What I Would Do Differently If I Could Go Back to Day 1 of Nursing School
The FreshRN Podcast with Kati Kleber
Release Date: 06/12/2025
What I Would Do Differently If I Could Go Back to Day 1 of Nursing School
The FreshRN Podcast with Kati Kleber
If I could hop in a time machine and redo my journey to becoming a nurse, knowing what I know now... I’d take a very different path (and spend a lot less money). In this episode, I’m walking you through what I actually did: From changing majors to juggling basketball and nursing school, and what I’d do differently if I could go back. We’ll talk about: ✅ Why I wish I’d started as a CNA in high school ✅ How going the ADN route first could’ve saved me thousands ✅ What I learned about tuition reimbursement and scholarships the hard way ✅ The importance of progress over...
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Your Hospital Is Not Your Mom: Detaching Emotionally From Your Employer
The FreshRN Podcast with Kati Kleber
Ok that title might be a little spicy, but stick with me. In this episode, I discuss why so many of us over-identify with our roles, how “we’re a family” culture keeps us stuck, and what learned helplessness looks like at the bedside. We’ll also talk about the sneaky way suffering becomes a badge of honor, and how to step out of that martyr mindset. Sign up for my email list: My professional development learning hub:
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The Identity Crisis of the People-Pleasing RN
The FreshRN Podcast with Kati Kleber
In this episode, we’re diving into what happens when perfectionism collides with the messy, high-pressure reality of nursing. If you’ve ever felt like your entire identity is wrapped up in being the “good nurse” ... you know, the one who never messes up, never says no, and always holds it together, this conversation is for you. We’ll talk about: How nursing school subtly wires us for people-pleasing Why high-pressure roles make us more vulnerable to shame Why self-compassion (not shame) is the key to confidence and performance What to do when you disappoint someone—and how...
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Nursing School Curriculum Explained: How Educators Choose What You Learn
The FreshRN Podcast with Kati Kleber
In this episode, I interviews Dr. Kelly J. Dries, Ph.D., RN, Director of Nursing Program Success at Wolters Kluwer Health. As a former dean of a nursing school, Dr. Dries shares: Her educational journey from someone telling her she'd never make it in nursing school, all the way to her PhD How nursing schools decide what their curriculum will look like The (sometimes sutble but important) differences between programs Smart questions to ask about the schools you're considering Advice and encouragement Article Kelly mentions: Conversational AI tech article: My free workbook that...
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From NP School to Certification: Board Prep Strategies with Sarah Boes
The FreshRN Podcast with Kati Kleber
In this episode, I sit down with Sarah Michelle Boes, FNP, a nurse practitioner and board prep expert who’s helped thousands of aspiring NPs pass their exams with confidence. We talk about what it’s really like to go through the certification process, how to choose the right study tools, and what Sarah wishes every NP student knew before sitting for the test. We cover: Sarah’s deeply personal and non-linear journey through nursing school, including nearly being removed from her program Her discovery that anxiety was a strength, not a weakness, in her nursing career Working in bone...
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Behind the Badge: The FNP Role Explained
The FreshRN Podcast with Kati Kleber
All of the NP track options are confusing. I'm Kati Kleber, an MSN-prepared nurse educator and in this video I'll explain the FNP role and differentiate it from other NP tracks. Full article → We discuss: What is an FNP, really? Why the "family" part actually matter NP tracks and scope of practice explained What makes the FNP role stand out FNP vs. AGACNP vs. PNP and more What real NPs have to say about their roles I have a platform full of free resources for current and prospective nurses. Here are a few! The ultimate guide to different NP speciality options → Resource hub of nursing...
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Is a DNP Worth It? Options, Reality, and Regret-Proofing
The FreshRN Podcast with Kati Kleber
Thinking about going back to school to earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) but feeling overwhelmed by what it actually means? In this episode, I break down what the DNP is, who it’s for, how it compares to an MSN or PhD, and share perspectives from DNP and DNAP-prepared nurses. I outline: What the DNP really is (and how it’s different from a PhD) Why some nurses pursue it, and others don’t The difference between a DNP and a DNAP What to expect from a DNP program (time, cost, and the infamous DNP project) How to reverse-engineer your decision based on your future goals Get...
info_outline![[PARTIAL DOSE] My Top 3 NCLEX Resources show art](https://assets.libsyn.com/item/36373035?height=50&width=50)
[PARTIAL DOSE] My Top 3 NCLEX Resources
The FreshRN Podcast with Kati Kleber
I have been keeping my eye on NCLEX prep products for at least a decade and because of this, I maintain a checklist of features that make a program superior. I know a good one when I see one, what a reasonable price looks like, and what really moves the needle. In this episode, I explain my top three in detail. I would 10/10 use any of these if I were studying for the NCLEX again. (But thank GOSH I don't have to do that!) You can read the full blog post (with all the links) here: If you decide to give TrueLearn a try, use my promo code FRESHRN to get 20% off: Want more NCLEX tips...
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Breaking Down the Myths About Online Nursing Degrees: An Interview With Chamberlain University's President
The FreshRN Podcast with Kati Kleber
Are online nursing degrees respected? Do employers take them seriously? What about clinicals and accreditation? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Karen Cox, President of Chamberlain University—the largest nursing school in the U.S.—to tackle the most common misconceptions about online nursing education. We cover things like: The evolution of online RN, BSN, and grad programs How online clinicals actually work What accreditation means and why it’s non-negotiable How employers view online degrees Confidence-building advice for nurses at every career stage We even...
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Which MSN Path Is Right for You? A Straightforward Guide for Nurses
The FreshRN Podcast with Kati Kleber
Considering getting your Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) but feeling totally overwhelmed by the options? You’re not alone. In this episode, I break down what an MSN actually is (and what it isn’t), the difference between clinical and non-clinical paths, and how to choose a program that aligns with your goals, not just what seems affordable or popular. You’ll learn: What an MSN really means (and why it’s not a job title) The difference between clinical MSN paths (like NP and CNS) vs. non-clinical paths (like education or leadership) What an APRN is,...
info_outlineIf I could hop in a time machine and redo my journey to becoming a nurse, knowing what I know now... I’d take a very different path (and spend a lot less money). In this episode, I’m walking you through what I actually did: From changing majors to juggling basketball and nursing school, and what I’d do differently if I could go back.
We’ll talk about:
✅ Why I wish I’d started as a CNA in high school
✅ How going the ADN route first could’ve saved me thousands
✅ What I learned about tuition reimbursement and scholarships the hard way
✅ The importance of progress over perfection when planning your nursing path
Plus, I’ll share some encouragement for anyone stuck in decision paralysis, trying to figure out their next step. Your nursing journey doesn’t have to be perfect to be worth it, and there are so many smart, affordable ways to get where you want to go.
My free workbook that will help you map out costs, pros/cons of different schools, applications, and more: https://www.freshrn.com/planner/
Sign up for my email list: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up
My nursing degrees and programs learning hub: https://www.freshrn.com/nursing-degrees-and-programs/
Need to take out loans? Check out my partner, Juno, to join a collective bargaining group and score lower interest rates better than the big-name lenders (the 2025-2026 rates start at 3.47%!). Free to join, and it can save you thousands → https://www.freshrn.com/juno
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