In this episode of My Nurse Specialty, I talk with Mandy Carlile about her path into operating room nursing and what nurses should know if they are curious about the OR. Mandy shares how she started on med-surg, moved into hospice, and eventually found her place in the operating room, where she has now spent most of her nursing career.

We talk about what a circulating nurse does, the pace and structure of the OR, the personalities and challenges that can come with the environment, and why procedural nursing can be a great fit for nurses looking for something different. Mandy also shares how OR nursing can open doors into other perioperative roles like pre-op, PACU, and first assist.

In addition to her OR work, Mandy is also a board-certified holistic nurse coach who supports women experiencing stress, burnout, and overwhelm through holistic lifestyle changes.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How Mandy moved from med-surg and hospice into operating room nursing
• What OR nursing is really like, including shifts, circulating, and perioperative opportunities
• Why procedural nursing and holistic nurse coaching may be meaningful paths for nurses seeking a better fit

About Mandy Carlile:
Mandy lives in Missouri with her husband and two boys. She has been a nurse since 2015, and most of her nursing career has been spent in the operating room. She is also passionate about holistic health and is a board-certified holistic nurse coach.

Connect with Mandy:

Website: mandyholisticcoach.com

Instagram: @mandyholisticcoach

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In this solo episode of My Nurse Specialty, I talk about one of the biggest questions nurses face: how do you know which specialty is right for you? I share why so many nurses end up in roles by circumstance instead of true fit, and why that uncertainty is not a personal failure, but a predictable part of how nursing careers often begin.

I also walk through four practical questions to help you better understand how you are wired, what kind of work energizes you, and what direction may be worth exploring next. This episode is about moving from confusion to clarity so you can make more intentional career decisions.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why many nurses end up in specialties by default instead of alignment
• Four questions to help you identify what kind of nursing work fits you best
• How reflection, networking, and strategy can help you explore your next move

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In this episode of My Nurse Specialty, I talk with Jessica Nelson, an ICU nurse and educator with 24 years of experience in critical care. She shares what ICU nursing is really like, what nurses should know before pursuing this path, and why strong support and education matter so much in this specialty.

Jessica also talks about the best ways to prepare for ICU, including building experience in step-down or med-surg, learning from mentors, and continuing to study outside of orientation. We also discuss certifications, the emotional side of critical care, and the many ways ICU experience can open doors later in a nursing career.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What ICU nursing is really like day to day
• How nurses can prepare for a future in critical care
• Why support, mentorship, and knowing your why matter in ICU nursing

About Jessica Nelson:
Jessica Nelson has 24 years of nursing experience, with most of her career spent in neuro critical care. Her background also includes eight years in interventional radiology, leadership as manager of a Neuro ICU and Neuro Step-Down Unit, and her current role as Clinical Nurse Educator for three high-acuity critical care units. She continues to work bedside twice a month and is passionate about supporting nurses, strengthening clinical judgment, and creating learning environments where nurses feel confident and capable.

Stay Connected:

Learn how we can work together

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Get the FREE guide here on how to choose your specialty!