About

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FreshRN® Products and Services

FreshRN provides nurses with resources to build their confidence and transition to new specialties. In addition to the free blog and podcast content, courses and books are available for purchase.

Who’s Behind FreshRN?

Hi there! Thanks for checking out my site. My name is Kati Kleber and I have one mission: To help new nurses grow into the confident nurses they’ve worked so hard to become.

Maybe you’re a newly licensed nurse who dreads every single shift. Or maybe you lie awake at night (or during the day, night shifters!) worrying about what important patient change or issue you’re going to miss, which doctor or charge nurse is going to say something rude to you, or how you’ll royally mess something up. Or, maybe you’re completely overwhelmed with all that you have to learn as a new grad and are wondering if you can even do this. 

(Spoiler alert: You can.)

Or, maybe you’re trying to decide if you want to go into nursing… or you could even be in nursing school and are just trying to learn all you can to prepare yourself for this upcoming transition from full-time student, to full-time nurse.

I was once in your shoes. As a new graduate, I was so nervous because I always had this image in my mind of what good nurses knew.  When I finally had a nursing license in my hand, I was shocked that I didn’t know all those things I assumed everyone with RN behind their name knew.

I was so fearful that someone would figure me out… that someone would realize that I didn’t know what nurses should know… I had imposter syndrome pretty bad.

This was especially frustrating after spending years of work and thousands of dollars to learn how to be a nurse  – and here I was, all 5’11” of me awkwardly standing at the side of my patient’s bed, barely able to articulate what I was doing, let alone why.

So, why should you listen to what I have to say?

After I passed my NCLEX® back in 2010, I started out on a cardiac med-surg unit for a few years. I floated to various other med-surg units regularly. I then worked in neurocritical care, again floating to other critical care units. 

I’ve sat on many hospital committees (falls, Magnet, peer review, and all of the shared governance committees you could possibly think of), and was a preceptor, charge nurse, and mentor. 

Back in 2013, I started a blog to provide the education to the newbies entering the profession that I wished I had during my first year. Well, it turns out a lot of other new nurses had similar struggles because it got shared – a lot. 

(Not to date myself, but this was back when “going viral” was a brand new thing, ladies and gentlemen!) 

This blog turned into my first book… which turned into speaking events… which turned into a podcast… and then getting three more books published by the American Nurses Association (including a second edition of my first book)… a few awards… another book… a graduate degree in nursing education… publishing online courses for new nurses… and after 8 years at the bedside and supporting nurses part time, I have transitioned to being a full time self-employed nurse educator!

I now spend all of my time creating content to support nurses in innovative ways. I know there are textbooks out there that explain clinical information, but those are based in a perfect world scenario (where you always have resources, education, and time to do things perfectly). We don’t live in that environment, and my goal is to meet you in that uncomfortable and uncertain space between what’s ideal and what’s realistic. And in addition all that clinical-talk, I also dive deep into real self-care, specifically for nurses. (So, not massages and bubble baths… rather, how to mentally and emotionally process the trauma you witness at work.)

I know that grey area so intimately well because I’ve been there. I felt that fear, inadequacy, disappointment, frustration, and exhaustion. I know what new grads need. I know what overwhelmed nurses need. And I love providing it. 

I do this through blog posts, podcast episodes, social media posts, YouTube videos, my books, and my full-length self-paced online courses.

But the absolute best way to stay up-to-date on what’s happening with me at FreshRN® is to get on my email list. Each week, I send out tips, tactics, encouragement, talking points, advice, and more, to thousands of nurses and I’d love to have you join me. 

Please, don’t brave the nursing wilderness alone. It would be my joy not only to be your guide but also your biggest encourager and cheerleader as well. 

(… although, I definitely don’t have the… eh-hem build, per-say, to be an actual cheerleader. I think I’m what you would call a “base”. But still, it’s probably not a good idea.)

Finally, if you’re interested in starting a blog or becoming a healthcare entrepreneur, I have some resources on that as well. Together with Brittney Wilson, BSN RN, we host a website to support and educate nurses interested in starting their own online businesses. To check that out, click here. 

