Straight A Nursing

When you think about a nurse’s superpowers, you might picture someone performing CPR or rushing to open the airway of a patient in respiratory arrest. But the nurse’s real superpower is his or her ability to assess. It’s the watchful awareness of the nurse that catches subtle changes in patient condition that enable the team to intervene BEFORE the unthinkable happens.  In this podcast episode, I’m going to talk with you about the importance of those routine interactions and how they can provide you with a wealth of data about your patients. By assessing these five things with every patient contact, you can catch changes in patient condition even before your next head-to-toe assessment is due. When you develop a habit of using every patient interaction as an opportunity to assess, you become hypervigilant about your patient and begin to develop those rockstar assessment skills. ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horr

A lot of nursing schools are changing to a concept-based curriculum where instead of teaching disorders in isolation, they teach concepts that have broader application. For example, instead of just teaching about asthma, these programs teach oxygenation as a concept and use asthma as an example for beginning students (and then more complex disorders such as ARDS for the advanced students). By learning about oxygenation as a concept, the consensus is that you’ll apply this knowledge more easily in clinical (and on exams) because you’ll have a better understanding of how it interrelates with the patient’s overall condition.  In this podcast episode Nurse Mo talks you through the basics of oxygenation and some related concepts. You will learn: * The difference between oxygenation and ventilation * The difference between hypoxia and hypoxemia * The difference between diffusion and perfusion * Why hypoxia and hypoxemia do not always co-exist (though they often do!) * How optimal oxygenation looks in a healthy pat

As a new nursing student, it’s absolutely vital that your vital signs assessments be totally on point. After all, the MDs and RNs are counting on YOU to provide reliable information about their patients. If you’re feeling a lot of pressure, don’t worry. I’ve got you! In this podcast episode, I’m sharing with you all the best tips for taking vital signs like a pro. You’ll learn all kinds of great info like how axillary temps differ from oral temps, the best way to palpate a brachial pulse and how to count respirations without your patient changing their breathing pattern on you (you’re so sneaky!).  Ready to learn some tools you can use on your very next clinical day? Then pop in those ear buds and let’s get to work! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursin

When taking care of patients in the post-operative period, you’re going to be watching them closely for any signs of complications...including a fever.  In this podcast episode, we’ll talk about “The Five Ws” of post-op fever...wind, water, walking, wound and wonder drugs. What’s all this mean? Pop in your ear buds and find out! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.  Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on

Sitting down to take an exam is one thing, but having to actually perform tasks and use critical thinking in the moment is something else altogether. That’s why many students struggle through two of the most dreaded assessments in nursing school: skills check-offs and simulation.  In this podcast episode, Nurse Mo talks you through strategies to help you shine in your skills check-offs and absolutely thrive in your simulation experiences. What is an incredibly stress-inducing situation for many could become a valuable and dynamic learning experience, but only if you leave your anxiety about it at the door. Find out how in this episode. ___________________ Sim Lab - Read the article to get yourself prepared for sim lab Skills Checkoff - Skills checkoffs require preparation, just as you would prepare for an exam. Let’s break down the best way to do that, shall we? FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all t

Even the most successful pre-nursing students can find themselves blindsided by the realities of nursing school. In this podcast episode, Nurse Mo talks you through five attitude adjustments to make that will help you make the successful transition from pre-nursing student to nursing school rockstar!  ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh! Crucial Concepts Bootcamp - Start nursing school ahead of the game, or reset after a difficult first semester with my nursing school prep course, Crucia

One of the most common medication classes you'll encounter in nursing is corticosteroids. They are used to treat a variety of conditions and come with unique side effects and dosing schedules. In this podcast episode you'll learn: * What are corticosteroids? * Conditions treated by corticosteroid therapy * The risks of using long-term corticosteroids * The many formulations that corticosteroids come in * Side effects of corticosteroids * How a patient stops taking corticosteroids * Nursing care plan components including diagnoses, interventions and expected outcomes ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help

Mechanical ventilators are complex pieces of equipment that respiratory therapists study for years to master. As a nursing student, or new nurse, it's easy to feel intimidated by the many components, alarms, dials and displays. In this podcast episode, Nurse Mo talks you through the basics of ventilators for nursing students, giving you the foundation knowledge you need to thrive in the critical care environment. You'll learn: * Key concepts related to mechanical ventilation * Ventilator anatomy * Ventilator settings (FiO2, PEEP and rate) * Mechanical ventilator modes * Two ventilator alarms you MUST always be aware of ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private

One of the most difficult and intimidating skills you will need to master early on in your nursing education is the full head-to-toe-assessment. In this episode, Nurse Mo walks you through a standard assessment and tips on how to prepare for your skills check-off. If your school has not provided you with a full listing of the components of your assessment, download the cheatsheet from the Straight A Nursing website, edit to add any details relevant to your program and practice, practice, practice! You’ve got this! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Crucial Concepts Bootcamp - Start nursing school ahead of the game, or reset after a difficult first semester with my nursing school prep course, Crucial Conce

In this week’s podcast we’ll be diving into schizophrenia, a psychiatric disorder that can have debilitating effects. It’s a complicated type of psychosis that has four subsets, each with its own unique profile. In this episode you’ll learn:  * The four subsets of schizophrenia and the signs/symptoms of each * The four categories of schizophrenia symptoms, including positive and negative * How to identify disorganized speech and disorganized thinking * How to differentiate between types of “negative symptoms” * The common types of delusions you’ll see in schizophrenia * The different types of hallucinations your patient could have * How schizophrenia is treated * How to communicate with a patient who has schizophrenia ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nurs

