This Nurse Found A New Career Path After COVID Burnout

After starting her nursing career on a trauma floor that became a COVID unit, Kelly Salutregui found a more sustainable role in outpatient infusion nursing.

Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, infusion nurse Kelly Salutregui shares how burnout during the pandemic nearly drove her away from nursing, and how a career change helped her rediscover what she loves about patient care. We also look at growing demand for nurse managers, how clinicians can navigate appointments with AI-informed patients, and the White House's decision to withhold $1.2 billion in California Medicaid funding. Plus, explore nursing jobs tailored to your location.

But first, this year's costume is about manifesting!

AI Training Jobs

In addition to our curated nursing jobs, we’re continuing to share flexible, paid opportunities that let you put your healthcare expertise to work in new ways.

A company is currently looking for healthcare and clinical experts to evaluate AI-generated work. The below roles can be completed on your own schedule and pays $55 to $150 per hour.

Let us know if you apply, and reply to this email if you’d like to see more opportunities like this in Nurse Ascent.

Featured Jobs

Not seeing jobs in your area? Reply to this email with your location to update your profile and get tailored openings.

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Pulmonology Nurse Practitioner (NP), Adventist Health

Ukiah, CA

$175,000 - $200,000/year

Apply Now →

☤

Nurse, Restore Hyper Wellness - Woodbury, NY

Woodbury, NY

$38 - $39/hourly

Apply Now →

♡

Nurse, VirtualDoc Inc

Valencia, CA

Apply Now →

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Nurse Spotlight: Kelly Salutregui RN, BSN

From our spotlight archives: After working on a trauma floor that became a COVID unit, Kelly Salutregui was so burned out she questioned whether nursing was right for her. Today, she works in a spa-like infusion clinic, where she has time to build lasting relationships with patients and has found a new way to love nursing. Read the full spotlight →

Headlines in Healthcare

Health systems struggle to fill manager roles

Frontline nursing and clinic management roles are becoming increasingly difficult to fill, impacting overall hospital operations. According to Becker's Hospital Review, human resources officers identify these as high-priority positions. Bureau of Labor Statistics projections through 2035 rank these management jobs as the second-fastest-growing occupation in healthcare.

How AI Is Changing Patient Visits

Patients increasingly arrive at appointments with AI-generated diagnoses and questions. While AI can help patients prepare, it can also provide inaccurate or misleading information.

Mayo Clinic offers clinicians four tips:

Normalize it: Acknowledge patients' AI use.
Set expectations: Explain AI's limitations and privacy risks.
Guide the conversation: Address concerns and explain clinical reasoning.
Agree on next steps: Clarify diagnoses, treatment plans, and follow-up care.

AI-informed visits may take longer, but can lead to more productive conversations, according to Becker's Hospital Review.

White House withholds $1.2B in California Medicaid

This decision directly affects resources for essential home-based care programs that support vulnerable patients and nursing staff. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz announced the $1.2 billion deferral, citing concerns over California’s In-Home Supportive Services spending growth. According to Becker’s Hospital Review, this federal action reflects ongoing scrutiny of state Medicaid expenditures.

Share your story & be entered to win

As part of our effort to spotlight nurses, we’d love to feature you in an upcoming issue of Nurse Ascent! Share your story by filling out our quick interview form, and you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift card.

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