Awards and Features

Places I’ve been featured and awards I’ve received:

The Washington Post – I was featured in their article about Hospital visits during COVID.

Nurse.org – Listed as one of the 10 Podcasts Nurses and Nursing Students need in their lives

New York Magazine – My book was selected as a “top gift for nurses”

Reader’s Digest – I was featured in an article for patients on surviving their next hospital stay

AARP – I was featured in an article about things medical experts know, but the public does not

NPR’s Here & Now – I was a guest on this podcast to discuss the open letter I wrote to Nina Pham, the nurse who contracted Ebola in Texas, back in 2015, and how nurses were responding to the ebola crisis

US News & World Report – I was featured in an article on what people can expect when a loved one is in the ICU

Dr. Oz – After that whole Joy Behar issue back in 2015, I was featured during the opening sequence of the Dr. Oz Show (yes, this video is me filming the actual airing on my TV because I was that excited)

The TODAY Show – I was featured in an article on things nurses wish patients knew

US News World & Report – I was featured in an article on how to combat compassion fatigue 

US News World & Report – I was featured in an article on things the public doesn’t know about nurses

Novant Health – My podcast was mentioned in their article on how veteran nurses support the next generation

American Nurse Today – I wrote an article on empathy for this blog, which is from the American Nurses Association

Nurse of the Year – I received this award in 2015 from the Charlotte Business Journal 

Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina – I received this award in 2015 as well

The WoMed Podcast – a featured guest on the episode entitled, “Unwritten Rules with Kati Kleber”

The Healthcare Entrepreneur Academy Podcast – a featured guest on the episode entitled “Make Bank & Live Your Dream Life”

Nurse.com – I have two courses published here

Prevention Magazine – I was featured in their article on things nurses know that can save your life

Capella University – I have worked with Capella since 2015 and have been featured many times on their website, blog, and YouTube channel

The Nerdy Nurse® Blog – I was featured on this blog when I released my third book, Admit One

Minority Nurse – I was featured in an article on tips for landing a nursing job

The Nurse Speak – I was featured on their blog 

American Association of Critical Care Nurses – I was featured in the “Telling Our Stories” series of their blog

Women’s Health Magazine – I was featured in an article on the most disgusting things nurses have seen at work

The Bossy Nurse – I was a featured guest on this podcast for an episode entitled, “The Business of Being Nursey with Kati Kleber”

Nursing.com – I have been featured many times on both their blog, podcast, and live events 

BoardVitals – I was featured in an article covering nurses who are making a difference

WBTV – I was featured by this news station out of Charlotte, NC after my open letter to the nurse who contract Ebola in 2015

Allnurses.com – I was featured on their blog as well as in the Fall 2018 issue of their magazine 

Staff Garden – I have authored five articles here

Scrubs Magazine – I was featured in their 2016 print magazine as well as many other articles 

NurseGrid – I was featured in their community spotlight in 2019

The Balanced Nurse – I was featured on their blog

Talent Desk – I was featured in an article on how to get higher pay as a nurse

Rapid Access Guide for Triage and Emergency Nurses – I was an official reviewer for this reference material that was published in 2018 by Lynn Visser

First-Year Nurse: Advice on Working with Doctors, Prioritizing Care, and Time Management – I am quoted in this book that was written by a fellow nurse educator, Beth Hawkes

Fast Facts for the Triage Nurse, Second Edition: An Orientation and Care Guide – I reviewed this book, and my praise for it is quoted in the opening pages

RNFM Radio – I was a guest on this podcast back in 2015

WDIY: 88.1 – I was a guest on this radio show for the episode entitled, “Nurse Kati Kleber and What to Know When Going to the Hospital and Take Charge of Your Life”

Iowa Wesleyan University – I was featured in the Iowa Wesleyan’s Global Phenom article entitled, “Kati Kleber: Respected Nurse and Author”

