Think Like A Provider | For Nurses

Professor Jennawè
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Think Like a Provider™ is the clinical reasoning podcast for nursing students, RNs, and NP students who are done memorizing and ready to understand. Hosted by Jennawè, A double board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner & clinical reasoning educator, this podcast teaches the mechanisms behind clinical thinking, not just the answers. Because Aristotle was right: knowing a thing means knowing its cause. And that principle is as true at the bedside as it was in ancient Athens. Every episode builds one of four core competencies: Clinical Reasoning — How to gather cues, build differentials from scratch, recognize patterns, prioritize red flags, and make decisions the way experienced providers actually make them. Not algorithms to memorize. Frameworks to reason with. NP Board Prep — Dedicated episodes for AANP (FNP-C) and ANCC (FNP-BC) candidates. Mechanism-based board prep that explains why the right answer is right — with explicit AANP vs ANCC callouts so you know exactly how each board tests the same clinical content differently. Neuroscience + Performance — The science of how your brain learns, retains, and performs under pressure. Working memory, pattern recognition, the amygdala hijack, procedural memory, and why the freeze during a code is biology, not weakness. Wellness + Clinical Performance — Nutrition, sleep, stress, and recovery framed as clinical performance science — not lifestyle content. Your brain is an organ. This pillar teaches you how to fuel it. If you are searching for how to think clinically, how to build a differential, how to prepare for the NCLEX or NP boards, how to stop freezing under pressure, or how to bridge pathophysiology to clinical decisions, this podcast gives you the mechanism behind every answer. The greatest clinicians in history reasoned their way to the truth. So will you. New episodes every week. All content is evidence-based and peer-reviewed. Educational only — not medical advice. Host: Jennawè Whitley, APRN, FNP-BC, NP-C | The Patho Queen 👑 Instagram & TikTok: @ThinkLikeAProvider Email: thinklikeaprovider@gmail.com

Episodes

  1. May 20

    Episode 13: How to Recognize Sepsis Early: Signs Before the Vitals Crash | Nursing Clinical Reasoning

    Sepsis kills over 20% of the patients it touches annually. And the most dangerous phase — the one where intervention changes everything — looks like almost nothing. A slightly elevated heart rate. A patient who seems a little off. Urine output that has been quietly dropping since the last shift. This episode breaks down the mechanism behind why early sepsis is so easy to miss, and exactly what you are looking for before the vitals crash. You'll learn: The Sepsis-3 definition — why "dysregulated host response" is the key mechanism, not the infection itself The hyperdynamic compensation phase — why early sepsis looks deceptively stable Six early warning signs before blood pressure drops — and the mechanism behind each one Why tachycardia trending upward is your earliest and most important compensation signal Why altered mentation in an infected patient is the brain showing perfusion compromise first What lactate actually measures — and why it's your most important early indicator Why qSOFA alone is not enough — what the 2021 Surviving Sepsis Campaign says to use instead How the compensation-decompensation-failure arc from Episode 2 maps directly to sepsis Why early recognition by bedside nurses increases 30-day survival by 2.7 times A practical clinical reasoning framework for every infected patient you care for Timestamps: [0:00] The patient who was fine at 9 AM and in the ICU by noon — and the signs that were there all along [3:30] Official intro [4:00] Sepsis-3 definition decoded — dysregulated host response, the inflammatory cascade [5:30] The hyperdynamic compensation phase — why early sepsis looks like almost nothing [8:30] Six early warning signs before BP drops: tachycardia, tachypnea, altered mentation, skin changes, urine output, lactate [14:00] Why SIRS criteria were replaced and what to use instead [17:30] The compensation-decompensation-failure arc applied to sepsis (Episode 2 callback) [19:30] Why early recognition by ward nurses changes survival odds by 2.7x [21:00] The clinical reasoning framework for every infected patient [24:00] Closing + homework Practical Takeaways: Sepsis is a dysregulated host response — not the infection itself, but what the body does to fight it Early sepsis is warm, flushed, and tachycardic — not cold and clammy. That is the compensation phase. Trend vital signs — a heart rate moving from 72 to 84 to 96 over 12 hours on an infected patient is a trajectory, not a snapshot Subtle altered mentation in an infected patient is the brain showing you perfusion is already compromised Lactate greater than 2 mmol/L signals impaired cellular oxygen utilization — get it early, trend it Do not rely on qSOFA alone — use clinical picture plus lactate plus trending vital signs Antibiotics within 1 hour of sepsis recognition — every hour of delay increases mortality Early recognition by ward nurses increases 30-day survival by 2.7 times — you are an active intervention, not passive monitoring Homework: trend vital signs on every infected patient from the start of your shift — look for compensation before decompensation announces itself References: Evans, L., et al. (2021). Surviving Sepsis Campaign: International guidelines for management of sepsis and septic shock 2021. Critical Care Medicine, 49(11), e1063–e1143. https://doi.org/10.1097/CCM.0000000000005337 Chua, W. L., et al. (2023). Nurses' knowledge and confidence in recognizing and managing patients with sepsis: A multi-site cross-sectional study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 79, 616–629. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15435 Choy, C. L., et al. (2022). Impact of sepsis education for healthcare professionals and students on learner and patient outcomes: A systematic review. Journal of Hospital Infection, 122, 84–95. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2022.01.004 Awais, M., et al. (2025). Identification of risk of early decompensation and predictors of ICU admission in patients triggering code sepsis. Cureus, 17(1), e77652. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureu

