The Nurse Blake Podcast

I’m back with my husband Brett with Two Ts aboard NurseCon at Sea ‘22, the inaugural sailing of the most EPIC nursing conference. Listen in while we sail away somewhere in the middle of the ocean! Brett and I presented the show in front of a live audience on the third night of the conference. This special live recording was just one small part of an incredible week! I share why I wanted to create NurseCon at Sea following my own experiences at other nursing conferences. Why not make them more fun?? I also talk about what it feels like to finally put on the event, and you get to hear Brett and I's reactions to everything that has gone down so far. Expectations were definitely exceeded, and we loved seeing all the nurses make connections and make the most out of the experience! What are we looking forward to next? Could we live on a cruise ship? After asking ourselves some fun questions, we answer some questions from our live audience. It was a blast and I’m already so excited for next year! NurseCon at Sea 2023 registration opens this Friday 6/3 at Noon ET!! SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING

This week’s podcast will be the last one of the year, and it's all about the NCLEX. How is 2021 almost over?? My favorite thing this week is drinking around the world at Epcot! As usual, I’m with my husband Brett with two T’s and we break down our Epcot day with my family. We took my Nan, who has previously been a guest on this podcast and was the star of one of my latest videos. Go check out my TikTok documenting our Epcot trip! Congratulations to all the nursing students who have recently graduated! Unfortunately, you all aren’t nurses yet. You still have to take the NCLEX. I’m going over the basics of what the NCLEX is, the registration process, and when to take it. I’m also sharing the special trick to see if you passed or failed! Then, I go over the top tips for passing the NCLEX. It’s not like any test you’ve taken in nursing school. Brett and I also play some geographical trivia in honor of drinking around the world. To wrap up, I answer a “Dear Blake” question and read shout outs submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners. Only a few rooms left on NurseCon at Sea! https://nurseconatsea.com/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING Thanks for listening!

I’m back!! This week I’m in the studio again alongside Brett with two T’s. All good things must come to an end, and the tour is officially over for 2021. Thank you to everyone who came out! My favorite thing is Adele’s new song OMG. I give an update on the Croc saga, I share who’s getting my tour bus next, and Happy Birthday to Brett! The nursing topic for this week is ER/ED nursing vs. ICU nursing. I go in depth on each specialty and share the similarities and differences. In the ER there’s a lot more unknown, because you never know who’s going to come through the door. I share my experience as an ICU nurse, which is more of a controlled environment. Which specialty would be the best fit for you? We also play a fun Netflix themed game, and I answer a “Dear Blake” question for a nurse that’s afraid to use her PTO. To close out we read shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners. More giveaways coming soon through NurseCon! https://www.nursecon.com/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING Thanks for listening!

For this episode, I’m going in depth on nursing shifts and how 3 12’s affects nurses. I’m still on the road with my husband Brett with two T’s for the last stretch of my PTO Comedy Tour! We’re recording in Denver, which reminds me of some memorable hikes I’ve taken in Colorado. I have a few favorite things, including the breadsticks at Olive Garden and Insomnia Cookies! Sponsor us? After some bowel movement talk, I jump into different nursing shifts including the most common 3 12’s schedule. The appeal of flexibility has definitely changed over time, and is it safe? Sometimes shifts can stretch as long as 16 hours! Overtime laws vary by state, but there are a lot of nurses who are forced to work mandatory overtime. I get into short staffing, on-call shifts, and what nurses are currently going through at their hospitals. Advocate for patients and the nurses that care for them. To close out I’m reading shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners. Enter for a chance to win through the free NurseCon app, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING Thanks for listening!

What’s up everyone! I just wrapped up the Midwest leg of my PTO Comedy Tour, and I’m in Austin, TX for a short vacation break with Brett. We share some stories about the last time we were in Texas, which includes some water sports action! I also reflect on my big Nashville show, my fear of bees, and I’m giving the details on my Halloween costume. For this week’s nursing topic, I’m exploring different nursing specialties. And next week I’m diving into more! I’m starting with flight transport nurses (they have the BEST uniforms). I go into the expectations of the job, and requirements to apply. I also test my pilot husband with an aviation quiz! I also talk about telephone triage nursing and correctional care nursing. There are so many interesting nursing specialties beyond the bedside, so if you want to leave bedside nursing remember that you don't have to leave the nursing practice all together. To close out I’m reading shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners. Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/ Enter for a chance to win through the free NurseCon app, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING Thanks for listening!

