Straight A Nursing

Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, I'm sharing insight on one of the most mysterious of things in the clinical setting - abdominal pain. Many times it can be something simple and easily fixable like gas pains and other times it’s a true emergency. ___________________ 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! 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! All Straight A Nursing Resources - Check out everything Straight A Nursing has to offer, including free resources and online courses to help you succeed!

In this episode, we explore peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs), which are a cornerstone of pain management in surgical care. PNBs offer targeted pain relief by blocking nerve signals, reducing the need for systemic analgesics, and enhancing recovery times. From their mechanism of action to nursing priorities, we cover everything you need to know to confidently care for patients receiving PNBs. In this episode, you will learn: What is a Peripheral Nerve Block? Learn about the benefits of PNBs, including reduced opioid use, faster recovery, and suitability for high-risk patients. How They Work: Understand how local anesthetics like ropivacaine and bupivacaine block sensory, motor, and sympathetic nerves in sequence. When They’re Used: Common surgeries utilizing PNBs, such as knee replacements, carpal tunnel repair, and shoulder procedures. How They’re Administered: Single-shot vs. continuous infusion techniques, including the use of portable pumps like the Ambit pump or elastomeric devices. Medications: L

Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, I'm sharing the purposeful highlighting tactics I used as a student to help me get a 4.0 all throughout nursing school. ___________________ 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! 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! All Straight A Nursing Resources - Check out everything Straight A Nursing has to offer, including free resources and online courses to help you succeed!

Every other week I'm republishing one of my most popular or impactful episodes and adding an update, new insight, or context that will help you benefit from it even more. This week I'm highlighting Episode 224, where I share with you all the tips that have been shared in the Thriving Nursing Students Facebook group when it comes to going through nursing school with ADHD. And even if you don’t have ADHD, the tips in here are absolute gold for time management and organization, so be sure you don’t miss this one…it’s so good! Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge, insight, and experience. I learned so much, and I'm so grateful for you! ___________________ 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 - Sta

Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, I'm sharing my pro tips for clustering your care so you can manage your time better and boost your efficiency at the bedside! ___________________ 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! 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! All Straight A Nursing Resources - Check out everything Straight A Nursing has to offer, including free resources and online courses to help you succeed!

In this episode, Nurse Mo dives into neonatal hypoglycemia, the most common metabolic disturbance in newborns. With glucose as the brain’s primary energy source, recognizing and treating low blood sugar in infants is critical to preventing long-term complications like neurodevelopmental delays or cerebral palsy. Hit play on this episode and you will learn: Key terms - Brush up on key terms like glycogenesis and glycogenolysis Pathophysiology - Review how newborns transition from relying on maternal glucose to life outside the womb Risk Factors - Learn which infants are at higher risk so you can be on the lookout for hypoglycemia right from the start Signs & Symptoms - Get an overview of what to watch for in the neonate Testing & Treatment - Boost your understanding of tests and treatments utilized in neonatal hypoglycemia Parental Education - How to reassure and inform parents about their baby’s care and what to watch for at home By the end of this episode, you’ll feel much more confident managin

Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, I'm sharing three things to always check at the start of your shift to set yourself (and your patient) up for success! ___________________ 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! 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! All Straight A Nursing Resources - Check out everything Straight A Nursing has to offer, including free resources and online courses to help you succeed!

Every other week I'm republishing one of my most popular or impactful episodes and adding an update, new insight, or context that will help you benefit from it even more. This week I'm highlighting Episode 184, where I take you through my eight favorite online tools for nursing school that help set you up for success. NEWLY ADDED! Organize your school and study schedules with My Study Life. Get Google Drive with a free Google account: Google Drive. Say goodbye to password frustrations with LastPass. Take your notes for nursing school into digital format with GoodNotes and Notability. Improve your writing with Grammarly. Start your online search for research articles with Google Scholar and PubMed. Manage your bibliography and make writing scholarly papers easier with Zotero. Demystify APA formatting and scholarly writing with Purdue Owl APA. Reclaim your focus and embark on powerful work sessions with the Focus Keeper App for iOS or Pomodoro Timer for Android. ———— Full Transcript – Read the articl

Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, I'm talking about what to do when you can’t feel your patient’s peripheral pulse. ___________________ 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! 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! All Straight A Nursing Resources - Check out everything Straight A Nursing has to offer, including free resources and online courses to help you succeed!

Let’s face it. Nursing school is intense, and anxiety can creep in from every corner—whether it’s math exams, clinical rotations, or managing an overwhelming workload. But here’s the good news - you *can* take control of that anxiety and even start to enjoy your nursing school journey.   In this episode, I’m breaking down the top sources of anxiety nursing students face and sharing actionable tips to help you tackle them, including:   Conquering math anxiety (spoiler: it’s more common than you think!).   Managing those nerve-wracking skills check-offs like a pro.   Feeling confident in clinical and sim lab, even when you’re out of your comfort zone.   Staying organized to keep workload anxiety at bay.   We’ll also chat about why these feelings are totally normal and how to reframe them as opportunities to grow.  ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article 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 di

In this episode, Nurse Mo breaks down the key differences between acute and chronic pain to help you navigate pain management more effectively as a nurse or nursing student. By understanding how these two types of pain differ in causes, duration, and treatment approaches, you’ll be better equipped to deliver compassionate and tailored care (and crush those nursing school exams!). Highlights include: Key characteristics of acute and chronic pain - causes, duration, quality, and impact on life Pharmacologic treatments for acute and chronic pain Non-pharmacologic treatments - explore medications (from NSAIDs to botulinum toxin) and non-pharmacologic strategies (such as CBT, physical therapy, and TENS units) Links mentioned in this episode: Types of Pain - Dive deeper into the different subtypes of pain here! Corticosteroids - Learn the key things you know about this common type of medication LAST - Learn about local anesthetic systemic toxicity ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article

