Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX

Maureen Osuna, MSN, RN - Nursing school educator, author, and nursing student enthusiast.
Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX

In this show, Maureen Osuna, MSN, RN (Nurse Mo) breaks down a wide range of nursing school concepts so they’re easy to understand. Each episode aims to help nursing students improve their study techniques, pass nursing school exams, and feel more confident in clinical. If you’re nervous about nursing school, not “getting it” in lecture, or feeling overwhelmed with all the information you have to learn, this podcast will help you optimize your study time so you can learn more with less stress. While nursing school is challenging, it doesn’t have to be impossible. When concepts are explained in a way that “just makes sense”, nursing students have better recall on exams, feel more confident working with patients in clinical, and are better prepared for NCLEX. Nurse Mo understands the struggles nursing students face and draws on more than 11 years of clinical experience to make nursing school less intimidating. Each episode removes the “fluff” and focuses on the key things a nursing student (and nurse) needs to know about a variety of disease conditions. The show also provides tips for succeeding in nursing school, guidance for students and new nurses, and insider information to help you excel at the bedside.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    #382: MMM - Three Things to Check at the Start of Your Shift

    Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, I'm sharing three things to always check at the start of your shift to set yourself (and your patient) up for success! ___________________ FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! All Straight A Nursing Resources - Check out everything Straight A Nursing has to offer, including free resources and online courses to help you succeed! 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast 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 podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    5 min
  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    ENCORE! #184: My Fave Online Tools for Nursing School Success

    Every other week I'm republishing one of my most popular or impactful episodes and adding an update, new insight, or context that will help you benefit from it even more. This week I'm highlighting Episode 184, where I take you through my eight favorite online tools for nursing school that help set you up for success. NEWLY ADDED! Organize your school and study schedules with My Study Life. Get Google Drive with a free Google account: Google Drive. Say goodbye to password frustrations with LastPass. Take your notes for nursing school into digital format with GoodNotes and Notability. Improve your writing with Grammarly. Start your online search for research articles with Google Scholar and PubMed. Manage your bibliography and make writing scholarly papers easier with Zotero. Demystify APA formatting and scholarly writing with Purdue Owl APA. Reclaim your focus and embark on powerful work sessions with the Focus Keeper App for iOS or Pomodoro Timer for Android. ———— Full Transcript – Read the article FREE CLASS – If all you’ve heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES…you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Crucial Concepts Bootcamp – Start nursing school ahead of the game, or reset after a difficult first semester with my nursing school prep course, Crucial Concepts Bootcamp. Learn key foundation concepts, organization and time management, dosage calculations, and so much more. New Nursing Student Checklist – Grab this checklist which includes clinical and school supplies, things to organize, what to review, and more to help you prepare for nursing school. 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast 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 podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    33 min
  3. 6 JAN

    #381: MMM - Are Those Pulses Really Absent?

    Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, I'm talking about what to do when you can’t feel your patient’s peripheral pulse. ___________________ FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! 20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! All Straight A Nursing Resources - Check out everything Straight A Nursing has to offer, including free resources and online courses to help you succeed! 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast 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 podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    7 min
  4. 2 JAN

    #380: Conquer 6 Types of Nursing School Anxiety

    Let’s face it. Nursing school is intense, and anxiety can creep in from every corner—whether it’s math exams, clinical rotations, or managing an overwhelming workload. But here’s the good news - you *can* take control of that anxiety and even start to enjoy your nursing school journey.   In this episode, I’m breaking down the top sources of anxiety nursing students face and sharing actionable tips to help you tackle them, including:   Conquering math anxiety (spoiler: it’s more common than you think!).   Managing those nerve-wracking skills check-offs like a pro.   Feeling confident in clinical and sim lab, even when you’re out of your comfort zone.   Staying organized to keep workload anxiety at bay.   We’ll also chat about why these feelings are totally normal and how to reframe them as opportunities to grow.  ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.  Confident Calculations - Learn a foolproof method for performing dosage calculations so you can pass your nursing school math exams on the first try! Crucial Concepts Bootcamp - Start nursing school ahead of the game, or reset after a difficult first semester with my nursing school prep course, Crucial Concepts Bootcamp. Learn key foundation concepts, organization and time management, dosage calculations, and so much more. Nursing School Thrive Guide - Get the book that many nursing students consider the ultimate survival guide for nursing school! Available in paperback, Kindle and audio formats. LATTE Method Template - Download the free LATTE Method Template so you can streamline how you study and focus on what a nurse needs to know.  Clinical Success Pack - One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is having the right tools. This pack includes report sheets, sheets to help you plan your day, a clinical debrief form, and a patient safety cheat sheet.  20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast 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 podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    35 min
  5. 26/12/2024

    #379: Acute vs. Chronic Pain

    In this episode, Nurse Mo breaks down the key differences between acute and chronic pain to help you navigate pain management more effectively as a nurse or nursing student. By understanding how these two types of pain differ in causes, duration, and treatment approaches, you’ll be better equipped to deliver compassionate and tailored care (and crush those nursing school exams!). Highlights include: Key characteristics of acute and chronic pain - causes, duration, quality, and impact on life Pharmacologic treatments for acute and chronic pain Non-pharmacologic treatments - explore medications (from NSAIDs to botulinum toxin) and non-pharmacologic strategies (such as CBT, physical therapy, and TENS units) Links mentioned in this episode: Types of Pain - Dive deeper into the different subtypes of pain here! Corticosteroids - Learn the key things you know about this common type of medication LAST - Learn about local anesthetic systemic toxicity ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!  Pharmacology Success Pack - Want to get a head start on pharmacology? Download the FREE Pharmacology Success Pack.  Fast Pharmacology - Learn pharmacology concepts in 5 minutes or less in this audio based program. Perfect for on-the-go review! Clinical Success Pack - One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is having the right tools.  💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast 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 podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min
  6. 19/12/2024

