Straight A Nursing

Many concepts you will learn in nursing school are related, but different enough that it can often be confusing to keep all the key elements distinct from one another. A great example of these are the two related-but-different conditions DI and SIADH. Diabetes insipidus (DI) and syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) are essentially opposite of one another. It’s important you understand how to differentiate between the two in clinical and on your exams. Are you starting nursing school soon? Get prepped with Crucial Concepts Bootcamp! A big “thank you” to HCA Healthcare for sponsoring this episode. Click here to learn more about HCA Healthcare’s robust nurse residency program. 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 bo

Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) is a cyanotic congenital heart disease characterized by four key defects - pulmonary stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, ventricular septal defect and overriding aorta. In this episode we’ll talk through the physiological consequences of these defects, the complications of this condition, and then we’ll go through it from top to bottom using the Straight A Nursing LATTE Method. Download the LATTE Method template 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 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

If you are graduating from nursing school soon, you are undoubtedly starting to think about your first nursing job. For many of you, that will involve participating in a nurse residency program. In this episode, we’ll discuss what nurse residency programs are, why they are valuable, how they are structured, and what to look for when choosing one. A big thank-you to HCA Healthcare for sponsoring this episode. HCA Healthcare provides new grad nurses opportunities to transition into practice with extra support through their nurse residency program. Learn more about their programs throughout the United States here. Read the article and view references here. Studying for the NCLEX soon? Maximize your studying with Study Sesh, my private podcast that uses PodQuizzes, Drills, Case Studies and more to truly change the way you study. 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 :-

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are two conditions along the same spectrum. In this episode we cover the basics of immunity, the progression of HIV to AIDS, signs and symptoms, assessments, tests, treatments and key patient education. Starting nursing school soon? Get the New Nursing Student Checklist so you can be prepped and ready for your program! 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, "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

Osteoporosis is a complex, multifactorial disease of compromised bone strength and integrity. This episode covers the key things you need to know about osteoporosis for NCLEX and nursing school. * Key hormones involved in osteoporosis * Types of osteoporosis * Risk factors for osteoporosis * Osteoporosis complications * Signs and symptoms * Tests and assessments * Treatments * Patient education for osteoporosis A big “thank you” to HCA Healthcare for sponsoring this episode. Click here to learn more about HCA Healthcare’s robust nurse residency program. Study Sesh - If you enjoyed using auditory recall as a way to review, then you’ll love 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

Allopurinol is often considered to be one of the top 100 most-prescribed medications in the U.S., so it will definitely be on your exams or something you’ll see in the clinical setting. In this episode, we’re going through all the things you need to know about allopurinol using the Straight A Nursing DRRUGS framework. See references for this lesson and get it in written format here. For more pharmacology articles and podcast episodes, click here. Follow me on instagram Study Sesh features PodQuizzes and other forms of dynamic audio learning to free you from your desk. It truly does change the way you study! 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 e

Meningitis is a disease condition that typically affects pediatrics and young adults, so it is usually taught as part of a pediatrics course. However, it is important to note that it can occur at any age. In this episode we’ll be talking about the key types of meningitis and how they differ, namely viral and bacterial meningitis. See references for this lesson and get it in written format here. A big THANK YOU to our sponsor, HCA Healthcare. Not only did they help make this episode possible, but they provide great nurse residency programs to support those entering the profession. HCA Healthcare is an equal opportunity employer. Learn more, explore openings and apply here: https://careers.hcahealthcare.com/residency Helpful links to accompany this episode: Follow me on instagram Study Sesh features PodQuizzes and other forms of dynamic audio learning to free you from your desk. It truly does change the way you study! To utilize the LATTE method with this and other conditions, download the template here.

To commemorate the 200th episode of the Straight A Nursing podcast, I asked my listeners what they wanted to learn and SO MANY of you said “oncology!” In this episode, we are diving into an oncological emergency, tumor lysis syndrome (TLS). See references for this lesson and get it in written format here. In addition to it being our 200th episode, we’re also celebrating 4 million downloads! A giant, enormous, huge, monumental, gargantuan THANK YOU to you! I couldn’t have reached this enormous milestone without you!! Helpful links to accompany this episode: Follow me on instagram Study Sesh features PodQuizzes and other forms of dynamic audio learning to free you from your desk. It truly does change the way you study! Electrolytes Bundle: This study guide helps you understand how key electrolytes contribute to your patient's clinical condition (like Tumor Lysis Syndrome!). RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the show! This helps others find th

Hyperglycemia is about so much more than simply diabetes (though, of course, there’s nothing simple about diabetes, either!). In this episode I’m talking you through the key things you need to know about hyperglycemia including the various causes. See references for this lesson and get it in written format here. A big THANK YOU to our sponsor, HCA Healthcare. Not only did they help make this episode possible, but they provide great nurse residency programs to support those entering the profession. HCA Healthcare is an equal opportunity employer. Learn more, explore openings and apply here: https://careers.hcahealthcare.com/residency Helpful links to accompany this episode: Study Sesh features PodQuizzes and other forms of dynamic audio learning to free you from your desk. It truly does change the way you study! Hypoglycemia: Check out this episode to get the full picture of blood glucose abnormalities. Cushing’s Disease: See how Cushing’s disease contributes to hyperglycemia in this episode. Diabetes: L

