Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX

There are so many different types of anemia that it can sometimes feel overwhelming. That’s why I’m breaking down the key types in this episode! 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 he...

Polyhydramnios is a condition in which there is too much amniotic fluid produced during pregnancy. In this episode you’ll learn the causes of polyhydramnios as well as the serious consequences that can occur. Learn more about oligohydramnios here. Want to maximize your learning by reading this information, too? Check out the article and references here. RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! If this episode hel...

Sepsis is a life-threatening medical emergency that is caused by a massively overblown response to infection. Sepsis affects more than 1.7 million adults in the U.S. each year and is a leading cause of death in U.S. hospitals. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three patients who die in the hospital have sepsis. Early recognition and treatment are necessar...

Have you ever thought about hospice nursing? I am so excited to share this interview with you where I talk with Nurse Allie, an absolutely incredible and inspiring hospice RN. Learn more about this beautiful specialty and check out Allie on her instagram at @nurse_allie (you won’t regret it!) RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! Thi...

An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal cluster of blood vessels that lack a capillary network, which results in both disrupted blood flow and disrupted oxygen delivery. In this episode I’m talking you through AVMs step-by-step so you can (finally) understand them! Learn more about neurological assessment here. Want to maximize your learning by reading this information, too? Check out t...

In this episode I talk with Savannah from Net Worth Nurse about financial literacy and investing for nurses. You can learn more about Savannah and her mission to teach nurses about real estate investing at www.networthnurse.co 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 peop...

This week on the podcast, we’re tackling postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). It’s a disorder of the autonomic nervous system that has a wide range of symptoms. You’ll learn: * POTS pathophysiology * The physiological causes of POTS * Signs and symptoms of POTS * Key assessments * Tests utilized to diagnose the condition * Treatments for POTS, including pharmacology and lifestyle modi...

A few years ago I made the big leap from ICU to PACU and I haven’t looked back since. Sure, I loved the ICU where I worked, but I made the decision to step away from that so I could step even more into this…podcasting and teaching online. And I have to say, though I first was drawn to PACU for the flexible schedule it allowed me, I’ve really loved working in this environment. In this week’s episod...

I worked in the MICU for about eight years and most of my patients had some kind of respiratory involvement. For some it was pneumonia, for others it was ARDS, and some were simply on a ventilator because of a neurological impairment. Needless to say, I got really good at respiratory assessments. In this episode I’m sharing my best tips for conducting a respiratory assessment step-by-step. Want to...

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...

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....

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...

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 isonia...

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 cla...

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...

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...

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 complaini...

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 i...

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...

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...

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 FR...

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...

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 st...

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 fe...

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...