What a time to be a nurse! You can have entire textbooks digitally compressed into the palm of your hand! There are several apps I use frequently- UpToDate, Figure 1, Sound Builder by Littman, and NurseGrid.

UpToDate provides the latest in evidence-based practice relating to all aspects of patient care- from medications to nursing interventions. It breaks down information by specialty and has a section for patient education. It’s very nifty. UpToDate even has a section that shows the very latest publications in evidence-based studies, giving you access to breakthroughs in medicine.

Figure 1 is like Instagram for health care professionals. Medical professionals from all over the world post anonymous (patient identifiers removed) photos of various cases. Followers are able to comment on the posts, creating a unique learning opportunity. This app is also sorted by specialty. I have mine set to show photos tagged with “critical care”, allowing me to test my clinical skills. For example, I can see an EKG strip, identify the rhythm, name the interventions needed, and then look to see if others agreed with that diagnosis and intervention. It’s really cool!

Sound Builder by Littman is a tool that allows you to hear all of the different types of heart murmurs. I wish I had access to this during nursing school because you rarely hear every type of murmur in clinicals and this gives you every type!

NurseGrid is an app that helps you manage your schedule. You can mark the days you work, mark days you are available to work, education days, meetings, and message coworkers (who are also on the app) to see if they can switch shifts. My favorite part of this app is that all of the scheduled shifts import into your calendar. It’s really convenient.

Technology has really given us some cool tools to use as nurses. These apps have really helped me- maybe they’ll do the same for you!

Kate Best is 2015 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing. 

Dear Kate,

Hey, it’s me, future Kate. I’m living in Columbus in a tiny apartment with two cats. Yes, cats. You were always a dog person! I also found a way to deal with our terrible fear of heights because I go rock climbing frequently.  I’m finishing up my second year as an RN in the ICU float pool and I just passed my CCRN critical care certification exam. Can’t believe it? It took a lot of work to get here. Looking back,  there are some things I want to share with you.

So, you’re a sophomore in college and just starting your first year in the nursing program. I know freshman year was crazy hard. It was your first year away from home, you struggled to adjust to the big city, and you had an impossible schedule of classes. Your hard work paid off and you’re now in the nursing program! Congrats!

I know it feels like you’re in the clear because you made it into the program, but it only gets harder. Don’t let that discourage you- you have all of the friends you made freshman year and a whole bunch of nursing professors to help you along the way. Your classes will be difficult, but just remember- these are things you’re actually going to use. They’re relevant to your career. All of the new skills that seem so intimidating at first (head to toe assessment, PEG tubes, dressing changes, catheters) will become part of your daily routine. It gets much less scary with time. Once you get those skills down, you’ll start on newer, harder ones- PA Catheters, chest tubes, and cardiac drips. Don’t worry- you’re never alone. There are so many seasoned nurses around you to help you.

There are going to be hard times.  You’re going to staunch bleeding and wipe tears. You will see traumatic, terrible things happen to people and work to fix them. How do you get through all of this- why would you want to put yourself through this?  Just remind yourself- if you can give comfort to help someone having the worst day of their life, it’s worth it. If you can hold someone’s hand so they know they’re not alone, it’s worth it.

There will also be great times. You’re going to see patients heal with a new lease on life. You’ll feel joy when your lung transplant wants to walk 15 laps around the unit. You’ll wipe away tears of happiness when a young trauma patient starts giving you thumbs ups when she previously couldn’t move at all. You’ll have so many great conversations with patients and their families and learn all of their stories.

So, yeah, we’ve accomplished a lot in five years. You had a lot of help and support to get here. You’ll gain so many friends- your coworkers will become a second family. You’re going to have a spectacular manager who fosters your inquisitive nature, working with your awesome educator to find you additional educational opportunities. Finally, you’re going to be happy. That depression that always lingered around you in college will break up and dissipate. Every patient helped, every small difference you can make to improve someone else’s day gives your life meaning. You’ve found your happiness.

Kate Best is 2015 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing. 

Have a question for your bloggers? Share your thoughts below!

I have struggled with stress for as long as I can remember. As many know, nursing school can be extremely stressful. When I accepted my job as an ICU RN, I became stressed about how stressed I imagined I would be. Thankfully, I’ve found several methods of calming myself and coping with this stress to maintain wellness.

Although I was eager to get involved in my new career, I was careful not to overbook myself. The first year of practicing nursing is very stressful and full of extra classes and meetings, so I waited to join unit committees and such until I had my feet on the ground and could handle the extra time commitment. Second, I began reflecting on my day each night before sleep. I think about my day- what I’m thankful for, what went well, and what I can improve on. This helps me be more mindful of myself. I also ensure that I keep time for myself. This can mean a lot of things- going to the climbing gym with friends, planning a hiking trip, or even a Netflix binge. When I have free time, I try to do stress-relieving activities to combat workplace stress.

