New to Nursing

The New to Nursing Podcast is taking a short pause while we work behind the scenes on Season 3.We’re spending the next few weeks creating new episodes, practical tools, honest conversations, and more support for new nurses navigating the transition from student to practice.We’ll be back in June 2026 with new content designed to help you move from surviving to thriving.In the meantime, this is a great chance to catch up on previous episodes and Gimme 5s—whether you need support with confidence, communication, difficult shifts, or just a reminder that what you’re feeling is normal.Thanks for listening and being part of our New to Nursing community. We’ll see you in June!

In this episode, Kelsey discusses how to start your shifts off in a good way. She reviews what you can try in your morning routine, how to engage in morning report and what you can do in the first hour of your shift to get organized. She sprinkles in tips and advice specific for new nurses throughout, so listen in to fine tune your start of shift routine!

Not knowing the answer in front of a patient can feel uncomfortable - especially in your first year of practice. But safe nursing isn’t about having every answer memorized. It’s about knowing how to respond with honesty, professionalism, and clinical judgment.In this 5-minute episode, we walk through a simple four-step framework you can use when a patient asks something you don’t know - plus how to recognize when a question moves from simple clarification to a clinical safety concern.You’ll learn:Why honesty builds trust more than guessingA simple bedside response you can use immediatelyHow to differentiate between informational questions and clinical concernsWhen and how to escalate safely using structured communication tools like SBARBecause you don’t need to know everything — you need to know how to respond safely and confidently.📝The 4-Step Response FrameworkAcknowledge the question (“That’s a great question. I’m glad you asked.”)Be honest (“I don’t have the exact answer right now.”)Commit to action (“I’m going to check your chart and confirm with the team.”)Close the loop (“I’ll come back in about 10 minutes with an update.”)⚖️Safety ReminderNot all questions are equal. Some require clarification and follow-up. Others require assessment and possible escalation.When clinical interpretation or patient deterioration may be involved, structured tools like SBAR help ensure safe, clear communication with the team.References & Further ReadingTherapeutic Communication in Nursing PracticeFoundations for Success in Nursing – Communicating with PatientsCommunication Strategies in Nursing (including non-therapeutic responses and avoiding false reassurance)AHRQ TeamSTEPPS – SBAR Communication ToolAgency for Healthcare Research and Quality

In this quick 5‑minute episode, Regional Educator Robyn highlights key considerations when caring for patients who are pregnant. Designed especially for new graduate nurses working in areas outside of perinatal services, this episode focuses on recognizing early signs of concern and understanding when to involve the Most Responsible Provider (MRP) or a perinatal‑trained nurse. This episode offers practical guidance to help ensure timely assessment, safe care, and confident clinical decision‑making when pregnant patients present in non‑perinatal settings.

Welcome...or welcome back! The New Grad Nurse Transition Team with Interior Health in British Columbia, Canada is BACK with fresh content for all new nurses. Whether you are here with us in the Interior region or abroad, we are so excited you are tuning in for Season 3. The team of Regional Educators are ready to bring you bi-weekly content to help you feel supported and connected to a community as you transition from student nurse to new grad nurse. Ready? Let's go!

In this Gimme 5 episode, we shift from acute kidney injury (AKI) to its chronic counterpart — chronic kidney disease (CKD). You’ll learn how CKD is defined and staged, how it differs from end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and what that means for nursing care in acute settings.We’ll also cover how to identify complications, adjust medications safely, and prevent further kidney injury at the bedside. Plus, we’ll highlight when and how to suggest nephrology referral and introduce the supports available through CKD Clinics across Interior Health.This episode is perfect for nurses who want to feel confident caring for patients with CKD who are not yet on dialysis.Show Notes:Referenced Guidelines and Resources:BC Renal Agency – Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Clinical Resources:CKD Common Prescribing Questions for Patients with CKD not on DialysisRenal Analgesic BrochureKidney Care (Non-Dialysis)IH Form - Regional Kidney Clinic Physician Referral (plus guidelines) (form #826448)Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) - BC RenalBC Guidelines - CKD Diagnosis and ManagementUptoDate - Patient Survival and Maintenance DialysisOntario Renal Network - Discussing Prognosis with Patients on DialysisKey Takeaways:CKD = kidney structure or function abnormal for ≥ 3 months.1 in 10 British Columbians has kidney disease — many undiagnosed.Hypertension and diabetes are the top two causes.At GFR < 30, many meds require dose adjustment — review with pharmacy.Prevent further kidney hits: avoid nephrotoxins, manage fluids carefully.Confirm referral to a CKD or Nephrology Clinic before discharge.

