The Nurses' Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN
Nurses don’t often get to visit the breakroom in real life.Welcome to The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN — a warm, encouraging space where hospice nurses and caregivers can pause, feel seen, and find practical support for the emotional realities of this work.Hosted by Jenny Lytle, RN, with over 20 years of hospice experience in case management, on-call, and leadership roles, this podcast offers honest conversations about what it really feels like to care deeply for others while also learning to care for yourself.Through The Hospice Nurse Well-Being Project and real conversations with hospice nurses, each 5–10 minute episode...
86. Hospice Nurse Self-Care: Practical Ways to Reduce Stress During Your Workday
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
💕 Remember...
You don't have to choose between loving hospice and protecting your own well-being.
I truly believe it's possible to do both.
💕 Enjoying The Nurses' Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN? Follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share it with another hospice nurse who could use a little encouragement.
💕 Download your FREE Hospice Nurse's Guide to Less St...
85. When Being the “Rock Star” Hospice Nurse Becomes Unsustainable
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
What happens when being the hospice nurse everyone can count on starts costing you more than you realize?
For a long time, I was proud to be the nurse my patients and families depended on—the one who was always available, always willing to help, and always trying to make things easier for everyone around me.
And if I’m being truthful, being needed felt good.
But over time, I began to real...
84. Why Hospice Nurses Stay (Even When It's Hard) | Remembering Why You Chose Hospice
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
How did you end up in hospice?
It's one of my favorite questions to ask hospice nurses because everyone has a story. Some were inspired by a loved one. Some had a mentor who believed in them. Others stumbled into hospice almost by accident...and then realized they had found where they belonged.
In this episode, I share my own hospice journey, how I unexpectedly found this work, how bur...
83. What If Tomorrow Felt Different? A Hospice Nurse Reset
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
What If Tomorrow Felt Different? A Hospice Nurse Reset
What if tomorrow wasn't easier...
…but you felt different walking into it?
In this episode, I invite you to imagine what a real Hospice Nurse Reset might look like.
Not a new job.
Not fewer patients.
Not a perfect schedule.
Just an ordinary Tuesday where you feel more grounded, more present, and more connected to your...
82. Hospice Nurse Burnout: When You Know Something Needs to Change
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
If you're experiencing hospice nurse burnout and you know something has to change, this episode is for you.
After interviewing hospice nurses across the country for the Hospice Nurse Well-Being Project, one message has become incredibly clear:
Most hospice nurses don't want to leave hospice.
They want to love hospice again.
In this episode, I share a simple lesson from my morning walk that reminded me...
81. You Don't Have to Leave Hospice to Feel Better: How to Stay in the Work You Love Without Losing Yourself
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
Do you ever wonder if the only way to feel better is to leave hospice?
In this episode, I'm sharing a personal update about a big transition in my own nursing career and why I'm choosing to focus even more on supporting hospice nurses.
Hospice work is deeply meaningful, but it can also be incredibly demanding. Many of us entered this field because we felt called to it. We love our pat...
80. “I’m Always Behind”: What So Many Nurses Are Feeling
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
During Nurses Week, there’s often a mix of emotions.
Sometimes it feels validating and appreciated. Other times, it can feel like pizza parties and tote bags are being used to cover up very real struggles nurses face every day.
In this episode of The Nurses' Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, Jenny talks about one of the most common things she’s hearing from nurses right now:
“I’m always behind and trying to c...79. Why Hospice Nurses Feel So Exhausted (It’s Not Just the Workload)
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
Are you a hospice nurse feeling more exhausted than your workload alone can explain?
In this episode of The Nurses’ Breakroom, Jenny Lytle, RN, explores emotional exhaustion in hospice nursing—and why it’s not just about caseload, charting, or long shifts.
You’ll learn:
Why hospice nurses carry more than they realize How emotional experiences build up throughout the day A simple 30-second awareness practice to help release stressIf you’re exper...
78. I Didn’t Plan This Pause… But It Changed Everything
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
After an unexpected injury and a couple of months away from the podcast, I’m finally back — and this pause brought more clarity than I ever expected.
In this episode, I’m sharing what happened, what this season taught me, and why The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN is shifting to focus more intentionally on the emotional realities of hospice nursing.
After 20 years in hospice case management, on-call, and leadership roles, one...
77. When the Work Starts to Feel Heavier: Understanding Cumulative Emotional Weight
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
If the work feels heavier than it used to, you’re not failing — you’ve been carrying a lot.
This episode explores the cumulative emotional weight of caregiving and why it adds up over time.
You’re not weak for feeling it. You’re human.
Over time, caregiving work leaves a mark.
