Straight A Nursing

Pertussis (also known as “whooping cough”) is a respiratory tract infection caused by the bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It is a highly contagious disease that predominantly impacts children. In this episode you’ll learn the key things you know about pertussis: * Pertussis pathophysiology and stages of disease * The pertussis vaccine * Complications of pertussis * Signs and symptoms of pertussis * Key nursing assessments for a patient with pertussis * Tests that will be ordered * Treatments for pertussis * Important patient education information To learn more about respiratory distress in children, listen to Episode 140. And, to dive into ECMO, you can read more about it here. Read the article Pertussis Basics for Nursing Students and view references here. 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! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to

Have you ever wondered what float pool nursing is like? These vital nurses fill staffing gaps throughout various units in the hospital, meaning no two days are the same. Whether you’re an experienced nurse looking for a change of pace or a nursing student who is intrigued by the idea of having a lot of variety, this episode on float pool nursing is for you!  Join me as I talk with Annie Fulton from the Up My Nursing Game podcast. In this episode, Annie shares all the details on working in float pool nursing. I especially love how she describes her role as a "pollinator of knowledge" throughout the hospital. Hit play to hear more on this topic! ________ Are you a new grad nurse? If so, you probably have a lot of questions! Check out my free e-book, The New Grad Q&A Guide Want to start your career strong? Then you belong in Confident Nurse Academy, a virtual new grad residency program. Learn more here. Want more advice as you start your career? Check out these episodes! ------------------------------- The

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common inherited hematologic disorders and can lead to serious complications including organ failure and death. In this episode, Nurse Mo talks through the key things you should know about sickle cell disease, including: * The four key crises of sickle cell disease * How SCD affects different organs and systems in the body * Who is most at risk for the disease * Key signs and symptoms of SCD and vaso-occlusive crisis * Priority nursing assessments * Tests utilized to diagnose and evaluate the condition * Treatments for SCD, including vaso-occlusive crisis * Four medications utilized to help prevent vaso-occlusive events * Important education points to share with patients and families Want to learn more about the only real cure for sickle cell disease? Learn about bone marrow transplant in episode 279. Did you enjoy the PodQuiz at the end of the episode? Imagine having over a 100 episodes dedicated to PodQuizzes covering a wide range of nursing school topics! Sta

I remember being a new grad nurse and foolishly thinking my biggest challenge would be learning critical care pathophysiology. Boy was I wrong. Nursing is a complex job and the learning phase involves a whole lot more than learning about how to care for patients. It also involves learning how to care for ourselves, too. In this episode, I’m talking with Stephanie Griffeth about a concept that highlights how vitally important it is that nurses take as excellent care of themselves as they do their patients, especially in the beginning of their careers. Click “play” to learn all about nurse shock, brilliantly explained using metaphors your nurse brain already understands. — 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! Learn more about Confident Nurse Academy 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 hel

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? 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

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. For a limited time, 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 www.atitesting.com/teas-prep for more information. Get the support you need from a national leader in nursing education—Rasmussen University. You can begin sooner with multiple start date

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. Download the FREE Straight A Nursing LATTE Method Template here. 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 disease conditions. Read the article "Bone Marrow Transplant Basics" and view references here. __________ 

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