Healthcare is a field full of stress. When I find myself in the middle of a particularly stressful situation, I always take time to breathe. I take deep breaths with my belly while focusing on the problem at hand. I’ve been incredibly lucky in that my coworkers and I are firm believers in teamwork, so when one of us has a busy and stressful day, there is no hesitation for others to come in and help. Remember your support systems- your coworkers, your family, your friends, and in my case, my cats.

Kate Best is 2015 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing. 

With graduation right around the corner, I started applying to jobs over Winter break senior year. I slaved over my nursing portfolio to include all of my clinical skills, certifications (Basic Life Support and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale), and updated resume. I was unsure of which area of nursing interested me most. I had thoroughly enjoyed my psych and postpartum clinicals, and yet I knew I should get a solid background in technical skills before going into either specialty. I then reflected on my past education experiences and realized that I learn best by diving in. I decided critical care would be an optimal field to immerse myself in to gain skills and experience. Evidence-based practice was also key. I wanted to be using the most cutting-edge and effective interventions to care for my patients.

I did immense research into Ohio’s top hospitals’ professional practice models (PPM), which identify the hospital’s mission statement and values. I starred hospitals whose PPMs included evidence-based practice, patient safety, and synergy. I started applying to positions at the top teaching hospitals in Ohio, especially the ones offering critical care fellowships and internships to ease new grads into the practice. I interviewed for critical care new grad residency programs at both Riverside and Cleveland Clinic. During interviews, I took advantage of the opportunity managers gave me to ask them questions. I’d ask what their newest evidence-based practice initiatives were, what their patient satisfaction scores were, what their new-grad retention rate was, and most importantly- what resources would they have for me as a new grad?

I knew that The Wexner Medical Center placed all new graduate nurses into a residency program, but was not aware of any programs specific to critical care. I did interview for several Medical/Surgical RN positions at an interview fair (similar to speed dating) at Wexner Medical Center because I was familiar with the hospital from my PCA/SNA (nurse’s aide) job. In addition, I liked that Wexner Medical Center was unionized and had excellent retirement and professional development benefits.

During this process, I met with my PCA/SNA manager, seeking advice and tactics for interviews. When I expressed my interest in critical care, she mentioned that she had been developing a program to introduce new grads to the ICU Float Pool. My interest was peaked, and I submitted an application and interviewed for the position. Shortly after walking the field for my graduation, I received news that I had been offered jobs at both Cleveland Clinic and Wexner Medical Center, including the pilot New Grad ICU Float position. I eagerly accepted the ICU Float position at OSU Wexner Medcial Center and have never regretted it.

Kate Best is 2015 graduate of The Ohio State University College of Nursing. 

In the weeks leading up to graduation, I was very busy planning my post-graduate life. I applied to several different positions, arranged many interviews, and signed up to take the NCLEX at the earliest possible time. I met with my PCA/SNA (Patient Care Associate/Student Nurse Associate) manager to discuss interview tactics and was offered an interview for a position in the ICU Float Pool, the position I would eventually accept. Every new grad at OSU is placed in the residency program, which is a great resource. It meets monthly and allows time to speak with other new grads and discuss different topics relevant to healthcare.

I am currently entering into my second year as an RN and have several goals, some of which I’ve already met. I’m currently a ULC (Unit Leadership Council) member, organizing education, fundraising, and social events for my unit. In addition, I’m helping to educate and precept new staff. I’m studying for my CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse) exam, which provides additional certification in critical care.

I think it’s important to have a plan or a list of goals you’re hoping to accomplish. It’s okay if your plan changes frequently because you will change in the course of your career. Stay true to your values and have faith in yourself and your abilities.

Hey there! My name is Kate Best. I’m currently working as an ICU RN. I grew up in the small city of Chardon, Ohio, but came to Columbus for college. I graduated from The Ohio State University College of Nursing in May 2015.

Throughout primary school, I was a huge science nerd. I competed in Science Olympiad, which gave me and introduction to anatomy and physiology. When I was in middle school, my sister was hit by a car and life-flighted to a trauma center. The nurses’ critical role in her recovery inspired me to become a nurse.

The best advice I’ve ever received came from my father, as he quoted my German great-grandmother, who died before I was born- “gutes tun”. It means “do good” in German. Each day, I try to do good things for others, slowly making a difference.

In my spare time, I enjoy outdoor pursuits- hiking, trail running, and rock climbing. I can be found at the bottom of the rock wall with an extensive first aid kit, complete with oral airways and a c-collar to alleviate my irrational fears of someone falling and needing full trauma triage. Regardless of how stressful a shift or how tiring a hiking trip, I am lucky to come home to two of the cuddliest cats in existence. I’ll totally admit to being a cat lady.

I really enjoy working with students, so I’m really excited about this blog. I’m looking forward to hearing what my fellow alumni are up to as well!