Not from one shift, one patient, or one hard conversation — but from everything that accumulates along the way.
I...
76. Why You Can’t Just “Turn It Off” — And How to Transition After Work
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
Rest doesn’t just happen — it often needs a transition.
In this episode of The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, hospice nurse and stress-relief coach Jenny Lytle explains why going straight from a shift into the rest of your life can leave you feeling wired, tense, and unable to relax — and what actually helps.
Instead of trying to “flip a switch,” this episode offers gentle, practical ways to help your nervous system shift out of nu...
75. Why Rest Feels So Hard for Nurses and Caregivers (Even When You’re Exhausted)
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
If rest feels uncomfortable, frustrating, or even unsafe — you’re not doing anything wrong.
In this episode of The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, hospice nurse and stress-relief coach Jenny Lytle explores why rest feels so hard for nurses and caregivers, even when you’re exhausted and know you need it.
You’ll learn how conditioning, nervous system patterns, and identity all play a role — and why the resistance you feel doesn’t me...
74. The Hidden Weight of Hospice Work, Part 2: How to Release It After Your Shift
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
Hospice work is sacred — and it’s heavy.
If you find yourself replaying conversations, second-guessing decisions, or feeling like the emotional weight of the day follows you home, this episode is for you.
In this episode of The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, hospice nurse and stress-relief coach Jenny Lytle shares gentle, practical ways to release the emotional weight of a hard shift — without guilt, without “fixing,” and without needing better boundari...
73. The Hidden Weight Hospice Nurses Carry part 1
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
In this opening episode of a new season of The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, hospice nurse of 20 years Jenny invites you to slow down and take a Monday moment for yourself.
This episode isn’t about fixing anything or adding another task to your to‑do list. Instead, it’s about naming the emotional weight hospice professionals carry—and offering reassurance that what you’re feeling is normal, human, and deeply conne...
72. Bonus - Pause, Breathe, Reflect: A Heart-Centered Holiday Practice for Nurses
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
As the holidays approach, stress and emotional overload can quietly build—especially for nurses and caregivers who are used to putting everyone else first.
In this bonus episode of The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, Jenny offers a gentle, guided pause designed to help you slow down, reconnect with your inner wisdom, and settle your nervous system.
You’ll be guided through a HeartMath-inspired Quick Coherence® breathing practice, followed b...
71. Listening to Your Body: Early Stress Signals Nurses Often Ignore
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
As nurses, we’re trained to push through—but your body often knows you’re stressed long before burnout shows up.
In this episode of The Nurses’ Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, we explore the early physical stress signals nurses commonly ignore: shallow breathing, tight chests, fatigue, irritability, headaches, muscle tension, and that feeling of being checked out.
These signals aren’t flaws or failures. They’re information.
You’ll learn simple, in-the-mo...
70. Rest, Boundaries, and Grace: A Holiday Survival Guide for Busy Caregivers
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
This week on The Nurses’ Break Room with Jenny Lytle, RN, we’re talking about something so many caregivers struggle with during December: slowing down without feeling guilty.
The holidays bring pressure — expectations, invitations, comparison, and the constant feeling that you should be doing more. But rest isn’t laziness. It’s essential for your mental health, your energy, and your ability to care for others.
In this episode, Jenny shares practical way...
69. Grieving Through the Holidays: Rituals, Rest, and Realistic Expectations
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
In this episode of The Nurses’ Break Room with Jenny Lytle, RN, we talk about something many people quietly carry this time of year: grief during the holidays. Whether you’re missing a person, a relationship, or a season of life, the holiday season can magnify those emotions.
You’ll learn simple, compassionate ways to navigate grief, honor your loved ones, stay connected, and support your mental and emotional health—wi...
68. Somatic Self-Care for Nurses: Quick Body-Based Practices to Ease Stress
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
In the final episode of our three-part Winter Blues series, we’re shifting from the mind to the body. When you’re tired, stressed, or overwhelmed, you can’t always think your way into feeling better — but you can move your way there.
Jenny walks you through five simple, accessible somatic exercises that help calm your nervous system, increase energy, and bring you back into your body in just a few minutes. No equipment, no special set...
67. From Holiday Hustle to Winter Flow: How to Boost Energy and Beat the Winter Blues
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
If the dark mornings, cold weather, and post-holiday slump have you feeling tired, sluggish, or unmotivated — you’re not alone. In part two of the Winter Blues series, Jenny shares simple, practical ways to support your energy during the winter months, especially if you’re working long shifts or juggling the chaos of caregiving.
Learn why your body naturally slows down this time of year, how light and movement impact mood, and what steps you can take t...
