Straight A Nursing

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 101, which is all about first, second and third-degree heart blocks.  Together, we'll cover:  -key ECG elements of each heart block -the many names for the second-degree blocks (why are there so many???) -causes of heart blocks -nursing assessments and interventions -an easy way to keep it all straight ___________________ ⁠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! ⁠Clinical Success Pack⁠ - One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is having the right tools. This FREE pack includes report sheets, sheets to help you plan your day, a clinical debrief form, and a patient safety cheat sheet.  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.  ⁠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! ⁠All Straight A Nursing Resources⁠ - Check out everything Straight A Nursing has to offer, including free resources and online courses to help you succeed throughout nursing school!

I remember being a brand-new nurse and thinking my biggest challenge would be learning critical-care pathophysiology. Spoiler alert: it wasn't. What really caught me off guard was “nurse shock.” It's an intense, disorienting phase where real-world nursing feels nothing like what I expected. In this powerful conversation with my nurse bestie and fellow educator Stephanie Griffeth, we talk about what nurse shock actually is, why it happens, and most importantly, how to move through it without losing your confidence or your spark. In this encore episode, you'll learn:

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 highlighting when note-taking and giving you a simple five-color system that actually makes sense for 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!

Have you ever heard of injecting bubbles into someone's vein on purpose? Sounds wild, right? But that's exactly what a bubble study (AKA an “agitated saline study”) does. And it's actually a safe and effective way to detect abnormal blood flow in the heart and lungs. In this episode, you'll learn: What a bubble study is and how it works The key clinical indications How to interpret the timing of bubble appearance on ultrasound How to assist with this procedure Tips for conducting a safe study

You've survived nursing school, passed the NCLEX, and landed your first job, but being a new grad nurse comes with its own unique set of challenges. In this encore episode, I'm joined by my nurse bestie and incredible educator, Stephanie Griffeth, to talk about the number one mistake new grad nurses make — and what to do instead. (Spoiler alert: It's not about charting, IVs, or time management.) In this episode, you'll learn: ✨ What this common mistake looks like in real-world practice

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 three big red flags you never want to miss in a post-op patient. These are quick, easy to remember, and could save your patient's life. Grab your earbuds and dive in. ___________________ 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 Encore episode, I'm talking about something that can rattle even the most experienced nurses. Your heart races, adrenaline spikes, and every second counts. In this episode, we're walking through a mock code blue from start to finish so you can better understand the flow, roles, and rapid decisions that happen in those critical moments. And if you want to take your confidence even further, you'll love getting a sneak peek lesson inside Confident Nurse Academy 2.0:

On mobile? Listen with your favorite podcast player here. 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 277 which is all about what I call the "doorway assessment". 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. Cue the doorway assessment: observations you can make unobtrusively and consistently...from the doorway. 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! Clinical Success Pack - One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is having the right tools. This FREE pack includes report sheets, sheets to help you plan your day, a clinical debrief form, and a patient safety cheat sheet.  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.  More Nursing Assessment Episodes - If you liked this doorway assessment episode, check out other assessment episodes ranging from head-to-toe to focused assessments.

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 hemoglobin and why a low value doesn't always mean your patient is bleeding. ___________________ 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!

If you've ever wondered what to do when a patient refuses treatment, when your personal values don't match your patient's decisions, or when you're stretched thin and trying to give equal care to everyone, this episode is for you. In today's lesson, we're breaking down the five core principles of nursing ethics: autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, and fidelity.  Hit play on this episode to get clear definitions, real-world examples, and some practice questions to help you apply these concepts in school, on exams, and in your everyday role at the bedside. After all, ethics isn't just textbook material, it's a concept that shows up every single shift. ___________________ 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 common reversal agents and antidotes for high-impact medications. If you want to dive deeper on this topic, I've got you covered in episode 72. ___________________ ⁠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 175, which is a cardiac pharmacology PodQuiz. Think of it as flashcards for your ears! Hit play on this episode to review cardiac meds. If you love this podquiz, you'll LOVE my private podcast Study Sesh. Study Sesh uses dynamic audio formats (like podquizzes!) to help you study on-the-go. ---- 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 - If you loved this podquiz, you'll LOVE Study Sesh! Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats including podquizzes, case studies and drills that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!  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! Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

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 how to help keep your patients who are at risk for hypoglycemia safe while they're on beta blockers. ___________________ ⁠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!

