Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX
Maureen Osuna, MSN, RN - Nursing school educator, author, and nursing student enthusiast.
▶ Webplayer
Maureen Osuna, MSN, RN - Nursing school educator, author, and nursing student enthusiast.
▶ WebplayerIn 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...
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Sep 28, 2026 · 7:48
If you're applying to nursing school, your GPA probably feels like the whole application. And yes, your GPA is important, but it's only one piece of your application. Most…
Sep 24, 2026 · 28:39
A patient is stable going into surgery and comes out of anesthesia fine. Twenty minutes later in the PACU, she's gasping for air, her neck veins are bulging, and she's coughing…
Sep 21, 2026 · 12:35
Do you know the differences between a MRI, MRA, CT and CTA scan? By the end of this episode you'll understand the purpose and nursing considerations of each of these scans, and…
Sep 17, 2026 · 51:46
This encore episode features a brief update to discuss some new medications that are currently being utilized to treat Parkinson's disease. By the end of this episode you'll have…
Sep 14, 2026 · 11:20
This is a quick review of SIRS vs sepsis vs septic shock, including what distinguishes each from the next, the earliest clinical signs of this whole progression (hint: it's not…
Sep 10, 2026 · 49:51
Heading into clinical? Ease your nerves by building a mental map of a typical clinical day. Hit play and I'll show you what I mean as I walk you through how I used to run a…
Sep 7, 2026 · 13:26
New nurses, have you called your first rapid response yet? The scariest part of your first rapid response usually isn't the clinical situation in front of you. It's the moment…
Sep 3, 2026 · 23:43
Reye’s syndrome is a rare but very serious condition that involves acute encephalopathy, cerebral edema and fatty liver failure. The pathophysiology is not fully understood but…
Aug 31, 2026 · 9:52
Test your knowledge of AKI with this quick set of audio flashcards. Dive right in or brush up on your nursing knowledge of AKI first, in episode #509: Acute Kidney Injury for…
Aug 27, 2026 · 20:48
Acute kidney injury is one of the most common complications seen in hospitalized patients, yet it's a topic that often leaves nursing students overwhelmed by lab values and…
Aug 24, 2026 · 10:44
New nurses, this one's for you! We're talking about what that first code actually feels like, why the calm you see in other nurses doesn’t mean you’re not cut out for this, and…
Aug 20, 2026 · 31:06
The Beers Criteria, or Beers list, is a list of medications which are considered to be potentially harmful medications for individuals over 65 years old due to risks or side…
Aug 17, 2026 · 11:06
Nursing is full of terms that sound similar, look similar, and sometimes even seem interchangeable. But understanding the differences between these concepts can make a huge…
Aug 13, 2026 · 40:43
If you're just heading in to clinical or are still feeling a bit overwhelmed at the end of every shift, this episode is for you. In this episode, I'm sharing how you can reframe…
Aug 10, 2026 · 13:28
Next time you get your patient assignment, skip the panic-prep session and instead, try the five-minute clinical prep routine I'm breaking down in this episode. By the end of…
Aug 6, 2026 · 34:41
It's really helpful to know a few specific things in advance of your pediatric clinicals so you can make the most of your experience from the start. In this episode, I'm sharing…
Aug 3, 2026 · 10:29
Test your knowledge of respiratory failure with this quick set of audio flashcards. Dive right in or brush up on your nursing knowledge of respiratory failure first, in episode…
Jul 30, 2026 · 23:06
Respiratory failure occurs when the respiratory system can no longer adequately meet the oxygen demands of the body, remove carbon dioxide effectively, or both. In this episode…
Jul 27, 2026 · 8:57
Cushing's Triad is one of those concepts that nursing students often memorize for an exam but don't always understand. Hit play to change that, because once you understand the…
Jul 23, 2026 · 30:39
All nursing schools teach you the five rights of medication administration as a key component in keeping your patients safe, but if you want to take it further to understand all…
Jul 20, 2026 · 11:16
It’s PodQuiz Monday! Test your knowledge from a recent episode with a quick set of audio flashcards designed to reinforce what you learned. These mini-reviews are a great way to…
