As the nurse, one of your key responsibilities is to notice changes in patient condition…and that can be difficult to do in a timely manner if you’re not assessing your patient on a very consistent basis. Now, I’m not saying you’re going to do a full head-to-toe or even a focused assessment every time you go in your patient’s room…but there are SO MANY things you can learn about your patient simply from intentionally observing them. I call this the “doorway assessment” because much of it can be done from the doorway! Though, of course, you’ll intentionally observe your patient every single time you interact with them…but doorway assessment sounds kind of catchy, right? In this episode I’m sharing the main things you can observe in an unobtrusive and consistent manner…hit play and I’ll see you there! Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides! Want a sneak peek into nursing school so you can be prepared and ready? Crucial Concepts Bootcamp teaches you core foundation concepts, medication math, organizational strategies, study tips and so much more. Get ready for nursing school and enroll in Crucial Concepts Bootcamp today! The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this website are for educational purposes only. No content on this website is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by extra repeats of the cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) amino acid group in the huntingtin gene. This leads to neuron dysfunction and death, mainly in the basal ganglia and cerebral cortex. In this episode, you’ll learn the key things you need to know about Huntington’s disease: Who is at risk for Huntington's disease Complications of Huntington's Signs and symptoms of Huntington’s Tests that are likely to be ordered Priority assessments and interventions Key patient/family education To learn more about the nonverbal pain scoring tools, check out: ANPS, CPOT, and PAINAID Grab the FREE LATTE template here. Read the article about nursing care for huntington's disease and view references here. Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides! The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this website are for educational purposes only. No content on this website is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

If you are starting your job hunt as a new grad, or even as an experienced nurse, you may have questions about navigating job offers. In this special episode I’m bringing in Amanda from The Resume Rx. She’s answering key questions such as: What the job offer process looks like How to gracefully manage multiple offers Red flags in a job offer How to bring up the prospect of negotiating the offer And more! Get 15% off Amanda’s resume template bundle by using the promo code STRAIGHTA at The Resume Rx. The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this website are for educational purposes only. No content on this website is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

A key component of your head-to-toe and focused assessments is the vascular assessment. In this episode I’m sharing tips and real-world examples to help you feel more confident at the bedside. What type of clinical situations warrant a vascular assessment Tips for taking a proper blood pressure measurement Pulse assessment, including a key tip on using the Doppler General vascular assessment techniques including capillary refill, edema and pain Neurovascular assessment The 6 P’s of Ischemia What the Allen test is and how to perform one Bruits and thrills demystified! Did you enjoy the PodQuiz at the end of the episode? Sign up for Study Sesh and change the way you study! Are you looking for an easier way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics as well as out-of-this-world study guides! Want a sneak peek into nursing school so you can be prepared and ready? Crucial Concepts Bootcamp teaches you core foundation concepts, medication math, organizational strategies, study tips and so much more. Get ready for nursing school and enroll in Crucial Concepts Bootcamp today! Learn more about cardiac assessment in Performing A Cardiac Assessment: Episode 250 Learn more about AVMs in AVMs A to Z: Episode 241 Read the article about performing a vascular assessment and view references here. The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this website are for educational purposes only. No content on this website is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

If your nursing program provides a periop clinical experience, consider yourself very lucky! I really enjoyed my periop clinicals and learned a ton about this exciting area of nursing. The three stages of periop are preoperative, operative and postoperative (PACU). Patients go through each of these stages every time they have a surgical procedure, and each stage has its own unique challenges and opportunities to learn something new. In this episode, I’m sharing what my periop clinical experience was like and some tips on what you can expect in all three settings. If you’d like to learn more about PACU nursing, check out episode 238 where I dive into what a day in the recovery unit is like. Starting nursing school soon? Then you’ve probably heard the horror stories. See how Crucial Concepts Bootcamp has helped students feel more confident, joyful and ready for nursing school here. The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this website are for educational purposes only. No content on this website is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

A splenectomy is a procedure in which the spleen is removed either partially or completely. In this episode Nurse Mo talks you through the key things you should know about patients who’ve had a splenectomy, including: Reasons someone would need a splenectomy Overview of the spleen and its functions Key assessments before and after surgery Common tests utilized to evaluate the splenectomy patient Treatments utilized in the care of an asplenic patient Key patient education Did you enjoy the PodQuiz at the end of the episode? Sign up for Study Sesh and change the way you study! Are you struggling in your Med Surg class? What if I told you that it’s not you at all…it’s likely the way it’s being taught! Get Med Surg Solution to get simplified explanations and study guides for 57 key disease conditions. Want a sneak peek into nursing school so you can be prepared and ready? Crucial Concepts Bootcamp teaches you core foundation concepts, medication math, organizational strategies, study tips and so much more. Get ready for nursing school and enroll in Crucial Concepts Bootcamp today! Read the article on Splenectomy Nursing Basics and view references here. >>> Did you find this episode helpful? Then I’d love it if you’d rate and review the podcast! And if you’re not following the show, add it to your podcast library so you never miss an episode! The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this website are for educational purposes only. No content on this website is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

In this episode, you’ll learn the key things to know about adenosine using the Straight A Nursing DRRUGS framework. Click here for show notes and references: Episode 271 Show NotesDid you find this episode helpful? Then I’d love it if you'd rate and review the podcast! And if you’re not following the show, add it to your podcast library so you never miss an episode!