    #378: Nursing Care for Pulmonary Embolism

    A pulmonary embolism is a condition in which vessels in the lungs are blocked by a thrombus or other material that has traveled from somewhere else in the body. This is usually a result of a venous thromboembolism, but can also be due to amniotic fluid, air or fat embolus, or tumor material in patients with cancer. A key thing to understand about pulmonary embolism is that the airway is not occluded. In pulmonary embolism, one or more blood vessels are occluded. What this means is that blood coming from the right side of the heart isn’t able to pass freely through the pulmonary vasculature to participate in gas exchange, which negatively affects perfusion. In this episode you’ll learn: Pulmonary embolism pathophysiology Which of your patients are at highest risk for having a PE Common signs and symptoms of PE Priority nursing assessments Tests utilized to evaluate or diagnose PE Treatments for PE, including pharmacological and surgical And more! Hit play on this episode so you can understand how to recognize PE quickly so your patient can have their best chance at recovery. ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.  Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. LATTE Method Template - Download the free LATTE Method Template so you can streamline how you study and focus on what a nurse needs to know.  20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast 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 podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    30 min
  7. 12/12/2024

    #377: Right Heart Failure Nursing Care

    In this episode, we dive into the essentials of nursing care for patients with right-sided heart failure. You’ll learn: The difference between right-sided and left-sided heart failure. Common causes of right ventricular failure. Key nursing assessments and clinical signs to watch for. Diagnostic tests for right-sided heart failure. Evidence-based treatments, including medications and lifestyle modifications. Strategies for effective patient education to promote heart health and symptom management. This is a must-listen for nurses and nursing students looking to strengthen their understanding of the cardiovascular system! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Study Sesh - Change the way you study with this private podcast that includes dynamic audio formats that help you review and test your recall of important nursing concepts on-the-go. Free yourself from your desk with Study Sesh!  Med Surg Solution - Are you looking for a more effective way to learn Med Surg? Enroll in Med Surg Solution and get lessons on 57 key topics and out-of-this-world study guides.  Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. LATTE Method Template - Download the free LATTE Method Template so you can streamline how you study and focus on what a nurse needs to know.  20 Secrets of Successful Nursing Students – Learn key strategies that will help you be a successful nursing student with this FREE guide! 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast 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 podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    23 min
  8. 05/12/2024

    #376: Tips for Being a Courageous Nurse

    Feeling unsure or timid at the bedside is something every new nurse and nursing student experiences. In this episode, Nurse Mo breaks down how to build courage in those crucial moments—whether it’s advocating for your patients, setting boundaries, or getting comfortable with personal patient care. You’ll gain confidence through practical advice and real-world strategies that will make your time at the bedside more effective and a lot less intimidating. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to get comfortable performing assessments, even when patients are not in the best of moods Tips for advocating for your patients and confidently communicating with other members of the healthcare team Strategies for setting professional boundaries with difficult or overly needy patients How to remain calm in emergency situations by planning ahead and asking for help when needed Listen now to boost your confidence and strengthen your nursing practice! ___________________ Full Transcript - Read the article "Courage at the Bedside" and view references FREE CLASS - If all you've heard are nursing school horror stories, then you need this class! Join me in this on-demand session where I dispel all those nursing school myths and show you that YES...you can thrive in nursing school without it taking over your life! Crucial Concepts Bootcamp - Start nursing school ahead of the game, or reset after a difficult first semester with my nursing school prep course, Crucial Concepts Bootcamp. Learn key foundation concepts, organization and time management, dosage calculations, and so much more. Straight A Nursing App - Study on-the-go with the Straight A Nursing app! Review more than 5,000 flashcards covering a wide range of subjects including Fundamentals, Pediatrics, Med Surg, Mental Health, Maternal Newborn, and more! Available for free in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Clinical Success Pack - One of the best ways to fast-track your clinical learning is having the right tools. This pack includes report sheets, sheets to help you plan your day, a clinical debrief form, and a patient safety cheat sheet. 💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode! ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast 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 podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight a Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    34 min

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About

In this show, Maureen Osuna, MSN, RN (Nurse Mo) breaks down a wide range of nursing school concepts so they’re easy to understand. Each episode aims to help nursing students improve their study techniques, pass nursing school exams, and feel more confident in clinical. If you’re nervous about nursing school, not “getting it” in lecture, or feeling overwhelmed with all the information you have to learn, this podcast will help you optimize your study time so you can learn more with less stress. While nursing school is challenging, it doesn’t have to be impossible. When concepts are explained in a way that “just makes sense”, nursing students have better recall on exams, feel more confident working with patients in clinical, and are better prepared for NCLEX. Nurse Mo understands the struggles nursing students face and draws on more than 11 years of clinical experience to make nursing school less intimidating. Each episode removes the “fluff” and focuses on the key things a nursing student (and nurse) needs to know about a variety of disease conditions. The show also provides tips for succeeding in nursing school, guidance for students and new nurses, and insider information to help you excel at the bedside.

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