ABOUT RHODA
Nurse. Educator. Mentor
More than 40 years of nursing experience—and a passion for helping the next generation of nurses succeed.
I'm Rhoda Sommer, RN, MSN Ed,
Founder of One on One Tips.
I've spent my career caring for patients, teaching nurses, and helping nursing students and new graduates find their confidence.
I believe nurses deserve more than information. They deserve someone in their corner.
I Know What It Feels Like to Struggle
There's something I want nursing students to know about me.
I didn't pass the NCLEX on my first attempt.
I remember the disappointment. I remember questioning myself. And I remember wondering whether failing an exam meant I wasn't meant to be a nurse.
It didn't.
I went on to build a nursing career spanning more than four decades.
That experience has stayed with me throughout my career, especially when I'm working with a student who tells me:
"
Why I Created One on One Tips
One on One Tips grew from something very simple:
People learn better when they feel safe enough to ask questions.
I don't believe in embarrassing students.
I don't believe everyone needs the same study plan.
And I certainly don't believe passing the NCLEX means you'll magically know everything on your first day as a nurse.
I believe in meeting people where they are.
Sometimes that means analyzing an NCLEX practice test and discovering why a student keeps missing priority questions.
Sometimes it means helping a new nurse figure out which patient needs to be seen first.
And sometimes it simply means listening when someone says:
"Rhoda, I had a terrible shift."
Then we figure out what happened and what they can do differently next time
My Approach
When you work with me, I want you to understand the why, not just memorize the answer.
That's why my teaching focuses heavily on:
Clinical Judgment — recognizing what matters and making safe nursing decisions.
Prioritization — learning to determine what needs your attention first.
Individualized Learning — identifying your strengths, weaknesses, and patterns instead of giving everyone the same plan.
Confidence Through Competence — because confidence doesn't come from someone repeatedly telling you, "You've got this." It grows when you begin to understand what you're doing and why.
Honest Guidance — I'll encourage you, but I'll also tell you when I believe you're not ready or when something needs more work.
That's part of being a mentor.
A Little More About Me
When I'm not teaching or mentoring nurses, I'm a wife, grandmother and great-grandmother.
And if you've spent any time reading my blog, you've probably noticed something else:
I like having conversations over a cup of coffee.
That's why you'll often see Coffee with Rhoda throughout One on One Tips.
It's how I want this entire space to feel.
Pull up a chair.
Bring your questions.
You don't have to pretend you already know everything here.
If You are Ready to Take the Next Step click Below
