Straight A Nursing

When I was a student (and new nurse) I remember hearing medical terms all the time that would make me think, “I should probably know what that means, but I’m too embarrassed to ask.” And I hated how that made me feel… lost, incompetent, out of the loop, and unsure of myself. You can imagine what feeling this way did to my confidence level. Yep…pretty low sometimes. In this episode I’m diving into some common medical terms that students (and even experienced nurses) often feel a little unsure about…terms like: * Sensitivity vs specificity * Hypoxia vs hypoxemia * Crystalloid vs colloid * And let’s not forget medical slang like “the gap,” “rainbows,” and “Christmas trees” After listening to this episode, you’ll be absolutely fascinating at your next cocktail party and probably feel a lot more confident at the bedside, too! Prep for nursing school with Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: Whether you’re starting nursing school or heading in to your second semester, CCB teaches you the strategies and foundation concep

Nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses that fulfill a variety of roles in the healthcare setting. Having an NP license enables a nurse to write orders, prescribe medications, diagnose health conditions and, in some states, can even operate independently without physician oversight. I had the great pleasure of interviewing Latrina Walden, CEO and founder of Latrina Walden Exam Solutions. I hope this inspires you to pursue your dream of becoming an NP! You can learn more about Latrina and her programs at www.latrinawaldenexamsolutions.com Read the transcript from this interview here. RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! 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 :-) Click here, scroll to the bottom, then simply tap to rate with 5 stars and select, "write a review." I'd love to hear how the podcast has helped you! If you're not following yet, what are you waiting for? It takes just a quick moment and

Of all the assessments you learn in nursing school, neuro assessment can easily be the most challenging (not to mention the most lengthy!). In this episode I’m taking you through the key types of neuro assessments and some basic tips for practicing them with confidence. You’ll learn: * How and when to use the Glasgow Coma Scale * The difference between somnolent and obtunded (and the other levels of consciousness, too!). * Tips for cranial nerve assessment (spoiler alert…I still use a cheat sheet at the bedside!) * The key components of a general neurological assessment for all of your patients * An overview of the NIH Stroke Scale (yet another type of neuro assessment!) * My pro tips for performing a neurological assessment * And, which patients might be at higher risk for a neuro status change So pop in those earbuds, lace up those walking shoes and let’s talk neuro! Want to maximize your learning by reading this information, too? Check out the article and references. Nursing School Thrive Guide: Get t

I mentioned isoniazid in episode 218 when we talked about tuberculosis, so if you’re interested in some exponential learning, make sure you go back and listen to that episode as well. In this episode you’ll learn: * How isoniazid works * Why it’s especially useful in tuberculosis meningitis * How isoniazid is administered and in what forms * The most important factor when it comes to taking isoniazid * Dietary considerations * Signs of serious adverse effects and what to watch for * And so much more! Want to maximize your learning by reading this information, too? Check out the article and references here. Learn dosage calculations basics and kick math anxiety to the curb! Download the FREE guide including 10 practice questions right here. Get Organized for Nursing School! Don’t get overwhelmed….get organized in this self-paced 5-day challenge. Get a head start on pharmacology with the Pharmacology Success Pack Does learning pharmacology just make you more confused? Review key pharmacology concepts and

If you’re thinking about nursing school or about to start, chances are you’ve heard a lot of weird, ugly or just downright wrong rumors floating around. Let’s see if we can dispel some of the most common myths about nursing school Straight A style! In this bonus episode we’re talking myths about your instructors, failing out of school, the exams, your social life, your GPA and how hard certain classes are…so pop in those earbuds and let’s chat! Prep for nursing school with Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: Whether you’re starting nursing school or heading in to your second semester, CCB teaches you the strategies and foundation concepts you need to succeed. Boost productivity: Get more done in less time when you try my favorite productivity tool. Nursing school planner: Get the planner that has nursing students raving! Test anxiety: A little anxiety can be a good thing because it makes you more alert. But when it’s too much, your performance can definitely suffer. Learn how to combat test anxiety so you can be

If we haven’t met yet, “Hi, I’m Nurse Mo and I am that weirdo that saves every planner and calendar for years and years. Nice to meet you!” Ok, maybe that doesn’t make me a weirdo but it does make me a bit of a planner hoarder and every now and then I look back at those first few weeks of nursing school to remind myself of what you are going through as you start out on this journey. And today in a special bonus episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and talking through exactly what my first two weeks were like! Prep for nursing school with Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: Whether you’re starting nursing school or heading in to your second semester, CCB teaches you the strategies and foundation concepts you need to succeed. Study groups: Find out why I decided study groups were a waste of time and how I studied with others in an effective and efficient way. Nursing school planner: Get the planner that has nursing students raving! “This planner is SO WONDERFUL! Cute covers to choose from and absolutely the most

