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

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

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

In this episode, the final of our “Say Yes to Success” miniseries sponsored by ATI, I’m interviewing an ATI team member to answer your questions about the new ATI TEAS 7 exam! >>>>Win an ATI TEAS comprehensive study package – ATI is giving away two TEAS comprehensive study packages! The first winner was announced Nov 22, 2022, and the second winner will be announced Dec 13, 2022. To enter head on over to my Instagram @straightanurse and look for the post titled ENTER HERE TO WIN – ATI GIVEAWAY #2. All details provided in this post…good luck!   >>>>Get a discount on ..read more

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune condition in which the patient’s immune system attacks healthy cells inside the joints, leading to an inflammatory state. In this episode you’ll learn: The pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis Who’s most at risk, including modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors Complications of the condition Signs and symptoms of RA Priority nursing assessments Tests utilized in the diagnosis and evaluation of RA Rheumatoid arthritis treatments, including pharmacology Key patient education   Helpful Resources: Get the full episode transcript and referenc ..read more

I know nursing students have a LOT of questions about the Next Gen NCLEX, so I attended an NCSBN Conference to learn as much as I could about the changes coming for this important exam! In this bonus episode, which is #4 in our “Say Yes to Success” miniseries sponsored by ATI, I’m sharing five key things I learned about Next Gen NCLEX. >>>>Win an ATI TEAS comprehensive study package – ATI is giving away two TEAS comprehensive study packages! The first winner was announced Nov 22, 2022, and the second winner will be announced Dec 13, 2022. To enter head on over to my Instagram @stra ..read more

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that causes an obstruction to the outflow of urine. In this episode, you’ll learn the basics about this condition: Who’s most at risk The complications of BPH Signs and symptoms Key assessments for BPH Common tests utilized in the evaluation of patients with BPH BPH treatments, including medications and TURP surgery Why TURP Syndrome happens, how it’s treated, and how we minimize the risk Patient education for BPH including lifestyle modifications Patient teaching after TURP procedure >>> Did you ..read more