In this episode, we explore peripheral nerve blocks (PNBs), which are a cornerstone of pain management in surgical care. PNBs offer targeted pain relief by blocking nerve signals, reducing the need for systemic analgesics, and enhancing recovery times. From their mechanism of action to nursing priorities, we cover everything you need to know to confidently care for patients receiving PNBs.

In this episode, you will learn:

• What is a Peripheral Nerve Block? Learn about the benefits of PNBs, including reduced opioid use, faster recovery, and suitability for high-risk patients.
• How They Work: Understand how local anesthetics like ropivacaine and bupivacaine block sensory, motor, and sympathetic nerves in sequence.
• When They’re Used: Common surgeries utilizing PNBs, such as knee replacements, carpal tunnel repair, and shoulder procedures.
• How They’re Administered: Single-shot vs. continuous infusion techniques, including the use of portable pumps like the Ambit pump or elastomeric devices.
• Medications: Local anesthetics and adjuvants like epinephrine, dexamethasone, and clonidine that enhance the block's efficacy.
• Complications to Watch For: Learn about local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) to nerve trauma and post-op safety risks.
• Nursing Considerations: Key assessments, patient safety tips, and education to empower your patients before discharge.

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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!

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!

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! 

💕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

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 the purposeful highlighting tactics I used as a student to help me get a 4.0 all throughout nursing school.

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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

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 224, where I share with you all the tips that have been shared in the Thriving Nursing Students Facebook group when it comes to going through nursing school with ADHD.

And even if you don’t have ADHD, the tips in here are absolute gold for time management and organization, so be sure you don’t miss this one…it’s so good!

Thank you to everyone who shared their knowledge, insight, and experience. I learned so much, and I'm so grateful for you!

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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!

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.

Episode 129 - Develop a morning routine with these tips.

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.

Study tips - Know when to memorize vs conceptualize with these tips.

Run sheets - Use these to help you have a more organized clinical shift.

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

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 my pro tips for clustering your care so you can manage your time better and boost your efficiency at the bedside!

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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

In this episode, Nurse Mo dives into neonatal hypoglycemia, the most common metabolic disturbance in newborns. With glucose as the brain’s primary energy source, recognizing and treating low blood sugar in infants is critical to preventing long-term complications like neurodevelopmental delays or cerebral palsy.

Hit play on this episode and you will learn:

• Key terms - Brush up on key terms like glycogenesis and glycogenolysis
• Pathophysiology - Review how newborns transition from relying on maternal glucose to life outside the womb
• Risk Factors - Learn which infants are at higher risk so you can be on the lookout for hypoglycemia right from the start
• Signs & Symptoms - Get an overview of what to watch for in the neonate
• Testing & Treatment - Boost your understanding of tests and treatments utilized in neonatal hypoglycemia
• Parental Education - How to reassure and inform parents about their baby’s care and what to watch for at home

By the end of this episode, you’ll feel much more confident managing neonatal hypoglycemia in the clinical setting or tackling it on your next exam. Don’t forget to check out the Study Sesh podcast for extra tips and practice!

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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. 

Conquering Case Studies - Learn how to approach case studies so they feel less overwhelming while honing your clinical judgment skills in the process.

💕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

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

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

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

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. 

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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

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

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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

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.

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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