Nursing Podcast by NURSING.com (NRSNG) (NCLEX® Prep for Nurses and Nursing Students): Recent Episodes

Jon Haws RN: Nursing Podcast Host, Critical Care Nurse, Nursing School Men

Helping Nursing Students Succeed. Period.

Free Nursing School and NCLEX Cheat Sheets at nursing.com/freebies

Welcome to the NURSING.com Show from NURSING.com . . . #1 Nursing Podcast and the leader in nursing student education. New motivational episodes 2-3 times per week covering:

Struggling Students - common questions and concerns from students.

Tips and Nurse Life - how to succeed as a nursing student and nurse.

Interviews - discussion with through leaders, entrepreneurs, and authors.

Anatomy and Physiology and Nursing Care for various disease processes. Follow us on social media @nursing.com_ on Instagram or @nursing.comofficial on Facebook

From the leading nursing education website (NURSING.com) comes the top nursing podcast. With pharmacology episodes, test taking tips, student struggles, interviews (with leading nurse advocates like Kati Kleber, Nurse Bass, Nurse Nacole, and more), NCLEX review, we cover the information that nurses need to know to accelerate their career and become incredible RNs.

Jon Haws RN, the host has worked as a critical care registered nurse in a Level I Trauma hospital in Dallas, TX.

Jon is the creator of NURSING.com. Visit the site and check out the books on Amazon.com We discuss current trends in the ICU, anatomy, physiology, nursing care, and much more. Our goal is to change nursing education forever by making it more accessible, cutting the fluff, and teaching students how to think like nurses through modern technology.

For full disclaimer information visit: nursing.com

NCLEX®, NCLEX-RN® are registered trademarks of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, INC.

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Start a FREE SIMCLEX at: SIMCLEX.com

That 98% NCLEX pass rate on your school's banner is real — nobody's lying. But 98% of whom? Jon Haws RN does the math admissions tours skip: how attrition and exit-exam gates shape pass-rate statistics, why programs protect the number (the incentive, not the people, is the monster), and the one question that reveals more than any brochure: "Of students who START, how many graduate and pass first try?" Plus the mindset shift for students already in a program — your school's predictor answers THEIR question; you need your own answer — and the playbook if you're blocked at an exit-exam gate right now. Not an attack on schools. A field guide to the system you're standing in. Get your own independent read: start a SIMCLEX free — first 15 questions on us at SIMCLEX.com. Keywords: nursing school pass rate explained, nursing school attrition rate, exit exam nursing school, HESI ATI benchmark blocked graduation, how to choose a nursing school.

#nursingschool #nursingstudent #futurenurse #nclex #prenursing #nursingschooladvice #hesi #ati #exitexam #nursingschoolproblems #choosingnursingschool #studentnurse #rnstudent #nursetok

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The screen goes black at question 75. You're certain you failed. You cry in the parking lot, you google "shut off at 75 did I fail" forty times, you grieve for 48 hours — and then: PASS. This story happens to thousands of nursing grads every cycle, and this episode explains why. Jon Haws RN breaks down how the NCLEX's adaptive algorithm is designed to make EVERYONE feel like they're drowning, why the better you're doing the harder your test feels, why a minimum-question shut-off is a neutral signal, and the parking-lot protocol for protecting your next 48 hours. Feeling dumb in there is often literally the sensation of passing. Make the shut-off boring before test day: start a SIMCLEX free — first 15 questions on us at SIMCLEX.com. Keywords: NCLEX shut off at 75, did I fail the NCLEX, NCLEX shut off at 85 did I pass, computer adaptive test NCLEX, NCLEX good pop up, NCLEX anxiety.

#nclex #nclexprep #nclexrn #shutoffat75 #nclexanxiety #newgradnurse #nursingstudent #nclex2026 #testanxiety #nextgennclex #nursetok #futurenurse #nclexstudying

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The most-requested episode in the history of this podcast — completely re-recorded and updated for 2026, with a FREE printable study template. Jon Haws RN breaks down the 5-step system for passing any nursing school exam: studying the test before the content, turning objectives into questions, retrieval over re-reading (highlighting is banned), the 3-2-1 spacing method, and rehearsing real test conditions — the step that separates knowing it from proving it under pressure. Plus the worst exam of Jon's life and what it taught him about why hard-working students fail. Free template in the show notes. Prepping for boards? Start a SIMCLEX free — first 15 questions on us at SIMCLEX.com. Keywords: how to study for nursing school exams, nursing school study tips, study less score higher nursing, nursing exam study plan, retrieval practice nursing school.

#nursingschool #nursingstudent #studytips #nursingschooltips #studentnurse #futurenurse #nursingexams #studygram #studytok #nclexprep #nursingschoolhacks #medsurg #rnstudent #nursetok

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Try SIMCLEX for FREE at: SIMCLEX.com

A 79.4. Passing was an 80. "I don't round." If you've ever felt like a nursing instructor was looking for a reason to fail you, this episode is for you — no instructor-bashing, just the truth about why subjective clinical grading keeps hurting good students, and the exact 5-move playbook to protect yourself: documentation habits, email trails, appeal deadlines, and how to fight with a rubric instead of emotions. Jon Haws RN shares his own story of being the student who stopped raising his hand — and the message from a 34-year-old career changer that inspired this episode. You belong here. From NURSING.com — tools built for the students the system isn't serving. Keywords: nursing instructor unfair grading, nursing school grade appeal, clinical evaluation unfair, failing nursing school by one point, toxic nursing instructors.

#nursingschool #nursingstudent #nursingschoolproblems #futurenurse #studentnurse #nursesoftiktok #nursetok #nursingschoolstruggles #clinicals #nursingclinicals #gradeappeal #nursingschooladvice #rnstudent #nclex

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If you're working full-time, raising kids, or both, this episode is your entire NCLEX prep roadmap: 30 days, about 2 hours a day, built for people with real jobs and real lives. Jon Haws, RN, CCRN walks through the complete 4-phase system, day by day:

PHASE 1 — Days 1–3: DIAGNOSE. Take a full-length adaptive diagnostic under real test conditions (not a static quiz), audit your results by client-need category, identify your bottom 3 weak areas, and build your 30-day calendar around YOUR shifts — including why night shifters should never study after a twelve.

PHASE 2 — Days 4–19: BUILD. The exact daily 2-hour session structure: 30 minutes of content review on ONE topic, 60 minutes of targeted practice questions, 30 minutes of rationale review (including the rationales for answers you got RIGHT). Plus the weekly rhythm — 5 build days, 1 light day, 1 true rest day — and the Day 12 midpoint simulation that tells you whether your plan is working or your study source needs to change.

PHASE 3 — Days 20–26: SIMULATE. Shift from content to conditions. Two full-length adaptive simulations, your 3-miss reset ritual, pacing practice, and how to make the dreaded shut-off boring before test day.

PHASE 4 — Days 27–30: TAPER. Light review only, no new content, a full day completely off, and the test-day mindset that changes everything: hard questions mean the algorithm thinks you're good — feeling dumb in there is literally the sensation of passing.

By Day 30 you'll have completed 4 full adaptive simulations, 16 targeted build sessions, and ~800 focused questions — on 2 hours a day, around a full-time job.

Step zero of the plan is free: start a SIMCLEX at SIMCLEX.com — the first 15 questions are on us. It's the most realistic NCLEX simulation there is, with a true adaptive engine and every Next Gen item type. Full day-by-day calendar download in the show notes.

Keywords: 30 day NCLEX study plan, NCLEX study schedule working full time, NCLEX prep 2 hours a day, NCLEX study plan while working, computer adaptive NCLEX practice, Next Gen NCLEX simulation, free NCLEX practice questions

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SIMCLEX.com (start free — first 15 questions free)

"Just do more questions" — the advice every nursing student gets and the reason so many walk into the NCLEX unprepared for what it actually is. Jon Haws RN breaks down computer-adaptive testing, why you can miss 45% of questions and still pass, why static question banks train the wrong skill, and how to rehearse the shut-off before test day. Start a SIMCLEX free — first 15 questions on us at SIMCLEX.com. Keywords: NCLEX study tips, computer adaptive test NCLEX, NCLEX question banks, how NCLEX scoring works, Next Gen NCLEX.