Chemo. Just the word alone can feel a little intimidating, right? But don't worry. This episode breaks it all the way down so you can walk into the hospital (or your next exam) feeling calm, confident, and prepared. In this episode, we're covering the essential nursing care for patients undergoing chemotherapy, including: What chemo is and how it works The nurse's role before, during, and after administration What “chemo precautions” actually mean (hint: double gloves are just the beginning) Common side effects like myelosuppression, mucositis, and chemo brain—plus how to manage them How to prevent infection and what to do in a neutropenic fever emergency (this is high-priority NCLEX content, by the way) If the thought of cytotoxic drugs and yellow waste bins has you feeling a little unsure, this episode is your safety net. Hit play and I'll see you there! ___________________ 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 including podquizzes, case studies and drills 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.  Confident Calculations - Learn a foolproof method for performing dosage calculations so you can pass your nursing school math exams on the first try! 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. Dosage Calculations Guide - Kick math anxiety to the curb and learn the basics of how to set up and perform dosage calculations using dimensional analysis with this FREE guide. Includes 10 free practice questions! Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Pharmacology Success Pack - Want to get a head start on pharmacology? Download the FREE Pharmacology Success Pack. 

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 key tests that may be ordered if your patient is suspected of having a DVT. This is a common condition that definitely shows up in the clinical setting and on 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! 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 191, which is about hypoglycemia. Though a common condition, it's important to understand how incredibly dangerous it can be. Hit play so you know what to watch for! 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. LATTE Method Template – Download the free LATTE Method Template so you can streamline how you study and focus on what a nurse needs to know. 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.

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 the expected rise in hemoglobin after blood products are administered, and the best time to draw that lab. ___________________ 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!

This episode dives into two of the most common cardiac labs you'll see in both clinical and classroom settings: BNP and troponin. Hit play on this episode and you'll learn: What BNP and troponin measure How to recognize normal vs abnormal values What it means when they're elevated Clinical examples of how nurses use these labs to guide care Whether you're prepping for your med-surg exam, starting clinicals, or just trying to give better SBAR, this episode will help you confidently interpret these two essential cardiac labs. ___________________ 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 including podquizzes, case studies and drills 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.  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. Dosage Calculations Guide - Kick math anxiety to the curb and learn the basics of how to set up and perform dosage calculations using dimensional analysis with this FREE guide. Includes 10 free practice questions! Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Pharmacology Success Pack - Want to get a head start on pharmacology? Download the FREE Pharmacology Success Pack.  Clinical Success Pack - One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is having the right tools. This FREE pack includes report sheets, sheets to help you plan your day, a clinical debrief form, and a patient safety cheat sheet.  20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! New Nursing Student Checklist - Get prepped and ready for your nursing school program with this free checklist!

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 two common beta blockers. Hit play to learn how they're different and why it's important to use them in the correct way. ___________________ 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 152, which is all about sinus rhythms. So, if ECG interpretation makes you nervous, hit play on this episode! 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! 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.  Study Sesh – If you loved the podquiz in this episode, you'll love Study Sesh! Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats (like podquizzes!) that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!  Straight A Nursing App – Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for FREE in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

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 renal patient veins. Have you ever wondered why it's difficult to obtain IV access on a renal patient? Find out in this episode! ___________________ 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!

If you're gearing up for a perioperative clinical, prepping for an exam, or transitioning into surgical or PACU nursing, this episode is for you. Today, we're diving into the anesthetic gases. Hit play on this episode and you'll learn: High-level overview of how inhaled anesthetics work in the body The difference between volatile and non-volatile gases Common agents such as isoflurane, sevoflurane, and nitrous oxide Key complications to watch for What to look out for in the post-anesthesia period (hello, hypotension

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 the differences between PTT and aPTT. These are two very common lab tests you'll see ordered for your patients. ___________________ 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 82 which covers how to perform a thorough head-to-toe assessment. Good luck on your skills check-off! 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. Clinical Success Pack – One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is having the right tools. This pack includes report sheets, sheets to help you plan your day, a clinical debrief form, and a patient safety cheat sheet. 