66. Keeping Spirits Bright: Beating the Holiday Blues with Kindness and Self-Care
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
The holidays can bring joy, connection, and celebration — but also stress, sadness, and overwhelm. In this first episode of Jenny’s three-part Winter Blues series, she shares gentle, practical ways to keep your spirits bright through the holidays without adding pressure or guilt.
Whether you’re caring for others at work or home, or just feeling the emotional weight of the season, this episode offers compassion-based stress relief and reflection prompts to help you reset, reconnect...
65. Morning Routines for Busy Nurses: A Realistic Approach
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
What’s your morning routine really like? If you're a nurse juggling on-call nights, family responsibilities, and a full-time job, mornings can feel more chaotic than calm.
In this episode, Jenny Lytle, RN, gets honest about her own struggles — and small wins — with creating a nourishing morning routine that actually works in real life. Inspired by The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, Jenny shares how she’s adapted the “SAVERS” method to fit the unpredictability of healthcare l...
64. Nurse Overload? Try This 4-Step Self-Check Framework
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “something’s gotta give,” this episode is for you.
In today’s episode of The Nurses Break Room, Jenny Lytle RN shares a simple yet powerful reflection tool: The Four Helpful Lists. Whether you’re recovering from a big project, navigating the chaos of the holidays, or just trying to get through a hectic week on the floor, this 4-question framework will help you take stock of what’s worki...
63. Feeling burned out? Start here.
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
Feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or just off lately? You’re not alone—and this episode is your reminder to pause and ask one simple question: What do I need right now?
In this 5-minute reset, host Jenny Lytle RN shares a personal story from a weekend getaway with close friends—and how it sparked a powerful reminder about the importance of rest, presence, and reclaiming space for yourself.
You don’t need...
62. Feeling Overwhelmed? 7 Ways to Calm Your Mind and Stop Spiraling Fast
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
Feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or just stuck in a spiral of stress?
In this episode of The Nurses Break Room, host Jenny Lytle, RN, shares 7 practical and proven strategies to help you pause, reset, and reclaim your mental space—even on your busiest days.
Whether you're a nurse juggling long shifts or anyone navigating stress and responsibility, this episode will help you calm the chaos and return to center.
...
61. You Are More Than a Diagnosis: Reclaiming Your Identity for World Mental Health Day
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
In honor of World Mental Health Day, Jenny gets real about the mental load caregivers carry — and why self-care is not selfish. Whether you’re a nurse, family caregiver, or simply navigating your own mental health challenges, this episode is a compassionate and empowering reminder: you are more than your struggles.
Jenny reflects on her 20-year journey in hospice care and shares insights on identity, burnout, and how to reconnect with what makes you you. If you’...
60. Planning as Self-Care: How Nurses Can Reduce Burnout & Overwhelm
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
In this episode of The Nurses' Break Room with Jenny Lytle, RN, we explore how weekly planning is more than just a productivity hack—it's a powerful form of self-care, especially for nurses juggling changing shifts, emotional demands, and personal commitments.
You’ll learn:
Why “just winging it” leads to burnout and resentmentHow planning ahead helps you create space for you—not just everyone elseHow “energy management” is just as important as time...59. Why Real Self-Care Isn’t Always Relaxing
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
In this episode of The Nurses Break Room with Jenny Lytle, RN, Jenny shares a surprising take on self-care that goes beyond bubble baths and breaks.
What if real self-care means doing the uncomfortable thing—like catching up on emails or folding laundry—instead of zoning out on the couch?
Jenny shares a recent weekend that reminded her: sometimes, the most loving thing you can do for yourself is to get stuff done.
If...
58. Embracing 50: It's OK to Feel Grateful ... and Sad
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
In this deeply personal episode of The Nurse’s Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, Jenny reflects on turning 50—and how this milestone brought up a surprising mix of gratitude, joy, and unexpected sadness.
🎧 Inside this episode:
Why it’s normal to feel conflicting emotions around big birthdays - and in day-to-day lifeThe difference between self-compassion and toxic positivityHow to embrace a “both/and” mindset (especially as a caregiver)What turning 50 can teach us about presence, perspe...57. Why Your Progress Matters—Even If No One Notices
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
Ever skipped celebrating your progress because no one else noticed? In this heartfelt episode, host Jenny Lytle, RN shares a powerful real-life moment that sparked an essential reminder: your steps still count—even if they’re not being tracked by your watch.
From fitness apps to productivity guilt to missed deadlines, Jenny opens up about the quiet pressure we put on ourselves to prove our progress. And she delivers a gentle but firm truth...
