Time to make a comment!

February 16, 2026 by Sarah Wells

By: Sarah K. Wells MSN RN CEN CNL

The U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) proposed changes to federal graduate student loan funding have raised alarms across higher education - and not just within nursing. While much of the conversation has focused on graduate nursing programs - such as those for nurse practitioners - the reality is that these funding limitations would affect a wide range of graduate disciplines, including social work, public health, education, counseling, and other non-healthcare professional fields.

For nursing, the implications are immediate. Advanced practice nurses are essential to addressing provider shortages, expanding primary care access, and strengthening healthcare systems. Reduced federal loan availability could discourage experienced and historically underrepresented nurses from pursuing graduate education, shrinking the future workforce of clinicians, educators, and leaders.

But the broader concern is structural: when financial barriers to graduate education increase, entire professions feel the impact. Communities rely on highly trained professionals across sectors - from healthcare to education to public service - and limiting access to advanced degrees risks worsening workforce shortages nationwide.

Submitting a public comment is one of the most meaningful advocacy actions professionals - anyone, not just nurses - can take right now:

Leave a comment on the DOE’s website by March 2, 2026

Policymakers need to understand that graduate education funding is not a niche issue; it is a workforce issue, an access issue, and ultimately a societal investment. When pathways to education narrow, the ripple effects extend far beyond a single profession. #strongertogether

New Thing Nurse helps the nursing and NP community thrive in their careers! Join us on IG or Facebook @newthingnurse 🩺

About the Author: Sarah K. Wells, MSN, RN, CEN, CNL is an experienced nurse career strategist dedicated to helping nurses and nurse practitioners of all experience levels and specialties achieve success in their nursing and NP journeys. Sarah founded New Thing Nurse to help provide support and guidance to the nursing community in a simple and direct format. Sarah’s vision is to foster a more supportive and fulfilled nursing world that spreads throughout healthcare and beyond.

I am mad at everything. What can I do about it.

January 30, 2026 by Sarah Wells

By: Sarah K. Wells MSN RN CEN CNL

Even if you have only been minimally paying attention to current events, you may have noticed that a lot of nurses are mad.

I am one of them. I am really mad.

What can you do about it?

Well, in this case, other angry nurses have organized some opportunities for you to share your rage in the form of advocacy:

And there is the good old-fashioned approach:

Contact your elected officials in Congress

Have another way to funnel your rage? Let me know in the comments!

New Thing Nurse helps the nursing and NP community thrive in their careers! Join us on IG or Facebook @newthingnurse 🩺

A FREE career resource?

January 19, 2026 by Sarah Wells

By: Sarah K. Wells MSN RN CEN CNL

Looking for a new job can be stressful. Get organized with New Thing Nurse!

Navigating a nurse job search can feel overwhelming, especially in this rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Whether you’re applying for your first nursing job, transitioning specialties, or pursuing a leadership or advanced practice position, having a clear and structured approach matters. This new resource, the Nurse Job Search Readiness Guide from New Thing Nurse, was created to help nursing professionals move through the job search and application process with confidence, clarity, and intention.

The checklist breaks the journey into practical phases, guiding nurses from role exploration and resume preparation to interviewing, offer evaluation, and onboarding. It also highlights the importance of Applicant Tracking System (ATS) compatible application materials, strategic networking, and thoughtful career reflection. Designed to be both practical and empowering, this resource supports nurses in showcasing their skills, leveraging their networks, and making informed career decisions. Whether you are actively applying or simply preparing for your next opportunity, this checklist helps you take control of your career path, one intentional step at a time.

New Thing Nurse helps the nursing and NP community thrive in their careers! Join us on IG or Facebook @newthingnurse 🩺

What does 2026 hold for nursing?

January 14, 2026 by Sarah Wells

New Thing Nurse has been quiet for a while, but now, we’re back - changing as the nursing community’s needs are shifting. #moretocome

Pay Transparency in Nursing

September 12, 2024 by Sarah Wells

By: Sarah K. Wells MSN RN CEN CNL

Pay transparency is a growing demand across industries, including healthcare.

Applicants want to know the compensation for a job before applying for a position. Thanks to pay transparency laws, job seekers in 10 states currently see the wage or salary of a role in the job posting.

Why is pay transparency important?

Pay transparency supports pay equity, which is still a big issue in nursing. Becker’s recently highlighted gender pay disparities in nursing, which shocked me. As a former ED nurse, I’m not easy to shock.