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 best tips to help you fill out your medication info for your care plans. Understanding pharmacology will help you feel way more confident in clinical. ___________________ 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!

Feeling overwhelmed when it's time to write a narrative note? You're not alone! I've coached many students through this process and I'm sharing my best tips for you in this episode. Whether you're a student just starting out or someone who wants to tighten up their documentation game, this episode will give you the confidence (and framework) to write notes like a pro. ___________________ 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! The Ultimate Nursing School Thrive Guide - Nursing school is hard, but you don't have to do it the had way. Get the ultimate survival guide for nursing school…available on Amazon! Confident Calculations - Learn a foolproof method for performing dosage calculations so you can pass your nursing school math exams on the first try! 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. Dosage Calculations Guide - Kick math anxiety to the curb and learn the basics of how to set up and perform dosage calculations using dimensional analysis with this FREE guide. Includes 10 free practice questions! Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! Conquering Case Studies - Learn how to approach case studies so they feel less overwhelming while honing your clinical judgment skills in the process with this FREE download. New Nursing Student Checklist - Get prepped and ready for your nursing school program with this free checklist!

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 atrial fibrillation and blood pressure You don't want to this miss this episode! ___________________ 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 88, which provides some key tips for taking vital signs like a pro. This is a basic but very important nursing skill and I've included some additional tips about taking blood pressures accurately. Enjoy! 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! Clinical Success Pack – One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is having the right tools. This pack includes report sheets, sheets to help you plan your day, a clinical debrief form, and a patient safety cheat sheet. 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! 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.

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 Allen Tests. This is an important test conducted before an arterial puncture. Hit play to find out why! ___________________ 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!

If you've ever felt overwhelmed trying to piece together how blood pressure, fluid balance, and heart failure meds all connect, this episode is for you. In this lesson, we're diving into the RAAS pathway, also known as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and how this one system plays a major role in so many things you'll encounter in nursing school and beyond. You'll learn how RAAS helps regulate systemic vascular resistance and fluid volume, which ultimately impact cardiac output and blood pressure. I'll walk you through the three main components—renin, angiotensin, and aldosterone—and show you exactly how they interact to keep the body in balance. We'll also cover the medications that disrupt this pathway, including ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and aldosterone receptor blockers. These are foundational drugs used to treat hypertension and heart failure, and understanding the pathway gives you a deeper understanding of why and how they work. Plus, we touch on the role of pharmacologic angiotensin II in hypotension and septic shock. This episode highlights how mastering one system—just one!—can give you a big-picture view of multiple conditions and treatments. It's a perfect example of what I teach in my free class, How to Thrive in Nursing School Without It Taking Over Your Life. And if you're ready to keep building that strong foundation, I'll also tell you how to join me inside Crucial Concepts Bootcamp. Ready to make the RAAS system finally click? Let's do it! ___________________ 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. Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Pharmacology Success Pack - Want to get a head start on pharmacology? Download the FREE Pharmacology Success Pack.  Nursing School Thrive Guide - Get the book that many nursing students consider the ultimate survival guide for nursing school! Available in paperback, Kindle and audio formats.

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 how to use comparison tables to streamline your studying. You don't want to this miss this episode! ___________________ 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 147, which is all about SBAR communication. One thing I cannot stress enough with SBAR is that practice really does make perfect. So, give this one a listen and perfect your SBAR game! ___________________ 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. Clinical Success Pack – One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is having the right tools. This success pack includes SBAR report sheets, run sheets, a clinical debrief form, and patient safety checklist. Episode 7 – How to give end-of-shift report using SBAR SBAR End of Shift Report – Read the article breaking down how to use SBAR for your end of shift report.

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 some common mistakes that can cause a falsely elevated blood pressure - some of these may surprise you! ___________________ 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!

