Discover why 'tough love' in nursing often creates survivors, not leaders—and how mentorship can safely build confidence and competence.

The hardest part of your first year often isn’t the work.
It’s how you’re treated while you’re doing it.

Some new nurses call it “paying your dues.”
Others call it “sink or swim.”
I call it what it is—a quiet hazing that leaves too many good nurses questioning if they belong.

In this week’s post, I’m sharing:

• What hazing in nursing actually looks like today (it’s not always obvious)
  

• Real stories from nurses who’ve been through it
  

• How to recognize the signs early—and protect yourself without burning bridges

You’re wondering if this is what nursing is supposed to feel like.

Nursing school didn’t prepare you for this part.
The part where it’s not just about clinicals or care plans.
It’s about you — your body, your mind, your identity — being stretched in ways no textbook ever warned you about.

No one talks about how disorienting the first two years can be.
So that’s what we’re going to do here.

Not to scare you.
But to show you: if you’re struggling, you’re not failing. You’re not broken. You’re not alone.
You’re just walking through the part that no one talks about — until now.

If you're about to take the NCLEX, you probably feel a mix of nerves and excitement. But what happens after you pass? What they don’t tell you is that fundamental nursing differs from answering NCLEX questions. Whether you're gearing up for test day or already on the floor as a new nurse, let’s walk through what to expect from both experiences—and how to connect the dots between them.

Rhoda dives into the topic of decision making and ethical dilemmas, and also goes through the process for solving an ethical dilemma in nursing.

Read on to discover the importance of decision making and ethical dilemmas in nursing.

Rhoda dives into the topic of Mastering Professionalism in Nursing, and also offers tips for mentoring.

Read on to discover the importance of professionalism in nursing, and grab a free mentoring session with Rhoda!

Rhoda dives into the topic of Mastering Professionalism in Nursing, and also offers tips for mentoring.

Read on to discover the importance of professionalism in nursing, and grab a free mentoring session with Rhoda!