Straight A Nursing

In this podcast episode, I am joined by Kristin Wade from Fiscal Bliss Financial Coaching. She’s a nurse turned financial coach who is passionate about helping healthcare professionals make their hard-earned money work hard for them in return. If you’re a new grad or about to finally start your career, you may have some questions about evaluating hospital employment contracts, whether or not you need liability insurance and how to manage your “real nurse money.” Kristin talks about all these must-know topics in this episode! You can reach out to Kristin and learn a lot more on her website. Are you a new grad or almost new grad who is looking for support as you make your transition into your career? I’m creating a program to help you do just that! Click here to learn more about and sign up for Confident Nurse Academy. _____________________________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content o

In episode 288, I mentioned the importance of having a growth mindset as one way to set yourself up for new grad success. In this special bonus episode, I’m expanding on this concept by bringing in Stephanie Griffeth, my nurse bestie and amazing nurse educator and coach. In this episode you’ll learn the number one mistake new grad nurses make and what to do instead. And spoiler alert…the mistake probably isn’t what you think! Got questions about being a new grad nurse? Get a free e-book I wrote with Nurse Steph here: The New Grad Q&A Guide Listen to episode 288 to hear 4 more ways to set yourself up for new grad success. Tune in from your podcast player, or from the Straight A Nursing website here. If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps others find the podcast, which helps me help even more people :-) _____________________________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for ed

A lumbar puncture is a procedure that involves the insertion of a needle into the space between two lumbar vertebrae to obtain a sample of CSF for evaluation. In this episode you’ll learn about the nursing implications for a patient undergoing a lumbar puncture, including: * What conditions lumbar punctures are most often used to diagnose * The normal qualities of CSF * How a lumbar puncture is performed * Contraindications for lumbar puncture * Common and serious complications of lumbar puncture * Preparing the patient for lumbar puncture * Caring for the patient after the procedure * Key things to teach the patient/family Read the article and view references here. Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps others find the podcast, which helps me help even more people :-) _______________________________

The transition from student to new grad RN is a time of incredible transformation and growth. It is also a time of immense challenges. In this episode, I’m sharing five things you can do to set yourself up for new grad success. You’ll learn: * Why “you’re doing great” is terrible feedback and what to ask for instead * Why you’re not going to be competent after a few months and why this is actually where you’re supposed to be * How to maximize being an advanced beginner, or even a novice nurse * Your secret weapon when you don’t know what to do or how to do it * How leaning into the rough bits makes you stronger * An easy shift you can make in your self-talk that propels you into a much more powerful mindset Got questions about being a new grad nurse? Get a free e-book I wrote with my nurse bestie here: Get the New Grad Guide __________  The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is i

In nursing school, I learned that digital clubbing was a key sign of COPD and I accepted this as gospel and moved on with my life. I used this information to answer exam questions on the topic and I always included assessing for it in my care plans for patients with COPD. But, like all things in nursing, there’s so much more to this story. In this episode you’ll learn why much of what you’ve been taught about digital clubbing is wrong, and what’s actually going on (spoiler alert…we don’t fully know!) In this episode, you’ll get answers to your burning questions: * What is digital clubbing? * What disease conditions are associated with digital clubbing? * How is digital clubbing evaluated, measured and categorized? * What is the pathophysiology of digital clubbing? ___________________ ⁠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

If you're a new grad nurse or soon-to-be new grad, then you probably have questions. A lot of them. I remember being exactly where you are right now, only I didn't have the benefit of a nurse mentor. I had to navigate new grad life on my own. Even with a robust residency program, it was still one of the toughest years of my life. So that's why I've teamed up with my nurse bestie, Steph, to answer the most common questions new grad nurses ask. We've pulled them together and answered them in a free e-book called The New Grad Q&A Guide. Get your New Grad Q&A Guide here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a nursing student or new grad nurse, the thought of your patient taking a turn for the worse is really scary. In this special bonus episode I’m joined by Sarah Lorenzini from the podcast Rapid Response RN. Sarah talks you through “calling a rapid” on your patient, what to expect from the rapid response nurse, and what to do if you’re the first one on the scene when your patient codes! After this episode, not only will you be a huge fan of Sarah’s, but you’ll hopefully feel more confident handling deteriorating patients. Got questions about being a new grad nurse? Get a free e-book I wrote with my nurse bestie here: Get the New Grad Q&A Guide Be sure to check out Sarah’s podcast, Rapid Response RN, available anywhere you listen to podcasts! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps others find the podcast, which helps me help even more people :-) __________  The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this po