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SIMCLEX.com (start free — first 15 questions free)

Failed the NCLEX? Nobody tells you what happens next — not your school, not your program, nobody. Jon Haws RN walks through the exact 45-day retake roadmap: reading your Candidate Performance Report, why most retakes fail on format (not content), and how repeat test-takers turn a fail into a pass. Start a SIMCLEX free — first 15 questions on us at SIMCLEX.com. Keywords: failed NCLEX, NCLEX retake, candidate performance report, NCLEX fail what next, computer adaptive test, NCLEX simulation.

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Test your pharm knowledge at: SIMCLEX.com

If pharmacology is the thing that's breaking you right now, I want to start with the most freeing sentence you'll hear all week: you cannot memorize pharmacology, and you need to stop trying.

I mean it. There are thousands of medications. Nobody — not your sharpest classmate, not your instructor, not a working nurse with twenty years on the floor — has them all memorized as individual facts. So if your study plan is "make flashcards for every drug and its dose and its side effects and its contraindications," I need you to hear that the plan itself is broken. It's not that you're failing pharm. It's that you're playing a game that can't be won the way you're playing it.

Here's the shift that changes everything. You don't learn drugs. You learn classes. The whole secret of pharmacology is that medications travel in families, and the family tells you most of what you need to know. If you understand what a beta blocker does, you understand the whole "-olol" family — how it works, what it does to heart rate and blood pressure, what to watch for, who shouldn't get it. You just turned forty flashcards into one concept. Do that across the major classes and the ocean suddenly has a shape.

So here's how I'd actually study it. First, learn the mechanism — what does this class do in the body? If you understand the mechanism, the side effects aren't a separate list to memorize; they're just the logical consequences of the mechanism. A drug that lowers blood pressure — of course it can cause dizziness when you stand up. You didn't memorize that. You understood it.

Second, learn the class by its stem. The naming isn't random. "-pril" is an ACE inhibitor. "-statin" lowers cholesterol. "-azepam" is in the benzo family. Those word parts are free points the test is practically handing you, if you've trained your eye to see them.

Third — and this is the part most students skip — you test yourself with questions, not flashcards. Because here's the thing the NCLEX actually cares about: it does not ask you to recite a drug's half-life. It asks you what you'd do. What you'd assess, what you'd teach the patient, what you'd hold and call the provider about. That's applied knowledge, and the only way to build applied knowledge is to practice applying it — in questions, with rationales, over and over.

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Get rid of the imposter at: SIMCLEX.com

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I want to talk to the student who has started to believe something quietly devastating: that the reason nursing school is so hard for you is that something is wrong with you. Maybe you have ADHD. Maybe you're dyslexic. Maybe you process things more slowly, or anxiety hijacks you the second a test starts. And somewhere along the way you started to wonder if you're just not built for this.

I want to flip that whole thing on its head. Nursing school wasn't built for the way you learn. That is not the same as you being incapable of learning nursing. Those are two completely different statements, and the difference between them might be the difference between you quitting and you becoming a nurse.

Here's what I mean. The traditional nursing school model is built for one specific kind of brain — the one that can sit through a three-hour lecture, read fifty dense pages, hold it all in working memory, and reproduce it on a timed test. If that's not your brain, the system doesn't bend. It just makes you feel like you're failing. But notice what's actually happening there: the system is testing how well you fit its method, not how good a nurse you'll be. And those are not the same thing. Some of the most extraordinary nurses I've known are people who struggled badly in that lecture-hall model.

So let's talk about what actually works when school wasn't built for you. If you have ADHD and a three-hour study block is a fantasy, stop pretending it isn't. Work in short, intense bursts with real breaks. Use questions to create the stimulation and feedback your brain craves, instead of fighting to stay awake over highlighted notes. If you're dyslexic and reading is slow and exhausting, stop making reading your primary input — lean on questions, audio, diagrams, and patterns. If you process more slowly, give yourself permission to go deep on fewer things instead of skimming everything badly. And if anxiety is the enemy, the antidote isn't "calm down" — it's evidence. Anxiety thrives on uncertainty, and the cure for uncertainty is data about where you actually stand.

Notice the thread running through all of those. The fix is never "try to be a different kind of brain." The fix is "study in a way that gives your brain feedback and patterns instead of brute-force memorization." Feedback is the great equalizer. It doesn't care how you learn. It just tells you what you know and what you don't — and that works for every kind of mind.

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Go take the first step: SIMCLEX.com

If you're waiting to feel ready before you take the next step, I want to lovingly tell you something: that feeling may not show up first. It may not show up at all the way you're picturing it.

I see this constantly, and I've lived it. We tell ourselves, "I'll start when I feel ready. I'll schedule the test when I'm confident. I'll take the practice exam once I've reviewed just a little more." On the surface, that sounds responsible. It sounds careful. It sounds like preparation.

Here's the problem. Waiting feels safe. More time, more notes, more videos, one more review pass — it all feels like getting ready. It scratches the itch of "I'm doing something." So we keep doing it, and the calendar keeps moving.

But waiting can quietly become avoidance. And the dangerous part is the two look absolutely identical from the inside. Sometimes "I need more time" is true. And sometimes "I need more time" really means "I'm scared to find out where I stand." You have to be honest about which one it is — because one moves you forward and the other keeps you stuck while pretending to help.

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Start a SIMCLEX now at: SIMCLEX.com

The NCLEX is not the place where you want to discover that your prep wasn't working.

Sit with that for a second, because it's the whole episode. There's a question hiding underneath all your studying that most students never ask directly. It's not "Did I study?" Of course you studied. The real question — the one that matters — is "Am I ready?" And those two things are not the same.

First hard truth. More studying does not always mean more readiness. Activity and progress feel identical from the inside, but they're different animals. You can log a hundred hours and still walk in with blind spots you've never tested, because human nature is to keep practicing what you already know and quietly avoid what you don't. It feels like work. It even feels good. But it leaves the dangerous gaps untouched.

That leads to the thing I worry about most: false confidence. You start recognizing the familiar question patterns. The comfortable topics feel comfortable. And comfort disguises itself as readiness. But the NCLEX isn't a familiar quiz you can settle into. It's adaptive. It pushes on you, raises the difficulty as you go, and probes right at the edge of what you know. Recognizing a question on a calm afternoon is not the same as being ready for that pressure.

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Start a SIMCLEX at: SIMCLEX.com

Today I want to talk to the student who feels like they're studying all the time but still doesn't feel confident.

You know the feeling. You put in the hours. You're not lazy — you're doing the work. And yet there's this constant low hum of "it's not sticking" and "I'm behind." I want to offer you a completely different explanation, because I don't think you have a time problem. I think you have a feedback problem.

Here's the trap. Passive studying feels productive. Reading your notes, re-watching a lecture, highlighting, rewriting your slides into prettier slides — all of it feels like progress. Your hand is moving, your eyes are on the material, time is passing. So your brain rewards you: "Good job, we studied." You walk away feeling like you did something.

But tests reveal what actually stuck. A topic can make complete sense while you're watching someone explain it — and feel like a foreign language the second it shows up as a question with four answers that all look right. Recognizing information is not the same as knowing it. And passive studying only ever trains recognition.

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Today I'm bringing back one of the most popular episodes from the podcast - how to pass your nursing school exams. Nursing school exams are unlike anything you've ever seen before and learning how to master these tricky tests takes skill.

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Today I'm bringing back one of the most downloaded episodes from the podcast - 28 supplies you must have to succeed in nursing school.

There is so much to do, and remember, and take care of in nursing school, that spending any time dealing with finding the best this or that can leave you completely exhausted. So here's the replay.

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Episode Replay: Why I Quit Nursing School

Jon shares his personal story of leaving nursing school - the toxic culture, institutional failures, and the moment he realized the system was broken. If you're struggling in your program and questioning whether it's you or the environment, this episode validates what you already know: sometimes the problem isn't the student.

Originally one of our most downloaded episodes, this replay is a reminder that speaking up about what's broken in nursing education is the first step toward change.

Resources: NURSING.com/podcast

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Get your free personalized NCLEX study plan at: NCLEXgenie.com

Your advisor looks at you and says it:

"Have you considered that maybe nursing isn't for you?"

Or the variation: "Not everyone is cut out for this profession."

They say it like they're being kind. Like they're doing you a favor.

They're not.