  2. May 11

    Episode 12: Night Shift Survival: How Sleep Loss Wrecks Your Clinical Judgment | Nursing Brain Science

    Nursing culture wears sleep deprivation like a badge of honor. The research says that badge is a patient safety risk. This episode breaks down what sleep actually does for your brain — and what happens clinically when you don't get enough of it. You'll learn: Why pride around sleep deprivation is a patient safety issue Slow-wave sleep and REM sleep — the memory consolidation mechanism Why the all-nighter before clinical works against you How sleep deprivation impairs your prefrontal cortex before clinical even starts Why caffeine masks impairment without restoring competence The circadian rhythm mechanism for night shift workers How sleep deprivation connects directly to failure to rescue Practical Takeaways: Slow-wave sleep consolidates memories — without it, tonight's studying won't be accessible tomorrow Sleep-deprived clinicians underestimate their own impairment — confidence persists while competence degrades Six hours of sleep beats ten hours of studying without it Caffeine blocks fatigue signals — it does not restore cognitive function Night shift: sleep before your shift, not after Homework: audit your sleep for 7 days and track the correlation with your performance Timestamps: [0:00] Nursing's badge of honor — what the research says [4:00] What sleep actually does: memory consolidation mechanism [9:00] Your brain on no sleep — prefrontal cortex and clinical errors [14:00] The all-nighter myth + caffeine [17:30] Night shift and circadian rhythm [21:00] Sleep as a clinical reasoning prerequisite [23:30] Closing + homework References: Chukwunonso-Ogbu et al. (2025). Cureus. doi:10.7759/cureus.96543 Martin et al. (2024). J Clin Nurs, 33(3), 859–873. Bell et al. (2023). J Clin Nurs, 32, 5445–5460. Asta et al. (2022). Prof Inferm, 75(2), 101–105. Khan & Al-Jahdali (2023). Neurosciences (Riyadh), 28(2), 91–99. Heinen et al. (2025). Commun Biol, 8, 1012. Host: Jennawè Whitley, APRN, FNP-BC, NP-C | The Patho Queen 👑 Support the show Featured Resources: LPN/RN Students: https://www.thinklikeaprovider.com/products/think-like-a-nurse-clinical-reasoning-ebook NP Students: https://www.thinklikeaprovider.com/products/np-foundation-bundle Connect: Busy schedule, no time for bad nutrition. Equip keeps it clean and simple. Try it today and get 15% off → https://www.equipfoods.com/GUTHEALTH26 Think Like A Provider SKOOL Waiting List: https://tally.so/r/D4zrrR Learn to recognize compensation before it's too late. Join Think Like a Provider FB Nurse Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thinklikeaprovider Instagram: @thinklikeaprovider Tiktok: Thinklikeaprovider Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkLikeAProvider Email: hello@thinklikeaprovider.com

  3. May 5

    Episode 11: How to Stay Calm During a Code: Managing Stress as a New Nurse | Nursing Brain Science

