4 words saved her life

4 words saved her life

Author: Jon Haws RN: Nursing Podcast Host, Critical Care Nurse, Nursing School Men October 2, 2025 Duration: 4:32

The power of four simple words - "You CAN do this" - transformed one nursing student's life from the depths of despair to professional success. This remarkable story of resilience and hope centers on Heather, whose journey illustrates the devastating impact of self-doubt and the life-changing effect of support in healthcare education. Her experience resonates deeply with countless nursing students who face similar struggles, making it a powerful testament to the importance of community and perseverance.

Heather's journey began with her return from Iraq in 2008, where she developed PTSD, setting the stage for future challenges. As she pursued her nursing education, the weight of multiple pressures began to mount. She failed her medical-surgical nursing course by an agonizing 0.2%, while simultaneously grappling with a deteriorating marriage and overwhelming feelings of inadequacy as a parent. The combination of academic struggles and personal turmoil created a perfect storm that pushed her to contemplate suicide.

Find hope at NURSING.com


Hosted by Jon Haws, a critical care nurse who remembers exactly what it was like to be in your shoes, the Nursing Podcast by NURSING.com (NRSNG) is a direct line to the guidance you need. This isn't about dry lectures; it's a conversation from someone who's been through the trenches of nursing school and now thrives at the bedside. Jon brings that real-world perspective to every episode, released several times a week, to keep you motivated and moving forward. You'll hear honest discussions about the common struggles and pressing questions that every nursing student faces, cutting through the overwhelm with practical advice. The episodes delve into actionable tips for academic success and navigating the unique realities of nurse life once you graduate. Occasionally, the format opens up to interviews with other experienced nurses and educators, providing a wider lens on the profession. At its heart, this podcast is a dedicated resource for NCLEX® preparation and overall student success, building confidence for both the exam and the career that follows. It’s a supportive companion for the challenging journey, offering clarity and reassurance when you need it most. Tune in and find the practical insights and genuine encouragement to help you succeed in nursing school and beyond.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

NURSING.com Podcast — NCLEX Prep for Nursing Students
Podcast Episodes
My Preceptor Calls Me Stupid Every Clinical [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:00
VISIT NURSING.com for help with communication with preceptors: https://nursing.com Being called stupid by your preceptor isn't "tough love" - it's verbal abuse. In this episode, I break down the exact difference between…
The Discrimination That's Ignored In Nursing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:14
A Black student mistaken for housekeeping. A disabled student told to "reconsider her career choice." A trans student deliberately misgendered daily. When students report discrimination in nursing school, they're told th…
When Your Nursing Instructor Wants You to Fail [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:11
Get help at: https://nursing.com Episode 3: When Your Instructor Wants You to Fail You're prepared. You know your meds. You practice your skills. You do everything right. And somehow, you're still getting destroyed in ev…
The Nursing Brain Sheet That Actually Works (PLUS FREE DOWNLOAD) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:41
The Nursing Brain Sheet That Actually Works (PLUS FREE DOWNLOAD) GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD AT: https://nursing.com/cheat-sheet It's 10am on your first clinical day. You've got four pages of notes you can't make sense of, vi…
How to Survive an Nursing Abusive Preceptor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:29
You're doing everything right in clinical, but your preceptor is setting you up to fail. They humiliate you in front of patients, refuse to let you practice skills, then write that you "lack initiative." When you report…
Pressure Ulcers Nursing Care Plan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:30
View the full lesson here: https://academy.nursing.com/lesson/nursing-care-plan-ncp-for-pressure-ulcer-decubitus-ulcer-pressure-injury/?quiz-view=open All right. Let's work through an example Nursing Care Plan for a pati…
Encephalopathy Nursing Care Plan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:05
Find the full lesson here: https://academy.nursing.com/lesson/nursing-care-plan-ncp-for-encephalopathy/ This here is the nursing care plan for encephalopathy. So, the pathophysiology. Encephalopathy is a general term for…
be YOUR best self (not this) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:36
I was so wrong . . . let me explain. I first created this shirt back in 2019 - at the time I was focused on the word "BEST". As in, "Be Your BEST Self". However, going through 2021 and all the way through 2023 my depress…
Abdominal Pain Nursing Care Plan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:35
Find the full lesson here: https://academy.nursing.com/lesson/nursing-care-plan-ncp-for-abdominal-pain/ First, we're going to collect our data. Remember, our data is just our assessment, so subjective from the patient an…
i cried as they mourned their loss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:21
Working as a nurse in the ICU, I cared for many patients who are burned into my mind and heart forever. One of those patients was a young mom, in her early 40s with children in their early teens, who had suffered from ca…