In this fired-up episode, Jon Haws exposes the most weaponized phrase in nursing education—and teaches you exactly how to fight back. You'll learn:

→ What "not cut out for nursing" ACTUALLY means (spoiler: it's not about you) → Who gets told this (hint: students who ask questions, need accommodations, or don't fit the mold) → Why this phrase is designed to make you quit before they have to document failure → How to respond in the moment without burning bridges → The exact questions to ask that expose their bias → Why documenting everything protects you later → How to find allies who will actually help you succeed

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Visit NCLEXgenie.com to create a personalized NCLEX study plan in just 30 seconds: NCLEXgenie.com

If you're processing your first patient death right now, or if you're scared about when it's going to happen, we've got resources at NURSING.com that can help.

We've got articles on grief processing for nurses, videos on coping with loss, and a community of nursing students who've been exactly where you are.

Head to NURSING.com/griefandloss and find the support you need.

And if this episode helped you, share it with a classmate who might need it. Because nobody should have to process their first patient death alone.

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Get a personalized NCLEX study plan in just 30 seconds at: NCLEXgenie.com

I can still remember my first shift. . .

I arrived to the Neuro ICU about 5 minutes late, sweating, out of breath, and flustered . . . not to mention nervous, scared out of my mind, and excited!

What a way to start my career as a nurse, right?

My initial plan was to arrive 30 minutes early, look up my patients, and try to feel prepared for the shift . . . things didn't work out that way and I ended up stuck in traffic for nearly two hours.

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We can help if you decide to return or need help making the decision. Visit us at https://NURSING.com

You were so close. One semester left. And then you failed. Your whole life plan just collapsed. I'm going to tell you what nobody else will: what actually happens next, how to handle student loans, and whether you should go back or walk away.

We'll cover: • What happens to your student loans when you fail out • Your transcript and readmission options • The sunk cost fallacy (and why it's okay to quit) • How to decide if you should reapply or pivot to something else • What to do differently if you go back • How to deal with the shame and judgment • Why failing out doesn't make you a failure

If you just failed out, are failing right now, or are terrified it might happen - this episode gives you the real talk you need to make your next decision.

Resources mentioned: • Readmission strategy guides: NURSING.com/failed-out • Study strategy overhaul templates • Student loan management resources • Community of students who've been exactly where you are

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VISIT NURSING.com for help with communication with preceptors: https://nursing.com

Being called stupid by your preceptor isn't "tough love" - it's verbal abuse. In this episode, I break down the exact difference between constructive criticism and verbal abuse so you know when to document and report.

We'll cover: • The real difference between tough feedback and abuse • What verbal abuse actually looks like in clinical (eye rolls, public humiliation, constant criticism) • How to document every incident (and why this matters) • When and how to report to your clinical instructor • How to request a different preceptor • Why this damages your mental health and what to do about it

If your preceptor is making you dread clinical, question your abilities, or avoid asking questions because you're afraid of being humiliated - this episode is for you.

Resources mentioned: • Verbal abuse documentation templates: NURSING.com/verbal-abuse • How to report an abusive preceptor guide • Community support for students dealing with toxic preceptors

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A Black student mistaken for housekeeping. A disabled student told to "reconsider her career choice." A trans student deliberately misgendered daily. When students report discrimination in nursing school, they're told they're "too sensitive" or "misinterpreting" the situation. Jon breaks down what discrimination actually looks like in nursing education, why it persists in a profession built on hierarchy and conformity, and exactly what to do if you're experiencing it. Includes specific steps for documenting incidents, understanding your legal rights under Title VI, Title IX, and ADA, and navigating a system that wasn't built to protect you. This episode covers racial discrimination, disability discrimination, LGBTQ discrimination in clinical settings, how to use legal language in reporting, federal protections for nursing students, and why nursing's "eat your young" culture enables discrimination to continue. Resources mentioned: Documentation templates and reporting guides available at NURSING.com

Keywords: nursing school discrimination, racial discrimination nursing, disability discrimination nursing students, LGBTQ discrimination healthcare, Title IX nursing school, nursing student rights, reporting discrimination nursing, toxic nursing culture, nursing diversity problem, nursing school retaliation

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Get help at: https://nursing.com

Episode 3: When Your Instructor Wants You to Fail

You're prepared. You know your meds. You practice your skills. You do everything right.

And somehow, you're still getting destroyed in evaluations.

Your instructor tells you you're "not ready for this." That you're "not cut out for nursing." They find fault with everything you do. And you're starting to believe them.

This isn't about having high standards. This is about an instructor who has decided you won't make it—and who is actively working to prove themselves right.

In this episode, I'm giving you the exact strategy for surviving (and fighting back against) an instructor who's targeting you.

You'll Learn:

  • How to tell the difference between a tough instructor and one who's targeting you
  • The 5 twisted reasons instructors target specific students
  • The 8-step survival strategy that protects your grade and your future
  • How to document bias in a way that actually holds up in appeals
  • When to go to the program director vs. when you need a lawyer
  • What to do if you're actually at risk of failing out
  • Why instructor bias has nothing to do with your ability to be a nurse

The reality: Sometimes the instructor has more power. Sometimes the program protects faculty over students. But you can survive this. You can fight back. And you WILL become a nurse.

Resources mentioned: Visit NURSING.com for documentation templates, communication scripts for difficult instructors, grade appeal processes, and a community of students who've been through this and came out the other side.

We tell you the truth about nursing education—including the ugly parts nobody else wants to talk about.

Keywords: nursing instructor problems, nursing school failure, clinical instructor bias, grade appeal, nursing student rights, toxic nursing instructor, nursing education bias, student nurse, nursing school survival, academic discrimination

Connect with NURSING.com: 🌐 NURSING.com 📋 Download documentation templates 💬 Join the community of students who survived this

#NursingStudent #NursingSchool #StudentNurse #ClinicalInstructor #NursingEducation #GradeAppeal #StudentRights #ToxicInstructor #NurseLife #FutureNurse #YouBelongInNursing

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The Nursing Brain Sheet That Actually Works (PLUS FREE DOWNLOAD)

GET YOUR FREE DOWNLOAD AT: https://nursing.com/cheat-sheet

It's 10am on your first clinical day. You've got four pages of notes you can't make sense of, vital signs written on your hand, and you just forgot to chart that your patient went to the bathroom. Meanwhile, that beautiful color-coded brain sheet your instructor gave you? Completely useless.

The problem isn't you. It's that academic brain sheets are designed for perfect theoretical patients who don't exist.

You need a brain sheet for chaos. For the real world. For keeping your patients alive and yourself sane.

You'll Learn:

  • The 3 reasons most brain sheets fail (and why instructors keep giving them to you anyway)
  • The only 6 sections your brain sheet actually needs
  • Why time-based organization is the difference between success and medication errors
  • The "pro move" for end-of-shift documentation that protects you legally
  • The 3 biggest mistakes students make with brain sheets (and how to avoid them)
  • Why your instructor will hate your brain sheet—and why that's totally fine

The truth: Your brain sheet isn't about making your instructor happy. It's about keeping your patients safe when you're managing four people who all need pain meds at the same time.

Resources mentioned: Head to NURSING.com for downloadable brain sheet templates, videos showing exactly how to fill them out, and examples from real clinical shifts. We built an entire section on clinical organization skills because nobody teaches you this in nursing school—they just expect you to figure it out.

Keywords: nursing brain sheet, clinical organization, nursing student tips, clinical nursing, shift report, patient care organization, nursing documentation, med-surg clinical, student nurse, nursing school tips, clinical survival

Connect with NURSING.com: 🌐 NURSING.com 📥 Download free brain sheet templates 📹 Watch step-by-step fill-out tutorials

#NursingStudent #BrainSheet #ClinicalNursing #NursingSchool #StudentNurse #NursingTips #MedSurgNursing #NurseOrganization #ClinicalRotation #NursingDocumentation #FutureRN

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You're doing everything right in clinical, but your preceptor is setting you up to fail. They humiliate you in front of patients, refuse to let you practice skills, then write that you "lack initiative." When you report it, you're told to "build a better relationship" or "be more confident."

This isn't about being tough. This is abuse. And it's happening in nursing programs everywhere.

In this episode, I'm giving you the exact survival strategy for getting through a toxic preceptorship without tanking your grade—or your mental health.

