I picked up a lot of bad habits during my years in toxic workplaces.

• Thinking it was normal to gossip about everyone.

• Having "pre-meeting" meetings.

• Seeing people crying in the break room.

• Having to constantly walk on eggshells.

• Putting a wall up around everyone.
  
  How I overcame this:

• I found healthier workplaces where collaboration was valued over competition.

• I set boundaries and stopped engaging in gossip, even when it was the norm.

• I reminded myself that feedback doesn’t have to break people down to build them up.

• I practiced open communication and slowly let my guard down with people I could trust.
  
  Most importantly, I unlearned the belief that toxicity was “just part of the job.”
  
  You don’t realize how much damage a toxic workplace does until you leave.
  But the good news is, healing is possible.
  
  Reach out if this resonated with you.

Non-Bedside Job Spotlight

Quality & Safety Nurse

This role focuses on improving how care is delivered across an organization rather than caring for individual patients.

What do they do?

A quality and safety nurse This role examines systems, processes, and outcomes to reduce risk, prevent harm, and improve patient experiences. Quality and safety nurses review incident reports, analyze trends (falls, infections, pressure injuries), support audits and accreditation readiness, and collaborate with frontline teams to implement safer practices.

You’ll often find these roles in hospitals, long-term care, community health, and outpatient organizations.

Why Nurses Are a Strong Fit:

• They recognize patterns across shifts, units, and patient populations

• They understand the real-world impact of policies and workflows

• They naturally think in terms of prevention and risk reduction

• They can translate data and standards into practical changes

Typical Qualifications:

• Most entry-level quality and safety roles require:

  • Active RN license

  • 1–3 years of clinical experience (varies by organization)

  • Familiarity with incident reporting, audits, or unit-based quality initiatives

  • Strong documentation, communication, and collaboration skills

  • Comfort reviewing charts, policies, and basic data

  Advanced certifications (such as CPHQ or Lean Six Sigma) are not typically required to enter the field and are often supported after hire.

Remember, nurses can do jobs that don’t have the word “nurse” in the title!