Jul 16, 2026 · 36:47
In this episode, I break down the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in a way that goes way beyond the vocabulary test version. You'll learn: - what triggers each…
Jul 13, 2026 · 7:58
You might be wondering, what in the world is JVD? It's another of those terms that nursing students hear all the time and plan to look up later. First, JVD stands for jugular…
Jul 9, 2026 · 19:11
It's a great day to review the differences between STEMI & NSTEMI! In this episode, we'll review: The key differences between STEMI and NSTEMI How to recognize a STEMI on the ECG…
Jul 6, 2026 · 11:04
Acute confusion is often one of the first signs something is wrong. The sooner you identify the cause, the sooner your patient can get the treatment they need. Hit play to review…
Jul 2, 2026 · 30:20
Most nursing students spend months anxiously waiting for school to start. Then day one arrives and they're completely reactive, overwhelmed, behind, and wondering why nobody told…
Jun 29, 2026 · 10:19
A common misconception is that ETCO₂ measures oxygen. It doesn't. Hit play to find out what ETCO₂ does measure, how it works, and why it's so valuable. ___________________…
Jun 25, 2026 · 41:02
Understanding the key foundational concepts of pain is crucial as a nurse and I've got you covered in this episode. Press play to gain a deeper understanding of pain and pain…
Jun 22, 2026 · 18:30
As a clinical instructor, I noticed that many new nursing students struggle with care plan pharmacology. In this episode, I'm addressing the key things your clinical instructor…
Jun 18, 2026 · 37:09
Over the years I've seen students struggle and students thrive, and what becomes clear pretty quickly is the students who struggle tend to repeat the same handful of mistakes.…
Jun 15, 2026 · 9:12
You've picked up the blood pressure cuff and your patient says "Wait! Not that arm! I had a mastectomy." You swiftly go for the other arm, but let's talk about WHY we avoid…
Jun 11, 2026 · 52:47
Want to start clinicals with more confidence? Walking in, already knowing these 8 common labs inside and out will definitely give you an edge when it comes to interpreting your…
Jun 8, 2026 · 8:06
If you've ever wondered why your patients with low albumin also have edema, hit play and I'll explain. You'll see that the "why" behind this connection makes total sense and it…
Jun 4, 2026 · 29:17
If you can relate to feeling like your mind has blanked while you're taking your nursing school exams despite studying all weekend going through your notes, rewatching lectures,…
Jun 1, 2026 · 10:51
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 breaking down the BUN-to-creatinine ratio and why…
May 28, 2026 · 47:46
Every other week I republish one of my most popular or impactful episodes from my backlog of over 450 episodes. This week I'm throwing it back to episode 267 and talking about…
May 25, 2026 · 9:29
It’s PodQuiz Monday! Test your knowledge from last week’s episode with a quick set of audio flashcards designed to reinforce what you learned. These mini-reviews are a great way…
May 21, 2026 · 51:15
You know that moment when you walk into a patient’s room and something just feels… off? Not wrong in a pull-the-crash-cart way. Just… different. Their blood pressure is trending…
May 18, 2026 · 10:43
It’s PodQuiz Monday! Test your knowledge from a recent episode with a quick set of audio flashcards designed to reinforce what you learned. These mini-reviews are a great way to…
May 14, 2026 · 33:47
Every other week I republish one of my most popular or impactful episodes from my backlog of over 450 episodes. This week I'm highlighting Episode 274, which walks you through…
May 11, 2026 · 12:23
It’s PodQuiz Monday! Test your knowledge from a recent episode with a quick set of audio flashcards designed to reinforce what you learned. These mini-reviews are a great way to…
May 7, 2026 · 27:37
You studied all weekend. You put in the hours. And you still walked out of that exam feeling like something just didn’t click. If that’s ever been you (or if you’re about to…
May 4, 2026 · 10:22
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 breaking down early warning signs of clinical…
Apr 30, 2026 · 31:34
Every other week I republish one of my most popular or impactful episodes from my backlog of over 450 episodes. This week I'm highlighting Episode 149, which takes you through…
Apr 27, 2026 · 11:46