You'll Learn:

  • How to tell the difference between a tough preceptor and an abusive one
  • Why some preceptors specifically take students to bully them
  • The 6-step documentation strategy that protects your grade
  • When to fight for reassignment vs. when to just survive
  • How to build evidence that actually holds up in grade appeals
  • What to do when your instructor gaslights you about the abuse

The hard truth: Sometimes the system protects the preceptor over you. But you can survive this. And you will become a nurse.

Resources mentioned: Visit NURSING.com and search "clinical survival" for documentation templates, communication scripts for difficult preceptors, and a community of students going through the exact same thing.

We're the resource that tells you the truth about nursing education—including the parts nobody else wants to talk about.

Keywords: nursing student, clinical preceptor, toxic preceptor, abusive preceptor, nursing school survival, clinical instructor, nursing education, preceptorship problems, student nurse, nursing clinical

Connect with NURSING.com: 🌐 NURSING.com 📧 Search "clinical survival" for free resources

#NursingStudent #NursingSchool #StudentNurse #ClinicalRotation #NursingEducation #PreceptorProblems #ToxicWorkplace #NurseLife #FutureNurse #RNtoBe

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View the full lesson here: https://academy.nursing.com/lesson/nursing-care-plan-ncp-for-pressure-ulcer-decubitus-ulcer-pressure-injury/?quiz-view=open

All right. Let’s work through an example Nursing Care Plan for a patient with a pressure ulcer or pressure ulcers, right? Let’s look at the hypothetical patient. Let’s think just about what we might see on this specific patient regarding the pressure ulcers. So subjective data, if I have a patient with a big wound, whether it’s on their sacrum or their shoulder or their leg, they’re probably going to be pretty uncomfortable, right? They might actually have some pain, right? Or they could potentially have some tenderness over the area, especially over those bony prominences. So that’s something to think about for sure. Then you might actually see it, right? We’re actually gonna see the pressure ulcer. So depending on the stage, stage one to stage four, make sure you check out the lesson on pressure ulcers inside of the med surg integumentary course to know how to stage these pressure ulcers.

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Find the full lesson here: https://academy.nursing.com/lesson/nursing-care-plan-ncp-for-encephalopathy/

This here is the nursing care plan for encephalopathy. So, the pathophysiology. Encephalopathy is a general term for disease of the brain tissue. It’s a syndrome of brain dysfunction caused by damage to brain tissue and failure. This damage can be done by atrophy, lack of oxygen, edema, or toxins. So some nursing considerations, there are a few things that we want to consider when taking care of these patients, we want to consider putting them on seizure precautions. So we want these patients to be protected. The best way to do that is with seizure precautions. We want to do vital signs. We want to monitor their vitals.

We want to do frequent neuro checks and if available and if necessary, we would need to monitor their ICP. And we want to draw labs; more importantly, ammonia and finding levels to see if that is the root cause. The desired outcome for these patients is to treat or reverse the cause in order to restore proper brain function, it returns the patient to their usual baseline mental status. So when this patient comes in to you, this encephalopathic patient comes in to see you. There’s going to be a few things that we see, but there’s going to be some things that either them or their family tells us. Some of the subjective data that we see is that they are going to complain about mood or personality changes.

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I was so wrong . . . let me explain. I first created this shirt back in 2019 - at the time I was focused on the word "BEST". As in, "Be Your BEST Self". However, going through 2021 and all the way through 2023 my depression began to grow - immensely. At a few points it absolutely has been debilitating. This is nothing new - I've battled depression, bipolar, and anxiety for many years - but this time - the cloud was much darker. Nursing can be tough. Find hope at NURSING.com ❤️ Happy Nursing! Jon Haws, RN

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Find the full lesson here: https://academy.nursing.com/lesson/nursing-care-plan-ncp-for-abdominal-pain/

First, we’re going to collect our data. Remember, our data is just our assessment, so subjective from the patient and objective from the nurse. A patient with abdominal pain, that’s having symptoms, the subjective data for this patient is likely going to be the pain, maybe they have a decreased appetite, and how about some nausea? Those kinds of things are going to be all their subjective data.

For objective data, maybe they feel really restless. This is what the nurse is observing. Let’s say we see on this patient, that the patient is having some guarding of the abdomen. Maybe some rebound tenderness when they’re pushed down. Maybe we see, or assess the patient and realize they’re constipated or have constant vomiting or diarrhea. These kinds of things will be our objective data.

My hypothetical patient for our care plan will say that they’re having abdominal pain and it’s from excessive vomiting. We have to analyze the information. This is going to help us to diagnose and prioritize. So what is the problem? Well, the problem is the pain and the problem is that they are having some excessive vomiting. So, what needs to be improved? What can we do to improve or what needs to be improved to help the patient, is going to be the pain, right, but more than that, we need to, for this patient, we need to fix the vomiting, so that can help fix the pain. What is our priority? So, our priority is going to be to stop the vomiting and to help that abdomen just not be so tender right, so stop that vomiting, which is going to help with the pain for this patient and relieve that pain.

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Working as a nurse in the ICU, I cared for many patients who are burned into my mind and heart forever.

One of those patients was a young mom, in her early 40s with children in their early teens, who had suffered from cancer that had metastasized to her brain.

She was incredibly sick, and this cancer was extremely advanced.

One night as I cared for her, she was feeling exceptionally sick.

Just a couple hours into the shift, I was preparing her for bed. Her family stepped out and went home for the night. I could see that this night she was very upset - more so than other nights.

She was low on energy, she was sad, she looked weaker than normal.

Within moments of her family leaving for the night, she passed away quietly.

Nursing is hard, find hope at NURSING.com

❤️ Happy Nursing!

Jon Haws, RN

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Them: "How can we help?"

Me: "I don't know . . ."

The hardest part is I honestly don't know what will help. [many of you know I struggle with depression, anxiety, bipolar, and OCD]

This is a conversation I've had countless times over the last year. If only I had some sort of ailment that could be SEEN and FIXED . . . why can't it be a broken arm? A simple cast would "fix" the problem in just a matter of weeks.

With mental health, you read the books, you do the checklists, you take the meds, you attend counseling . . . but at any moment . . . around any corner . . . there it is - ready to crush your hope and happiness.

Each time you start a new medication you feel hopeful . . . "this time it will work"

And each time a new medication doesn't help, you feel a bit more hopeless . . . "maybe I am beyond repair.

Visit us at NURSING.com to rekindle your hope.

❤️ Happy Nursing!

Jon Haws, RN

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I've been where you are.

During my first semester of nursing school, I walked into a room of 25 students who would be my cohort. As I scanned the faces, a chill ran down my spine. "I'm the only lucky one here," I thought. "Everyone else is so much more prepared. I hope no one discovers how dumb I am." This feeling didn't go away after graduation.

On my first day as a new grad nurse in the Neuro ICU of a large Trauma I hospital in Dallas, I was sweating, out of breath, and utterly convinced I'd slipped through the cracks in the hiring process.

I was certain all the other new nurses had gone to better schools, done better internships, and would survive orientation when I wouldn't.

Visit NURSING.com to find the hope you need right now.

❤️ Happy Nursing!

Jon Haws, RN

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The power of four simple words - "You CAN do this" - transformed one nursing student's life from the depths of despair to professional success. This remarkable story of resilience and hope centers on Heather, whose journey illustrates the devastating impact of self-doubt and the life-changing effect of support in healthcare education. Her experience resonates deeply with countless nursing students who face similar struggles, making it a powerful testament to the importance of community and perseverance.

Heather's journey began with her return from Iraq in 2008, where she developed PTSD, setting the stage for future challenges. As she pursued her nursing education, the weight of multiple pressures began to mount. She failed her medical-surgical nursing course by an agonizing 0.2%, while simultaneously grappling with a deteriorating marriage and overwhelming feelings of inadequacy as a parent. The combination of academic struggles and personal turmoil created a perfect storm that pushed her to contemplate suicide.

Find hope at NURSING.com

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I still remember the night before my first pharmacology exam. 3 AM. Energy drinks scattered across my desk. Hundreds of flashcards in disorganized piles. My eyes burning from staring at tiny drug names for hours. And the worst part? I knew nothing was sticking. Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARBs—the names swirled together in my mind like alphabet soup. The side effects lists seemed endless. The contraindications felt arbitrary. How was I supposed to memorize this much information? Maybe you've had that same moment. Maybe you're having it right now.