Central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) occur when pathogens invade the bloodstream via a central venous catheter (CVC). Key points in this episode: * Explanation of different types of central lines and their associated infection risk * Infection risk during CVC insertion * Ongoing care of a central line to prevent infection * Standards for CVC dressing changes * The signs of a central line infection * How a central line infection is treated Learn more about IV therapy in Bulletproof IV Medication Administration: Episode 183 Read the article and view references here. Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps others find the podcast, which helps me help even more people :-) __________  The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podca

Knowing when a patient is in respiratory distress and will likely be intubated is a key skill you will use regularly as a nurse. Nurses in all settings come into contact with patients who decompensate, and knowing when you need to intervene can mean the difference between life and death. In this episode, we’ll talk about: * Normal respiratory findings * The general signs of respiratory compromise * The process of emergent intubation * What medication to avoid if your patient is hyperkalemic * Care of the patient after intubation Want to learn more about conducting a respiratory assessment? Take a deep dive into this key skill in Episode 237. Ready to explore further? Learn more about acute respiratory distress syndrome in Episode 137. Read the article "When to Intubate Your Patient". Are you struggling in your Med Surg class? What if I told you that it’s not you at all…it’s likely the way it’s being taught! Enroll in Med Surg Solution to get simplified explanations and study guides for 57 key d

A big part of learning about pediatrics is understanding different musculoskeletal disorders in children. Rather than going through each of these using the full Straight A Nursing LATTE method, I’ve provided a concise summary of a wide range of conditions: * Soft tissue injuries and fractures * Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) * Skeletal limb deficiencies * Osteogenesis imperfecta * Legg-Calve-Perthes * Slipped capital femoral epiphysis * Spinal curvature disorders * Juvenile idiopathic arthritis * Achondroplasia * Osteochondroma and osteosarcoma * And more! You can read this information and view references in the articles "Pediatric Soft Tissue Injuries and Fractures" and "Musculoskeletal Disorders in Children". Review pediatric topics on the go with Study Sesh! Study for your nursing school exams and NCLEX on the go with over 90 PodQuiz episodes covering a wide range of topics. Sign up for Study Sesh here! __________  The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphic

When you don’t meet your target school’s criteria on this ATI TEAS entrance exam, it can lead to feelings of discouragement and even thoughts of giving up on your dream. If this describes you, I want you to know that you are not alone! In this episode, I’m sharing five tips for improving your TEAS score. I’m also speaking with a rep from ATI and a rep from Rasmussen University who share their tips for getting your best possible score and making a good impression during the application process. Use promo code SAN15 to get 15% off Official TEAS Prep by ATI – Including ATI TEAS SmartPrep and the Official ATI TEAS Online Practice Tests.* The ATI TEAS SmartPrep Tutorial has proven results to raise your score by more than 7.5%. Don't just prep to pass – prep to get your highest score possible with ATI. Visit the ATI website for more information. Get the support you need from a national leader in nursing education—Rasmussen University. You can begin sooner with multiple start dates per year and no waiting list at

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an autoimmune attack on the peripheral nervous system which results in neuropathy. It is typically a self-limiting condition that comes on rapidly and results in muscle weakness with some mild sensory loss in the distal extremities. In this episode you’ll learn… * What causes GBS * The four subtypes of GBS and which is most common * Signs and symptoms of Guillain Barre * Key assessments * Tests and treatments * Important things to teach patients and families Read the article "Key Elements of Guillain-Barré Syndrome" and view references here. Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides! Download the free Straight A Nursing LATTE Method template here. __________  The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practi

Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) is a rare condition of pregnancy that affects identical twins and other multiple pregnancies when two or more fetuses share a placenta. In this episode, Nurse Mo reviews: * Key terms associated with this condition * Pathophysiology of TTTS * The Quintero staging system * Complications of TTTS * Nursing implications using the Straight A Nursing LATTE method Review polyhydramnios (episode 244) and oligohydramnios (episode 220), two complications that can accompany TTTS. Download the FREE Straight A Nursing LATTE method template here. Read the article on twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome and view references here. __________  The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on t