No transparency laws in your state? Try this:

Research nurse wages in your area on websites like Glassdoor or search the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
Ask someone. Snoop around on social media nursing groups and ask about pay for facilities. Do this anonymously whenever possible to avoid problems with potential employers.
Explore growing platforms like Bluem, where nurses will be able to anonymously report their wages.

New Thing Nurse helps the nursing and NP community thrive in their careers! Join us on IG or Facebook @newthingnurse 🩺

How to Get Hired 101: Effective Communication in Healthcare

August 09, 2024 by Sarah Wells

By: Sarah K. Wells MSN RN CEN CNL

When considering the qualities to highlight during a job interview, it is crucial to emphasize your ability to communicate effectively. Healthcare employers look for nurses with exceptional communication skills for every role.

The importance of effective communication in healthcare:

Patient Safety Relies on Effective Communication:

Optimal communication among healthcare providers and during medical encounters is vital for ensuring patient safety.

Productive Teamwork Depends on Clear Communication:

Clear communication is essential for fostering productive teamwork among the clinical staff.

Digital Communication Skills are Essential:

Strong communication skills are not limited to verbal interactions but also extend to digital formats such as email, EMR documentation, secure texting, and more.

Skilled Communication Promotes Equitable Care:

Inclusive communication contributes to creating equitable care environments for diverse patient populations and staff.

Need help showcasing your communication skills? Reach out to New Thing Nurse, and find out how to SHINE in your next interview!

New Thing Nurse helps the nursing and NP community thrive in their careers! Join us on IG or Facebook @newthingnurse 🩺

Nurses Week Gift Ideas!

May 03, 2024 by Sarah Wells in future nurse, holidays, nurse, nursing

By: Sarah K. Wells MSN RN CEN CNL

Nurses Week is May 6-12 - in just a few days!

Professional appreciation is important. This year’s Nurses Week theme is "Nurses Make the Difference.” Whether you are planning celebrations for staff or looking for a cute gift for your nurse friend, check out these resources to make your Nurses Week extra fabulous:

Free Nurses Week Content - Nurses associations have Nurses Week websites to help you plan your week! Check out the offerings from the American Nurses Association and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
Shop Etsy for Nurses Week - I love Etsy for meaningful gifts for friends and colleagues. I can always find fun and unique items to show others that they’re appreciated.
Nurses Week Discounts + Freebies - Businesses are already sharing their Nurses Week freebies and discounts! Don’t miss out on a deal by following the curated list from Nurse.org or this freebies and discounts blog from AACN.

New Thing Nurse helps the nursing and NP community thrive in their careers! Join us on IG or Facebook @newthingnurse 🩺

Where is nursing going?

April 02, 2024 by Sarah Wells

By: Sarah K. Wells MSN RN CEN CNL

Nursing is constantly changing. Here are a few trends on the horizon for our profession:

Stabilizing the Workforce - Moves to improve staffing and retention will continue to be a priority. Check out recommendations from national nursing organizations to overcome staffing challenges.
Virtual Everywhere - Virtual nursing opportunities will expand. Learn what virtual nursing is and how it could impact your healthcare organization.
Innovation in Nursing - Nurses are leading the way in innovation. Listen to an interview with Dr. Bonnie Clipper, CEO and Founder of Innovation Advantage, discussing revolutionizing how virtual nursing care is delivered in hospitals.
School or No School? - There are now many ways to achieve your career goals in nursing without more school. Learn about non-traditional nursing roles that might interest you

New Thing Nurse helps the nursing and NP community thrive in their careers! Join us on IG or Facebook @newthingnurse 🩺

Do you love this?

February 11, 2024 by Sarah Wells

By: Sarah K. Wells MSN RN CEN CNL

February is Heart Month. My question: is your heart in your current job?

Here are few prompts to consider when thinking about this question:

Resonating? - Is your job resonating with your professional values and passions? If not, consider why and if that can be changed.
Balanced? - Does your job allow you to have a good work-life balance? Or are you sacrificing one for the other? Are you able to make it better?
Satisfying? - Do you leave work feeling fulfilled or deflated? Is your time at work satisfying you? Professional satisfaction can come in many different forms.
Growth? - Is there opportunity for growth in your position, personally or professionally? Are you progressing towards your career goals?

If your heart isn’t in your job, chat with New Thing Nurse to plan your next career move.