    Ever wondered why your brain goes completely blank in a code — even when you know exactly what to do? That's the amygdala hijack. And this episode explains the exact neuroscience behind why it happens and how to stop it. You'll learn: Why the freeze is biology, not weakness — amygdala hijack decoded How acute stress suppresses your prefrontal cortex first The difference between declarative and procedural memory — and why only one survives acute stress • Why studying more is the wrong fix for the freeze response • Why simulation discomfort is the training stimulus, not a design flaw Three evidence-based in-the-moment tools: breath, anchor phrase, move your feet How to build the stress-resistant brain over time Practical Takeaways: The freeze = amygdala hijack + prefrontal cortex suppression — not a knowledge gap Declarative memory (studying) ≠ , procedural memory (practice) — only procedural survives acute stress Build procedural memory through deliberate, repeated practice under realistic stress In the moment: one slow exhale (vagal activation), one anchor phrase, move your feet Debrief every high-stakes experience — extract the clinical data from it Your physiological state before clinical lowers or raises your freeze threshold Timestamps: [0:00] The freeze — and what it actually means about you [4:00] Amygdala + prefrontal cortex — how stress breaks their relationship [8:30] Declarative vs procedural memory [13:00] Why studying more doesn't fix it [16:30] Three in-the-moment tools [20:00] Building the stress-resistant brain [23:30] Closing + homework References: Hossein et al. (2023). Molecular Psychiatry, 28(11), 4602–4612. Valmaggia et al. (2024). Ulster Medical Journal, 93(2), 115–124. Hebel et al. (2025). Nursing Reports, 15(8), 307. Chen et al. (2024). Nurse Education Today, 142, 106335. Girotti et al. (2024). Neurobiology of Stress, 33, 100670. Host: Professor Jennawè| The Patho Queen 👑 Instagram, TikTok, Threads, & YouTube: @ThinkLikeAProvider

    Episode 11: How to Stay Calm During a Code: Managing Stress as a New Nurse | Nursing Brain Science

  4. Apr 27

    Episode 10: Differential Diagnosis for NP Students: How to Build One From Scratch | AANP & ANCC Board Prep

    You don't have a differential problem. You have a method problem. Most NP programs teach you diseases — not the cognitive process of building a differential from the ground up. Both the AANP and ANCC test that process, not your recall. This episode gives you the four-step mechanism-based framework that experienced providers use to derive a differential from any chief complaint. You'll learn: Why memorized differential lists fail under board pressure and in real clinical situations The four-step framework: Anatomy → Mechanism → Probability → Can't-Miss How AANP Diagnose domain questions test differential reasoning (and what "most likely" actually means) How ANCC adds an evidence layer and professional role layer to the same clinical reasoning Why premature closure is the most common cognitive error in diagnosis — and how the framework prevents it Two full clinical case walkthroughs using the framework in real time The specific AANP question patterns you need to recognize The ANCC diagnostic uncertainty framework and when communicating uncertainty is clinically required Timestamps: [0:00] The preceptor who told me I was guessing out loud [3:30] Official intro + NP Track welcome [4:00] Why your differential is probably broken — the list problem [8:00] Step 1: Anatomy first [9:30] Step 2: The VITAMIN C mechanism filter [11:00] Step 3: The probability layer [12:30] Step 4: The can't-miss filter [14:00] AANP Callout — how Domain 02 tests differential reasoning [16:00] AANP pattern: "most likely" questions decoded [17:00] AANP pattern: "next best step" on workup [18:00] ANCC Callout — the evidence layer and guideline framework [19:30] ANCC diagnostic uncertainty and therapeutic communication [21:00] ANCC Professional Role — consent, documentation, scope boundaries [22:00] Case 1: Worst headache of his life — walking the framework [24:00] Case 2: Progressive fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance — walking the framework [25:00] Closing + homework Practical Takeaways: Before you think diagnoses, think anatomy — name every structure in the location of the symptom Apply VITAMIN C to each structure: Vascular, Infectious, Traumatic, Autoimmune, Metabolic, Idiopathic/Iatrogenic, Neoplastic, Congenital Weight probabilities using: base rates, risk factors, clinical presentation, demographics The can't-miss filter: what diagnosis, if missed, could kill or seriously harm this patient? Rule it out with data, not assumption AANP "most likely" questions: find the ONE feature that distinguishes the correct answer by mechanism ANCC adds evidence layer: know which guideline governs the evaluation of the diagnosis you're building toward Premature closure is in the majority of diagnostic errors — the framework structurally prevents it Homework: Walk one clinical case or board question through all four steps OUT LOUD Host: Professor Jennawè | The Patho Queen 👑 REFERENCES Smith, S. K., Benbenek, M. M., Bakker, C. J., & Bockwoldt, D. (2022). Scoping review: Diagnostic reasoning as a component of clinical reasoning in the U.S. primary care nurse practitioner education. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 78(12), 3869–3896. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15414 Loncharich, M. F., Robbins, R. C., Durning, S. J., et al. (2023). Cognitive biases in internal medicine: A scoping review. Diagnosis, 10(3), 205–214. https://doi.org/10.1515/dx-2022-0075 Kunitomo, K., Harada, T., & Watari, T. (2022). Cognitive biases encountered by physicians in the emergency room. BMC Emergency Medicine, 22, 148. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12873-022-00708-3 Kaplan, H. M., Birnb