56. From Caregiver to Care-Receiver: Learning to Ask for Help Without Guilt
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
In Episode 56 of The Nurses' Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, we explore a powerful truth: even the strongest caregivers need care too.
Titled “From Caregiver to Care-Receiver: Learning to Ask for Help Without Guilt,” this episode invites you to reflect on the emotional and spiritual strength it takes to say, “I need help.”
Jenny shares a simple but profound moment on the lake — a reminder that sometimes we have to turn towar...
55. The DOSE Effect: One Small Habit to Boost Mood and Motivation
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
In this episode of The Nurses' Break Room, host Jenny Lytle, RN explores The DOSE Effect by neuroscientist TJ Power — a powerful framework for improving mental health, energy, and motivation through brain chemistry. Learn how dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins (DOSE) impact your mood — and the simple, science-backed habits that boost each one.
Jenny shares her personal takeaways, including:
Why you shouldn’t try to overhaul everything at onceThe cold shower habit that supercharges motivatio...54. The Top Reasons We Skip Self-Care (and How to Stop)
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
Are you stuck in the “someday” trap when it comes to self-care? In this episode of The Nurses Break Room with Jenny Lytle, RN, Jenny tackles the four most common excuses that keep caregivers, nurses, and busy people from taking time for themselves — and shows you simple, guilt-free ways to break the cycle.
Discover how to fit self-care into your schedule, even when you’re short on time, money, or energy. Learn why putting yourself first is act...
53. Feel Better Fast: Tiny Movement Shifts That Boost Mood and Energy
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
This week on The Nurse’s Break Room with Jenny Lytle, RN, we’re ditching perfection and talking practical, real-life ways to move your body—without guilt, expensive memberships, or hours at the gym. Whether it’s 10 wall pushups or a one-song dance party, these tiny shifts can improve your mood, boost your energy, and strengthen your body and mind. Learn how movement impacts both physical and mental health, and discover ways to make it doable—even...
52. Feeling Overwhelmed? Ask Yourself This Powerful Question
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
This week on The Nurses' Breakroom, Jenny Lytle, RN, shares a deceptively simple question that helps overwhelmed and overworked nurses pause, refocus, and reclaim clarity in the middle of chaos: What do I need most right now?
Whether you're juggling shift changes, life transitions, or just a mountain of mental to-dos, this episode teaches a grounding technique that brings you back to center—fast. Jenny walks through her own real-life moment of overwhelm and how this...
51. Unstuck: Self-care for when nothing is working
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
Feeling stuck, drained, or just plain off? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Nurse's Break Room with Jenny Lytle, RN, we’re talking about what to do when nothing feels like it’s working.
Jenny shares 6 self-care tools to help you reset—not just mentally, but emotionally and physically too. These are gentle, realistic steps you can take today to get unstuck and moving again (even if it’s just a little bit).
<...
50. Using Nature as Medicine: A Nurse’s Guide to Fast Mindset Shifts
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
Feeling overwhelmed and under pressure? In this episode of The Nurses' Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, we explore how reconnecting with nature can quickly reset your mindset and bring peace—even on the busiest days. Jenny shares a real-life story of how she turned a frustrating workday into a grounding, nourishing experience through simple outdoor self-care.
Discover how short nature breaks, mindful walking, and engaging your senses can bring powerful emotional relief—without needing a full da...
49. Shift Your Mindset in Seconds: Gratitude Tips for Overwhelmed Nurses
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
Feeling like you're about to explode from the pressure of nursing life? You're not alone. In this episode of The Nurses' Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, we dive into real-life chaos and how a simple gratitude practice can help calm your nervous system, shift your mindset, and bring peace—right in the middle of the mess.
Jenny shares her own story of a stressful weekend on call and how she used practical, realistic self-care strategies to st...
48. Why Boundaries Matter for Caregivers
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
💕 Remember...
You don't have to choose between loving hospice and protecting your own well-being.
I truly believe it's possible to do both.
💕 Enjoying The Nurses' Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN? Follow the show, leave a rating and review, and share it with another hospice nurse who could use a little encouragement.
💕 Download your FREE Hospice Nurse's Guide to Less St...
47. Who’s in Your Circle? Reflecting on Relationships That Support Your Well-Being
Send me a text - make sure to include your full phone number so I can reply (software blocks it) 💕
This week on The Nurses' Breakroom with Jenny Lytle, RN, we’re slowing down to talk about the people who matter most.
From celebrating her 27th wedding anniversary to honoring the 7th anniversary of her mom’s passing, Jenny shares a heartfelt reflection on the power of meaningful connection—and the impact of friendships, faith, and showing up for yourself.
You’ll walk away with powerful reminders of what true support looks like and how to...