Have I got a treat for you this week! In this episode I'm releasing the first chapter of my new book, The Ultimate Nursing School Thrive Guide! This book is the updated and expanded version of the original Thrive Guide with a lot more information and even more helpful tips to help you thrive in nursing school.  This book is for you if you're starting nursing school soon and want to jump in without all the stress, uncertainty and fear that you see so many other students dealing with. If you're looking for a nursing school BFF who's been where you are and who also has the insight only an experienced nursing school instructor can have, this book should be next on your reading list! The Ultimate Nursing School Thrive Guide is available on Amazon. Or visit the Straight A Nursing website for more information and bulk orders. ___________________ 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. 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide!

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 some key things that can worsen orthostatic hypotension, which puts your patient at very high risk for falls and injury. So, let's keep our patients safe and hit play on this episode!  ___________________ 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 #69, which is all about imposter syndrome. I've talked about imposter syndrome time and time again to different groups of nursing students and that's because almost every single person can relate. If you've ever said to yourself, "I don't belong here" or "They're going to find out I don't know what I'm talking about" then you may very well suffer from imposter syndrome. In this podcast episode, Nurse Mo talks about imposter syndrome, why it's so common in nursing students and why it has absolutely nothing to do with how amazing you actually are. ___________________ ⁠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. ⁠20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students⁠ – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! ⁠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! ⁠Straight A Nursing App⁠ - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

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 five common causes of post-op fever. Hit play on this episode to take even better care of your surgical patients! ___________________ 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!

Get ready for nursing school with Crucial Concepts Bootcamp. This nursing school prep course is on sale right now, plus you get a free Electrolytes Study Guide and a free 2-week trial for Med Surg Solution. Check out Crucial Concepts Bootcamp here! Sale runs July 6 - Aug 11, 2025. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If there's one thing nursing students are familiar with, besides early mornings and endless exams, it's a tight budget. Between juggling school, part-time jobs, and sky-high stress levels, managing your money can feel like one more thing on an already overflowing to-do list. In this episode, I'm introducing you to a simple, hands-on budgeting method that's been trending on social media for good reason: cash stuffing, also known as the envelope system. Whether you're trying to make your student loan stretch, pay the rent, or just want to avoid those “how did I spend that much?” moments, this method can help you take control of your finances in a way that's visual, satisfying, and even kind of fun! I'll walk you through: Exactly what cash stuffing is and how it works A step-by-step guide to setting up your own budget, even with a variable income How to create “sinking funds” for things like NCLEX fees or yearly expenses Tips for using this system alongside online purchases (because yes, Amazon still happens) How cash stuffing helps reduce stress and curb impulse spending Whether you're a student looking for a smarter way to budget or a nurse wanting to be more intentional with your spending, this episode will help you ditch money anxiety and feel more in control of every dollar.

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 a very common situation that can drastically exacerbate MS symptoms (and what you can do to help!)  ___________________ 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 236, which highlights some key medical terms that you might not yet know. And, if you're like me, your confidence goes way up when you actually understand what people are talking about. Imagine that! 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! 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. Kali Dayton Interview: Learn about ICU delirium and the dangers of oversedation in this compelling interview. Purewick:  This is an external catheter that's gaining quickly in popularity (you know, if there were a popularity contest amongst urine collection devices). Episode 89: Explore oxygenation (especially if the concept of hypoxemia vs hypoxia is new to you!). Episode 64: Learn more about atelectasis (spoiler alert…it's so much more than “crackles!”)

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 the key differences between the three forms of epinephrine. So if you've ever been a bit confused between 1:1,000 and 1:10,000 epi, hit play on this episode! ___________________ 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!

Feeling overwhelmed by the NCLEX prep options out there? You're not alone! I'm breaking down four of the most popular NCLEX prep programs in this episode so you can compare them side by side and find the best fit for your learning style, timeline, and budget. We'll look at pricing, question banks, access duration, standout features, pass rates, guarantees, and more. Whether you need personalized coaching, want budget-friendly options, or prefer a more self-paced approach, you'll get an idea of which option makes the most sense for you. Plus, I'm sharing super affordable Straight A Nursing tools that can help you prep for the NCLEX without breaking the bank. ___________________ Straight A Nursing App – Study 5,000+ flashcards on your phone for just $5.99/month Study Sesh Podcast – 5,000+ audio flashcards for on-the-go review Fast Pharmacology – 100 bite-sized lessons + printable guides Med Surg Solution – Covers 60+ common conditions with downloadable study tools.