  5. Apr 21

    Episode 9: Episode 9: How to Prioritize Patients as a Nursing Student | Clinical Judgment & NCLEX Prioritization

    Four patients. Four needs. All at the same time. Your brain freezes — not because you don't know nursing, but because nobody taught you how to actually prioritize. This episode gives you the mechanism behind clinical prioritization — not the rules, not the NCLEX list, but the framework that makes the right decision feel obvious. You'll learn: Why the way prioritization is taught sets you up to freeze in real clinical situations The four questions that drive every prioritization decision you will ever make How physiological stability — not urgency or volume — is the true mechanism behind prioritization What failure to rescue is and how your prioritization decisions prevent it How to communicate prioritization to your team when you can't get everywhere at once Timestamps: [0:00] Four patients, four problems, one frozen brain — the real clinical prioritization moment [3:30] Official intro + what we offer [4:00] Why the ABCs and Maslow's hierarchy aren't enough [6:00] The real mechanism behind prioritization: physiological stability [8:00] The four questions framework [10:00] Immediate compromise, active decompensation, new vs established, trajectory [13:00] Walking through all four patients using the framework [17:00] The four mistakes that break new nurses [20:30] Failure to rescue — the real stakes of prioritization [23:00] Practical application: building the skill at the bedside Host: Professor Jennawè|The Patho Queen REFERENCES O'Connor, T., Gibson, J., Lewis, J., Strickland, K., & Paterson, C. (2023). Decision-making in nursing research and practice — Application of the Cognitive Continuum Theory: A meta-aggregative systematic review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 32(23–24), 7979–7995. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.16893 Vizeshfar, F., Rakhshan, M., Shirazi, F., & Dokoohaki, R. (2022). The effect of time management education on critical care nurses' prioritization: A randomized clinical trial. Acute and Critical Care, 37(2), 202–208. https://doi.org/10.4266/acc.2021.01123 Ernstmeyer, K., & Christman, E. (Eds.). (2024). Nursing management and professional concepts (2nd ed.). Chippewa Valley Technical College / Open Resources for Nursing. Support the show Featured Resources: LPN/RN Students: https://stan.store/ThinkLikeAProvider/p/think-like-a-nurse NP Students: https://stan.store/ThinkLikeAProvider/p/the-ultimate-np-transformation-bundle Connect: Busy schedule, no time for bad nutrition. Equip keeps it clean and simple. Try it today and get 15% off → https://www.equipfoods.com/GUTHEALTH26 Think Like A Provider SKOOL Waiting List: https://tally.so/r/D4zrrR Learn to recognize compensation before it's too late. Join Think Like a Provider FB Nurse Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thinklikeaprovider Instagram: @thinklikeaprovider Tiktok: Thinklikeaprovider Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkLikeAProvider Email: info@capital-covenant.com

  6. Apr 14

    Episode 8: What to Eat Before Clinicals: Nursing Nutrition & Brain Performance | Neuroscience for Nurses

