to others. Sometimes that soul work trumps salary and recognition. It just does. And sometimes that just has to be okay for a time.

What Calls You?

Sometimes, a move from one form of nursing to another may feel like a lateral move rather than a vertical one, but there are times when lateral moves make sense because there is a calling that runs deeper than the call of your bank account.

It’s often said that nursing is more of a “calling” than a profession, and this may very well be true for many of us. And what “calls” us from one form of nursing to another may be the work we need to do on a deeper soul level, the level at which we fulfill our larger life’s mission.

Perhaps you’ve been working with adults for years but feel that spending time with children is now essential for your personal development. You don’t understand it and you want to question it, but the magnetic pull towards this new aspect of your life as a nurse has more power than you realize and is simply undeniable. And if you honor that magnetism, you never know what gifts may lay in store for you down that as yet unknown path.

Or maybe you’re just not feeling “right” anymore in your current position. You don’t necessarily feel burned out, but it just doesn’t feel like it used to. All of a sudden, a new position makes itself known, but you realize that it will amount to a cut in pay. Do you honor your desire and take the pay cut in anticipation of the gold that may be waiting within this new opportunity? Or do you turn your back simply because of the money?

Your life circumstances may allow you to absorb the financial hit and explore this new career option, or perhaps not. But it’s worth exploring how you feel in your gut and your heart, and to consider your options.

Multiple Bottom Lines

Of course, if you have a family, children or other dependents, your financial bottom line must sometimes take precedence over your desires. However, we can also flip that around and see that there are many bottom lines: spiritual, physical, psychic, financial, mental, and emotional.

A few more dollars per hour can sometimes seem like it will make the difference for you and your family, and that may be true on a certain level. But what about your spiritual health and mental health? What “tax” will you pay for that slight increase in pay? What will the toll be, and will you be able to pay it day after day? Look at career change from a multifaceted perspective and the decision may become more clear.

Weighing Your Options, Caring For Your Soul

Reality—especially financial reality—can feel weighty when making career decisions. And let’s acknowledge that there are other realities as well, and sometimes those realities (like the psychoemotional or spiritual) also need to be honored, weighed, and figured into the equation. We also must remember that when we think there are only two paths from which to choose, there are more often than not more choices than we immediately recognize.

So, if a career change is in your sights, examine it closely, weigh it all, do the math, and allow your heart, gut, and mind to guide you. Allowing only one of those important aspects of yourself to steer the entire ship without heeding the wisdom of the others may not yield the results you deserve.

Career change is exciting and sometimes scary. Use all of your faculties to plot a path, and make a choice that works for your soul, your career, your family, and who you truly want to be as a nurse.


Keith Carlson, RN, BSN, NC-BC, is the Board Certified Nurse Coach behind NurseKeith.com and the well-known nursing blog, Digital Doorway. Please visit his online platforms and reach out for his support when you need it most.

Keith is co-host of RNFMRadio.com, a wildly popular nursing podcast; he also hosts The Nurse Keith Show, his own podcast focused on career advice and inspiration for nurses.

A widely published nurse writer, Keith is the author of “Savvy Networking For Nurses: Getting Connected and Staying Connected in the 21st Century,” and has contributed chapters to a number of books related to the nursing profession. Keith has written for Nurse.com, Nurse.org, MultiViews News Service, LPNtoBSNOnline, StaffGarden, AusMed, American Sentinel University, the ANA blog, Working Nurse Magazine, and other online publications.

Mr. Carlson brings a plethora of experience as a nurse thought leader, online nurse personality, podcaster, holistic career coach, writer, and well-known successful nurse entrepreneur. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with his lovely and talented wife, Mary Rives.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

Seven Strategies to Prevent Nursing Fatigue

Almost all nurses have experienced nursing fatigue at some point in their careers; try these seven strategies to combat the effects of it.

By Deborah Swanson

Nurses are incredibly resilient. Each day, they wake up, throw on a set of scrubs and head into work to perform a demanding 12-hour shift—all while striving to provide the best possible care to their patients. Then, they get home and fall asleep, only to begin the process all over again.

But as a nurse, you know that this barely touches the reality of the situation. In the United States, most hospitals and clinics are woefully understaffed, which often forces nurses to work longer shifts and manage far more patients than they can actually handle. The unfortunate result is nursing fatigue, a common condition which can make you feel both mentally and physically exhausted for days, weeks, or even months.

Almost all nurses have experienced nursing fatigue at some point in their careers, so don’t feel guilty over it. Instead, you can try these seven strategies to combat the effects of nursing fatigue.

1. Leave Work at the Door

When you clock out from work, it’s important for you to clock out mentally as well. Leaving your work at the door is essential for avoiding compassion fatigue, a condition which results from repeated exposure to patient suffering while working in a high-stress environment.