Yes - the name of the pod is Straight A Nursing - but guess what? You don’t have to get straight As to be an awesome student or an awesome nurse. In this bonus episode we’re breaking down the belief that grades are the end-all, be-all in nursing school. Sure, they’re important (have you seen those grading scales?) but they’re not the only way to measure your academic success. Register for the FREE Workshop: Learn 5 key ways nursing students struggle and what you can do instead! Prep for nursing school with Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: Whether you’re starting nursing school or heading in to your second semester, CCB teaches you the strategies and foundation concepts you need to succeed. RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! 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 :-) Click here, scroll to the bottom, then simply tap to rate with 5 stars and select, "write a review." I'd love to hear how the podcast has help

First off, let me say that I 100% think most nursing school instructors are passionate about teaching and sincerely want their students to succeed. With that said, you will occasionally get a teacher that you either think is a “bad teacher” or who just doesn’t teach in a way that resonates with you. Some students may take this as an opportunity to give away their power and just resort to complaining and feeling resentful…but not you. The truth is, no one is perfect and the key is how you react when your instructor is “not so great.” Register for the FREE Workshop: Learn 5 key ways nursing students struggle and what you can do instead! Prep for nursing school with Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: Whether you’re starting nursing school or heading in to your second semester, CCB teaches you the strategies and foundation concepts you need to succeed. RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! 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 eve

In this episode, I’m continuing to reveal the secrets of successful nursing students. Helpful links: -Get all 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students in a free downloadable guide. -Take your nursing school prep to the next level with Crucial Concepts Bootcamp. Want to maximize your preparation by reading this information, too? Check out the article here. You can also listen to all the episodes in this series by using the links below or searching for the episode number in your favorite podcast app: Secret #1: Episode 174 Secret #2: Episode 181 Secret #3 and #4: Episode 185 Secret #5: Episode 187 Secret #6 and #7: Episode 189 Secret #8 and #9: Episode 193 Secret #10, #11 and #12: Episode 214 Secret #17: Episode 254 Secret #18, #19, and #20: Episode 255 RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! 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 :-) Click here, scroll to the bottom, then simply tap to rate with 5 stars and

By the time you get through nursing school, you will be a productivity hacking genius! It’s just a necessary part of getting everything done, so it’s definitely a skill you’ll develop over time. But what if you want black-belt level productivity skills starting today? Then you, my friend, are in for a treat with this bonus episode! I’ll be sharing the technique that has helped me get more done in less time - The Pomodoro Technique. * What is the Pomodoro Technique * Why this technique absolutely works (it’s science!) * How do you use it? * What apps I recommend (bonus, they are free!) Register for the FREE Workshop: Learn 5 key ways nursing students struggle and what you can do instead! Prep for nursing school with Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: Whether you’re starting nursing school or heading in to your second semester, CCB teaches you the strategies and foundation concepts you need to succeed. 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students: Learn what makes successful students successful in my free guide!

In this episode I’m sharing seven things I wish I’d known before starting nursing school. Things like… * How intense the schedule is and how much I’d REALLY be studying * The realities of all those reading assignments * The crucial class from my pre-reqs that made all the difference * My super power would be organization * The key factor that is critical to nursing school success Register for the FREE Workshop: Learn 5 key ways nursing students struggle and what you can do instead! Prep for nursing school with Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: Whether you’re starting nursing school or heading in to your second semester, CCB teaches you the strategies and foundation concepts you need to succeed. RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! 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 :-) Click here, scroll to the bottom, then simply tap to rate with 5 stars and select, "write a review." I'd love to hear how the podcast has

I always say that nursing is a team sport, and nursing school is no different. In fact, when you go to nursing school, it’s kind of like those around you go to nursing school, too. And that’s because it really does impact those key areas of your life (relationships, work, everyday household chores and your TIME!). So that’s why getting your partner on board is absolutely vital. Register for the FREE Workshop and learn 5 key ways nursing students struggle and what you can do instead! Prep for nursing school with Crucial Concepts Bootcamp. Whether you’re starting nursing school or heading in to your second semester, CCB teaches you the strategies and foundation concepts you need to succeed. RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! Do you love the show? 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 :-) Click here, scroll to the bottom, then simply tap to rate with 5 stars and select, "write a review." I'd love to

In this bonus episode I’m sharing 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! Helpful links: -Develop a morning routine with these tips from episode 129. -Download the free LATTE Template. -Know when to memorize vs conceptualize with these tips. -Run sheets can help you have a more organized clinical shift. One of the keys to success to thriving in nursing school with ADHD is excellent preparation and planning. My nursing school prep course Crucial Concepts Bootcamp can help you get the head start you need! Learn more here. RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show!