    You can know all the pathophysiology in the world. But if your prefrontal cortex is offline because you haven't eaten since dinner last night, none of it is accessible. This episode is the neuroscience of why nutrition is a clinical performance issue — not a wellness trend. You'll learn: [0:00] The vending machine cappuccino story — and the preceptor question that changed everything [4:00] Your brain on empty: 2% body weight, 20% energy consumption [6:00] Glucose, working memory, and the 4-7 slot filing cabinet [10:00] Cortisol and the vicious cycle [11:30] Caffeine: short-term hero, long-term villain, and the 2 PM crash [13:00] What your brain actually needs (mechanisms, not meal plans) [13:30] Omega-3s and neuroplasticity [14:30] Protein and neurotransmitter production [15:30] Complex carbs and sustained glucose [16:30] Hydration — 2% dehydration tanks cognitive performance [17:30] What's sabotaging your clinical reasoning [20:30] The clinical reasoning connection — why this is a patient safety issue [22:30] Practical takeaways [25:00] Closing — your brain is an organ, fuel it like one Practical Takeaways: Before clinical: Protein + complex carb + fat (eggs, oats, avocado) During clinical: Bring snacks — nuts, fruit, protein bar (not vending machine garbage) After clinical: Recovery meal — complex carbs + protein to replenish and restore Night shift: Eat before your shift, graze on protein and fat during, light meal after Exam day: Eat the breakfast you've practiced, time your caffeine, hydrate the day before REFERENCES Welty, F. K. (2023). Omega-3 fatty acids and cognitive function. Current Opinion in Lipidology, 34(1), 12–21. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOL.0000000000000862 Gasmi, A., Nasreen, A., Menzel, A., Gasmi Benahmed, A., Noor, S., Menzel, A., & Bjørklund, G. (2023). Neurotransmitters regulation and food intake: The role of dietary sources in neurotransmission. Molecules, 28(1), 210. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28010210 Mascarenhas Fonseca, L., Strong, R. W., Singh, S., Bulger, J. D., Cleveland, M., Grinspoon, E., & Kahn, C. R. (2024). Impact of blood glucose on cognitive function in insulin resistance: Novel insights from ambulatory assessment. Nutrition & Diabetes, 14, 73. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41387-024-00331-0 Almarzouki, A. F. (2024). Stress, working memory, and academic performance: A neuroscience perspective. Stress, 27(1), 2364333. https://doi.org/10.1080/10253890.2024.2364333 Mascarenhas-Fonseca, L. C., & et al. (2023). Water intake, hydration status and 2-year changes in cognitive performance: A prospective cohort study. European Journal of Nutrition, 62(4), 1725–1737. 10.1186/s12916-023-02771-4

  7. Mar 16

    Episode 5: The NCLEX Doesn't Test What You Know—It Tests How You Think

    2,000 practice questions. Failed four times. "I know the content—why do I keep failing?" Because the NCLEX doesn't test knowledge. It tests clinical judgment. This episode breaks down what the exam actually tests and how to prepare for a reasoning exam instead of a recall exam. You'll learn: Why "knowing the content" doesn't guarantee you'll pass The 6 cognitive skills the NCLEX actually tests (recognize cues, analyze cues, prioritize hypotheses, generate solutions, take action, evaluate outcomes) The difference between knowledge questions vs. reasoning questions How NCLEX questions are constructed (and how to use that to your advantage) The right way to use practice questions (hint: not just collecting right answers) The priority framework that works for every question 5 common NCLEX mistakes and how to fix them What to do the week before the exam (and what NOT to do) How to think during the exam when you're under pressure Timestamps: [0:00] The student who did 10,000 practice questions—and still failed [3:45] Welcome to Think Like a Provider [4:15] What the NCLEX actually tests (clinical judgment, not knowledge) [7:30] Knowledge vs. reasoning: side-by-side comparison [11:00] The anatomy of an NCLEX question [13:30] Real-time walkthrough: how to reason through a question [16:45] Why practice questions fail most students [19:00] The priority framework that works for every question [21:30] Common NCLEX mistakes and how to fix them [24:00] What to do the week before (and the day of) the exam Clinical Pearls: NCLEX tests 6 cognitive skills: recognize, analyze, prioritize, generate, act, evaluate All 4 answers are usually correct—you're choosing the priority, not the right answer Priority framework: What prevents death? What treats cause vs. symptom? What uses nursing process? What follows ABCs? Read the stem TWICE—details matter Don't change your answer unless you found new info you missed Hard questions = you're doing well (the exam is adaptive) No studying the day before—your brain needs rest to reason Hosts: Professor Jennawè, FNP-BC, NP-C - Nurse Practitioner & Educator Alice - Engaging Educator & Student Advocate REFERENCES: National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). (2023). Next Generation NCLEX (NGN): Clinical Judgment Measurement Model. NCSBN Research Brief, 2023 Update. Dickison, P., Haerling, K. A., & Lasater, K. (2023). Integrating the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Clinical Judgment Measurement Model: A guide for nurse educators. Journal of Nursing Education, 62(1), 3-7. Kavanagh, J. M., & Szweda, C. (2022). A crisis in competency: The strategic and ethical imperative to assessing new graduate nurses' clinical reasoning. Nursing Education Perspectives, 43(2), 102-107. Butcher, R., & Holley, S. (2024). Clinical reasoning development in undergraduate nursing students: A longitudinal study of progression from novice to advanced beginner. Nurse Education Today, 134, 106089. Oermann, M. H., Shellenbarger, T., & Gaberson, K. B. (2022). Clinical Teaching Strategies in Nursing, 5th Edition. Springer Publishing. Croskerry, P., Singhal, G., & Mamede, S. (2023). Cognitive debiasing strategies in clinical decision making. Medical Education, 57(1), 9-18. Dunlosky, J., & Rawson, K. A. (2024). Overcoming failure to transfer knowledge through testing. Nature Reviews Psychology, 3(2), 89-101. Candela, L., & Bowles, C. (2021). Recent RN graduate performance: Relationship between NCLEX-RN examination scores and first-year performance outcomes. Journal of Nursing

