Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Did you know that first year nurses experience the highest turnover of any group?
That reality is staggering, but it also tells us something important.
You are not alone and your growth matters.
Welcome to the All One Nurse Podcast where we are bridging the gap between the stethoscope and the soul through real nursing stories and nursing conversations.
Here our mission is simple to get back to the human side of healthcare.
I'm your host, Nurse Chanel Tompkins and I'm also your mentor and nurse educator. And this space was created just for you to breathe, to learn, to grow, and most importantly, feel supported no matter where you are in your nursing journey.
So take a deep breath and let's step into your next breakthrough.
[00:01:03] Speaker B: Did you know that the NCLEX is changing on April 1st of 2026, but not in the dramatic way many people think.
According to The NCLEX Guide 2026 update, the new test plan is a refinement, not a full overhaul and the NGM format is not going anywhere. The biggest updates are actually in the language and the expectations.
Terms like safety and infection control are becoming safety and infection prevention and control and substance abuse is shifting to substance misuse to reflect modern patient centered practice. The NCSBN is also adding new activity statements emphasizing ethical, unbiased and equitable care which will show up in their case studies and clinical judgment items.
What's not changing? The content structure, the major client needs categories and the clinical judgment format which will all remain the same.
Now the exam is still designed to measure whether you can think and act like an entry level nurse. Let NCLEX lady know that you are safe. So if you're preparing for the NCLEX now, you don't need to start over. You just need to stay informed and stay grounded. And I am going to drop the link to the test plan down in the show notes below so you can check it out for yourself.
But hey you. Welcome Back to the All1Nurse podcast where we get back to the human side of healthcare and remind every new nurse within 18 months of their nursing career that you matter. And today's episode is especially for the nurse who's in that in between space. Like you've passed boards or you're trying to, you're starting orientation or you're waiting for it to you're working full 12 hour shifts while still trying to meet deadlines and you're wondering how do I hold it all together?
Well, guess what? I see you, I've been you and I want to speak directly to your heart. Today I'm going to cover four topics in today's episode 1 what the pre orientation phase really feels like. Number 2 how to navigate working full 12 hour shifts while prepping for boards 3. Why your character matters more than your credentials and 4 of course, I gotta leave you with some words of encouragement from Scripture for this exact season that you may be finding yourself in. And be sure to listen for two episodes that you would need to go back and listen to with NCLEX tutors who get it.
Now I'm diving right into number one. Oh, before I do that, go ahead and click that subscribe button if you are new here so that we can let others know that this awesome podcast exists to reach nurses who are within two years basically of your nursing career. And we do this also by telling nursing stories of other awesome nurses who get on this platform and talk about their own personal journey, their challenges, their motivations coming through nursing school as well as their career. And they talk about patient perspective and their expertise.
So this space is definitely for many.
But I do target my new nurses because you are my next generation of healthcare providers and I want you to have the support that I see is lacking in today's era. Okay, now getting right into number one. The pre orientation phase is real. Nobody talks about this enough.
That weird space between getting hired right at or soon after graduation and getting your actual licensure. Maybe you've been an intern or an extern or new to the hospital setting like I was back in 2011.
Either way, you still have to apply for that licensed position.
And what I have found with today's transition is that you are onboarding for your new position, perhaps with a temporary license by your state's Board of Nursing.
Once you meet the specific requirements of course, like having your authorization to test, AKA att.
And you're also attempting to study for nclex and working 12 hour shifts three days a week on someone else's work schedule, aka your preceptor. Now the catch is if you can wait to take the RN position and focus on boards, then it would eliminate a lot of pressure and anxiety, or may eliminate a lot of pressure and anxiety. However, you also don't wanna miss out on the opportunity to start in the nursing role.
That feels quickly because you're graduating along with hundreds of other nurses or nursing grads in your area.
Now, if you are already an intern, you would have to discuss your options with your manager and your staff development specialist at your entity. And if you already occupy a position at the hospital, whether you're a secretary or another hospital position. Then simply ask if you could keep it until you pass boards. And then there's the. You do the typical and expected route and you tackle orientation boards and 12 hours all at once. I did and guess what? I did just fine. And many others do fine as well.
However, I was offered a test prep prior to graduation or near graduation and I scheduled my study time and stuck to it. For me, it helps to alleviate, alleviate my anxiety if I say that I'm going to do XYZ and I actually stick to it. Like these days, these off days, I'm going to study for this many hours and I'm going to go over these pages or these topics and I actually stick to it. Then for me, I knew that I'd done at least I've done what I said I was going to do. And the rest is up to God.
So you're showing up, you're clocking in, but you're still waiting for full clearance, full confidence and full identity. And let me tell you, give yourself grace, but lock in.
Think about quality over quantity when it comes to your study time. If you're still preparing for nclex and don't be afraid to ask questions. What I found is some interns or nursing grads, they try to figure it out on their own. I even had one that thought that she was fired because she didn't pass boards. You are bombarded with a lot of information when you're onboarding into that nursing position.
So be sure to just ask the questions. Ask the questions because you will probably find out or get some advice that will help you with the options that you may need to take. Okay, now jumping right into working full shifts while prepping for boards. Some of you are working while trying to meet your board deadlines. And that may not just be hard for you, it may be exhausting. 12 hours is a long time, especially if you're not. If you're not used to it, right? And so here's what I want you to remember. You don't have to be perfect, you just have to be present. Use your shifts as study time. And what I mean by that. No, do not bring out your iPad and your. Your books and study at the desk. No, that's actually frowned upon. And that's why I tell you to schedule your actual study time for NCLEX outside of work, unless it's during your lunch or something like that.
