Nursing Compass: Navigating Concepts

Ever wonder where all that fluid actually goes when a patient gets a “water pill”? In this Meds in Minutes episode of Navigating Nursing Concepts , Claire and Tammie break down diuretics in a way that finally makes kidney physiology click. We walk through how loop, thiazide, and potassium-sparing diuretics work in different parts of the nephron—and why sodium loss always means water follows. You’l...

Medications don’t work in isolation—they work inside a living, changing body. In this episode of Navigating Nursing Concepts , Claire and Tammie break down metabolism as the reason medications either stabilize patients or push them into danger. Using insulin, metformin, and thyroid medications as real clinical examples, we explore how onset, peak, duration, absorption, and organ function directly...

Medications don’t work just because they’re ordered. They work only if the body can absorb them, distribute them, and eliminate them safely. In this Pharmacology in 15 episode, Claire and Tammie walk through real bedside scenarios that force nurses to decide: Is this a safe pass, or does this medication need to be held? Using clinical examples like vomiting, diarrhea, NG suction, tube feeding, kid...

Pharmacology in 15 with Tammie & Claire. Before you memorize drug names or doses, you need to learn how nurses decide whether a medication is safe to give. In this episode, Tammie and Claire break down how nurses think through medication administration using clinical judgment , not memorization. You’ll learn how to recognize red flags , determine a safe pass , and apply the ABC → FOB framework...

Clinical judgment isn’t just buzzwords—it’s the gutsy, brain-powered skill that keeps clients safe in complex, fast-changing situations. In this episode, Tammie and Claire cut through the jargon to define what clinical judgment really means, how it differs from critical thinking and clinical reasoning, and why it matters more than ever. We’ll walk through the three big frameworks—Nursing Process,...

Tammie and Claire break down the backbone of safe nursing: evidence-based practice. From handwashing to pressure injury prevention, evidence isn’t just theory—it’s woven into every shift you work. Together, they uncover the recipe for EBP (research + nurse expertise + client preferences), explore where policies really come from, and show how models like PET and Iowa guide safe care. Along the way,...

From germ control to back safety, this episode covers the foundations of safe nursing practice. Claire and Tammie break down the Joint Commission’s National Patient Safety Goals with a focus on infection prevention, hand hygiene, and creating a culture of safety where even nursing students can—and should—speak up. Learn the difference between medical and surgical asepsis, master hand hygiene mnemo...

In this episode, Tammie and Claire dive deep into one of the most essential threads that ties nursing together—caring. But this isn’t just about being polite or kind. It’s about the professional, ethical, and human responsibility of centering patients in their own care. Together, they explore how values and preferences shape patient experiences, why therapeutic relationships require trust and boun...

In nursing, your most powerful skill isn’t a procedure or a piece of equipment—it’s communication. In this episode, Claire & Tammie dive into the ways words (and silence) can heal, protect, and connect. From patient safety to trust-building, therapeutic interactions to professional teamwork, we’ll unpack why communication is more than small talk—it’s clinical care. You’ll learn: Why miscommuni...

In this insightful episode, "Care Coordination: Connecting the Dots for Patient Safety," Claire & Tammie effectively break down the complex concept of care coordination in healthcare. They liken it to a successful sports team, where every player works together towards a common goal: the patient . Care coordination is not a "cookie-cutter plan" but rather the deliberate organiza...

In this episode of Navigating Nursing Concepts , we dive into Professionalism in Nursing —a core concept for every student nurse. While this discussion is tailored to the Practical Nursing (LPN) role , the principles and examples apply across all levels of nursing education, including RN programs. We’ll explore what professionalism looks like in practice: from appearance and communication to ethic...