It’s PodQuiz Monday! Test your knowledge from last week’s episode with a quick set of audio flashcards designed to reinforce what you learned. These mini-reviews are a great way…
Apr 23, 2026 · 29:56
Thinking about taking the ATI TEAS exam? In this episode, I break down what the TEAS is actually testing and why so many students prepare the wrong way. Learn how the ATI TEAS…
Apr 20, 2026 · 22:58
If you're starting nursing school soon, you won't want to miss this week's Mo's Monday Minute. In this shortie episode, I'm breaking down what actually matters before you start…
Apr 18, 2026 · 32:16
Every other week I republish one of my most popular or impactful episodes from my backlog of over 450 episodes. This week I'm highlighting Episode #251, which is about a critical…
Apr 13, 2026 · 9:43
It’s PodQuiz Monday! Test your knowledge from last week’s episode with a quick set of audio flashcards designed to reinforce what you learned. These mini-reviews are a great way…
Apr 9, 2026 · 32:16
Your patient was just started on linezolid for a staph infection. Three hours later, you notice agitation, tremors, diarrhea, and a temperature of 102.8. You check the chart and…
Apr 6, 2026 · 8:17
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 breaking down the connection between potassium and…
Apr 2, 2026 · 18:27
Every other week I republish one of my most popular or impactful episodes from my backlog of over 450 episodes. This week I'm highlighting Episode 136, which is about why so many…
Mar 30, 2026 · 14:08
It’s PodQuiz Monday! Test your knowledge from a recently encore'd episode with a quick set of audio flashcards designed to reinforce what you learned. These mini-reviews are a…
Mar 26, 2026 · 25:23
If nursing school feels harder than you expected… you’re not alone. You studied all weekend. You walked out of the exam unsure. You feel behind even though you’re constantly…
Mar 23, 2026 · 7:11
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 breaking down what "widening pulse pressure" means,…
Mar 19, 2026 · 42:12
Every other week I'm republishing one of my most popular or impactful episodes from my backlog of over 450 episodes. This week I'm highlighting Episode 51, which is about all…
Mar 16, 2026 · 11:23
It’s PodQuiz Monday! Test your knowledge from last week’s episode with a quick set of audio flashcards designed to reinforce what you learned. These mini-reviews are a great way…
Mar 12, 2026 · 28:53
This episode is a lesson I'm sharing with you from my course Med Surg Solution which dives into tips and tricks about ostomies. There are an estimated 13.5-14 million people…
Mar 9, 2026 · 7:11
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 breaking down the why and how of magnesium use in…
Mar 5, 2026 · 22:31
Every other week I republish one of my most popular or impactful episodes from my backlog of over 450 episodes. This week I'm highlighting Episode 46, where I break down the…
Mar 2, 2026 · 12:46
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 how patients actually learn, and how…
Feb 26, 2026 · 14:46
Clinical nurse educators do far more than teach classes or run in-services. They support nurses across the entire span of their careers, from onboarding at their very first job…
Feb 23, 2026 · 11:45
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 breaking down hypocalcemia causes and complications.…
Feb 19, 2026 · 45:38
Every other week I'm republishing one of my most popular or impactful episodes from my backlog of over 450 episodes. This week I'm highlighting Episode 279, which is all about…
Feb 16, 2026 · 9:20
It’s PodQuiz Monday! Test your knowledge from last week’s episode on groin management after femoral access with a quick set of audio flashcards designed to reinforce what you…
Feb 12, 2026 · 40:33
Groin management is nurse-lingo for the care required after femoral artery or vein access, such as following a cardiac catheterization or interventional radiology procedure. In…
Feb 9, 2026 · 11:10
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 giving you a quick overview of TR Bands.…
Feb 5, 2026 · 37:08
Every other week I'm republishing one of my most popular or impactful episodes from my backlog of over 450 episodes. This week I'm highlighting Episode 410, which is all about…
Feb 2, 2026 · 9:55
It’s PodQuiz Monday! Test your knowledge from last week’s episode with a quick set of audio flashcards designed to reinforce what you learned. These mini-reviews are a great way…
Jan 29, 2026 · 27:30
Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A) is one of the most common pediatric surgical procedures, but don’t let the word routine fool you. Because this surgery directly involves the…