Ready to master nursing pharm? Find all of our resources here: https://nursing.com/sock/

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Struggling to stay on track in nursing school or NCLEX prep? This is the plan 300,000+ students have used to pass — with daily structure, Flash Notes™, SIMCLEX®, and a 200% guarantee.

👉 https://nursing.com/

You show up ready to learn. But your preceptor barely looks at you—or worse, tears you down. What do you do when the one person meant to guide you just… won’t?

In this episode, we talk about what it really feels like to be stuck with a toxic preceptor—and how to protect your confidence, your learning, and your future as a nurse.

We’ll cover:

  • 5 red flags your preceptor is hurting more than helping
  • How to still grow clinical judgment (without their help)
  • What to say if you need to speak up—but don’t want to be labeled a “problem”
  • A tool that gives you the feedback they’re not giving: Clinical Prep Cases

🎯 Start practicing today—no judgment, just growth: nursing.com/awful

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Struggling to stay on track in nursing school or NCLEX prep? This is the plan 300,000+ students have used to pass — with daily structure, Flash Notes™, SIMCLEX®, and a 200% guarantee.

👉 https://nursing.com/

I almost walked away from nursing school.

Not because I wasn't cut out for it. Not because I couldn't handle the material. But because I believed the soul-crushing lies that nearly broke me – the same lies that might be breaking you right now.

In this raw, unfiltered episode, I share my personal journey through the darkest moments of nursing school – including the crippling anxiety that forced me to withdraw before my final semester. I reveal how the system is designed to make you feel inadequate, how the "unsafe" label is weaponized against passionate students, and why your struggles aren't signs of weakness but potential sources of strength.

Through tears, brutal honesty, and hard-earned wisdom from helping over 500,000 nursing students, I expose the toxic traditions masquerading as "education" and offer the validation you've been desperately seeking:

  • It's not just you. Everyone's crying in their car.
  • Your C isn't making you dangerous. Your resilience is making you exceptional.
  • The qualities making school hard might make you revolutionary at the bedside.

This isn't just another pep talk. It's permission to reject the lies and embrace your truth – because nursing doesn't just need more nurses. It needs YOUR unique perspective.

Ready to transform your nursing school experience? Visit nursing.com/lies for our FREE guide on overcoming these toxic myths, plus exclusive resources designed specifically for the way YOUR brain learns best.

You aren't just capable of becoming a nurse. You're capable of transforming what nursing can be.

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Struggling to stay on track in nursing school or NCLEX prep? This is the plan 300,000+ students have used to pass — with daily structure, Flash Notes™, SIMCLEX®, and a 200% guarantee.

👉 https://nursing.com/

Visit NURSING.com/different for exclusive resources designed specifically for nurses with learning differences.

In this deeply personal episode, Jon Haws, RN and founder of NURSING.com, shares his never-before-told story of withdrawing from nursing school due to crippling anxiety—and how that same anxiety later became his clinical superpower. Jon reveals shocking statistics showing that over 50% of nursing students have learning differences like ADHD, dyslexia, or anxiety, and how traditional nursing education fails these students.

Discover how these "different brains" aren't limitations, but unique advantages that healthcare desperately needs. Jon breaks down the specific strengths that come with ADHD, dyslexia, and anxiety in nursing practice, sharing real stories of nurses who've transformed their cognitive differences into clinical excellence.

This isn't just a survival guide—it's a revolutionary manifesto for transforming nursing education and practice by embracing cognitive diversity. Whether you're struggling through nursing school or thriving in your career, Jon's vulnerable journey will inspire you to see your "different" brain as exactly what nursing needs.

Ready to join the revolution? Visit NURSING.com/different for exclusive resources designed specifically for nurses with learning differences.

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Struggling to stay on track in nursing school or NCLEX prep? This is the plan 300,000+ students have used to pass — with daily structure, Flash Notes™, SIMCLEX®, and a 200% guarantee.

👉 https://nursing.com/

SOCK method quiz/cheatsheets/resources at: https://nursing.com/sock

In this raw and revealing episode, Jon Haws, RN, shares his personal journey from pharmacology nightmare to nursing confidence. With vulnerability and humor, Jon recounts his 3 AM study sessions surrounded by scattered flashcards and energy drinks, feeling like a failure as he struggled to memorize endless drug facts that wouldn't stick.

When a simple clinical question about Zofran administration left him frozen, Jon discovered a breakthrough approach that transformed his nursing education. Through heartfelt storytelling and evidence-based insights, Jon introduces the SOCK Method (Side Effects, Organs, Classes/Considerations/Cards, Know) - a framework that replaces overwhelming memorization with meaningful connections and clinical reasoning.

This episode features Jon's signature blend of nursing wisdom, personal struggle, and practical solutions, including a weekly study plan and Nurse Blake-inspired humor that will have you laughing through your pharmacology tears. Whether you're currently drowning in drug cards or looking to strengthen your medication knowledge, Jon's compassionate guidance offers a lifeline for every nursing student who's ever wondered: "Is there something wrong with me?"

Join the nursing family that's putting on their SOCKs and walking confidently toward pharmacology mastery.

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Struggling to stay on track in nursing school or NCLEX prep? This is the plan 300,000+ students have used to pass — with daily structure, Flash Notes™, SIMCLEX®, and a 200% guarantee.

👉 https://nursing.com/

See if you might have imposter syndrome: https://nursing.com/imposter

In this deeply personal episode, Jon Haws, RN and founder of NURSING.com, opens up about the universal yet rarely discussed feeling of inadequacy that plagues nursing students everywhere. Drawing from his own journey from self-doubting student to ICU charge nurse, Jon reveals the startling truth: 92% of nursing students feel like "the dumbest person in class" at some point, with 42% experiencing these feelings daily.

This isn't just commiseration—it's a thoughtful exploration of imposter syndrome in nursing education, backed by recent research showing how this psychological phenomenon specifically impacts healthcare students. Jon breaks down why nursing school creates the perfect storm for self-doubt and offers seven evidence-based strategies that helped him move from feeling like a fraud to embracing authentic practice.

Whether you're questioning your place in nursing school, struggling with clinical anxiety, or simply wondering if you're the only one who feels lost in pathophysiology, this episode offers both validation and a practical pathway forward. Jon's vulnerable confessions and compassionate insights remind us that sometimes what feels like incompetence is actually the beginning of wisdom—and that your fears about harming patients might just be evidence that you're exactly the kind of nurse patients need.

#NursingStudent #ImposterSyndrome #NursingEducation #NCLEX #NursingSchool #SelfDoubt #ProfessionalGrowth #MentalHealth

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Is nursing still worth it, or is burnout making it impossible to stay in the profession? In this episode, Jon Haws, RN, gets real about the struggles nurses face, sharing his own story of quitting nursing school just 10 weeks before graduation. He breaks down the shocking statistics behind nursing burnout, why it might actually be PTSD, and the hard lessons he learned from hitting rock bottom.

But here’s the truth—nursing can still be one of the most rewarding careers IF you take care of yourself. Jon shares six game-changing strategies to prevent burnout, the mindset shifts that saved his career, and why stepping away helped him come back stronger.

If you’re questioning whether nursing is right for you—or if you’re barely holding on—this episode is for you. Tune in for raw, honest insight into the challenges of nursing, why self-care is non-negotiable, and how to find your path without losing yourself.

  • How burnout is wrecking nurses—and patients
  • Why quitting nursing school was the best decision Jon ever made
  • 6 anti-burnout strategies that actually work

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone. Listen now and take control of your nursing journey.

Read the blog post here: https://nursing.com/burnout

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In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my unexpected path—from stepping up as a charge nurse to creating a community of thousands of nursing students and professionals. I share how I started by posting my own notes and podcast episodes, only to realize how deeply my story resonated with others struggling through nursing school.

You’ll hear how NRSNG rapidly grew, why I left my job in the NEURO ICU, and how I hired a passionate team to meet the skyrocketing demand for our resources. I also recount the exciting leap we made when we rebranded to Nursing.com in early 2020, unveiling an all-in-one platform dedicated to nurses at every stage of their journey.

Plus, I’ll give you an inside look at the powerful sense of family and support that blossomed along the way—proving that together, we can change the culture of nursing for the better. Finally, I hint at what was just around the corner: the onset of COVID-19 and how it would impact our evolving mission. Don’t miss this heartfelt reflection on building a community that’s changing nursing education forever.

Happy Nursing!