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 the six key signs that your patient is suffering limb ischemia. You don't want to miss this episode, because seconds can count when blood flow is lost!  ___________________ 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 116, which is all about pediatric pharmacology. When you understand these key foundation concepts, the whole subject of pharm gets a whole lot easier. Enjoy! As cute and adorable as they are, kids are not just tiny adults. Especially when it comes to pharmacology. The way kids absorb, distribute, metabolize and excrete drugs varies greatly, making pediatric pharmacology a truly unique subject.  If you're heading into your pediatric rotation or starting out as a new pediatric RN, then pop in those earbuds. I'll talk you through the key things you need to know to utilize medications safely in this very special and vulnerable population.  ___________________ ⁠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! ⁠Dosage Calculations Guide⁠ - Kick math anxiety to the curb and learn the basics of how to set up and perform dosage calculations using dimensional analysis with this FREE guide. Includes 10 free practice questions! ⁠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! ⁠Straight A Nursing App⁠ - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

This week's episode is incredibly close to my heart, and not the usual type of episode I share since this is largely a story about me. Just a few months after becoming a nurse, I was diagnosed with a rare bone marrow disorder known as a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). Since then, I've shared bits of that journey here and there, but today, I'm going deeper with a very special guest: Becca Claassen, an oncology nurse with InCyte and a fellow MPN warrior. Together, Becca and I explore what it's like to live with an MPN and what nurses need to know to better care for patients with this chronic condition. Whether you've never heard of MPNs or you care for oncology patients regularly, this episode offers a powerful blend of clinical insight and personal experience. In this episode, you'll learn: What an MPN (myeloproliferative neoplasm) is and why it's so complex Common types of MPNs and how they affect the body Symptoms patients may experience How to be a more empathetic and informed nurse when caring for someone with a rare chronic illness Our personal stories of diagnosis, treatment, and day-to-day life with an MPN This isn't just a clinical overview. It's a conversation between two nurses who are also patients. I hope it helps you walk away with a better understanding of what your patients might be going through, both physically and emotionally. __________________________ ⁠Voices of MPN Mobile Tracker App⁠ - Share this tool with your MPN patients so they can track their symptoms and have more meaningful conversations with their care team.

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 an important tip for inserting a Foley catheter in patients with enlarged prostates. You don't want to miss this episode, because trying to force the catheter is a quick path to injury, pain, and infection. Hit play and find out what to do instead! ___________________ 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!

Ready to squeeze in some dynamic NCLEX prep, even on a busy day? Let's go! In this PodQuiz episode, we're doing Q&A – just like flashcards, but for your ears. Whether you're driving, folding laundry, or walking the dog, you can quiz yourself on-the-go and reinforce key nursing concepts without sitting at a desk or staring at a screen. This format is what I use inside Study Sesh, and it's designed to help you actively recall important information—one of the most effective ways to study for the NCLEX. In this episode, we're focusing on an assortment of topics you'll encounter on the NCLEX, so get ready to test your knowledge, sharpen your thinking, and boost your confidence. ___________________ Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats including podquizzes, case studies and drills that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!  Fast Pharmacology - This audio-based program is just for pharm. Learn pharmacology concepts in 5 minutes or less, perfect for on-the-go review! Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

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 the importance of effective communication with patients who speak another language. And while it is definitely handy to know a few key phrases in languages such as Spanish or Russian, to truly take care of these patients you're going to need to go deeper. Tune in to understand why and how! ___________________ 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 143, which is all about anaphylaxis. This is an important concept to understand since it almost always shows up in sim lab or nursing school exams. Plus, if it does happen to one of your patients, it can be incredibly scary, so quick recognition and action are vital! 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 ___________________ ⁠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! 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 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Pharmacology Success Pack - Want to get a head start on pharmacology? Download the FREE Pharmacology Success Pack.

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 something that affects all nurses on a pretty regular basis. And that is working with difficult or challenging patients. But with the right mindset and approach, you'd be surprised how often you can turn things around. Listen in for my best tips! ___________________ 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!