In this episode Nurse Mo teaches the key things to know about bone marrow transplant (BMT), including: * Conditions treated with BMT * The function of bone marrow * The types of bone marrow transplants * Options for obtaining stem cells * The complications of BMT * Key assessments and assessment findings in a patient undergoing BMT * Tests utilized in bone marrow transplant * Treatments for a patient undergoing BMT * Important patient/family education For an excellent summary of the neutropenic diet, check out this resource from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Interested in saving a life? Register with Be The Match. ___________________ 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 LATT

If you’re a new grad or transitioning to critical care or the ER, then you will soon be taking your ACLS certification course. This two-day class course the American Heart Association guidelines for a wide range of cardiac complications, and also covers respiratory arrest and stroke emergencies. Taking ACLS for the first time can be intimidating, so I created this episode to help ease you into it so you’ll know what to expect and get a little head-start on studying. In this episode I’m sharing: * How the two days of the ACLS class are structured * The arrhythmias you’ll need to be able to identify quickly * What the “Mega-Code” simulation is like and why it’s not as scary as you think! * Tips on taking the written exam * How to prepare for your ACLS class * A brief review of the key algorithms * A brief review of pharmacology Did you like the quiz questions at the end? Then you’ll love Study Sesh! This private podcast features over 90 PodQuiz episodes covering a wide range of topics….and more! Plus, it’s

As the nurse, one of your key responsibilities is to notice changes in patient condition…and that can be difficult to do in a timely manner if you’re not assessing your patient on a very consistent basis. Now, I’m not saying you’re going to do a full head-to-toe or even a focused assessment every time you go in your patient’s room…but there are SO MANY things you can learn about your patient simply from intentionally observing them. I call this the “doorway assessment” because much of it can be done from the doorway! Though, of course, you’ll intentionally observe your patient every single time you interact with them…but doorway assessment sounds kind of catchy, right? In this episode I’m sharing the main things you can observe in an unobtrusive and consistent manner…hit play and I’ll see you there! Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides! Want a sneak peek into nursing school so you can be

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by extra repeats of the cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) amino acid group in the huntingtin gene. This leads to neuron dysfunction and death, mainly in the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex. In this episode, you’ll learn the key things you need to know about Huntington’s disease: * Who is at risk for Huntington's disease * Complications of Huntington's * Signs and symptoms of Huntington’s * Tests that are likely to be ordered * Priority assessments and interventions * Key patient/family education To learn more about the nonverbal pain scoring tools, check out: ANPS, CPOT, and PAINAID Grab the FREE LATTE template here. Read the article about nursing care for huntington's disease and view references here. Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides! __________  The information, including but not limited to, audio,

If you are starting your job hunt as a new grad, or even as an experienced nurse, you may have questions about navigating job offers. In this special episode I’m bringing in Amanda from The Resume Rx. She’s answering key questions such as: * What the job offer process looks like * How to gracefully manage multiple offers * Red flags in a job offer * How to bring up the prospect of negotiating the offer * And more! Get 15% off Amanda’s resume template bundle by using the promo code STRAIGHTA at The Resume Rx. __________  The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airw

A key component of your head-to-toe and focused assessments is the vascular assessment. In this episode I’m sharing tips and real-world examples to help you feel more confident at the bedside. * What type of clinical situations warrant a vascular assessment * Tips for taking a proper blood pressure measurement * Pulse assessment, including a key tip on using the Doppler * General vascular assessment techniques including capillary refill, edema and pain * Neurovascular assessment * The 6 P’s of Ischemia * What the Allen test is and how to perform one * Bruits and thrills demystified! Did you enjoy the PodQuiz at the end of the episode? Sign up for Study Sesh and change the way you study! Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides! Want a sneak peek into nursing school so you can be prepared and ready? Crucial Concepts Bootcamp teaches you core foundation concepts, medication math, organizational

If your nursing program provides a periop clinical experience, consider yourself very lucky! I really enjoyed my periop clinicals and learned a ton about this exciting area of nursing. The three stages of periop are preoperative, operative and postoperative (PACU). Patients go through each of these stages every time they have a surgical procedure, and each stage has its own unique challenges and opportunities to learn something new. In this episode, I’m sharing what my periop clinical experience was like and some tips on what you can expect in all three settings. If you’d like to learn more about PACU nursing, check out episode 238 where I dive into what a day in the recovery unit is like. Starting nursing school soon? Then you’ve probably heard the horror stories. See how Crucial Concepts Bootcamp has helped students feel more confident, joyful and ready for nursing school here. __________  The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for