Happy Thursday! This week, I’m with my husband Brett (with two T’s) and we’re talking all about travel nursing. I’m also going over some super sweet reviews you all have sent in about my comedy tour. I have a few favorite things this week- one important one being food delivery services. Tip your drivers! My other favorite thing is going on TikTok and sending sunglasses on live. If you’re confused, don’t worry I will explain. Travel nursing is always a hot topic, so I’m breaking down all the ins and outs. Travel nurses have the opportunity to earn a much higher income than staff nurses, but that can cause tension between staff and travel nurses. It’s important to stick together, because nurses are in demand and patients need us. Is travel nursing for you? Then, Brett and I take a quiz to find out which types of travelers we are! I’m almost halfway through my PTO Comedy Tour, and I’m going over some reviews of the show. Email Netflix about getting me a comedy special! Thank you to everyone who has come out, I love you all! To close out I’m reading shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners. Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/ Enter for a chance to win through the free NurseCon app, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING Thanks for listening!

What’s up everyone! I have a super fun episode for you this week. I’m wrapping up the East Coast run of my PTO Comedy Tour in Tampa, and my grandmother Nan is in town! I’m so excited to finally introduce my Nan, who is an avid listener of the podcast. My favorite thing this week is Todd Patrick, which is a luxury queer-owned streetwear brand I found in Atlanta. I’m breaking down types of nursing schools, and give some tips for applicants looking for the right program. I’m also sharing stories with my Nan, and asking her questions about her life so you all can get to know her better. I also go over the classes you take in nursing school, and the certifications you’ll earn. What type of nurse would Nan be? I also answer some nursing school related “Dear Blake” submissions. Then, I quiz Nan on her East Coast knowledge in honor of closing out my East Coast run on tour. To close out we read shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners. Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/ Enter for a chance to win through the free NurseCon app, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING Thanks for listening!

I’m back!! And I’m on the road. This week, I’m recording the podcast from a dressing room because my PTO Comedy Tour has started! As always, I’m with Brett with two T’s, and we’re talking about bus life, our tour crew, and the cities we’ve stopped at so far. To start, I explain how my tour is going, and the work I’ve put in with my team to make this show amazing! Brett and I break down what it’s like to live on a tour bus, and we get into all the ins and outs. I love being on the road, because it’s so fun to connect with all of you across the country! My favorite thing this week is my new headphones, which leads to a story about how I got lost in the woods in North Carolina. I’ve also launched the 4th Annual Nurse Blake Awards, which is a sweepstakes! There is the Grand Prize: 2022 Tesla Model 3 or $25,000, two First place winners: $5,000 each, and ten Second place winners: $500 each. It’s the biggest Nurse Blake Awards yet! Then, Brett and I play “This or That - Travel Edition”. Would you rather travel by plane or bus? Tropical vacation or mountain vacation? I also go through the 5 states where nurses are the happiest! To close out we read shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners. Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/ Enter for a chance to win through the free NurseCon app, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING Thanks for listening!

For this episode, I get serious and give my unfiltered thoughts on nurse retention, and a New York Times article that came out this week titled “Nursing is in Crisis”. To start, I get into my favorite thing this week, which is pumpkin spice lattes! Summer is over y’all. That means my tour is starting so so soon! Check out my website for tickets. Most of the people cited in the NY Times article were executives, not bedside nurses. I will always advocate for bedside nurses, and the general public needs to hear from the nurses themselves. Nursing has been in a crisis before the pandemic, and now it’s become clear nurse’s needs are often forgotten. To lighten things up- Happy National Dog Day! My husband Brett and I ask each other some dog trivia questions to celebrate. Nurses deserve more recognition than gum and water bottles. It’s time for hospitals to implement safe staffing protocols. Advocate for each other, because nurse advocacy and patient advocacy go hand in hand at the end of the day. Next week is our drinking episode, so be sure to tune it! To close out I answer a “Dear Blake” question and give a shout out. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners. NY Times Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/21/health/covid-nursing-shortage-delta.html Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/ Become a member of NurseCon, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING Thanks for listening!