-Jon, RN

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In today’s episode, I’m taking you through a pivotal part of my nursing journey—from my early days in the Neuro ICU to precepting students, becoming a charge nurse, and the moment I realized nursing education was broken.

This realization is what fueled me to start NURSING.com (formerly NRSNG). I wanted to fill the gaps I saw in nursing education and give you the tools I never had.

I share my struggles with imposter syndrome, the pressure of caring for patients, and why never feeling fully ready actually makes you a better nurse.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself, this one’s for you. 💙

Happy Nursing!

-Jon Haws, RN

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Welcome to The Nursing Podcast, where we dive deep into the real-life experiences of being a nurse. I’m Jon Haws, RN, founder of Nursing.com, and today, we continue my journey—picking up from landing my first ICU job.

In this episode, I share the raw realities of my 13-week neuro ICU internship at a Level 1 trauma hospital, from my first nerve-wracking shift to the heartbreaking cases that shaped my career. I reflect on the profound impact nurses have, including a moment I’ll never forget—when a grieving mother hugged me and said, “I will always remember you.”

I also discuss the challenges and rewards of precepting new nurses, the chaos of ICU life, and the lessons that stuck with me over the years. Join me as I break down what it truly means to provide comfort and care in a patient’s most vulnerable moments. Let’s get started!

Happy Nursing!

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Oh man . . . it's hard to believe that about 14 years ago I was sleeping on a mattress I'd found in the dumpster - not even sure if nursing school would ever end.

It did. I survived. I passed the NCLEX. And I got a job in the Neuro ICU right out of nursing school.

Today I want to share part IV of my journey.

Happy Nursing

Jon Haws, RN

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Caveat: some people (nurses) might not agree AT ALL with what I say here . . . oh well! I want to share how it is to give confidence to those struggling.

We get hundreds of emails a day from nursing students.

Sadly, a good portion of them are from students who feel like they should quit nursing school altogether.

I started nursing school with high hopes, but after my fourth semester, I dropped out. I quit nursing school.

I knew nursing school was going to be hard . . . I mean the whole point is to learn how to competently take care of a human being suffering from complex health issues.

I expected school to be hard.

Visit https://nursing.com for more

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For some FREE resources to help you through nursing school visit www.nursing.com

My name's Jon Haws, RN, founder of Nursing.com. Today we're gonna continue the story of my journey in hopes that it will give you some motivation, give you that some of it will resonate with you and give you kind of some background on me, but also some motivation to continue in your journey wherever you are in your nursing journey.

Yesterday we left off with me just getting into nursing school, my journey of applying and how this all happened.

So today we're gonna continue that story and if you haven't heard the first part, go ahead and listen to the previous episode. But today we're gonna continue that journey.

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When I think back 14ish years, it is hard to believe just how far this nursing journey has taken me. Sometimes it's helpful to think back to the beginning and consider how it began.

Over the next couple of days I want to share with you parts of my journey that you may not know and hopefully some of it will resonate with you.

#nclex #nursingschool

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Nursing school is hard enough without the fear tactics. And the truth is, there are so many ways that people learn. Instead of saying "One of you won't be here" - what if we said "I will HELP you be here".

You CAN Do This!

-Jon Haws, RN

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The past is prologue - there comes a time when we have to stop wishing for a better past. It took me 5 years to accept the past as a way to move forward.

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I literally wrote the book on surviving your first year as a nurse (The New Nurse Survival Guide) and today I wanted to share 3 tips from that book that you can start applying TODAY whether you are in nursing school or already working as a nurse.

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If I could encourage you to start doing ONE thing today while you're in nursing school - it would be this.

To join the NURSING.com Insider Circle - just visit https://NURSING.com/insider

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What I Wish I Knew: Potassium-K Lab Value Levels

For resources to help you master Potassium and ALL the lab values, we have a FREE Cheatsheet Download at NURSING.com/labvalues. What do bananas, avocados, and kale all have in common?

Potassium!

For more resources to help you understand Potassium, Hyperkalemia and Hypokalemia, click here:

What role does it play in the body?

What’s a normal range level for potassium?

And what happens when potassium levels are too low or too high?

On a shift early in my career, while I was still being oriented to the unit, I held tight to that rule of NEVER pushing IV potassium even when my preceptor was providing instructions that conflicted with that big rule. Here is that story...

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For resources to help you master ABGs and ALL the LabVales, we have a FREE Cheatsheet Download at NURSING.com/LabValues. At NURSING.com you can learn everything you need to know as a nurse about ABGs including gas exchange, acidosis, alkalosis (metabolic and respiratory), normal lab value ranges, and more. We also cover key concepts for NCLEX for arterial blood gases. Our gas exchange nursing care plan covers impaired gas exchange nursing management, impaired gas exchange interventions, impaired gas exchange diagnosis, etc. Excerpt: This patient’s lungs were so bad, gas exchange had to take place outside of his body... Learning to read ABGs, and understanding what to do with that information is a very important skill for any nurse, but particularly a cardiovascular ICU nurse.

Hi I am Nurse Abby, and I loved working in the cardiovascular ICU - that was truly one of my favorite nursing jobs. Today I want to share with you the story of one of my MORE complicated patients.

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For resources to help you master Cardiac topics, we have a FREE Cheatsheet Download at NURSING.com/heart. At NURSING.com you can learn everything you need to know as a nurse about distributive shock including distributive shock pathophysiology, distributive shock definition, types of distributive shock, and more. We also cover key concepts for NCLEX on distributive shock nursing. Our distributive shock nursing care plan covers distributive shock nursing management, distributive shock interventions, distributive shock diagnosis, etc. Excerpt: This week I opened up some old nursing school notes, and I started remembering how hard nursing school really was!

I remember, in particular, getting a little confused between the different types of shock.

When I was studying distributive shock I found one key 🔑 point that actually cleared up a lot of the misunderstandings and confusion. That started to really turn things around for me in nursing school!

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For resources to help you master Cardiac topics, we have a FREE Cheatsheet Download at NURSING.com/heart. At NURSING.com you can learn everything you need to know as a nurse about coronary artery disease including coronary artery disease pathophysiology, coronary artery disease symptoms, coronary artery disease treatment, and more. We also cover key concepts for NCLEX on coronary artery disease nursing. Our coronary artery disease nursing care plan covers coronary artery disease nursing management, coronary artery disease interventions, coronary artery disease diagnosis, etc. Excerpt: "One afternoon I got a phone call from Todd - our content director here at NURSING.com. Hey man, so uh, just letting you know that I’m at the hospital being admitted. I’m having a heart attack, so I probably won’t be in tomorrow."

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For resources to help you master Cardiac topics we have a FREE Cheatsheet Download at NURSING.com/heart. At NURSING.com you can learn everything you need to know as a nurse about heart failure (CHF) including: heart failure pathophysiology, heart failure pharmacology (heart failure medications), heart failure symptoms heart failure treatment, and more. We also cover key concepts for NCLEX for heart failure nursing. Excerpt: "So let me tell you about this patient of mine. They had just come out of heart surgery for what is referred to as the ROSS Procedure. Part of this procedure requires the surgeon to reattach the coronary arteries to the aorta. While reattaching them, they were accidentally sutured closed. "

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For resources to help you master Cardiac topics we have a FREE Cheatsheet Download at NURSING.com/heart. At NURSING.com you can learn everything you need to know as a nurse about agina including: angina symptoms, anginal pharmacology, the difference between stable and unstable angina, and more. We also cover key concepts for NCLEX for angina nursing. Excerpt: ". . . it wasn't my patient that I should have been worried about When my patient's son said he wasn't feeling right, it would have been easy to assume it was because of the stress he was under.

He was visiting his sick mom . . . in the ICU nonetheless.

But something just didn’t feel right"

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ICU Nurses- Voices for the Voiceless For more on cardiac care to help you in nursing school visit

NURSING.com/heart

Roughly 1 out of every 3 patients in the Intensive Care Unit, on average, are unable to communicate. Because of this, the role of an ICU nurse stretches far beyond providing medical care alone, but also acting as an advocate, or a voice for the voiceless to ensure that these patient’s needs, rights, and wishes are heard, recognized and respected. In doing so, these warriors in scrubs essentially embody the very essence of healthcare: compassion, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to patient welfare.

