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In this episode, we sit down with Michelle Harris, a retired NICU nurse and host of The Conversing Nurse Podcast, to explore her 36-year journey through nursing—from a time with no SAO2 monitors, no vein finders, and no high-tech bedside tools to today’s modern, tech-driven hospitals.

Michelle shares her honest reflections on how nursing has changed, what new nurses don’t realize about the profession’s past, and why she ultimately decided to retire at just 57 years old. We talk about nurse burnout, the evolution of patient care, and why so many nurses are walking away from bedside careers in search of something more.

But this episode isn’t just about the challenges—it’s about solutions. Michelle opens up about:

✅ The biggest shifts in nursing over the last 3 decades—and why some changes aren’t for the better
✅ Why nurses today are more burned out than ever before—and how to protect your career & mental health
✅ The financial decisions that helped her retire early—even though she didn’t start investing until later in life
✅ The rise of travel nursing, career pivots, and nurse entrepreneurs—and how to find financial freedom outside the hospital

Michelle isn’t just sharing her story—she’s giving nurses a roadmap to longevity, financial stability, and a fulfilling career beyond the bedside. Whether you’re a new nurse wondering about the future, a burned-out RN looking for a way out, or someone curious about investing and early retirement, this episode is packed with real talk, practical tips, and career-changing insights.

🎙️ Listen now & subscribe for more nurse finance & career episodes!

00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction – Meet Michelle Harris
02:10 – How Michelle Got Into Nursing (Started in 1986!)
04:45 – The BIGGEST Changes in Nursing Over 36 Years
08:20 – No SAO2 Monitors? How Nurses Monitored Oxygen Before Tech
11:55 – Starting IVs in the 80s – No Vein Finders, Just Skill!
16:30 – How Technology Transformed Nursing (Pros & Cons)
20:10 – Over-Reliance on Tech? Nurses Ignoring the Patient
24:50 – The Rise of Alarm Fatigue & Why It’s Dangerous
28:30 – Nurse Burnout – Then vs. Now
33:15 – Loyalty to Hospitals – Why It’s No Longer Rewarded
36:45 – The Shift Toward Travel Nursing & Financial Trade-Offs

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