In this episode of Gimme 5, Regional Educator Rachel breaks down the four stages of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) — from the moment of injury to full recovery.Rachel explains the Initiation, Oliguric, Diuretic, and Recovery phases in plain language, linking clinical findings to practical bedside care. You’ll learn how to interpret key lab trends, and what nursing interventions make the biggest difference for patient outcomes.You’ll take away:✅ Early warning signs to help prevent permanent kidney damage✅ What defines each stage of AKI and how long they typically last✅ Which labs and assessments matter most — and what those numbers mean✅ How to tailor nursing interventions for each stage to support recoveryResources: BC Renal - Acute Kidney Injury for patientsBC Renal - Acute Kidney Injury for Health Professionals

In this episode Regional Educator Rachel breaks down what every new grad nurse should know about acute kidney injury (AKI) — who’s most at risk, what to look for, and which lab trends signal early kidney trouble.Rachel walks you through the pre-renal, intra-renal, and post-renal causes of AKI, connects common comorbidities like diabetes, heart failure, and sepsis, and shares what bedside assessments can help you spot early warning signs before the lab results confirm your suspicions.You’ll learn:✅ The top risk factors for developing AKI✅ Key assessment findings that point to kidney injury✅ What to anticipate in lab work Whether you’re caring for post-op patients, managing fluids, or reviewing morning labs, this short episode will boost your confidence in recognizing AKI risk and responding early.Resources:Nephrotoxic Medications (see the tables for a list!)BC Renal - AKI for Health Professionals

In this episode of Career Compass, we dive deep into the world of NICU Nursing to help you determine if it's the right path for your career. We'll talk to seasoned NICU nurse, Ashley, who shares her professional journey into this specialty. From the birth of at-risk premature babies to discharge from the NICU, we will walk through the experience of being a NICU Nurse. With the varying acuities of NICU babies, this style of nursing offers exciting opportunities—but it also comes with its own unique set of challenges. Whether you're curious about what NICU nursing looks like or how to get started, this episode will guide you through everything you need to know to decide if NICU nursing is the right fit for you. Tune in to Career Compass and find your direction in the ever-evolving world of healthcare careers!

In this 5 minute episode Regional Educator Robyn provides some fast facts about palliative care assessments and interventions. If you are looking for more information or support with palliative care, check out the toolkits and resources available on the InsideNet. Interior Health employees looking for after hours support with palliative care can contact the on-call palliative care nurse at 1-844-851-4192.

In this episode of Gimme 5 Regional Educator Andrea (a previous acute care manager) gives you tips and tricks to rocking your next job interview. New Grad Nurses in Interior Health do NOT need to participate in an interview to get their first job in Interior Health, but if you are looking to move up, move out or move on- having strong interview skills will be crucial!

This episode covers a topic identified by our New Grad Nurse community! You all wanted to know more about transporting patients! Regional Educator Kelsey breaks it down into easy to remember tips and tricks. Next time you need to leave the unit with your patient, take some time to listen to this quick episode for some important reminders.

Gimme 5 is your new go-to series for quick, no-fluff deep dives into the essentials. Each episode delivers the back-to-basics info you need—in just 5 minutes. No fillers, no distractions, just fast facts and key insights to get you up to speed, fast. Perfect for busy minds who want to learn efficiently. Ready? Let’s Gimme 5!This episode covers the basics of what to do when a learner is paired with you for your shift. We'll review how to set you up for success and reduce anxiety for both the learner and YOU! Show notes:Register for the Preceptorship Workshop via Ilearn #1778Preceptorship community of practicePreceptorship Agreement and Learning Style Form