Straight A Nursing

When we talk about sinus rhythms, we’re not just talking about “normal sinus rhythm.” We’re actually talking about the standard rhythms that originate in the sinus node…could be too fast, could be too slow and could be juuuuuuust right. In this episode we’re breaking down:  The components of a “normal” sinus rhythm Sinus tachycardia characteristics, causes and treatment Sinus bradycardia characteristics, causes and treatment How to identify sinus rhythm with PACs What exactly is sinus arrhythmia and why it’s usually no big deal The differences between sinus block, sinus pause and sinus arrest ___________________ 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 include

One of the most common and often-prescribed drug classes is that of benzodiazepines. In this podcast episode we’re talking about:  How benzodiazepines work What conditions they are used for (there are a lot!) Abuse and tolerance Guidelines for safe administration Patient teaching Plus, I share my completely goofy but totally effective method for remembering all the side effects.  ___________________ 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! Pharmacology Success Pack - Want to get a head start on pharmacology? Download the FREE Pharmacology Success Pack Fast Pharmacology - Learn pharmacology concepts in 5 minutes or less in this audio based program. Perfect for on-the-go review!

A student reached out to me a few weeks ago to ask “How do you leave your work at the hospital? What do you do when a patient touches your heart, but you have to leave and go home?” In this podcast episode we’ll be diving into compassion fatigue, what causes it, the signs, and how to prevent it.  ___________________ 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 Concepts Bootcamp. Learn key foundation concepts, organization and time management, dosage calculations, and so much more.

When we’re looking at burns, we’re going to be looking at four main factors. The type of burn, the amount of surface burned, the depth of the burn and the location of the burn. We’ll dive into each of those in this episode and even do a little practice estimating TBSA.  ___________________ 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 Concepts Bootcamp. Learn key foundation concepts, organization and time management, dosage calculations, and so much more.

When your patient has a sudden change in neurological status, it can be very scary for everyone involved. If your patient is having a stroke, their best chance for a positive outcome is TIMELY intervention. In today’s episode we’ll be talking through what happens when you call a stroke alert on your patient.  ___________________ 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 Concepts Bootcamp. Learn key foundation concepts, organization and time management, dosage calculations, and so much more.

So very many of you have written emails, reviews and social media messages telling me how you listen to the podcast while you're exercising, making dinner, driving to class or doing chores around the house. For a lot of you, my voice is one you hear often throughout your program and it makes me feel like I'm along with you on your journey. I am speaking deep from within my heart when I say I absolutely LOVE being your study buddy!! Since we spend so much time together, I thought it would be fun for you to get to know me a little more...after all, if we're going to be making dinner together or folding the laundry, we should probably also be BFFs. I hope you enjoy this as much as I enjoyed making it for you. Thanks so much for making the podcast a part of your life and helping us reach the HUGE milestone of 2 million downloads! You're the BEST! ___________________ 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 th

If there’s one thing that gets nursing students and new nurses REALLY nervous (like voice shaking, sweat-on-the-forehead nervous), it’s calling the MD with a concern about your patient. You might be thinking, “What if I don’t know what to say?” or “What if they ask me a question I don't know the answer to?” or even “What if they yell at me, tell me to stop wasting their time, and hang up on me?”  Don’t worry, my friends! As usual, I have got your back :-) In this episode, we’ll be talking all about SBAR, a concise communication format used extensively in the clinical setting.  First, we’ll go over SBAR...what do all those letters represent? I’ll give you my best tips for what to do BEFORE you use SBAR And, we’ll see how it works in action with some SBAR scenarios Want to see how to use SBAR to give end-of-shift report? Read about it here: https://www.straightanursingstudent.com/be-an-end-of-shift-report-rockstar/ Or listen to the Episode 7 here (or wherever you tune in to podcasts from): https://www.stra