If you’re at all like me then you LOVE a good checklist, which is why I created the ultimate new nursing student checklist so you’d know exactly what to do before school starts so you can be ahead of the game. Grab a copy of the new nursing student checklist. Want to take your prep even further? Check out my nursing school prep course Crucial Concepts Bootcamp. It’s helped thousands of students start their programs ahead of the game, and it can help you, too! RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! 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 :-) Click here, scroll to the bottom, then simply tap to rate with 5 stars and select, "write a review." I'd love to hear how the podcast has helped you! If you're not following yet, what are you waiting for? It takes just a quick moment and the episodes show up like magic every Thursday. And, when I release a bonus episode, those show up, too! You'll never miss a thing! In

Guess what? You're not too old for nursing school! In fact, many older students felt they had a distinct advantage (and sometimes more than one!). In this special bonus episode I’m sharing with you all the ways older nursing students have felt they’re at an advantage so you can focus on the positives and realize it’s not too late for you to follow your dream. And yes, some students did say they felt they had a few disadvantages, so we’ll talk about what you can do to address them before classes start. Either way, I want you to know I believe in you and support you 100%! Are you looking for a way to get prepared for nursing school? Then check out my nursing school prep course Crucial Concepts Bootcamp. It’s helped thousands of students start their programs ahead of the game, and it can help you, too! RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! 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 :-) Click here, scroll to the b

Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by alternating episodes of emotional highs and lows. The occurrence of these extreme mood swings is variable. Some individuals experience them multiple times per year while others have rare occurrences. Though a lifelong condition with no cure, bipolar disorder can be managed with proper treatment. In this episode you’ll learn: -Key terms associated with bipolar disorder -Types of bipolar disorder -Complications of this condition -Signs/symptoms of bipolar disorder -Key assessments and interventions -Medications used to treat bipolar disorder …and more! Helpful Links: Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance website and crisis line. If you are having thoughts of death or suicide, call 1-800-273-TALK or text DBSA to 741-741. If you need immediate assistance, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room. Episode 135 - Neurology case study Episode 31 - Trauma case study Episode 142 - Electroconvulsive therapy Read the episode transcript

The term oligohydramnios literally means “scant amniotic fluid” and is diagnosed when ultrasound reveals an amniotic fluid index (AFI) of less than 5 cm. In this episode you’ll learn: * The role of amniotic fluid * The causes and complications of oligohydramnios * Signs/symptoms of oligohydramnios * Key nursing assessments and interventions * Tests utilized to evaluate oligohydramnios * Patient education Helpful links: Learn more about meconium aspiration syndrome in episode 212. Learn more about placenta abnormalities in episode 92. Get more maternal/newborn topics here. Use audio to change the way you study with Study Sesh. Want to maximize your learning by reading this information, too? Check out the article and references here. RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! 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 :-) Click here, scroll to the bottom, then simply tap to rate with 5 stars and select, "writ

Levothyroxine is synthetic thyroid hormone utilized mainly for the treatment of hypothyroidism. It’s one of the most common and straightforward drugs you’ll see, so this one should be pretty easy for you! Want to change the way you study? Then it’s time to check out Study Sesh, the podcast that gets you up from your desk while using dynamic audio formats to learn and review. For more articles on endocrine disorders, check out the list here. Want to maximize your learning by reading this information, too? Check out the article and references here. Get a head start on pharmacology with the Pharmacology Success Pack Want to learn pharmacology in 5 minutes or less? Enroll in Fast Pharmacology and pop in your ear-buds to review pharm foundation concepts and over 80 drug classes on the go. RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! 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 :-) Click here, scroll to the bottom, the

Tuberculosis is an airborne bacterial infection caused by an organism called myobacterium tuberculosis. It’s spread through the air from person to person such as when someone with pulmonary tuberculosis coughs or sneezes. In this episode, we’re diving into the key things to know about tuberculosis for your nursing school exams: -Tuberculosis pathophysiology and risk factors -Signs/symptoms of tuberculosis -Key assessments for tuberculosis -Interventions, including pharmacology -Patient teaching -Details about the tuberculin skin test and what different levels of induration indicate I hope this overview of tuberculosis helps you prepare for NCLEX, clinical and nursing school exams! Check out the article and references here to maximize your learning: https://straightanursingstudent.com/tuberculosis/ For more respiratory topics, click here: https://straightanursingstudent.com/tag/respiratory/ HCA Healthcare: Are you a new grad nurse looking for an organization that supports your transition into practice? The

This episode is generously sponsored by PicMonic and TrueLearn, two great tools to utilize as you prepare for the NCLEX! Picmonic is a dream come true for audio and visual learners while TrueLearn has over 900 practice questions to help you prepare. Use promo code STRAIGHTA for 20% off both products using the links below: Picmonic: https://www.picmonic.com/insiderhookup/straighta TrueLearn: https://truelearn.referralrock.com/l/STRAIGHTA/ Download a free NCLEX study plan. Read the article associated with this episode here: https://straightanursingstudent.com/preparing-for-nclex/ Have more NCLEX questions than what we talked about here? Visit the NCSBN website. __________  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 cont