  8. Mar 9

    Episode 4: What Your Patients Are Telling You (That You're Not Hearing)

    Episode 4: What Your Patients Are Telling You (That You're Not Hearing) 2:00 AM. Post-op patient. Vitals totally stable. But Jennawè knew he was dying. This episode teaches you how to read your patients beyond the monitor—and catch deterioration before the numbers crash. You'll learn: The 5 signs patients show before vitals change (altered mentation, skin changes, behavioral changes, respiratory changes, decreased urine output) Why looking at the monitor first is setting you up to miss deterioration How to do a visual assessment before checking vitals The difference between what students see and what providers see in the same patient Real case examples: "just confused" stroke, "just anxious" MI, "just tired" hypoglycemia How to calculate trends instead of just documenting numbers Why "resting comfortably" might mean your patient is dying Timestamps: [0:00] The patient who looked stable—but was septic [3:30] Welcome to Think Like a Provider [4:00] Why students trust the monitor more than the patient [7:30] The language your patients speak [12:00] Case breakdown: what I saw vs. what students see [16:30] More examples: stroke, MI, hypoglycemia [20:00] How to develop this skill [23:30] Common mistakes students make Clinical Pearls: Look at patient BEFORE monitor to avoid confirmation bias Altered mentation is earliest sign of deterioration (brain needs O2, glucose, perfusion) Urine output 30 mLs/hr = pre-renal failure/shock Vague complaints ("I don't feel right") = body's alarm system Trends matter more than individual values Touch your patients—skin temp/moisture/color tells the story Hosts: Professor Jennawè, Nurse Practitioner & Educator Alice - Engaging Educator & Student Advocate REFERENCES: Kellett, J., & Sebat, F. (2024). Make vital signs great again: A call for action. QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, 117(1), 1-8. Evans, L., Rhodes, A., Alhazzani, W., et al. (2021). Surviving Sepsis Campaign: International Guidelines for Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock 2021. Critical Care Medicine, 49(11), e1063-e1143. Subbe, C. P., & Kinsella, S. (2024). Recognising acute illness: Respiratory rate and pulse oximetry. Clinical Medicine, 24(1), 100062. Smith, M. E. B., Chiovaro, J. C., O'Neil, M., et al. (2021). Early warning system scores for clinical deterioration in hospitalized patients: A systematic review. Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 18(3), 548-556. Winters, B. D., Weaver, S. J., Pfoh, E. R., et al. (2022). Rapid-response systems as a patient safety strategy: A systematic review. Annals Support the show Featured Resources: LPN/RN Students: https://stan.store/ThinkLikeAProvider/p/think-like-a-nurse NP Students: https://stan.store/ThinkLikeAProvider/p/the-ultimate-np-transformation-bundle Connect: Think Like A Provider SKOOL Waiting List: https://tally.so/r/D4zrrR Learn to recognize compensation before it's too late. Join Think Like a Provider FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thinklikeaprovider Instagram: @thinklikeaprovider Tiktok: Thinklikeaprovider Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkLikeAProvider Email: info@capital-covenant.com