One of the first things you’ll learn in your OB class is what’s expected in a normal, uncomplicated, low-risk labor and delivery. Once you’ve got that down, it’s much easier to conceptualize the high-risk complex L&D issues (and yes, they do get complicated!) Today we’re talking about:  The signs an individual is in labor Differentiating between true labor and false labor Physiological changes during labor (both parent and baby) The 6 Ps of labor The stages of labor Want more Nurse Mo in your life? Get extra tips, cat pics and get to know me personally when you follow me on Instagram! @straightanurse SHOW UPDATE: Please note that since recording this podcast I have learned that not all pregnant individuals are women and that by using terms like "mom" or "mother" I have left many of you out of the conversation, and for that I apologize. I have realized I have a knowledge gap in this area and am actively seeking to learn more so my language can be inclusive to all pregnant individuals. If this episode le

Today we’re taking a deep dive into angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (otherwise known as ACE inhibitors). In this podcast episode you will learn:  * The RAAS pathway (understanding this is crucial to understanding how and why ACE inhibitors work!) * How to easily spot an ACE inhibitor * What conditions ACE inhibitors are used to treat * Adverse effects of ACE inhibitors...including one that can be life threatening! Are you as obsessed about patient safety as I am? Learn how to BULLETPROOF your medication administration here Are you looking for an awesome community to support you on your nursing school journey? Join my Facebook group, Thriving Nursing Students and instantly have more than 16K new friends :-) https://www.facebook.com/groups/thrivingnursingstudents ___________________ 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 schoo

Nursing school is challenging, intense and even really frustrating at times. In this week’s podcast episode we’re talking about nursing school burnout, my friends: * All the reasons a nursing student might experience burnout...trust me, it’s not just you!  * How to recognize when you are on your way to burnout (and hopefully catch it before it gets too bad!) * Tips to help you avoid it or even combat it once it hits. Need a little extra encouragement? Visit www.futureme.org and write a letter to your future self to be delivered at a time when you anticipate needing a pep talk or reminder of why you are on this journey :-)  Starting nursing school soon? Get my FREE 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students guide 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 stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and

Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction that occurs immediately (or shortly after) exposure to an antigen. Because it can quickly be fatal, it’s crucial that you understand how to recognize it and intervene immediately. In this podcast episode we’ll talk through: What happens in anaphylaxis and anaphylactic shock Why it is potentially fatal The signs/symptoms of anaphylaxis Nursing interventions for anaphylaxis, including medications How to monitor the patient Want more Nurse Mo in your life? Follow me on Instagram (and see occasional pictures of my cat!) @straightanurse  ___________________ 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!

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) can be a highly effective treatment for depression and bipolar disorder, though it is shrouded in suspicion as one of the most stigmatized therapies currently in use. In this podcast episode we’ll talk about ECT, why and how it is used and nursing interventions for patients undergoing this therapy. Looking for a foolproof way to organize your busy nursing school schedule? Our planners make it easy! Plus, with nursing facts for each and every week, it’s full of info to help you on your exams. Grab yours here: www.etsy.com/shop/straightanursing Do you love “The Gram” as much as I do? Then follow me @straightanurse ___________________ 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!

Even though most nursing students LOVE clinical, there’s still often a lot of worry and uncertainty surrounding the experience. In this episode we’ll talk about some of the most common worries students have about clinicals and dispel them one by one. Looking for your new BFFs? Join the Thriving Nursing Students Facebook group! Want to see what Nurse Mo is up to in between podcast episodes? Follow me on Instagram @straightanurse Links mentioned in this episode: Nursing diagnoses: https://www.straightanursingstudent.com/nursing-diagnosis/ Dealing with bullies: https://www.straightanursingstudent.com/dealing-with-nurse-jerks-and-bullies/ ___________________ 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

In this special bonus episode we’re exploring what it’s like to pursue a career as a CRNA. Join me as I interview Jenny Finnell, creator of the CRNA School Prep Academy (https://crnaschoolprepacademy.com). In this episode Jenny shares her expertise in navigating the complex journey of becoming a CRNA, including: What students can start doing NOW to prepare What the application process is like Where a nurse should work prior to applying to CRNA programs What CRNA school is like Financial considerations for CRNA school Where CRNAs work and what she loves most about her career! Not ready to join the academy but want to explore the world of CRNA nursing? Then check out her Facebook group called I.C.U Dreaming About Anesthesia. See you there! ___________________ 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