Jan 26, 2026 · 8:39
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 breaking down what a "shift to the left" means,…
Jan 22, 2026 · 36:41
Every other week I'm republishing one of my most popular or impactful episodes from my backlog of over 450 episodes. This week I'm highlighting Episode 100, which dives in to…
Jan 19, 2026 · 7:39
It’s PodQuiz Monday! Test your knowledge from last week’s episode with a quick set of audio flashcards designed to reinforce what you learned. These mini-reviews are a great way…
Jan 15, 2026 · 36:06
In this episode, we are taking a close look at Le Fort osteotomies and walking through the nursing care using the LATTE method so you always know the key nursing priorities. Le…
Jan 12, 2026 · 5:02
Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, I break down why you might see an elevated BUN when…
Jan 8, 2026 · 25:00
Every other week I'm republishing one of my most popular or impactful episodes. This week I'm highlighting Episode 336, which is all about local anesthetic systemic toxicity…
Jan 5, 2026 · 7:07
It’s PodQuiz Monday! Test your knowledge from last week’s episode with a quick set of audio flashcards designed to reinforce what you learned. These mini-reviews are a great way…
Jan 1, 2026 · 34:22
Neuraxial analgesia is used every day in med–surg, orthopedics, OB, and PACU settings. Understanding how these blocks work, what medications are used, and how to assess patients…
Dec 25, 2025 · 39:52
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…
Dec 22, 2025 · 6:20
Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, low-sorb tubing takes the stage. I'll review what it is,…
Dec 18, 2025 · 23:33
Cardiac stress tests are utilized to show how the heart performs under pressure, whether that’s from a walking on a treadmill or from a stress-inducing medication. In this…
Dec 15, 2025 · 5:36
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 something every nurse needs to be able…
Dec 11, 2025 · 38:48
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…
Dec 8, 2025 · 5:08
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 the the difference between central and…
Dec 4, 2025 · 16:22
NSAIDs are everywhere, and for good reason. They’re incredibly effective at reducing inflammation and pain, managing fever, and even reducing cardiovascular risk. But while…
Dec 1, 2025 · 7:37
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 the 50-50 Club in COPD patients and…
Nov 27, 2025 · 25:15
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…
Nov 24, 2025 · 7:21
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 clearing up something that confuses a lot of nursing…
Nov 20, 2025 · 22:39
Oxygen is one of those therapies that nurses use every single day with almost every single patient. But did you know too much oxygen can actually cause harm? In this episode,…
Nov 17, 2025 · 7:57
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 labs and lasix. Tune in to review why…
Nov 13, 2025 · 23:26
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…
Nov 10, 2025 · 6:27
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 pre-load vs. after-load. This concept…
Nov 6, 2025 · 23:01
If you’ve ever watched a medical drama or spent any amount of time in the clinical setting, you’ve seen a crash cart and have a general idea of what defibrillation is. In this…
Nov 3, 2025 · 13:42
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 starting your shift off on the right…
Oct 30, 2025 · 44:06
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…
Oct 28, 2025 · 44:19
I remember being a brand-new nurse and thinking my biggest challenge would be learning critical-care pathophysiology. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. What really caught me off guard…
Oct 27, 2025 · 8:11
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 highlighting when note-taking and…
Oct 23, 2025 · 23:03
Have you ever heard of injecting bubbles into someone’s vein on purpose? Sounds wild, right? But that’s exactly what a bubble study (AKA an “agitated saline study”) does. And…
Oct 21, 2025 · 31:52
You’ve survived nursing school, passed the NCLEX, and landed your first job, but being a new grad nurse comes with its own unique set of challenges. In this encore episode, I’m…
Oct 20, 2025 · 8:56
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 three big red flags you never want to…
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