But while at work, still observe, ask questions, take notes, and remember that it's a lot of information.
A lot of information.
Want to know?
Keep your head on a swivel and want to know why you're doing what you're doing, why the nurse is doing what they're doing and just be in tuned and then remember that rest is part of preparation.
I cannot say this enough.
Rest is part of preparation.
Don't neglect it.
If you need help, go back and listen to which I'll be talking about preparation in my faith intermission note that is coming up. But if you need help, I encourage you to go back and listen to two episodes. One with Bria Burley, the RN prep bestie, and another all one nurse episode with Susanna Valdez, the NCLEX tutor. And they both give you some good words of wisdom and they break down how to study smart and not just hard. And you can follow them on social media as well.
Getting right into our faith Intermission Note Preparation is a form of worship. Before you walk into a patient room, before you clock in for your first shift, before you take boards or start orientation, prepare not just with books and binders, but with prayer. Prayer with quiet time, with intentional surrender. Because preparation isn't just practical, it's spiritual.
And Proverbs 21:31 says that the horse is prepared or made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord. Amen. So God honors preparation.
He meets you in the margin, he strengthens you in the stillness. And know that preparation also brings peace. Like I told you, when I studied, it helped decrease anxiety and pressure. So when you prepare with Jesus, you walk into chaos with calm, you face deadlines with grace, and you endure long shifts with quiet strength.
Isaiah 26:3 reminds us that the Lord will keep us in perfect peace. Those who mind are steadfast because they trust in him.
And so know that preparation isn't about control. It's about trust. It's about saying, lord, I've done my part, now I trust you to do yours.
So let's recap.
We've talked about what the pre orientation phase really looks like and how to navigate working full shifts while prepping for boards. And now let's talk about number three. Letting your character go before you.
So before your badge says rn, before your charting gets faster, before your confidence kicks in, let your character speak first.
I cannot say this enough. What does that look like? Chanel? Show up early.
Ask good questions. Be kind to the texts, the CNAs, the patients, your peers, and own your mistakes.
And stay teachable.
As an educator, I'm still teachable. I'm still trainable. Y' all teach me things or you teach me things. And just know, you know, ask the question. What do I want people to say about me in my absence? Because nursing, even though we are many, we is still a small community, especially in your area.
It's not hard for a specialist or a, a leader to reach out to another leader at another entity to ask, do you know this nurse? I'm just being honest. And how awesome is it when they say, oh, that is, She's a really good worker, she's very professional, she's really kind, she takes really good care of her patients.
Versus she's rude, she's nasty, she doesn't show up on time, she had a lot of call ins. Like, let's just be honest. Good character. Good character goes a long way.
Proverbs 20, 22, 21, I mean, Proverbs, excuse me, Proverbs 22, verse one says that a good name is more desirable than great riches. To be esteemed is better than silver or gold.
So that says a lot about good character, right?
So let your character go before you again. What will others say about you in your absence?
Because nursing again is a small world.
So always do the inner work, see yourself, always aim to be the best version of yourself and go for it. Because as you grow professionally, you also want to grow personally. And this is me talking to myself as well.
I promise you, these last couple of years while still in my 30s, I have seen myself grow so much. And you're not going to be the same person that you were. Or if you look at yourself now, you're not the same person that you were when you first started nursing school.
You know a lot more, you've endured a lot more, built some resilience and some confidence to get through that program. And guess what? You're going to do the same thing within this first year of nursing and going forward. Now, finally the last topic, words of encouragement. Let preparation speak before you do.
Let your character go before your credentials, let your prayer life go before your practice, and let your time in the word of God go before your time on the floor in that hospital, in that clinical setting. And James 5, verse 16 tells us that the prayers of the righteous avails much.
The prayers of the righteous avails much. Not because you're flawless, but because you're faithful and because you've set yourself apart and not above. Because again, we're not above anyone. But as children of God, we're set apart. And my final reminder for you is that I'm totally convinced that God is real. I'm totally convinced that and fully convinced that he sees you and I urge you to take him at his word.
Prepare with him, prepare with him, walk with him and let your preparation be a form of worship. And when it feels like it's too heavy, remember the prayers of the righteous avails much. And not because you're perfect, but because you're covered. Because, and not only.
And it's also because you're covered. Covered by the blood. You're covered by the blood, his grace, and by God who sees you for who you are and not as you wish you all to be, like you were wonderfully created. So reminder you will keep, he will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in Him. So keep trusting, keep praying, keep showing up and shame off you when it comes to your professional development and personal growth. Because I'm not the same person again that I was yesteryear.
I know that's not a word, but I promise you, stay doing the work, stay betting on you. And when trouble comes, keep looking for him, meaning God. Because he's there. He's in the right people in the right places for the right things to happen. And take him at his word again.
Now before we close, I wanna remind you that all one nurse is a space where you never have to walk this journey alone. Every other week we sit down with nurses from all backgrounds or you may have a solo episode with me sharing the guest speakers journeys and their perspectives, their expertise, their and the lessons they've learned along the way so you can hear real stories that remind you that you belong, you're growing and you're not the only one navigating this path. And if this episode speaks to you or spoke to you, share it with other nurses in the pre orientation phase. Be sure to subscribe, rate the show and go back to those episodes with Bria and Susanna Valdez because they're packed with wisdom.
And don't forget, I am adding the link to the NCLEX test prep in the description below, which goes into effect April 2026. So that's like less than a month from now. And be sure to download the starter kit if you haven't already. It's free. And be on the lookout for more amazing guest speakers. It just may be a newer nurse like yourself. And that starter kit is coming soon now. Until next time, let your light shine.
