Author: Sandra Smith

You know that feeling when you’re getting ready for a 12-hour shift. You want to feel polished, confident, and fresh. For many of us, a...

You’ve likely heard the joke—the one about how you can spot a nurse by their dirty knees and strong stomach. It’s a classic piece of...

It’s a phrase that sends a shiver down every nursing student’s spine: nurses eat their young. If you’ve heard it, you’ve likely wondered if it’s...

That moment when your manager calls you into the office and asks for a random drug screen—your heart probably races. You might wonder, “Can a...

That sinking feeling when the charge nurse approaches you with a clipboard: “We need you to float to the ICU today.” You’re a competent med-surg...

You’re finishing your shift when Mrs. Rodriguez, the patient you’ve cared for all week, presses a folded $50 bill into your hand. “Thank you for...

Taking a deep breath, you look at the results. It’s not the outcome you worked so hard for. In addition to the personal disappointment, a...

Stepping into a nurse leadership role feels like standing at the edge of a cliff—exciting, but absolutely terrifying. You were an amazing clinician, but suddenly...

We’ve all been there. You’re explaining a complex medication regimen to a patient, and their eyes glaze over. You call a physician about a change...

Ever walked out of a patient’s room with that sinking feeling in your stomach—the kind that comes when your heart and your professional obligations seem...