  9. Mar 2

    Episode 3: Why Memorization Fails You Under Pressure

    "I studied 8 hours a day. I did thousands of practice questions. I know the content. But I still failed." Sound familiar? This episode breaks down the neuroscience of why memorization fails under pressure—and what actually works instead. You'll learn: Why your brain can't access memorized facts when you're stressed The difference between knowledge and reasoning (and why it matters) How working memory works (and why "studying more" makes it worse) Why students who know the content still freeze during exams How to build mental models instead of memorizing lists The right way to use practice questions (hint: not just checking answers) How to train reasoning as a skill, not just knowledge Timestamps: [0:00] The student who studied 8 hours a day—and failed anyway [2:45] Welcome to Think Like a Provider [3:15] What happens in your brain under pressure [8:30] The shift from memorization to mental models [13:45] Why practice questions aren't enough [17:20] The real reason you freeze under pressure [20:30] How to build reasoning skills (not just knowledge) Clinical Pearls: Working memory holds 4-7 pieces of info—fill it with facts, no room to think Stress shrinks working memory even more—memorization fails when you need it most Mental models > lists: understand the mechanism, derive the rest Skills are robust under pressure; knowledge is fragile Don't ask "what are the signs?" Ask "why does this cause those signs?" Hosts: Jennawè Whitley, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, NP-C - Nurse Practitioner & Educator Alice - Engaging Educator & Student Advocate REFERENCES Kavanagh, J. M., & Szweda, C. (2022). A crisis in competency: The strategic and ethical imperative to assessing new graduate nurses' clinical reasoning. Nursing Education Perspectives, 43(2), 102-107. Dickison, P., Haerling, K. A., & Lasater, K. (2023). Integrating the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Clinical Judgment Measurement Model: A guide for nurse educators. Journal of Nursing Education, 62(1), 3-7. Cowan, N. (2024). Working memory: The state of the science. Annual Review of Psychology, 75, 231-258. Croskerry, P., Singhal, G., & Mamede, S. (2023). Cognitive debiasing strategies in clinical decision making. Medical Education, 57(1), 9-18. Dunlosky, J., & Rawson, K. A. (2024). Overcoming failure to transfer knowledge through testing. Nature Reviews Psychology, 3(2), 89-101. National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). (2023). Next Generation NCLEX (NGN): Clinical Judgment Measurement Model. NCSBN Research Brief, 2023 Update.

  10. Feb 23

    Episode 2: The Clinical Case That Changed How I Teach Reasoning

    A 23-year-old new mom. "Normal" vital signs. But Jennawè knew she was bleeding to death. This episode breaks down the postpartum hemorrhage case that taught her the most important lesson in clinical reasoning: the body lies, and vital signs lag. You'll learn: Why blood pressure is the LAST thing to drop in shock (not the first) How to recognize compensation before decompensation The early signs of hemorrhage students always miss Why "normal" vitals can mean your patient is dying How to trust your clinical assessment over the monitor A framework for recognizing shock in ANY patient (not just OB) Timestamps: [0:00] She looked fine—but she was bleeding to death [3:00] Welcome to Think Like a Provider [3:30] Why students miss early hemorrhage [8:45] What compensation actually looks like [13:20] The crash: when the body can't keep up anymore [16:40] Why this is so hard to learn [19:00] Framework for recognizing compensation [22:30] How this applies beyond OB Clinical Pearls: Young, healthy patients can lose 30-40% of blood volume before BP drops Tachycardia + pale skin + thirst = early shock, even with normal BP Look at trends (HR 72 → 98 over 30 min) not snapshots The question isn't "Is this abnormal?" It's "Is this patient working too hard?" Hosts: Jennawè Whitley, NP-C, FNP-BC - Nurse Practitioner & Educator Alice - Engaging Educator & Student Advocate REFERENCES: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). (2023). Postpartum Hemorrhage:ACOG Practice Bulletin, Number 183. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 142(4), 974-997. Evensen, A., Anderson, J. M., & Fontaine, P. (2021). Postpartum Hemorrhage: Prevention andTreatment. American Family Physician, 103(1), 34-43. Pacheco, L. D., Saade, G. R., & Hankins, G. D. V. (2022). Advances in the management of postpartumhemorrhage. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 226(2S), S1009-S1023. Shields, L. E., Wiesner, S., Klein, C., et al. (2021). Use of Maternal Early Warning Trigger Tool reducesmaternal morbidity. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology, 221(6), 527.e1-527.e6. Main, E. K., Goffman, D., Scavone, B. M., et al. (2022). National Partnership for Maternal Safety:Consensus Bundle on Obstetric Hemorrhage. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 126(1), 155-162. Bienstock, J. L., Eke, A. C., & Hueppchen, N. A. (2021). Postpartum hemorrhage. New EnglandJournal of Medicine, 384(16), 1635-1645. Kahr, M. K., Brun, R., Zimmermann, R., & Franke, D. (2024). Validation of quantitative blood lossassessment in postpartum hemorrhage. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 164(1), 289-295. Support the show Featured Resources: LPN/RN Students: https://stan.store/ThinkLikeAProvider/p/think-like-a-nurse NP Students: https://stan.store/ThinkLikeAProvider/p/the-ultimate-np-transformation-bundle Connect: Learn to recognize compensation before it's too late. Join Think Like a Provider FB Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thinklikeaprovider Instagram: @thinklikeaprovider Tiktok: Thinklikeaprovider Email: info@capital-covenant.com