If I had to name the top three things that make me nervous at the bedside, pediatric respiratory distress would be at the top of that list. And for very good reason.  In this podcast episode I’ll talk you through all the reasons that pediatric respiratory distress is of special concern and what you (as the awesome nurse that you are) are going to do about it. Have you subscribed to the podcast, but still want more? Then follow me on Instagram @straightanurse  ___________________ 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!

In this week’s episode I’m talking you through a potent medication used in the critical care setting to treat severe hypotension that has not responded to fluids. And that, my friends, is norepinephrine (brand name Levophed). Using the Straight A Nursing DRRUGS framework, we’ll dive into the need-to-know info so you can feel confident in clinical, on the job, or on your exams. Looking for more of Nurse Mo? Check out my growing YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJK-mbh6udF6WNYdjJQ-LYA ___________________ 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! Pharmacology Success Pack - Want to get a head start on pharmacology? Download the FREE Pharmacology Success Pack Fast Pharmacology - Learn pharmacology concepts in 5 minutes or l

In nursing school we learned the standard ECG measurements...the PR interval, the QRS, ST elevations, the rate...and that was about it! It wasn’t until I started working in the ICU that I learned about the QT interval and why it is probably one of the MOST important ECG measurements I can monitor. In this podcast episode, I’ll talk you through what the QT interval represents, how to measure it, some common causes for prolongation and...of course, what you are going to do about it.  The QTc calculator mentioned in this episode can be found here: http://www.medcalc.com/qtc.html Looking for more of Nurse Mo in between episodes? Follow me on Instagram @straightanurse  ___________________ 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!

In this special bonus episode I interview Michael Smith from the Real Talk School of Nursing podcast. Michael is a wonderful student advocate who provides nursing students with a real-world perspective on nursing school through his podcast and hilarious Instagram memes (seriously, go check them out!)   In addition to mentoring students, Michael also works in the emergency room of a L1 trauma center. If you’re at all interested in ER nursing, then you’ll want to hear Michael’s advice for students and new nurses in that high-acuity and intense environment. He believes in you and so do I!  Enjoy! ___________________ 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!

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the most severe form of lung injury and happens to be prevalent as of late due to Covid-19. In this podcast episode we’ll talk about the pathophysiology of ARDS and then dive into the key need-to-know information using the Straight A Nursing LATTE method.  If you find this podcast helpful, we’d love for you to take the time to subscribe, rate and review! I read every single one of your comments and appreciate your feedback and support more than you know.  Looking for more of Nurse Mo in between episodes? Follow me on Instagram @straightanurse  Links mentioned in episode: Chest X-ray showing ARDS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acute_respiratory_distress_syndrome#/media/File:ARDSSevere.png End-tidal CO2: https://www.straightanursingstudent.com/capnography-etco2/ Brief tutorial on the P/F ratio: https://www.straightanursingstudent.com/whats-a-pf-ratio-and-why-should-you-care/)  What is ECMO? https://www.straightanursingstudent.com/ecmo/)  Prone positioning: https://

Students, even those who do well in other classes, often struggle with mental health nursing. Many times these students have no idea why they’re struggling, they just know this class can be especially difficult.  But guess what? When you understand WHY you could find a class challenging, you can go in there armed with appropriate tools to meet these challenges (and possibly even thrive despite them!). Whew! How strong is your organization game? Looking for a way to level up and have complete confidence that you’ll never miss an assignment, stay up too late finishing a project or forget an appointment? Then you’re ready to check out the Straight A Nursing planner at www.etsy.com/shop/straightanursing. Available in digital (for iPad/Tablet) or printable formats that come with easy instructions for printing at home or sending to an outside printer for assembly. Get yours today and see how amazing it feels to be in control of your busy nursing school schedule! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the articl