Welcome to the NURSING Family, we call it the most supportive nursing cohort on the planet. At NURSING.com, we want to help you save time in nursing school as we take you from discouraged and stressed to motivated and passionate with clear and concise, must-know information to help you pass your tests and improve your grades, so that you can focus on becoming an amazing nurse. YOU CAN DO THIS! Check out our freebies and learn more at: (www.nursing.com)

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For more Carditis and the heart just visit NURSING.com/heart.

Did you know that the average human heart beats 100,000 times a day, pumping 2,000 gallons of blood?

Now, imagine if this vital pump was under threat from, pericarditis, myocarditis, or endocarditis and couldn’t pump effectively.

In this episode we will look at the importance of understanding carditis and an easy way that I used in nursing school to remember the area affected by each type; then, run through a quick scenario at the end to apply what we have learned.

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Ever notice why some students embrace challenges, while others shy away?

Mindsets.

Your mindset might just change how you approach your goals in nursing school…

A fixed mindset: abilities are set.

A growth mindset: abilities develop.

  • When challenges appear, your mindsets matter.

In nursing school, challenges are constant.

  • A student with a fixed mindset avoids challenges.
  • One with a growth mindset thrives when challenges arise.

Having a growth mindset is the secret sauce for success.

Putting effort into a fixed mindset is useless. It's time to shift your thinking.

When considering success and failure, success in a fixed mindset is about validation, but in a growth mindset, it's about learning. Failure isn't a setback; it's an opportunity for growth.

As a nursing student, adopt a growth mindset: see challenges as learning opportunities, embrace mistakes, and persist. Grow your knowledge and expand your growth mindset with NURSING.com.

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Does insulin save lives, or does it take lives?

Bodies that don’t produce enough insulin shut down, but if too much insulin is in the system it can be just as disastrous. As nurses, we are often tasked with administering insulin to our patients. When done incorrectly it can be life-threatening. For years I was a member of the code team, and count

  • WHEN I was a new nurse I remember trying to keep track of the patients and insulin action times and the dosage times and everything else . . . I felt like I was drowning trying to keep it all straight in my head - I was both stressed and scared at the same time
  • THAT’S WHEN I copied all the insulin peak and onset times down in my notebook.
  • THIS HELPED me feel more relaxed and avoid my patient coding!

If you want to see my notes they are at NURSING.com/cheatsheets.

Honestly, I still use the cheatsheet today!

What we cover in this episode:

  • what is insulin
  • understanding how insulin works
  • what does insulin do
  • types of insulin
  • onset, peak, duration of insulin

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I almost killed my patient.

In the days after my scary event I spent hours and hours thinking through what I had done.

I knew my ABCs, I had prioritized everything I was supposed to, how could things have gone so horribly wrong…

See our full lesson on Prioritization at NURSING.com.

And I realized that I had overlooked a very important part of my ABCs.

It wasn’t the A - airway, the B - breathing, or the C - circulation

What was left, what did I miss?

What I violated was Safety.

That small little “s” at the end of my ABCs - Safety

And I learned 3 Crucial Take-Aways

  1. ABCs are Priorities not Checklists!
  2. Don't be complacent about the s for Safety
  3. Ask for help as soon as possible

See our full lesson on Prioritization at NURSING.com.

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Them: "How can we help?"

Me: "I don't know . . ."

This is a conversation I've had countless times over the last year. If only I had some sort of ailment that could be SEEN and FIXED . . . why can't it be a broken arm? A simple cast would "fix" the problem in just a matter of weeks.

With mental health, you read the books, you do the checklists, you take the meds, you attend counseling . . . but at any moment . . . around any corner . . . there it is - ready to crush your hope and happiness.

Each time you start a new medication you feel hopeful . . . "this time it will work"

And each time a new medication doesn't help, you feel a bit more hopeless . . . "maybe I am beyond repair"

They say mental health is a battle. It is.

And for many of us it is a lifelong battle.

And worse still, it is a silent battle - no one can SEE what you are going through.

And the worst part is that you begin to convince yourself that it has to be silent - that you shouldn't share your struggle - that perhaps you are "beyond repair" - that others will judge.

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My first job out of nursing school was in the Neuro ICU at a very large hospital in downtown Dallas.

In this particular hospital, new ICU nurses complete a 13 week internship partnered with an experienced nurse (called a preceptor). My preceptors name was Vanessa, she was the typical ICU nurse type - a hardcore, type A nurse.

She trained me well . . . but . . . those 13 weeks came to an end and it was time for me to be all on my own - no safety net to fall back on, no babysitter to make sure I did everything by the book - it was just ME.

To be honest . . . I was terrified.

I wish I'd had a tool like NURSING.com

You CAN do this

Happy Nursing!

-Jon

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Just 4 words saved her life . . .

“You CAN do this”

In 2018 as a nursing student, Heather found herself in a very dark and lonely place. But those 4 words brought her out of that darkness and gave her hope.

I was there with Heather when a nursing student asked her, “Will I make it through this?”

========

Here is her response:

“You WILL make it through.

When I got back from Iraq in 2008, I suffered from PTSD.

And when I first found NURSING.com, I didn't think I was going to make it through. I felt like a failure, not only in nursing school, but in my life. My marriage was trash. I felt like a failure as a parent because I felt like I wasn't present. I had just failed med surg by 0.2%.

I was ready to kill myself. I was done.

But hearing Jon and everybody else say that you can do it, it is going to be okay, and you will make it through, saved my life.

NURSING.com saved my life in more ways than one. And I'm here and I graduated, you CAN do this.”

#NursingSchoolMotivation

#MotivationForNursingStudents

#NursingSchoolJourney

#InspiringNursingStudents

#NursingSchoolLife

#StayMotivatedNurse

#NursingSchoolInspiration

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[After graduating from nursing school with a 3.8 GPA, Ashley failed the NCLEX 3 times. This is her story.]

Learn more about NURSING.com: https://nursing.com

First one was a knife to my chest.

I was miserable. I really honestly thought this was my calling for so long. Nursing is what I wanted to do. For four years, I had worked so hard and I was unsure, should I change my career? Should I do something else?

The first time I failed, I decided I would run 10 miles, and I cried the whole time. I remember, thinking, I want to die. I just don't understand. I thought I knew so much, and for some reason I failed and the rest of my class was successful. Why am I going through this?

Taking the NCLEX was so stressful and all that pressure with people around you constantly leaving, and I am a very slow test taker.

I had to really take a week and really ask myself, is this worth it? I did all this work, what went wrong? Is something wrong with me? Am I not smart? What am I going to do?

You feel that your classmates will make fun of you or that they question if you're going to be a good nurse and you start to create all these webs and negativity and it just storms.

Patience, positivity, prayer, and perseverance. As a nursing student, you are your hardest critic. Sometimes we're perfectionists and we put a lot of pressure on ourselves.

So I would say strive for progress, but not perfection.

I think of my experience as being in a boat in a really rough storm. To be a skilled sailor you can’t have calm waters. You need the storm. And so whatever purpose it was for me to fail the NCLEX three times, it really has blessed me and I feel like a better woman. I can't believe I'm saying that, but really I do. I feel like it strengthened me.

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Working as a nurse in the ICU, I cared for many patients who are burned into my mind and heart forever.

I would like to share with you the stories of two patients that I will remember forever and whom shaped my life and nursing career forever.

People NEVER forget their nurses. The rest of their hospital stay will be a blur, but their NURSES will be in their minds forever. It's okay to CARE as a nurse. We went into this profession because we want to ease human suffering. We need more nurses who CARE. Thank you for choosing this profession. I started NURSING.com to reduce your stress in nursing school, so you can focus on the patients.

Happy Nursing!

