Megan Weaver Culbertson, BSN, RN | Peace Love Nursing

Preparing for Senior Practicum

It’s that time of year where I know many nursing students are preparing to begin their senior practicum. At my nursing school this is when we were assigned a nurse and worked their shifts with them for 3 full weeks. You can read about my experience on labor and delivery for my senior practicum. I wanted to give some general tips that could help you no matter what unit you are on.

Pandemic Nursing School

First off, take a deep breath! You have made it to the end! This is likely your last clinical experience as a nursing student, congrats! I know things have been difficult being a nursing student during the pandemic- but I am here to tell you that we all felt unprepared when we went to practicum and when we started our first jobs. No matter how many clinical, sim labs, or classes we attended- nothing truly prepares you for being a nurse. You are going to be just fine. You can still be an amazing nurse despite lack of clinical time, online classes, missed sim labs-whatever it may be.

Practicum Placement

There is always a lot of talk that the only way to get a certain specialty or job is through practicum placement, but that’s simply not true. Do not stress about where you have practicum. Yes it’s a great experience and I’m so thankful I got labor and delivery for mine but it is a short amount time and one experience. You can still get into a specialty or unit or whatever you want no matter where you did practicum. And your nursing career is a lot of time. Years. There is way more to it than the new graduate days. I follow a nurse who after 10 years just got her first hospital job and her first job on labor & delivery. If you don’t get the dream job right away- you have time. You can read here about not getting the dream job.

Nursing School Clinical

Practicum Tips:

Be early. Just do it.
Take initiative. If you hear of an interesting case or procedure, ask if you can observe/assist.
Review medications/diagnosis/procedures you may see on your unit. For instance, BP meds, cholesterol meds, insulin, and pain meds for a med/surg unit.
Ask questions. This is your last time as a student, learn what you can!
Pack plenty of food. Sometimes you don’t have time to make it to a vending machine or cafeteria. And a 12 hour shift (even 8 hours) is looooong. You don’t want to be low on snacks or hydration.
Bring a jacket. Even if you are cold natured. The hospital is freezing. And if you’re working night shift, it’s even colder.
Help the CNAs when you can, but remember you are there to learn nursing skills and the role of a nurse. Let the CNAs know what you will be doing. If they are rude, take it with a grain of salt and move on.
Same goes for rude nurses. Sometimes nurses are overworked, understaffed, and can be not kind. This isn’t okay, but nurses are humans. Again, take it with a grain of salt. (Of course, if you are experiencing lateral violence- report it.)
Enjoy knowing you made it to your last clinical and you are months away from being a nurse! Even if practicum isn’t where or what you wanted, try to take in the moment and enjoy what you can.

It’s okay if you don’t love clinical

I’m going to be honest for a second. I did not enjoy many of my clinical. They was a lot of awkwardly waiting around and reviewing charts. 8 students trying to use one vital sign machine. Nurses and CNAs who didn’t want to be bothered with me. Some clinical experiences were absolutely amazing, but a lot were not. There were times I wondered if I made a mistake going to nursing school. But, I went on to love nursing. I am a caring and competent nurse. I have even precept (train) new graduate nurses and nursing students. Nursing is so different than clinical. It is also broad and has so many different opportunities, you can find something you love.

Good luck on your practicum! Graduation is just around the corner! Please reach out if you have any questions or just need some encouragement! I love connecting with nursing students and new grad nurses!

Blog Post for Senior Nursing Students:

NCLEX 101: How to pass your NCLEX and earn your credentials

My NCLEX Test Day Experience

History and Meaning Behind the Pinning Ceremony

International Women’s Day 2022

Happy International Women’s Day to all the strong, caring, intelligent, amazing women of the world!

International Women’s Day is an international holiday celebrated on March 8 to commemorate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women. Nurses are the largest health care profession in the world and 90% of nurses are women. Empowering nurses is empowering women. I want to thank everyone woman who has fought the patriarchy to not only pave the way for themselves but every other woman who will follow in her footsteps. Let’s use this as a day to remember to lift all women’s voices. LGBTQA women. BIPOC women. Lower socioeconomic status women. To support all women. And to pave the way for generations of women to come.