In this episode you’ll learn about different types of external radiation therapy, complications of RT, and the nursing implications of caring for patients undergoing radiation therapy using the Straight A Nursing LATTE method. Click here for show notes and references: Episode 270 Show NotesDid you find this episode helpful? Then I’d love it if you'd rate and review the podcast! And if you’re not following the show, add it to your podcast library so you never miss an episode!

In this episode I’m sharing strategies you can use to get your exam (and your confidence) back on track if you start to panic during an exam! Click here for show notes: Episode 269 Show NotesDid you find this episode helpful? Then I’d love it if you'd rate and review the podcast! And if you’re not following the show, add it to your podcast library so you never miss an episode!

In this episode I’m sharing the key differences you're likely to notice when performing a head-to-toe assessment on an older adult. Click here for show notes and references: Episode 268 Show NotesDid you find this episode helpful? Then I’d love it if you'd rate and review the podcast! And if you’re not following the show, add it to your podcast library so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I'm sharing the 7 things I’d make sure you understood before your first clinical day if I were your instructor! Click here for the links and references mentioned in this episode: Episode 267 Show NotesDid you find this episode helpful? Then I’d love it if you'd rate and review the podcast! And if you’re not following the show, add it to your podcast library so you never miss an episode!

In this episode, I’m answering five common questions I get asked about nursing school! Click here for links and resources mentioned in this episode: Episode 266 Show NotesDid you find this episode helpful? Then I’d love it if you'd rate and review the podcast! And if you’re not following the show, add it to your podcast library so you never miss an episode!

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 planner that students say keep them organized and on top of their busy nursing school schedules! >>> Did you find this episode helpful? Then I’d love it if you'd rate and review the podcast! And if you’re not following the show, add it to your podcast library so you never miss an episode!

With changes to the NCLEX, it’s more important than ever that you understand electrolytes way beyond just knowing the normal lab values. In this overview, I’m sharing some of the most important things to know about electrolytes. Click here for show notes and references: Episode 264 Show NotesDid you find this episode helpful? Then I’d love it if you'd rate and review the podcast! And if you’re not following the show, add it to your podcast library so you never miss an episode!

In this episode Nurse Mo talks about neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), which occurs when neonates who were exposed to drugs in the womb experience withdrawal after birth. Tune in to learn all about NAS using the Straight A Nursing LATTE method. Click here for show notes and references: Episode 263 Show NotesDid you find this episode helpful? Then I’d love it if you'd rate and review the podcast! And if you’re not following the show, add it to your podcast library so you never miss an episode!

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 ATI TEAS prep materials - Use code SAN15 to get 15% off ATI TEAS prep material or packages when you spend $50 or more at atitesting.com. Promotion cannot be combined with any other offer. Promotion only available on ATI TEAS prep products, cannot be applied to TEAS testing fees or transcripts. Promotion cannot be applied to past purchases. Offer ends 5/31/2023.   >>>>Do better with ATI! - Learn how ATI can help you get into nursing school, thrive throughout your program, and pass the NCLEX at atitesting.com.   >>>>Take a FREE practice test for the ATI TEAS - Get a feel for what the TEAS is like with this free sample test!   >>>>Study for the TEAS on the go - Prepare for this crucial exam with the ATI TEAS Mobile App.

In this episode Nurse Mo talks about rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune condition in which the patient’s immune system attacks healthy cells inside the joints, leading to an inflammatory state. Tune in to learn the pathophysiology of this condition and the implications for your nursing practice. Click here for show notes and references: Episode 261 Show NotesDid you find this episode helpful? Then I’d love it if you'd rate and review the podcast! And if you’re not following the show, add it to your podcast library so you never miss an episode!

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.   >>>>Get a discount on ATI TEAS prep materials - Use code SAN15 to get 15% off ATI TEAS prep material or packages when you spend $50 or more at atitesting.com. Promotion cannot be combined with any other offer. Promotion only available on ATI TEAS prep products, cannot be applied to TEAS testing fees or transcripts. Promotion cannot be applied to past purchases. Offer ends 5/31/2023.   >>>>Achieve your dreams with ATI! – Learn how ATI can help you get into nursing school with their comprehensive TEAS prep materials. ____________________________________________________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this website are for educational purposes only. No content on this website is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

In this episode Nurse Mo talks about benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland that causes an obstruction to the outflow of urine. Tune in to learn the basics about this condition and the implications for your nursing practice. Click here for show notes and references: Episode 259 Show NotesDid you find this episode helpful? Then I’d love it if you'd rate and review the podcast! And if you’re not following the show, add it to your podcast library so you never miss an episode!

In the third episode of our “Say Yes to Success” miniseries sponsored by ATI I’m sharing 12 tried and true tips you can use to prepare for final exams. Take a minute to follow the show so you don’t miss a single one of these bonus episodes!   >>>>Get a discount on ATI TEAS prep materials - Use code SAN15 to get 15% off ATI TEAS prep material or packages when you spend $50 or more at atitesting.com. Promotion cannot be combined with any other offer. Promotion only available on ATI TEAS prep products, cannot be applied to TEAS testing fees or transcripts. Promotion cannot be applied to past purchases. Offer ends 5/31/2023.   >>>>Prep for finals and your career with a FREE webinar from ATI - View the recording of this two-part webinar on resilience in nursing and preparing for finals here: https://atinursingblog.com/webinar-preparing-for-finals-career   >>>>Achieve your dreams with ATI! – Learn how ATI can help you get into nursing school with their comprehensive TEAS prep materials. ____________________________________________________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this website are for educational purposes only. No content on this website is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.