Learn the basics of radiation therapy, which is used to shrink tumors or kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. In this episode you’ll learn: Different types of external radiation therapy Complications of external beam radiation Signs and symptoms patients experience with radiation Key assessments for a patient undergoing radiation therapy Tests and treatments utilized during radiation therapy Priority patient education Read the article on external beam radiation therapy and view references here. Looking for more oncology episodes? You can find them here. Struggling with Med Surg? It’s not ..read more

External beam radiation therapy is used to shrink tumors and kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Radiation damages the DNA of both malignant and healthy cells, but healthy cells are better able to repair the damage. Some cells die quickly due to apoptosis while others will have to go through several cycles of mitosis before they die, which is why it may take days to weeks for some tumors to shrink.  Radiation is often used in conjunction with chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and/or surgery. While it is used as an attempt to treat and stop cancer growth, it may also be used in palliative ..read more

Even the most prepared student can start to panic during an exam. It’s what you do next that dictates whether test anxiety is going to take over and run the show, or if you’re going to get past this moment and continue on with the exam. In this episode I’m sharing some strategies you can use to get your exam (and your confidence) back on track! Read the article about conquering test anxiety here. Want more test taking tips and strategies? Then you’ll love Module 7 in Crucial Concepts Bootcamp! The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this web ..read more

Even the most prepared student can start to panic during an exam. It’s what you do next that dictates whether test anxiety is going to take over and run the show, or if you’re going to get past this moment and continue on with the exam. When you start to feel like the test is getting out of your control, you may experience things like: An increase in heart rate A feeling of anxiety or dread Checking and re-checking the clock Reading the question over and over without comprehending what it’s saying Negative self talk (ex: “I’m going to fail this exam” or “I’m running out of time.”) Inability t ..read more

When performing a head-to-toe assessment, there are some key differences that you can expect to notice in an older adult. In this episode I’m sharing the ones you’re most likely to notice, including: Vital signs differences Differences in body composition and musculoskeletal changes Changes to the integumentary system Changes to sensory organs and neurological function Changes to the respiratory and cardiovascular system GI changes And changes to the genitourinary system Read the article on geriatric assessment and view references here. Struggling with Med Surg? It’s not you! It’s the way yo ..read more

When performing a head-to-toe assessment, there are some key differences that you can expect to notice in an older adult.  Changes to vital signs: Temperature may be lower than normal. Additionally, older adults may not develop fever in all infections, so the absence of fever does not rule out an infectious process. Blood pressure is likely to be slightly elevated due to arteriosclerosis. Additionally, many geriatric patients have orthostatic hypotension, which is a decrease of 20 mmHg or more after moving from a supine to standing position. RR may be elevated up to 25 bpm without a path ..read more

If I were your clinical instructor, these tips are exactly the things I’d make sure you understood before your first clinical day! In this episode, I’m sharing: How a typical day flows Tips for effective time management What in the world is happening in handoff report Some of the key players and their roles The most important skill you can develop One unpleasant truth (sorry!) How to make the most of your clinical time Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Get prepped for nursing school with Crucial Concepts Bootcamp! Learn how to use a brain sheet here. Download a brain sheet here ..read more

In this episode, I’m answering five common questions I get asked about nursing school! Q1: How can I feel more confident in NS? Q2: Can I work while going to school? Q3: How do I get everything done? Q4: How do I study for Med Surg? Q5: How do I learn from an instructor that just reads the PowerPoint slides word for word? Links and resources mentioned in this episode: Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: Get prepped for nursing school so you can start out feeling more confident from your very first day! Med Surg Solution: Learn Med Surg topics in less time! LATTE template: Use the LATTE method to guide ..read more

If you’re heading into or dreaming of nursing school, you’re probably wondering what the classes and clinicals are like. In this episode I’m spilling all the nursing school tea on each class and a bit about my own clinical experiences. Helpful Resources: Crucial Concepts Bootcamp: Imagine having a BFF who shares their best advice, tips and strategies with you while also teaching core foundation concepts that set you up for success. That’s exactly what you get in Bootcamp, an online program that has helped thousands of students crush nursing school! Get organized! Get the nursing student planne ..read more

Neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) occurs when neonates who were exposed to drugs in the womb experience withdrawal after birth. These substances pass through the placenta into neonatal circulation, causing dependency and ultimately withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. In this episode you will learn: The complications of NAS Signs and symptoms of withdrawal in neonates Key assessments for an infant going through withdrawal Tests and treatments Important family education Helpful Resources: FNASS – See an example of the Finnegan Scale here Want to study on-the-go? Then Study Sesh might be the a ..read more