Healing Journey- Starting Therapy

If you read my post in December, you know I am taking some time away from nursing. What started as a 2 month break is now going onto month four. I struggled with my mental health the past 2 years working Covid, but it got exponentially worse during the Delta wave. I decided to step away from nursing to work on my mental health. I was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. I started taking medication. And in January, I made my next step in recovery, I started therapy.

The idea of having to talk about everything I had been through and feeling was honestly overwhelming, but I knew it was a necessary part of healing and moving on. I am so thankful I found the right therapist the first time. Know this doesn’t always happen and if therapy doesn’t feel right at first, it’s okay to try other therapist until it does. My therapist really is amazing and I really feel she is a great match for me. Once I got through the first session, I felt such a relief at the fact I finally had reached out for help, and that this was going to be a space of comfort and healing. I still get anxious before more sessions, but that goes away once we start.

You don’t have to have a mental health diagnosis to go to therapy. You don’t have to be in crisis to go to therapy. I think everyone can benefit from therapy in their lives. And maybe you don’t need weekly therapy like me, maybe monthly therapy would be best for you. There is also many different types of therapy and modalities. It’s one of the amazing things about therapy, you can find what is right for you. Therapy can help you process trauma or grief but it can also do so much more than that. It can help improve communication skills, decision making skills, relationships, and increase your confidence.

I am very aware of my privilege to have health insurance and the money to go to therapy. I am very thankful I am able to get the help I need. encourage everyone to consider therapy after the year we have, but especially healthcare workers. I am honestly so disappointed with how the Health Care System has taken care of healthcare workers during this time of trauma. I feel we should be actively encouraging people to get help and even have therapist on staff just for the hospital staff. There is various options for therapy and paying for therapy. If you need help, contact me, I am happy to help you find resources if and where I can.

If you would like to join a support group for nurses I am facilitating, I would love to have you! This is for any nurse- LPN, RN, NP, or CRNA, in any specialty, that is looking for a place of support and community. Check out my Nurses Supporting Nurses: Support Group blog post to learn more and sign up.

Debriefing the Front Lines

Debriefing the Front Lines is also an amazing non-profit that offers debriefings & psychological first aid to nurses of all specialties. Tara, the nurse who started the non-profit is amazing and I know this wonderful organization does so much for nurses.

Behind the Blog: Meet Megan

Happy Friday! I have gained some new friends around the blog and on social media so I thought I would do a little reintroduction.

Working the Covid Unit in Arlington, VA.

Hi, I’m Megan. I’m a Registered Nurse. I worked as a CNA in nursing school in both skilled nursing facilities and home health. I was an LPN for four years and worked in a Skilled Nursing Facility on the sub acute rehab unit as well as the long term units. I have been an RN for 5 years. I worked as a staff nurse on a cardiovascular telemetry floor for 3 years and was a preceptor for new graduate nurses. I then left my staff job and have been a travel nurse for the past 2 years. I have taken contracts in Arlington, VA (just outside of Washington D.C.) and Cocoa Beach, Florida. As a travel nurse I have worked float pool, cardiac PCU, and lots of covid.

Our wedding- and handsome dog of honor, Southpaw

My husband is a web developer and owns his own full digital marketing business, Hyped Up Studios so he works from home. We have been married for over 2 years and together for 9 years! When we decided to travel, we downsized to something we could take with us wherever we went. We now live in a 35 foot RV and love it! The tiny life isn’t for everyone, but it is for us. We have one fur baby in heaven- our dog Southpaw, and two earthside fur babies- our dog, Declan and cat, Annabelle. They both travel with us!

Our RV/Tiny Home on Wheels

Annabelle & Declan

When I am in better health (currently dealing with long haul Covid symptoms) some of my hobbies include hiking, camping, kayaking, trying out new restaurants, breweries, or wineries, and enjoying time with my family and friends.

Camping in Shenandoah National Park

Thanks for supporting the blog and being here- I really appreciate it! Tell me something about yourself below so I can get to know you! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

PLN’s 100th Blog Post!

Today we are celebrating Peace Love Nursing 100th Blog Post!