UPDATE! I inadvertently stated dyskinesia to mean slow movements...I meant to say "involuntary movements." I will be updating the audio. In this episode covering Parkinson’s Disease, we’re diving deep to give you a really thorough understanding of what you need to know for your nursing school exams. This content is based off the Parkinson’s lesson I created for my course Med Surg Solution, so if you find it helpful, then you may want to check it out here. See references for this lesson and get it in written format here. Helpful links to accompany this episode: Med Surg Solution takes you into the Med Surg topics students struggle with the most, so you don’t have to! Study Sesh features PodQuizzes and other forms of dynamic audio learning to free you from your desk. It truly does change the way you study! Beers List: Learn what the Beers List is and how it affects pharmacological treatment in the elderly. RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review the s

In this episode, we are reviewing the key things you need to know about anorexia nervosa. If you struggle with an eating disorder, and hearing about this topic triggers you, please proceed with caution, or avoid altogether. Your mental health is more important than any nursing school exam. If you or someone you care about suffers from an eating disorder, please reach out to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) for a wealth of free resources, online chat, and a toll-free help line. If you are in crisis, text NEDA to 741741 and you’ll be connected with a trained volunteer at Crisis Text Line. Crisis Text Line utilizes text messaging to provide free 24/7 support to individuals who are struggling with mental health. Get this lesson and the references in written format here. A big THANK YOU to our sponsor, HCA Healthcare. Not only did they help make this episode possible, but they provide great nurse residency programs to support those entering the profession. HCA Healthcare is an equal opportunity

Students ask all the time about tips for being successful in nursing school. And while you can view a wide variety of articles on the Straight A Nursing Student website or here on the podcast, I wanted to cover my top 10 tips for new students all in one spot. A big THANK YOU to our sponsor, HCA Healthcare. Not only did they help make this episode possible, but they provide great nurse residency programs to support those entering the profession. HCA Healthcare is an equal opportunity employer. Learn more, explore openings and apply here: https://careers.hcahealthcare.com/residency Helpful links to accompany this episode: How to use a planner: If you’ve never used a planner or aren’t sure how to tackle this for nursing school, check out this post where I go deep into how to do this step-by-step. Make sure your study group doesn’t waste your time with these tips. Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: Enroll in my nursing school prep course to learn time management, organization systems and key foundation concepts so you ca

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 focusing on the must-know information for nursing school. Study Sesh Podcast: If you want to dramatically change the way you study and free yourself from your books and screens…you’ll want to check out Study Sesh! Planner for Nursing Students: Part of being a successful student is excellent time management. This planner is designed specifically for your busy schedule to help you stay on top of everything you need to do. Pediatric Respiratory Distress : Learn why pediatric respiratory distress is a really, really, really big deal. __________  The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, an

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. 5-Day Challenge: Join me for the “Don’t Get Overwhelmed, Get Organized” 5-Day Challenge to get ready for nursing school! Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: This nursing school prep course teaches foundation concepts to help you start your program ahead and stay ahead. Study Sesh Podcast: If you want to dramatically change the way you study and free yourself from your books and screens…you’ll want to check out Study Sesh! Planner for Nursing Students: Part of being a successful student is excellent time management. This planner is designed specifically for your busy schedule to help you stay on top of everything you need to do. QT Interval: Learn about this important, but often overlooked, EKG measurement. Get this episode in blog format. All the links mentioned in this episode are in the blog

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 nursing school - visual, auditory, kinesthetic and reading/writing.  Learning style assessment: If you’re not sure what your preferred learning style is, this is a great place to start! 5-Day Challenge: Join me for the “Don’t Get Overwhelmed, Get Organized” 5-Day Challenge to get ready for nursing school!  Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: This nursing school prep course teaches foundation concepts to help you start your program ahead and stay ahead. Planner for Nursing Students: Part of being a successful student is excellent time management. This planner is designed specifically for your busy schedule to help you stay

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. Get this episode in written format. All the links mentioned in this episode are in the article that accompanies this episode, as well as the references. LATTE Method Template: Use this template to create study guides focusing on the must-know information for nursing school. Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: This nursing school prep course teaches foundation concepts to help you start your program ahead and stay ahead. Planner for Nursing Students: Part of being a successful student is excellent time management. This planner is designed specifically for your busy schedule to help you stay on top of everything you need to do. RATE, REVIEW AND FOLLOW! If this episode helped you, please take a moment to rate and review th

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 focusing on the must-know information for nursing school. Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: This nursing school prep course teaches foundation concepts to help you start your program ahead and stay ahead. 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

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 school. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did and realize that YES, you can achieve your dream! Get prepped for nursing school with my prep course Crucial Concepts Bootcamp. Crucial Concepts Bootcamp is the only preparatory program that teaches nursing students HOW to be successful, so that you can walk into your very first day feeling confident and ready to conquer. I'd love to see you there! Looking for your new BFFs? Join the Thriving Nursing Students Facebook group! __________  The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purpo

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 endocarditis 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 focusing on the must-know information for nursing school. Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: This nursing school prep course teaches foundation concepts to help you start your program ahead and stay ahead. Grab the Free Guide: Get the 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students and start nursing school feeling more confident and ready for anything! Planner for Nursing Students: Part

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. Get this episode in blog format All the links mentioned in this episode are in the blog post that accompanies this episode. Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: This nursing school prep course teaches foundation concepts to help you start your program ahead and stay ahead. Grab the Free Guide: Get all 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students and start nursing school feeling more confident and ready for anything! Planner for Nursing Students: Part of being a successful student is excellent time management. This planner is designed specifically for your busy schedule to help you stay on top of everything you need to do. You can also listen to all the episodes in this series by using the links below or searching for the episo