Being a new nurse is overwhelming enough, but what if you also feel out of sync socially with the people around you? Socially awkward. Emotionally drained. Cognitively overloaded. Loving nursing, but quietly wondering if you're doing it "wrong."

In this episode, I (Kati Kleber, MSN RN) sit down with my husband, licensed clinical counselor John Kleber, to talk honestly about what it's like to be a new nurse who doesn't feel like they fit the mold. Together, we unpack how neurodivergence, social anxiety, uneven emotional skill sets, and public expectations can collide during the already-intense transition from nursing school to practice.

Rather than trying to "fix" us nurses, we normalize why feeling awkward with the social side of nursing is just part of the learning process, and how to stay grounded while you grow into the role.

What you'll learn:

✅ Why it's common to love nursing but still feel awkward about the social side, and feel misunderstood, or out of place (especially for anyone who's neurodivergent)

✅ The difference between a genuine skill deficit and VERY normal developmental stages in new nurses

✅ Why perfectionism and people-pleasing are so common, and so exhausting

✅ Practical therapy frameworks, scripts, and tools to help you communicate your needs, protect your energy, and build confidence without pretending to be someone you're not

🔗 Resources & Links:

• John's counseling practice: https://www.klebercounseling.com/

• Join the FreshRN email list for free (non-spammy) resources & updates: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up

• Nurse leaders: Need a comprehensive residency program for your new grads? Check out: https://www.freshrn.com/enterprise/

🎧 Follow & Subscribe:

If this episode gave you something to think about, follow FreshRN wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with a nurse friend who might need it too!

New nurses step onto the floor with a license, but not with all the answers. Yet patients, families, and even friends often expect brand-new RNs to perform like seasoned experts. In this episode, I (Kati Kleber, MSN RN) sit down with my husband, licensed clinical counselor John Kleber, to unpack what it's like to learn under that spotlight of public expectations.

Together, we explore how new nurses can manage the gap between what people expect of you, and what you realistically know as you grow into the role.

What you'll learn:

✅ Why people assume you "know everything now" the second you pass NCLEX, and what's actually realistic

✅ How the Dunning-Kruger effect shows up in new grad nursing (the "I've got this!" → "Oh no I don't" roller coaster)

✅ How Benner's Novice-to-Expert model explains the long game of becoming truly competent

✅ Why shame, perfectionism, and imposter syndrome hit so hard in your first year

✅ Simple phrases you can use when you don't know the answer... but still want to build trust with patients and families

✅ Practical mindset shifts (from a counselor's perspective) to build confidence that's grounded and not fake

🔗 Resources & Links:

• John's counseling practice: https://www.klebercounseling.com/

• Join the FreshRN email list for free (non-spammy) resources & updates: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up

• Nurse leaders: Need a comprehensive residency program for your new grads? Check out: https://www.freshrn.com/enterprise/

🎧 Follow & Subscribe:

If this episode gave you something to think about, follow FreshRN wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with a nurse friend!

New nurses are often handed a long "allergy list" and five minutes to make sense of it. In this episode, Kati Kleber talks with Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, former President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and NP at DePaul Community Health Centers, about how to take a focused allergy history that actually improves patient care.

What you'll learn:

✅ A fast framework to separate side effect vs intolerance vs sensitivity vs true allergy

✅ The exact questions to verify things like "penicillin allergy" and when to consider delabeling

✅ How and when to use allergen-specific IgE blood testing (no antihistamine washout)

✅ High-impact pitfalls: alpha-gal syndrome and heparin; birch–apple cross-reactivity

✅ Documentation that helps providers choose safer meds and diets

✅ When to loop in pharmacy/allergy, and what to tell families about prevention

This episode is great info for new grads, med-surg, ICU/ED, primary care, school nurses, and anyone updating intake workflows.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Connect with Dr. Sophia Thomas on LinkedIn and X
• Join the FreshRN email list for free resources & updates: https://www.freshrn.com/email-sign-up/
• Nurse leaders: Looking for a comprehensive residency program for your new grads? Check out: https://www.freshrn.com/enterprise/

🎧 Follow & Subscribe:

If this episode gave you something to think about, follow FreshRN wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with a nurse friend!