It’s hard to believe I have had this blog for 5 years and today is my 100th blog post! Five years ago, I was a nursing student & LPN and loved reading blogs from all different types of people. I love writing and wanted to share my own thoughts and experiences through a blog. Through the support of my husband, friends, and family Peace Love Nursing was created. It’s scary to put your thoughts out into the world, but also so rewarding. My little corner of the internet has given me the opportunity to connect with some amazing people and has provided a lot of personal growth.

Lets look at few blog post from the past:

Hello World!

Ahh, my first blog post. This will always hold a special place in my heart. It was short, sweet, and to the point- but it was such a big step for someone who is very shy and anxious!

OB Clinical Rotation

This is by far my most popular blog post- with over 7,800 views! I loved my OB clinical and really enjoyed writing a detailed post about the difference areas of OB clinical and how to prepare.

Stepping Away from Nursing

This was one my most vulnerable blogs I have ever read but one I am proud of for putting into the world. I shared my mental health struggles through the Delta wave and my decision to step away from nursing.

Nurses Supporting Nurses: Support Group

This is another point of pride for me. Through the encouragement of my family and friends I have created a Support Group for nurses that will start in March. I’m hoping to help my fellow nurses gain some community and support.

I want to sincerely thank everyone who has ever taken the time to read a post, share a post, comment on a post, or encourage me on this journey. I really cannot put in to words how much it means to me. Thank you.

Nurses Supporting Nurses: Support Group

I am excited to share that I will be facilitating a peer support group for nurses! The past 3 plus years have been tough. We all have gone through hard times- both personally and professionally. I have been feeling a pull to find a way to help support my fellow nurses. To give them a place to be heard and find community. Healthcare in general has failed to support nurses and all healthcare workers mental health during this time. This is my small attempt to reach and help at least one person. This support group is open to any nurse, CNA, or nursing student- LPN, RN, NP, PhD, CRNA in any field of nursing.

Support Group Sessions

Our sessions will meet every Wednesday at 8pm EST. We will meet on Google Meet- so you will need to create a google account to join (this is easy and free!) I will send you an email with the code for our meeting room before each session. During the session, the floor will be open to discuss anything the group wants. We can choose a topic, or simply share our stories and what is on our hearts. This group will be a space to find community amongst fellow nurses.

To Join The Nurses Supporting Nurses Support Group, please fill out the form below! You will receive a Welcome Email with more information soon!

If you are not ready to join- please subscribe to the blog at the bottom of the page to receive updates

I hope you will be able to join us for this support group. I think it will be helpful for all of us to have a place to go for community and support. If you have any questions, please do not hesistate to send me an email at megan@nursessupportingnurses.com. Also, please follow me on Instagram for more information on our support group and other self care and mental health resources.

Disclaimer: This is not intended to replace any type of professional mental health or psychiatric care. I am not a mental health professional. I am a Registered Nurse and this group is meant to be a supportive environment to connect with other nurses. If you have any suicidal, homicidal, or self harm ideation- please contact 911.

Self Care Wednesday: Read a Book or a Blog

Happy Hump Day! Today’s self care activity is to read a book or a blog. I encourage you to read whatever makes you happy, but I am also going to share some blog post for you to enjoy. Feel free to add a nice cup of coffee, tea, or wine to further enhance your self care!

Travel Nursing

My First Travel Nurse Contract: My thoughts and experiences

Travel Nurse Contract #2: Washington, D.C.

Tiny/RV Living

Culbertson’s Go Tiny

Nursing School

NCLEX 101: How to pass your NCLEX and earn your credentials

Q&A: RN to BSN program

Nursing

When you don’t get the “dream job”

Lifestyle

Our Engagement Story

Valentine’s Self Care Week

I hope you were able to find something you were interested in to read! What are some blog or book recommendations you have?

Virtual Valentine 2022

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I Love Nurses

It wouldn’t be Valentine’s Day on Peace Love Nursing if I didn’t talk about my love for nurses or nursing. While I still do love nursing, given me still being away from my profession, I decided to talk about my love for nurses today.

Nurses are the best. They are kind, intelligent, bad ass life savers. I may be bias, but they will forever hold a special place in my heart. Nurses I have worked with have helped me through some of the best and worst times of my life- both professionally and personally.