CEUFast – I was featured for a Q&A in their block back in 2016

The News Gazette – I was featured in an article for this printed newspaper entitled, “A Voice for Her Profession”

The Charlotte Observer – I was featured in an article for this printed newspaper entitled, “Charlotte nurse: What patients should know, but no one tells them”

Medical Daily – I was featured in an article about understanding antibiotic resistance and preventing superbugs

Speaking Events and Featured Apperances

Here’s a non-exhaustive list of different speaking events, nurse graduation and pinning ceremonies, and virtual events I’ve either led or was a featured guest

Central Piedmont Community College Nurse Pinning Ceremony, Advice for Your First Year as a Nurse (2016) – Charlotte, NC

Capella University at the National Teaching Institute Critical Care Conference, Nursing in Social Media, Loosening the Restraints (2015) – San Diego, CA

University of Chicago Nurse Pinning Ceremony, Where to Find Encouragement (April 2017) – Champaign-Urbana, IL

Iowa Wesleyan University, Preparing For Your First Year as a Nurse (April 2017) – Virtual Event, based in Mount Pleasant, IA

Fayetteville State University, Student Nurses Association Annual Celebration, Vital Signs of New Graduate Nurses (2016) – Fayetteville, NC

Capella University and the American Nurses Association, #iAMaNurse in a Social Media World (2015) – Virtual Event based in Minnesota, MN

Capella University at the ANCC National Magnet Conference, featured author, book signing (2015) – Atlanta, GA

Central Piedmont Community College, Professionalism and Your First Year as a Nurse (2016) – Charlotte, NC

Parkland Community College, Nurse Pinning Ceremony (Dec 2017) – Champaign, IL

American Nurses Association – Career Connect 4-Part Webinette Series (Throughout 2017) – Virtual Event

National Nurses in Business Association, Nurse Blogging 101: Growing a Profitable Business and Community (Nov 2017) – St. Pete Beach, FL

North Carolina Nurses Association – Nurse Mentoring for the Student, New Grad, and Mentor (Feb 2017) – Charlotte, NC

Kentucky Association of Nursing Students Annual Conference Keynote, (Sept 2017) – Bowling Green, KY

Novant Health Nursing Symposium, Restore: Confidence to Find Your Feet and Lead (2016) – Charlotte, NC

MentorMate, Building Communities of Change; Getting Social in Health Care (2016) – Virtual event based in Minnesota, MN

#WeLoveCLT Speaker Series, Building Authentic Communities (2015) – Charlotte, NC. 

Mercy Hospital Ardmore, Professional Development and Work-Life Balance for New Grad Nurses (2015) – Virtual Event based in Ardmore, OK

Iowa Wesleyan University, Belle Babb Mansfield Nursing Symposium, Panel Guest (June 2016) – Virtual event based in Mount Pleasant, IA

Mint Hill Women’s Club, What You Must Know When Going to the Hospital, But No One Actually Tells You (Feb 2017) – Mint Hill, NC

New Grad Nurse Meet-Up, FreshRN® Event (Jan 2018) – Champaign, IL

WellStar Health, Inspiring Nursing (June 2018) – Atlanta, GA

NRSNG Live, How to Manage Your Time and Get Stuff Done in Nursing School (June 2018) – Allen, Texas

National Nurses in Business Association, Digital Marketing for Nurse Entrepreneurs (Sept. 2019) – Las Vegas, NV

Carle Foundation Hospital 10th Annual Pediatric Conference, Self Compassion: Affordable Self Care (Oct 2019) – Urbana, IL

Novant Health Nursing Symposium, The Foundation of Nursing Excellence (Jan 2020) – Charlotte, NC

The Paediatric Nurse, Transitioning From Full-Time Student to Full-Time Nurse (Jan 2020) – Virtual event, based in Australia

Carle Foundation Hospital 1st Annual Med-Surg Conference, How to Provide Authentic Empathy While Caring For Yourself (Feb 2020) – Champaign, IL

Partnerships and Affiliations

Brands and organizations I have partnered with: