As 2024 comes to a close, it’s a perfect time to reflect on the incredible milestones we’ve achieved together. From hosting live Q&A sessions to contributing to platforms like Nurse.org and attending transformative events like HLTH in Las Vegas, this year has been one for the books. Thank you for subscribing and being part of this vibrant journey. Let’s look ahead to 2025 with optimism and purpose.

This December, instead of our usual deep dive into Board of Nursing (BON) cases, I’m thrilled to share a special holiday gift with you: a one-hour interview with healthcare lawyer Dominic Castillo, a true advocate for nurses who tirelessly works to protect our profession.

Dominic Castillo's Bio

Dominic Castillo's Contact

Dominic graciously gave his time the day after Thanksgiving to discuss some of the most critical issues nurses face today, from criminal conduct and professional liability insurance to knowing and following rules and regulations that can safeguard your career. This conversation is packed with insights you can use immediately to stay safe and set yourself up for success in 2025.

In this special session, Dominic and I cover how you can avoid the legal pitfalls that many nurses face in their careers. By addressing:

Professional Liability Insurance to protect yourself in case of legal issues.

Criminal Conduct and how it can impact your license and future employment.

Knowing Your Rules and Regulations to stay compliant and protect your career.

You’ll learn valuable lessons from nurses who’ve navigated these very situations, and hear real-world examples of how proactive steps can save you from major legal and career setbacks.

December Podcast - Interview of Dominic Castillo

Case Scenario: Patient Fall – Legal and Professional Implications for Nurses

In nursing, patient falls are one of the most common yet challenging adverse events in healthcare. This case review explores a fall incident, its root causes, and the measures nurses can take to safeguard both their patients' safety and their professional standing. By analyzing this scenario, nurses can gain actionable strategies to refine their documentation practices, enhance communication, and mitigate legal risks.

What’s Happening in the Nursing World?

What are you guys talking about around the Nurse’s Station? I hope it’s a little self-care this holiday season and talking about career transitions, and education. What new skincare or beauty care regime are all the kool kids talking about?! Drop it in the comments.

How about new work opportunities? It’s no mystery to anyone that there are fewer and fewer nurses at the bedside and those coming out who want to go to the bedside. So many nurses are seeking alternative ways to use their skills, like Legal Nurse Consulting or moving into being a nursepreneur or even a travel nurse? What are you doing and or what would you like to do? If you are not doing it, why not?

Hot Topics On Social Media:

• Burnout and Career Pivoting: How nurses are leaving the bedside without leaving nursing behind.

• Charting Practices: A rise in cases related to poor documentation has been trending on BON reports. I’ll share how you can strengthen your charting and protect yourself.

• Legal Nursing in 2025: The growing demand for nurses with expertise in the legal field—why now might be the perfect time to explore this exciting career path.

• Travel Nurse: Tips on finding the right staffing agency and protecting your professional license when you travel.

Did You Know?

The holiday season can make healthcare even more hectic than usual—especially with patients trying to meet their deductibles and add-ons in the OR and admissions to the hospital, rehab and long term care. It can get downright crazy. I’ve worked inpatient units in the hospital as well as pre-op and the recovery room in hospitals and freestanding surgery centers working weekends so that surgeons can get their table time. All of this coupled with holiday shopping and gatherings. SELF CARE IS IMPORTANT!

But, it's crucial that you don't rush your charting in this busy time. As I discuss in my Charting to Protect Your Livelihood, cutting corners with your documentation is a bad idea. A REALLY BAD IDEA! What you do and or do not document does matter my fellow nurses and why I have created 2 courses that are online for you that you can access right now!

In fact, The Journal of Nursing Regulation (2021) states that 37% of Board of Nursing disciplinary actions are the result of poor documentation practices. And as someone who has reviewed thousands of documents as a legal nurse in many different capacities, what you do and or do not document does matter, as the expert no one can make up and or insert what you did and or did not do, so don’t put yourself in that situation. If you documented it the expert and or the investigator for example will be able to extrapolate that right from your documentation with the exact page number and what you said you did. You can most certainly review that documentation and to speak to what you DID document, so make it reflect the excellent care I know you provided!

Take the extra few minutes, learn to improve your workflow practices daily. Use the 2025 Success Calendar and set charting goals. I think it’s important that you realize that this statistic highlights just how important it is to slow down and document thoroughly—even when the pace feels overwhelming. Charting the “why” behind your clinical decisions can be the difference between a smooth review and a serious investigation and possible discipline against your professional license. I provide examples in the handout with the charting course on how to document longform as well.

Delegation Done Right

Let’s discuss delegation, as I have been seeing lately that nursing assistants and or patient care technicians are NOT charting vitals and or ADLs, which is a must! It’s easy to assume that delegating tasks can absolve you of responsibility, but that’s not the case. Delegation is part of your duty to provide safe, effective care, but it does not relieve you of your obligation to follow up and ensure the task was complete and to ensure that it was documented. Be sure to chart when you delegate and follow up —it protects not just you but your patients as well.

Documentation Discipline During the Holiday Hustle

As the holidays approach, the familiar chaos of double shifts, extra admissions, and high patient acuity becomes a reality for many nurses. While we rise to the occasion to care for our patients, it’s crucial to remember one thing: documentation matters. “Not documented, not done,” as I repeatedly say in the charting courses I teach.

According to the American Nurses Association (2023), a significant number of legal cases involving nurses stem from documentation errors or, worse, the outright absence of documentation. These mistakes are not only avoidable but can have catastrophic consequences for patient care—and your career.

If you are not sure and or comfortable charting or documenting a note be sure to check out the handout in the charting course where I provide several examples. Learning how to write a note especially if there is an incident is essential and can be the difference between a legal case or not as I discuss in my course.

It can be tempting to rush through charting or leave it for “later,” but this habit is a ticking time bomb. Consistent, real-time updates are more than just best practices—they are essential.

• Document as you go, you create a timeline of care that ensures continuity and reduces errors.

• Record deviations from standards of care, you establish a record of events to protect yourself in case of scrutiny.

• Note poor outcomes immediately, you build transparency and provide critical information for patient advocacy.

• And don’t forget: if an incident occurs, utilize your chain of command, patient advocate resources, and file incident reports (but never reference them in the medical record).

Need help mastering these strategies? Check out my Charting to Protect Your Livelihood —a CE-accredited program designed to simplify charting and boost your confidence in documentation.

Key Strategies to Protect Your Career

1. Communicate with Leadership—Even During the Holidays

The holiday season inevitably brings an uptick in admissions and stress on healthcare teams. Don’t let concerns about workload or staffing go unspoken.

• Speak Up Early: Be proactive about discussing expectations and workload challenges with your leadership. Compassionate, clear communication can make the difference between a manageable season and burnout.

• Protect Your Patients: By addressing staffing and workflow issues early, you’re ensuring that care standards remain high, even during the busiest times.

2. Chart Smarter to Protect Your License

You’ve heard me say it before: charting is not just a task—it’s your professional lifeline.

• Document Clinical Decisions and "Why": Especially in high-pressure situations, make sure your documentation explains the rationale behind your actions.

• Be Accountable: Delegation doesn’t absolve you of responsibility. Follow up on delegated tasks, and document any refusals, concerns, or patient outcomes.

• Prevent Legal Issues: With a rise in Board of Nursing cases tied to poor documentation, there’s no room for shortcuts. The last thing you want is to become part of that growing statistic.

3. Embrace Career Changes: Make This the Year of YOU!

Feeling burned out or ready for something new? The holidays may be stressful, but they’re also the perfect time to plan your next steps.

• Consider Legal Nurse Consulting: Transitioning into this field allows you to leverage your clinical expertise in exciting new ways. My Introduction to Legal Nurse Consulting Course provides actionable steps to help you launch a career in this growing field.

• Step into Leadership: Thinking about taking on a leadership role? Let’s chat about strategies to prepare you for the next level in your career.

4. Liability Insurance: Make It a Priority for the New Year

If you haven’t already, make professional liability insurance a top priority for the new year. I’m sharing my go-to recommendations in this month’s video, and trust me, it’s one of the smartest decisions you can make to ensure you’re covered and confident in your practice. Don’t wait until you’re in a situation that requires it—get proactive now!

5. Professional Boundaries: Strengthen Them for Your Safety

The holidays are tough, but they’re also the perfect time to reflect on where you can strengthen your boundaries. Nurses give so much, but you cannot pour from an empty cup. Take a moment to reassess how you can protect your time and energy with patients, families, and even colleagues. Set limits that keep you safe and healthy. This is non-negotiable if you want to make it through the busy season and beyond.

6. Proactive Steps for 2025: Start Preparing Now

Now is the time to take a few small but important steps to set yourself up for success in 2025:

• Start a Professional Journal: Track critical incidents or decision-making processes at work. This simple habit can help you stay organized, identify areas for improvement, and protect your career in the long run.

• Update Your Resume: Take a look back at your career highlights from 2024 and think about how you want to shape 2025. Consider new paths like Legal Nurse Consulting—there’s huge potential for growth in this field, and I can guide you through it.

I’m here to mentor you through the process—whether it’s charting smarter, navigating career changes, or managing professional challenges.

Self-Care Tips

This holiday season, I want to say thank you to all the nurses working the extra shifts, caring for patients who cannot be home for the holidays. I’ve been there myself, sacrificing time with family to care for others. Mad respect to each of you.

But while you're giving your all to others, don't forget about YOU. Nurses, especially during the holidays, often experience an increase in stress and burnout. 71% of nurses report feeling burned out during this time, with high workloads and stress as major contributors (National Nurses United, 2022).

Here’s my tip: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, try lavender aromatherapy or a 5-minute mindfulness break to recharge your mental energy. Get out and take a walk. Call a friend. Go to the park. These practices can help you stay grounded, focus and, most importantly, protect your mental health.

The holidays can be challenging for nurses. It’s okay to not be okay sometimes. If things are rough, remember—you’re not alone. Start with your own health insurance—check in with your Primary Care Physician (PCP), and don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed. You’ve got telehealth options, apps, and services out there that can make access to care easier. Taking care of yourself first means you can show up as the best version of yourself for your patients and your family.

Astrology Insight for the Year Ahead

A little fun for the season—Pluto is in Aquarius! This cosmic shift marks two decades of transformation, and let’s make it our time as nurses to lead the charge in healthcare innovation, advocacy, and education. We have the tools to transform healthcare, so let’s be the change we want to see.

Reflect and Renew for 2025

December is a month of reflection and renewal, and it’s the perfect time to set your sights on a successful and fulfilling 2025. Whether you’re protecting your license, exploring new career paths, or simply focusing on your personal growth, I’m here to guide you.

It’s been an incredible year—mentoring nurses, consulting with organizations and schools, supporting nurses through BON investigations, creating educational content and courses, and so much more. I’m proud of the work we’ve done together and thankful for each of you who has been part of this journey.

Exclusive Subscriber-Only New Year Q&A Session

I’ll be hosting a bonus live Q&A on January 11th just for my subscribers! This is your chance to ask questions about anything—whether it’s license protection, career transitions, or stepping into the Legal Nursing world! It’ll be an interactive, informal session where we will have real conversations about your career goals and challenges. It’s a great opportunity to tap into some personalized advice from me!

A Special Gift for Nurses – Advocacy, Education, and Empowerment

This season, let’s give the gift that every nurse needs—a way to protect, grow, and empower themselves in their career. Whether it’s for yourself or the nurse in your life, these resources are priceless investments for the future of nursing. 🎁

Gift Ideas for Nurses:

• Guide to the Courtroom for Nurses

  • A must-have resource for any nurse navigating depositions. This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step strategies and practical tips to protect your license and your career.

• Charting to Protect Your Livelihood

  • Learn how to document effectively and safeguard your practice with this insightful course. Nurses everywhere call this a game-changer for their professional confidence.

• Holiday Survival Toolkit

  • This Ultimate Nursing Career Survival & Success Kit is designed to empower you with the tools, support, and strategies needed to face any professional situation with confidence. From Board of Nursing investigations to career transitions, this resource pack is your ally in thriving throughout 2025 and beyond. This resource pack is discounted to subscribers by using code: HolidayKit

Free Resources for Nurses and Legal Nurse Consultants:

• Tools for Legal Nurse Consultants (LNCs): Access resources tailored to help LNCs enhance their work, including practical guides and insights into case evaluation, report writing, and expert testimony.

• Tips for Charting and Documentation: Learn best practices in charting and documentation to protect your practice. These tips help you document with accuracy, minimize risks, and reflect your expertise.

• Understanding Nursing Board Investigations: Empower yourself with a foundational understanding of the nursing board investigation process. This guide covers what to expect and how to prepare, helping you stay informed and proactive.

These resources are designed to support you in every aspect of your practice—whether you’re seeking crisis intervention tools or ongoing guidance to protect your career and mental health.