Thank you- CNAs, Nurses (LPN, RN) and NPs, Phds, & CRNAs for all the amazing things you do with your patients and your coworkers. The work you do is so important. You are so important. And you are so much more than your title and profession. You deserve love and happiness.

Self Care Week

A reminder, that this week is self care week in honor of Valentine’s Day! You can find my full blog post here, but I would love for you to join us in being mindful about taking a few minutes out of each day to take care of ourself and do something that makes us happy. Check out my blog post for more information! You can follow me along on this self care week and share yours by joining me on Instagram.

Thank You, Thank You

Thank you all for being here and the love you have shown me over the past five years! I can’t tell you how it means to me when anyone takes the time to read my blog post. I hope this Valentine’s Day you know you are worthy of love and happiness.

Xoxo,

Megan

Valentine’s Self Care Week

Hello! Happy Saturday! I hope everyone had a good week. Let’s be honest, I say it a lot, but the past two years has been difficult for all of us. So much change and unknown in our daily life. Self care is a very easy thing to put on the back burner. In honor of the day of love (Valentine’s Day) I am hosting a self care week and I would like for everyone to join me! Nurse or not. It is super simple, each day I have a self care activity for you to engage in. If the activity doesn’t work for you or that day, feel free to improvise with what does! The point of this is not to be stressful or another thing on your “to do list.” It is meant to simply encourage you to find joy in something everyday.

I know that there is a lot of toxic positivity and superficial self care on social media these days and I don’t want you to view this as that! I know that self care is so much more than skin care or taking a walk- but those things can be self care and they can be helpful! Finding joy in small things, even when life is really hard, is an act of being human and helping to find your way to happiness again.

If you don’t already, follow me on Instagram! I will be sharing my self care week on stories and would love to be able to see yours as well! You can always email me using my contact page to share! I love connecting with nurses and anyone who is kind enough to take the time to read and engage with my blog!

Thank you for being here and the continued support on my little corner of the internet. Let’s all take some time next week to should ourselves some much deserved care and love!

Black Nurses Leaders- Black History Month

February is Black History Month and we are celebrating it today on the blog by discussing three influential Black nurses who helped to pave the way for equality and provided excellent care to their patients.

Ernest Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN (1958-Present)

Dr. Ernest Grant was the first male to be elected president of the American Nurse Association. He has over 30 years of nursing experience and is a burn-care and fire-safety expert. His career achievements include serving as the burn outreach coordinator for the North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Grant ran the public burn prevention program, promoting safety and works to reduce burn-related injuries through education and legislative process. He has received multiple awards for his work- including Nurse of The Year award presented by President George W. Bush for his work treating burn patients from the World Trade Center site.

Estelle Massey Osborn, MSN, RN (1901-1981)

Estelle Massey Obsorne lead the way for Black nurses to enter leadership and education roles in nursing. When she entered nursing school, only 14 of the 1300 nursing schools in American were open to Black students. She went on to become the first Black nurse to earn a Master’s degree. In 1945, she became assistant professor at New York University, and was the first black instructor. She was a member of the ANA Board of Directors and served in many leader ship rolls- including first vice-president of the National Council of Negro Women.

Adah Belle Thoms (1870-1943)

Adah Belle Thoms studied nursing at the Women’s Infirmary and School of Therapeutic Massage. She graduated as the only Black woman in her class. She continued her education at Lincoln Hospital School of Nursing. She went on to be named acting director of Lincoln Hospital in New York and served in that position for 18 years. However, she never received the official title due to racist policies. Ms. Thoms cofounded the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses, serving as President for 7 years. Later, she successfully lobbied for Black Nurses to serve in WWII with the American Red Cross and Army Nurse Corps. In 1976, she was one of the first inductees to the America Nurse Association Hall of Fame.

To learn more about Black Nurses who have lead the way in nursing, see 2020 Influential Black Nurses blog.

References:

https://www.nursingworld.org/ana/leadership-and-governance/board-of-directors/ana-president/

http://ojin.nursingworld.org/FunctionalMenuCategories/AboutANA/Honoring-Nurses/NationalAwardsProgram/HallofFame/19761984/osboem5559.html

https://www.chamberlain.edu/blog/a-celebration-of-10-famous-black-nurses-in-history

https://www.nahc.org/bhm-thoms/