In a 2017 study published in the European Journal of Oncology Nursing, researchers found that nurses were more likely to experience compassion fatigue when they were more self-judgmental. If you come home from work and feel guilty about all the things you could have done to make your patient’s life easier, you won’t give yourself time to recharge for the next shift.

2. Practice Different Forms of Self Care

Nurses go from patient-to-patient, checking their vital signs, administering medicine and assisting them with daily activities. As a result, it’s easy to get so caught up in caring for patients that you forget to take care of yourself.

To be on top of your game each day, it’s critical that you do things for yourself on a regular basis. Some self care practices you can try include: going for a walk in nature, starting your day with meditation or signing up for a healthy subscription meal service.

If you tend to feel guilty about treating yourself, make your forms of self care double as a bonus for work. For example, do arm work every other day to help lift your patients or invest in the new pair of nursing shoes that you’ve been eyeing for months.

3. Use Your Vacation Days

You have vacation days, so remember to use them. Taking time off work is key to preventing burnout and will help you return to work feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. If your nursing unit schedules vacations at the start of each year, be sure to get your days in the books—even if you don’t have anywhere in particular to go.

In fact, planning a “staycation” for yourself may be the perfect getaway. You can recharge your batteries by relaxing at home, catching up on things you’ve been neglecting and spending quality time with the family.

4. Unload Your Brain after Each Day

After a particularly tiring shift, sometimes you just need to declutter your mind and get all your thoughts out of your head. One way to do this is by writing them down on paper or typing them into a Google doc.

Untangling your mind and getting the thoughts out of your head can lower your mental brain fog and allow you to relax after a shift. The process is simple: Just set a timer for 15 minutes and unload your thoughts. Once the time is up, delete your document or click out of it. Reading it over again will only put the words back into your head.

5. Change Your Work Environment

While it’s no secret that most hospitals and clinics stretch their nurses far too thin, some take it to another level by creating an environment that is downright dangerous. If your healthcare institution has a poor nurse-to-patient ratio and no system in place to provide help for nurses, it may be worth it to begin searching for a new job.

Though nursing is an in-demand field, finding the right fit can be trickier than it sounds. Don’t be afraid to explore different healthcare settings to find your ideal work environment. While you might take a pay cut in some instances, the change could be the key to preventing nurse fatigue.

6. Find a Specialty You Love

It’s much easier to prevent nursing fatigue when you truly love what you do. If being a registered nurse just isn’t working for you, consider switching to a nursing specialty that makes you happy to stroll into work each day.

While you could always take a nursing specialty quiz to help you nail down your career, one of the best ways to get a feel for a particular specialty is hands-on experience. Are you interested in a position as an emergency room nurse? Talk with the ER manager and let them know you’re ready to help. There are hundreds of nursing specialties, so be sure to explore all your options to find a job that truly ignites your passion.

7. Explore New Hobbies

Every nurse needs a hobby that allows them to decompress and wind down from work. Finding joy in a new hobby can combat nursing fatigue by giving you something to look forward to after a shift.

Some of the best hobbies for nurses often double as stress-relieving activities, such as painting, knitting, woodworking and jewelry-making. Be sure to explore hobbies that get your heart rate up. Getting involved in a pickup soccer game, going zip-lining with friends and enrolling in a martial arts class can help keep your mind off work while improving your mood.

Long shifts combined with understaffed nursing units are the perfect storm for nursing fatigue. While some healthcare facilities are working to address the problem, it’s important for you to be proactive about your health and happiness. With the help of these strategies, you can fight back against nursing fatigue and prevent it from affecting your personal and professional life.


Deborah Swanson is a Coordinator for the Real Caregivers Program at allheart.com. A site dedicated to celebrating medical professionals and their journeys. She keeps busy interviewing caregivers and writing about them and loves gardening.

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.

The #1 Reason Nurses Leave Their Jobs

Nurse turnover remains a problem for hospitals year after year. So, what is the main factor driving nurses away from their jobs?

What is the most common reason nurses leave their jobs? It’s their work environment, or so says the Press Ganey Nursing Special Report, Optimizing the Nursing Workforce: Key Drivers of Intent to Stay for Newly Licensed and Experienced Nurses.

The study, which explored responses from nearly a quarter of a million RNs, identified trends in nurse retention and turnover, as well as intent to stay in their jobs, based on age, tenure, and unit type. Nurses across all ages and experience levels who planned to leave their job within the next year most commonly cited dissatisfaction with their work environment as their reason for leaving. Poor work environment was followed by home or personal reasons as the second most popular reason for leaving, and then a change in nursing career.

If you’ve left your job recently, or are planning to leave, has your work environment played a role in your decision?

Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.