Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a single-stranded RNA virus that is transmitted by respiratory droplets. It is highly transmissible and can be quite severe, especially when young children or neonates are affected. In this episode, you’ll get an introduction to all the key elements of RSV using the Straight A Nursing LATTE method. Latte Method Template: Use this template to create study guides...

Amiodarone is a common medication you’ll see used both acutely in the clinical setting and chronically for outpatient therapy. In this episode we are going through amiodarone using the Straight A Nursing DRRUGS framework. Full Transcript – Read the article and view links mentioned and references FREE CLASS – If all you’ve heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me i...

In my free guide, The 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students, one of the secrets is about maximizing your learning style. And while it’s useful to know your preferred learning style (or styles), you should probably be aware you’re going to be using most if not all of them in nursing school.  In this episode, I’m talking you through the key ways to maximize each of the main learning styles in nu...

Even though angioedema can be really scary (for you and the patient), with a little knowledge ahead of time, you can recognize it early and know what to do for your patient. In this episode, I’m talking you through angioedema assessments and interventions using the Straight A Nursing LATTE Method. Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing s...

One of the most common and important imbalances you will learn in nursing school is related to blood glucose levels. In this episode, you’ll learn about hypoglycemia using the Straight A Nursing Latte Method. Get this episode in blog format. All the links mentioned in this episode are in the blog post that accompanies this episode. LATTE Method Template: Use this template to create study guides fo...

So many students are dreaming of becoming a nurse, but are also burdened with the extra load of managing a chronic illness. Is it possible to do both? In this special bonus episode, I’m talking with Christina Brown, an amazing student who is thriving in nursing school while also managing complex conditions. She is truly an inspiration to anyone who faces additional challenges while in nursing scho...

In this episode, I’m breaking down the key things you need to know about endocarditis for clinical, nursing school exams, and the NCLEX. Endocarditis is inflammation of the endocardium, which is the innermost layer of the heart and also includes the valves. It is often a result of infection, but can also be a complication of rheumatic fever and systemic lupus erythematosus. Join me to go through e...

As we continue our series of the secrets of successful nursing students, we’re diving in to secret #6 and #7. These two secrets are about: * maximizing study groups (so they don’t become social hour or wasted time) * the number ONE personality trait that sets you up for nursing school success. Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing schoo...

Necrotizing fasciitis is easily one of the most terrifying and devastating conditions I’ve ever encountered in my 10+ years as a nurse. In this episode, we go through necrotizing fasciitis using the Straight A Nursing LATTE method. 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-...

To continue our series of the secrets of successful nursing students, Secret #5 is that successful students do not do all the reading for nursing school. But before you toss those textbooks, take a listen to see how you will use your books strategically and in a way that supports your learning (instead of just taking up so much of your precious study time). ___________________ Full Transcript - Re...

Gabapentin is one of the top 100 drugs prescribed in the US, so there’s a very good chance it will show up on NCLEX or your nursing school exams. In this episode, we go through the key things you need to know about this medication using the Straight A Nursing DRRUGS framework. Did you enjoy the PodQuiz at the end of the episode? Sign up for Study Sesh and change the way you study! Read the article...

To continue the series of articles revealing the twenty secrets of successful nursing students, we’re tackling two secrets in this episode. Secret #3 is another tip about time management and Secret #4 will help you maximize your study time. Review memorization tips and when to memorize vs conceptualize in Episode 159. If you’d like more tips on thriving in nursing school, download my free guide, T...

In this episode, I’ll take you through my eight favorite online tools for nursing students that help set you up for success. Get Google Drive with a free Google account: Google Drive. Say goodbye to password frustrations with LastPass. Take your notes for nursing school into digital format with GoodNotes and Notability. Improve your writing with Grammarly Start your online search for research arti...

In this episode, we’re talking all about safe administration of IV medications. Get a head start on pharmacology with the Pharmacology Success Pack Crucial Concepts Bootcamp is the only prep course that teaches you how to be a successful nursing student. Lauren says, “I feel CCB is really preparing me for nursing school, so I won't be like a "deer in the headlights". It is really helping me to low...

If you’re like most nursing students, you’re a high-achieving individual with big goals and a dedication to doing your absolute best. Chances are, you were a star student in your prereqs, but in nursing school, you’re surrounded by other star students who are just as dedicated and driven as you are. Add to that the fact that many of your classes may be fully or partially online. How in the world d...

To continue our series on the secrets of successful nursing students, in this episode we talk through secret #2 of successful nursing students. Hint...it’s all about time management! ___________________ 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...

In this episode, we talk through the pathophysiology of burn injury and the basics of caring for these highly complex patients. See what warrants a burn center referral on the AmeriBurn website. Review the concept of third spacing in episode 113 and the basics of burns in Episode 149. Did you love the PodQuiz at the end of this episode? Then you’ll absolutely flip for Study Sesh. View the blog pos...

If you’re applying to nursing school (or even thinking about it), your head may be swimming with all the information out there about entrance exams and application requirements. Never fear, my friend, I’m here to clear up some of the confusion around one of the most commonly used entrance exams, the ATI TEAS. In this episode, I’m talking with Tami Kelly from ATI about the exam and answering your m...

In this episode, I am joined by Kali Dayton, host of the Walking Home From The ICU podcast. Kali is a nurse practitioner who is passionate about reducing the incidence of acute delirium by decreasing sedation use in intubated patients. If you're also passionate about improving patient outcomes, and open to looking at critical care in a different way, you'll love hearing from Kali! Kali Dayton - Yo...

In this episode, we talk through the foundations of feeding tubes including why we use them, the different types, the various routes they take, and some general safety considerations. I even share with you the “real world” tips on inserting a nasogastric tube so you can feel so much more confident the first time you perform this important skill on a real patient. ___________________ FREE CLASS - I...

Recently I asked the students in my Thriving Nursing Students Facebook group how COVID has affected clinical, their feelings toward clinical, and their outlook on their chosen profession. The results were eye-opening, inspiring, and yes, heartbreaking at times. In this episode I’m discussing the general themes and offering some insight and advice that I hope helps you feel better about your clinic...

This episode covers the indications for inducing labor as well as the pharmacologic and mechanical methods commonly utilized. ____________________________  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 th...

This episode is a podquiz all about cardiac pharmacology. Have you tried a PodQuiz before? If not, you are in for a treat! PodQuizzes are a great way to study using auditory learning that’s not just passive listening..it’s active and super engaged. Here’s how it works...I ask a question and then pause to give you time to think of and say the answer. Then, I tell you the answer. It’s essentially fl...

Nursing school success is about SO MUCH more than making the grade. It’s a complete mindset shift that helps you actually thrive, not just survive in nursing school. In this episode, we’re talking about Secret #1 of the 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students. To get the whole set in a downloadable PDF, just go to https://straightanursing.ck.page/4d90f769dc. You can also listen to all the episod...

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a consumption coagulopathy that can be devastating for your patient. In this episode, learn the pathophysiology of DIC, how to recognize it, and what we do to address it (hopefully before it results in life-threatening hemorrhage). Did you enjoy the PodQuiz at the end of the episode? Sign up for Study Sesh and change the way you study! For show notes...