I’m talking about my very first nursing job for this episode! As usual I have to start with my favorite thing this week- my ice beanie. If you run hot like me, this is a game changer y’all. I’m excited about my tour kicking off in less than a month! There might be a big surprise at one of my shows, and I tell my husband Brett all about it. I’m also talking about NurseCon, which is now available on the App store! It’s free to sign up, and you can get your CNEs for FREE. Before I dive into my first nursing job story, I answer some Dear Blake questions for new grads. Some things you’ll just have to shake off, but in some circumstances it is the right thing to do to leave your new job. I had my first nursing job in Greenville, SC at a level one trauma center. I get into the residency program, starting on the night shift, and bonding with my unit and patients. My biggest piece of advice is to remember to have fun! Remember why you wanted to be a nurse in the first place, because it will all feel overwhelming at first. You got this! Brett and I also play “Favorite and Least Favorite”, from jobs, to classes in school, and I even reveal a big change to my coffee choices during the game! To close out we read shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners. Tickets for my comedy show are on sale NOW! https:/nurseblake.com/ Become a member of NurseCon, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING Thanks for listening!

Before I get started, I wanted to address the loss of Nurse Ebi last week. He was the creator of @nurselifern on Instagram, host of the Nurse Speak podcast, and overall an incredible nurse and advocate. You will be missed! We made it to 20 episodes! I’m smiling through the pain from my dentist appointment, which I get into to start the episode. Then I talk about my favorite thing this week, which is Buzz Balls! No it’s not a toy- it’s an adult beverage in the shape of a ball! Please drink responsibly. #HotNurseSummer I’ve also added 9 new shows to my PTO Comedy Tour! Get your tickets before they’re gone. This week, I am discussing the best and worst parts of nursing. I start with the best parts of nursing, like the ability to care for others, job security, diverse opportunities, and more! There are so many reasons why nursing is a great career choice. Of course, there are some negatives. I go through some of the worst parts- including working overtime, exposure to germs and viruses, and high stress environments. To me, the pros outweigh the cons, but don’t jump into the profession because it pays well. Choose nursing if it’s right for you! I also quiz Brett with some basic nursing questions since he’s “basically” a nurse now. Then, I do my first installment of my new “Dear Blake” segment, where I answer questions you all submitted! To close out we read shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners. Tickets for my comedy tour are on sale now! https:/nurseblake.com/ Become a member of NurseCon, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING Thanks for listening!

How realistic are medical TV shows? If you work in healthcare, you know some shows totally get it wrong! This week is all about medical tv shows and my perspective as a nurse. To start, I’m sharing my favorite thing this week- the MealTime app! It’s helping me use more seasonings than salt and pepper. Unfortunately my first meal didn’t go over so well with Brett’s stomach. Then, I dive into some of the most popular medical tv shows over the years. I’m sharing which nursing show I think is a total flop, and I’m quizzing my husband on the accuracy of popular shows based on the responses from doctors and nurses. I go in depth on Nurse Jackie and the reactions from real healthcare workers. Some people think the show negatively impacted the public perception of nurses. Did the show portray nurses in a bad light? Does the general public’s opinion on nurses really matter? I’m being candid about my thoughts. Shoutout to Nurse Bokhee for being featured in all 17 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy! This was a really fun episode and I hope you all enjoy it. To close out we read shoutouts submitted on my website nurseblake.com/podcast. Each week we will take on a new nursing topic and bring up questions and stories submitted by our listeners. I’M GOING ON TOUR! TICKETS ON SALE NOW  https://www.nurseblake.com/ Become a member of NurseCon, the ultimate nursing organization! https://www.nursecon.com/ SUPPORT THE PODCAST BY SUBSCRIBING Thanks for listening! Referenced articles: https://nursingeducation.org/25-best-tv-shows/ https://www.insider.com/experts-reveal-the-least-and-most-accurate-medical-shows-2019-12 http://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/Columns/Ethics/Nurse-Jackie.html