In a job with a steep learning curve and many opportunities to learn from experience, a clinical journal can help you in so many ways. In this episode we’ll talk through all the ways a clinical journal can help you: * Debrief after clinical. This will help you learn from past experiences, which is a critical skill for any nursing student or nurse * Identify your current goals and track your progress * Monitor how satisfied you are with your current situation * Develop communication strategies * Manage work or school-related stress * Stay focused on your “why” * Define your career pathway ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic au

In Episode 68, we talked about preeclampsia which has many complications. One of those is HELLP syndrome, which is a life-threatening condition that occurs during the later stages of pregnancy or that first week or so after giving birth. HELLP syndrome has a mortality rate of 30% and involves severe blood and liver dysfunction.  In this podcast episode we’ll talk about:  * What the acronym HELLP stands for * How HELLP syndrome is classified * The signs and symptoms * What tests are conduction when HELLP syndrome is suspected * Complications of HELLP syndrome, including DIC, liver failure and cerebral hemorrhage * How HELLP syndrome is treated ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you

One of the most common medication classes you’ll see in the clinical setting is the beta blocker. In this episode we’ll talk about what they are, how they work, what they do, what conditions they’re used for and how you’re going to monitor your patient. Some key information you’ll learn is:  * How beta blockers work in the autonomic nervous system * The types of beta receptors in the body * Where beta blockers exert their influence and how this affects the patient * Commonly used beta blockers and the many conditions they’re used to treat * A closer look at metoprolol, including its formulations and dosages, how you’ll monitor the patient, and what key education you’ll need to provide. ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking ove

When looking at endocrine disorders, it’s often helpful to look at them in pairs whenever possible because often the symptoms will mirror one another. In this week’s episode we look at two endocrine conditions related to the adrenal glands: Cushing’s Disease and Addison’s Disease. In this episode we’ll cover: * Basics of Addison’s Disease (also known as adrenal insufficiency) * The differences between primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency * Signs, symptoms, tests and treatments for Addison’s * Complications of Addison’s Disease, including Addisonian Crisis * Basics of Cushing’s Disease (hypercortisolism) * Complications of Cushing’s Disease * Signs, symptoms, tests and treatments for Cushing's Starting nursing school or struggling to keep your head above water? Download the 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students here: https://straightanursing.ck.page/4d90f769dc ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror storie

In nursing school you’ve definitely learned the five rights of medication administration as a key component in keeping your patients safe. But if you want to go even further and truly understand all the factors that go into giving medication safely, then you’re in the right place my friend.  In this podcast episode, I’ll talk you through the five rights of medication administration that all nursing schools teach. Then, I’ll add on an additional six that will take your critical thinking skills to the next level.  By making these eleven guidelines a part of your routine, you will Bulletproof your medication administration practice. And who doesn’t love that? Want to take this knowledge with you to clinical? Download my cheatsheet here: https://straightanursing.ck.page/41fbe4fe50 Learn dosage calculations basics and kick math anxiety to the curb! Download the FREE guide including 10 practice questions right here. ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you'v

Helping a patient through alcohol withdrawal is, hands down, one of the most challenging things you will encounter as a nurse. It requires patience, empathy, a strong backbone and high vigilance to keep both you and the patient safe.  In this podcast episode, you will learn:  * The timeline of alcohol withdrawal * The range of symptoms and when they occur * Serious complications such as delirium tremens and Wernicke’s encephalopathy * Nursing care of the patient following the LATTE method framework If you, or someone you know, needs help with substance abuse, please reach out to SAMHSA via their national helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or through their website at https://www.samhsa.gov. ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it

Study groups and nursing school go hand-in-hand. They seem to be everyone's "go to" tactic when they are struggling with a class, and everyone seems to love them, so they MUST be incredibly helpful. And, the bigger the better. Right?  Wrong. In this podcast episode I’ll let you in on the key reasons why your study group might be wasting you time and detracting you from meeting your goals.  But don’t worry. I also provide tips for creating a study group environment that works.  ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! LATTE Method Template - Download the free LATTE Method Template so you can streamline how you study and focus on what a nurse needs to know. Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this priv

To follow up with our episode about atrial septal defects, it’s now time to look at how this same anomaly affects physiology when it occurs in the ventricles. In this podcast episode, I’ll talk you through: * How a VSD affects physiology * Review of the flow of blood through the heart * Complications of a VSD, including Eisenmenger syndrome * Symptoms a baby with VSD may have * How a VSD is treated ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Episode 70 - Review atrial septal defects. LATTE Method Template - Download the free LATTE Method Template so you can streamline how you study and focus on what a nurse needs to know. Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynam

As the main advocate for your patient’s safety, it’s important to understand that some medications can cause life-threatening conditions such as respiratory depression, bradycardia and even bleeding. And while not all medications have a reversal, some of them do...thank goodness! In this podcast episode, we’ll talk about some of the most common meds that, if overdone, may require emergent reversal.  * Opioids * Benzodiazepines * Beta blockers * Heparin * Warfarin * Factor Xa inhibitors ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free your

Seizure disorders can be quite complex as there are many different types, they have multiple causes and can present in a variety of ways. In this podcast episode we’ll talk about the basics of seizures, how they’re treated, and seizure nursing interventions to keep your patients safe.  This episode includes: * Causes of seizure * The different types of seizures * Nursing interventions during and after the seizure * Overview of “seizure precautions” * Common seizure medications * The difference between seizures and pseudoseizures ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! LATTE Method Template - Download the free LATTE Method Template so you can streamline how you study and focus on what a nurse needs to know. Med S