New Thing Nurse helps the nursing and NP community thrive in their careers! Join us on IG or Facebook @newthingnurse 🩺

How to set 2024 career intentions…

January 02, 2024 by Sarah Wells in future nurse, goals, how to, inspiration, new year, nurse

By: Sarah K. Wells MSN RN CEN CNL

Setting intentions in our careers helps us set goals, focus our behaviors, and begin to create a path forward to achieve them.

How do I set 2024 career intentions?

What is #mywhy? – Spend some time considering what fuels your nursing fire. Your “why” may be the goal of your intentions.
It’s the journey instead of the destination. – Focus on the steps to get to the goal and write down those action items.
Make it action oriented. – Intentions can be physical actions or something that supports your mental or physical wellbeing that will help you achieve your goals.
Refer back. – Carry your intentions on a piece of paper or in a note on your phone. Look at them frequently to guide your actions over time.

Celebrate your success! – Occasionally consider the intentions that you have fulfilled and be proud of your work.

New Thing Nurse helps the nursing and NP community thrive in their careers! Join us on IG or Facebook @newthingnurse 🩺

About the Author: Sarah K. Wells, MSN, RN, CEN, CNL is an experienced nurse career strategist dedicated to helping nurses and nurse practitioners of all experience levels and specialties achieve success in their nursing and NP journeys. Sarah founded New Thing Nurse to help provide support and guidance to the nursing community in a simple and direct format. Sarah’s vision is to foster a more supportive and fulfilled nursing world that spreads throughout healthcare and beyond.

Nurse Holiday Gift Ideas

December 15, 2023 by Sarah Wells in future nurse, holidays, inspiration, nurse, nurse leader

By: Sarah K. Wells MSN RN CEN CNL

Still need to do some gift shopping for the holidays?

Whether you’re buying for your nurse boos, the boss RN, your nursing staff, or nursing students in your life, here are some gift ideas to make the holidays a little more fabulous:

Personalized Stethoscope Tag - Add a little personalized flair that will help keep stethoscopes from getting lost.
Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses who helped Cure Tuberculosis - Black southern nurses moved to New York City to work in Sea View Hospital after white nurses left en masse. While caring for the city’s poorest residents, these nurses, known as the Black Angels, helped find a cure for tuberculosis.
Lululemon Belt Bag - Cute and practical, this bag can work on and off shift.
Midnight Nurse Coloring Book - Color your stress away with these delightful #nursehumor coloring pages.
Rad Girl Creations Pins - Perfect for your badge or bag, these pins are fun to collect or swap with healthcare worker friends.
Burt’s Bees Hand Cream - Those hands work hard so give the gift of soothing hand cream for home or the hospital.
Latinas in Nursing - Latinas in Nursing is a compilation of the beautiful and powerful stories of the challenges, triumphs, growth, and discovery from Latina nurses working across the United States.
Tribe RN Badge Guru Set - 88 nursing cheat sheets on 44 badge cards, this educational resource can help a nurse of any experience level.
Sockwell Compression Socks - Hug those calves so that they can go the extra mile for you and your patients.
Journal of a Black Queer Nurse - This book is by Britney Daniels, a Black, masculine-presenting, tattooed lesbian emergency nurse, who shares their personal perspectives and work experiences. I loved it.
Figs Catarina Scrub Tops (Women) - My favorite scrub top, this classic style has the pockets you need to get the job done.
Figs Leon Scrub Tops (Men) - Same thing. Easy scrub top that looks good and will get you through the shift in style.
Dickie’s Scrub Top (Women) - A basic scrub top that will not break the bank and keep you body fluid free all shift long.
Dickie’s Scrub Bottoms (Unisex) - Scrub bottoms, no pockets, but cheap and durable.
Blackout Curtains - Make daytime sleeping better for the nightshifters in your life.
Portable Charger Power Bank - For the nurse on the go who needs to keep their devices charged up, this power bank is a basic essential.
Safe with Me Badge Stickers - Let LGBTQIA2S+ patients know that they are safe with you.
Caffeine til GCS 16 Sticker - This sticker makes me laugh every time and is 100% accurate.
Healthcare Affirmation Card Set - An affirmation card set made especially for healthcare workers.

Have more gift ideas? Share them in the comments below!

Happy shopping!

New Thing Nurse helps the nursing student, nurse, and nurse practitioner community achieve their professional and academic goals! Join us on IG or Facebook @newthingnurse 🩺