A pulmonary embolism is a condition in which vessels in the lungs are blocked by a thrombus or other material that has traveled from somewhere else in the body. This is usually a result of a venous thromboembolism, but can also be due to amniotic fluid, air or fat embolus, or tumor material in patients with cancer. A key thing to understand about pulmonary embolism is that the airway is not occluded. In pulmonary embolism, one or more blood vessels are occluded. What this means is that blood coming from the right side of the heart isn’t able to pass freely through the pulmonary vasculature to participate in gas exchange, which negatively affects perfusion. In this episode you’ll learn: Pulmonary embolism pathophysiology Which of your patients are at highest risk for having a PE Common signs and symptoms of PE Priority nursing assessments Tests utilized to evaluate or diagnose PE Treatments for PE, including pharmacological and surgical And more! Hit play on this episode so you can understand how to

In this episode, we dive into the essentials of nursing care for patients with right-sided heart failure. You’ll learn: The difference between right-sided and left-sided heart failure. Common causes of right ventricular failure. Key nursing assessments and clinical signs to watch for. Diagnostic tests for right-sided heart failure. Evidence-based treatments, including medications and lifestyle modifications. Strategies for effective patient education to promote heart health and symptom management. This is a must-listen for nurses and nursing students looking to strengthen their understanding of the cardiovascular system! ___________________ 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

Feeling unsure or timid at the bedside is something every new nurse and nursing student experiences. In this episode, Nurse Mo breaks down how to build courage in those crucial moments—whether it’s advocating for your patients, setting boundaries, or getting comfortable with personal patient care. You’ll gain confidence through practical advice and real-world strategies that will make your time at the bedside more effective and a lot less intimidating. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to get comfortable performing assessments, even when patients are not in the best of moods Tips for advocating for your patients and confidently communicating with other members of the healthcare team Strategies for setting professional boundaries with difficult or overly needy patients How to remain calm in emergency situations by planning ahead and asking for help when needed Listen now to boost your confidence and strengthen your nursing practice! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article "Courage at the B

In this encore episode, I’m reviving a popular topic that is of special interest to nursing students right now…studying for finals! Hit play on this episode to hear my 12 tried-and-true tips for preparing for your final exams.  ___________________ 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!  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.  Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashc

In this episode, Nurse Mo breaks down the critical information you need to know about myxedema coma, a life-threatening complication of hypothyroidism. Learn how to recognize, assess, and treat this condition using the Straight A Nursing LATTE Method. Tune in to boost your confidence in both exams and clinical practice! Hit play on this episode to learn:  Key symptoms and patient presentation for myxedema coma How to assess and monitor patients, including vital signs and neurological status Critical lab tests and diagnostic evaluations used for diagnosis Treatment options, including thyroid hormone replacement and supportive therapies Essential patient education to prevent myxedema coma and manage hypothyroidism This episode is packed with important info to help you feel more confident when caring for patients with this complicated condition. Don’t miss it! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article "Myxedema Coma Basics" and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing s

Want to feel more confident on your exams or when caring for patients with prostate cancer? This episode has everything you need! This episode walks you through the essentials:  Who is most at risk for prostate cancer Key signs and symptoms of the condition Important nursing assessments for a patient with prostate cancer Tests utilized to evaluate or diagnose prostate cancer Prostate cancer treatments Understanding these basics will not only help you ace any exam questions about prostate cancer, but also prepare you to feel more confident in the clinical setting. Go you! ___________________ 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

In this episode, we dive into one of the key aspects of mental health nursing: recognizing and understanding defense mechanisms. These psychological strategies, often unconscious, help individuals cope with reality and its stresses.  As nurses, it’s crucial to help patients gain self-awareness by identifying when these defense mechanisms are at play, which in turn can improve their understanding of their own behaviors. Recognizing when defense mechanisms are at play can prevent manipulation, foster greater insight, and lead to better outcomes for both nurse and patient. ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article "Defense Mechanisms in Mental Health" 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

This episode breaks down hypertensive crisis - what it is, how to recognize it, and the steps nurses can take to manage it effectively. You’ll learn the two main types of hypertensive crisis: hypertensive urgency and hypertensive emergency, and get tips on how to assess for signs of organ damage. Key takeaways include: Definition and parameters for hypertensive crisis Tips for getting an accurate blood pressure Factors that can cause a falsely elevated reading Signs of end-organ damage Medications used to treat hypertensive crisis ___________________ 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

I’m swapping podcast episodes this week with Kati Kleber from FreshRN and I could not be more excited about what she is sharing with you! In this mega episode, which aired originally on the FreshRN podcast, Kati shares a bounty of communication tips that you’ll find helpful whether you’re brand new or a seasoned nurse with years of experience at the bedside. This episode includes: How to talk to your nursing colleagues, CNAs, and medical unit receptionists when your urgency level changes or you have challenges working together Learning what everyone on the healthcare team actually wants to know when they need a patient update (PT, OT, ST, Case Management, Social Work, medical team, and more!) Cool vs. not cool ways to handle things  Simple things you can do and say to look and feel more comfortable as the patient’s nurse Tips on delivering tough news and how to be in those big moments while holding it together and being a strong but caring presence for your patient How to engage with your own family and