  11. Feb 16

    Episode 1: How Providers Actually Think (And Why Nursing School Doesn't Teach It)

    Join Jennawè and Alice as they break down the story of a patient who looked "totally fine"—until she wasn't. This episode reveals the critical difference between knowing facts and reasoning clinically, and why that difference can be life or death. You'll learn: Why nursing school teaches you what to know, but not how to think The three core principles of provider-level reasoning How to shift from memorization to clinical judgment Why "normal" vital signs can still mean your patient is crashing Practical strategies to start thinking like a provider today Timestamps: [0:00] The patient who looked fine—but wasn't [2:30] Welcome to Think Like a Provider [3:00] Why nursing school doesn't teach reasoning [8:45] The shift from memorization to clinical thinking [14:20] What provider thinking actually looks like [18:30] Why this is so hard (and the mistake Jennawè made) [21:00] How to start thinking like a provider today Hosts: Jennawè Whitley, MSN, APRN NP-C, FNP-BC - Nurse Practitioner & Educator Alice - Engaging Educator & Student Advocate Resources: Want to develop provider-level clinical reasoning? Join us inside Think Like a Provider: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thinklikeaprovider Free Guide: 5 Clinical Reasoning Mistakes Nurses Make: https://stan.store/ThinkLikeAProvider/p/5-clinical-reasoning-mistakes-nurses-make- Connect: Instagram: @thinklikeaprovider Tiktok: thinklikeaprovider Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThinkLikeAProvider X: @LikeAProvider Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thinklikeaprovider/ Support the show Featured Resource: The Mindset Blueprint — a neuroscience-informed, faith-anchored system to reset your identity, regulate your nervous system, and break the cycle of overthinking for good. https://theholisticnpceo.com/products/the-30-day-mindset-shift-blueprint?variant=47422202151171 Keep in Touch with Me: https://tr.ee/hTbdnxmhaT

  • 11 Episodes

About

Think Like a Provider™ is the clinical reasoning podcast for nursing students, RNs, and NP students who are done memorizing and ready to understand. Hosted by Jennawè, A double board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner & clinical reasoning educator, this podcast teaches the mechanisms behind clinical thinking, not just the answers. Because Aristotle was right: knowing a thing means knowing its cause. And that principle is as true at the bedside as it was in ancient Athens. Every episode builds one of four core competencies: Clinical Reasoning — How to gather cues, build differentials from scratch, recognize patterns, prioritize red flags, and make decisions the way experienced providers actually make them. Not algorithms to memorize. Frameworks to reason with. NP Board Prep — Dedicated episodes for AANP (FNP-C) and ANCC (FNP-BC) candidates. Mechanism-based board prep that explains why the right answer is right — with explicit AANP vs ANCC callouts so you know exactly how each board tests the same clinical content differently. Neuroscience + Performance — The science of how your brain learns, retains, and performs under pressure. Working memory, pattern recognition, the amygdala hijack, procedural memory, and why the freeze during a code is biology, not weakness. Wellness + Clinical Performance — Nutrition, sleep, stress, and recovery framed as clinical performance science — not lifestyle content. Your brain is an organ. This pillar teaches you how to fuel it. If you are searching for how to think clinically, how to build a differential, how to prepare for the NCLEX or NP boards, how to stop freezing under pressure, or how to bridge pathophysiology to clinical decisions, this podcast gives you the mechanism behind every answer. The greatest clinicians in history reasoned their way to the truth. So will you. New episodes every week. All content is evidence-based and peer-reviewed. Educational only — not medical advice. Host: Jennawè Whitley, APRN, FNP-BC, NP-C | The Patho Queen 👑 Instagram & TikTok: @ThinkLikeAProvider Email: thinklikeaprovider@gmail.com

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