The nursing landscape is constantly evolving, and the journey of a nurse is one of continuous learning and growth. Nurses are at the forefront of patient care, and they are often the first person the patient interacts with.

The Kaleidoscope Coaching and Consulting with Andi Clark programs are designed to empower nurses at all stages of their careers to develop the mindset, confidence and creativity to adapt, embrace change and lead with purpose and passion in today’s dynamic healthcare environment.

I often talk about how nurses who are curious can lead the way to innovation and improving patient care. Nursing turnover, which includes DONs, is at the forefront of workforce conversations, and it makes me curious to learn about the reasons for these high turnover rates.

Discover how becoming a more authentic nurse leader can strengthen the resilience and confidence of nurses on your team while elevating patient care.

Discover how nurse leaders are embracing the shift toward patient-centered care—an approach that focuses on the patient’s individual needs and preferences.

When patients and their families are facing the last days, weeks or months of life, it takes a special kind of nurse to step in and walk alongside them—not only with medical expertise, but with compassionate care and a calming presence.

As we approach National Nurses Week in May, I cannot help but reflect on how my mother inspired me to enter the nursing profession.  I grew up watching my mother work long hours, weekends, and holidays.

Time management is a critical skill for you to develop as a nurse who juggles multiple responsibilities in fast-paced, unpredictable environments. Taking a structured approach can reduce stress and improve efficiency, helping you to provide the highest level of patient care while maintaining work-life balance.

As you know, nursing is one of the most rewarding careers, but it is also one of the most demanding. Long shifts, high patient loads, and emotionally-charged and stressful situations can all take a toll on your well-being and your ability to perform your job at the highest level.

Nurses and openheartedness go hand in hand. Nurses embody care, compassion, dedication, and always provide comfort and support to those in need. The openheartedness of nurses plays a critical role in the healing process, providing both physical and emotional comfort to those in need.

Three days before Thanksgiving this year I would NOT have been able to raise my hand if asked that question. I thought I was too busy to make time for self-care. When I began feeling tired and had heart palpitations, I chalked it up to getting older. When I felt dehydrated, I just drank a little more water.

Having been a post-acute nurse for many years, I’ve seen firsthand how nurses’ leadership skills are critical to optimizing patient care and developing a cooperative team environment. These leadership skills are important for every nurse to develop.

It’s easy to forget ourselves when the needs of our patients become our primary focus. The incredible dedication that defines our profession compels us to pour our hearts, hands and souls into caring for others, sometimes at the expense of our well-being.

I’ve been there—feeling overwhelmed by the demands of nursing, emotionally drained after a long shift, wondering how much more I can give. Caring for others can be heavy, and I thought I had to carry it alone for a long time.

In my years as a nurse and later as a nurse leader, my journey has been filled with excitement, challenges and countless moments of curiosity that led to growth.

Feeling overwhelmed by the countless experiences and emotions that come with being a nurse is not uncommon.

As an experienced nurse, I have seen the profound impact of dedicated and compassionate nursing on patients' lives.

We know that being a nurse demands adaptability, critical thinking, and a continuous learning approach. I believe we also need to embrace curiosity.

Passion is defined by Miriam Webster “as a strong and barely controllable emotion or a strong desire. Having passion for what you do gives you a sincere reason and innermost meaning to do that which you do and keep at it and gain full mastery”.

When I was a nursing student, I sadly didn't pay much attention to Florence Nightingale, the founder of the nursing profession and the woman known as "The Lady with the Lamp."