-Jon

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During my first semester of nursing school my son was born and he had a couple issues that required him to stay in the hospital during his first couple weeks of life.   My wife and I were sleeping at the hospital. I would go to nursing school and then come back and be with him. But there was one night where we were extremely tired, and so we went down to the hospital cafeteria to get some food.   And when we came back a few minutes later after eating his nurse, her name was Tracy (I still remember her name 12 years later) was sitting there giving him a bath and cuddling him and keeping him warm.   And it was very clear with the way that she was taking care of him and working with him, that she cared very deeply about him, about his exact needs in that moment. And it was in that moment that I truly realized that everyone is going to have that one nurse that they remember forever. Here I am 12 years later, and I still remember her. I remember that moment. I remember the sense of walking in there and that comfort that I had, knowing that she was there with my son taking care of him.   You guys, this journey is not easy. And I know that maybe you haven't yet, but there's going to be a time in your career, whether that's in nursing school or whether it's as a nurse, that you're going to hit some kind of proverbial wall. You're going to feel like you can't keep going forward. But I want you guys to think about that.   Why? Think about those moments that you've had that have helped you see why you're doing this. And if you need to write that down, put it as a screensaver on your phone. Send yourself an email every now and then with your why. We need you. We need nurses who care. We need you to stay in the career field. We need you to work in the career field. You guys can do this. I know that there's moments when it all seems impossible, but you can do this and I know that you can do this, so stick with it.   Remember your why. Go out and be your best self today.   💙 Happy Nursing!   -Jon

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Today's episode is a must-listen for anyone gearing up for the NCLEX: "NCLEX Decoded: Strategies for Success.”

The NCLEX can feel like a giant puzzle. It's a test designed not just to quiz you on knowledge but to assess your decision-making and critical-thinking skills. Understanding how the exam works is the first step in conquering it.

We can help you put those puzzle pieces together, by giving you a real practice NCLEX Simulation: SIMCLEX.

You can take a free sample today at https://nursing.com/simclex

We also have a VERY special offer happening today until January 19th. You can check it out here https://nursing.com/lifetime

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In today's special episode, "Mastering the Art of Efficient Study in Nursing School," we're diving deep into strategies that will transform your study habits. Plus, I have an exclusive offer on our Lifetime Membership that you won't want to miss.

https://nursing.com/lifetime

For more info on mastering efficiency in studying, we have a whole lesson that you can enjoy at https://nursing.com/lesson/test-01-01-time-management

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Deal of a Lifetime!!

We are actually temporarily bringing back our lifetime plan. From now through Nov 27th (cyber Monday) you can sign of for our NURSING.com Lifetime Plan

Enjoy lifetime access for just 9 monhtly payments of $49.

Just visit nursing.com/lifetime to learn more!

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Full Episode HERE

Your 14-Day Jump-Start For Nursing School Success Begins Now!!!

Come along for a 14-day series that will push you ahead of the curve, helping you break through the most difficult nursing content with a FREE 10-minute video each day.

You can access these lesson videos completely free of charge! Simply set up a password, and you're good to go.

Fractures

Did you know that there a several different types of fractures?

  • Closed – skin intact
  • Open/Compound – bone pierces skin
  • Transverse – broken straight across
  • Spiral – fracture from twisting force
  • Comminuted – multiple pieces of bone
  • Impacted – from vertical force on long bone
  • Greenstick – incomplete fracture, common in children
  • Oblique – diagonal fracture
  • Displaced – bones no longer aligned

It is important for you to understand the different types of fractures and how to treat your patient accordingly.

I promise it's not as scary as it seems . . . In this lesson we'll give you the need-to-know information about Fractures so you can take the best care of your patients!

Full Episode HERE

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Full Episode HERE

Your 14-Day Jump-Start For Nursing School Success Begins Now!!!

Come along for a 14-day series that will push you ahead of the curve, helping you break through the most difficult nursing content with a FREE 10-minute video each day.

You can access these lesson videos completely free of charge! Simply set up a password, and you're good to go.

Diabetes mellitus, or diabetes, is a chronic condition affecting how your body handles sugar (glucose). It's due to issues with insulin, a hormone that regulates sugar levels.

There are 2 types of diabetes mellitus:

  • Type 1 Diabetes: The immune system attacks insulin-producing cells.
  • Type 2 Diabetes: The body struggles with insulin use and production.

Let's dive in a bit further and go over everything thing you need to know about Diabetes Mellitus so you can take the best care of your patients!

Full Episode HERE

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Full Episode HERE

Your 14-Day Jump-Start For Nursing School Success Begins Now!!!

Come along for a 14-day series that will push you ahead of the curve, helping you break through the most difficult nursing content with a FREE 10-minute video each day.

You can access these lesson videos completely free of charge! Simply set up a password, and you're good to go.

Lymphoma is a kind of cancer in the body's defense system. It affects lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, and can be Hodgkin or non-Hodgkin.

  • Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
    • Presence of Reed-Sternberg cells
  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
    • Absence of Reed-Sternberg cells
    • 90% of Lymphomas

Now, let's dive in a bit further and go over everything thing you need to know about Lymphoma to pass your next Hematology/Oncology/Immunology exam!

Full Episode HERE

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Full Episode HERE

Your 14-Day Jump-Start For Nursing School Success Begins Now!!!

Come along for a 14-day series that will push you ahead of the curve, helping you break through the most difficult nursing content with a FREE 10-minute video each day.

You can access these lesson videos completely free of charge! Simply set up a password, and you're good to go.

You've probably heard the word cirrhosis, but what is it and why is it so concerning?

Cirrhosis is deeply concerning due to its potential to severely damage the liver. As scar tissue gradually replaces healthy liver tissue, the organ's ability to process nutrients, detoxify the blood, and produce essential proteins decreases.

Cirrhosis often develops silently, with symptoms appearing only in later stages when significant damage has occurred.

Full Episode HERE

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Full Episode HERE

Your 14-Day Jump-Start For Nursing School Success Begins Now!!!

Come along for a 14-day series that will push you ahead of the curve, helping you break through the most difficult nursing content with a FREE 10-minute video each day.

You can access these lesson videos completely free of charge! Simply set up a password, and you're good to go.

Understanding Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is so important because it's a common heart condition.

Trust me I get it, it can be super tricky, however understanding CAD will help you recognize its symptoms, risks, and how to care for your patients with it.

Full Episode HERE

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Full Episode HERE

Your 14-Day Jump-Start For Nursing School Success Begins Now!!!

Come along for a 14-day series that will push you ahead of the curve, helping you break through the most difficult nursing content with a FREE 10-minute video each day.

You can access these lesson videos completely free of charge! Simply set up a password, and you're good to go.

It's vital for you to grasp why potassium matters. Potassium helps nerves, muscles, and the heart work right.

Imbalances can cause serious issues like heart problems and weak muscles. You'll need to learn how to watch and fix potassium levels to keep your patients safe.

Full Episode HERE

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Full Episode HERE

Your 14-Day Jump-Start For Nursing School Success Begins Now!!!

Come along for a 14-day series that will push you ahead of the curve, helping you break through the most difficult nursing content with a FREE 10-minute video each day.

You can access these lesson videos completely free of charge! Simply set up a password, and you're good to go.

If you're looking for a quick overview of pharm questions that most commonly appear on the NCLEX - I've got you covered right here in my lesson on NCLEX meds!

It's not a comprehensive lecture but rather an overview - check it out and let me know if it helps!

Full Episode HERE

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Full Episode HERE

Your 14-Day Jump-Start For Nursing School Success Begins Now!!!

Come along for a 14-day series that will push you ahead of the curve, helping you break through the most difficult nursing content with a FREE 10-minute video each day.

You can access these lesson videos completely free of charge! Simply set up a password, and you're good to go.

Have you ever seen anything like this written in a patient's chart?

G6 T2 P0 A3 L2

Looks like a bunch of scribbles on a notepad. . . am I right? I promise you it means something and it's actually pretty important.

After watching this lesson on GTPAL, you'll confidently grasp the significance of those numbers and letters and you'll be able to provide a clear explanation of their meaning.

Full Episode HERE

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Full Episode HERE

Your 14-Day Jump-Start For Nursing School Success Begins Now!!!

Come along for a 14-day series that will push you ahead of the curve, helping you break through the most difficult nursing content with a FREE 10-minute video each day.

You can access these lesson videos completely free of charge! Simply set up a password, and you're good to go.

Do you know 3 types of Angina?

  1. Stable – With exertion. Relieved by nitroglycerin
  2. Unstable – At rest. Lasts longer. Unrelieved by nitroglycerin.
  3. Variant – Unpredictable.

If you answered any of those 👏👏👏

Now, let's dive in a bit further and go over everything thing you need to know about Angina to pass your next cardiac exam!

Full Episode HERE

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Full Episode HERE

Your 14-Day Jump-Start For Nursing School Success Begins Now!!!

Come along for a 14-day series that will push you ahead of the curve, helping you break through the most difficult nursing content with a FREE 10-minute video each day.

You can access these lesson videos completely free of charge! Simply set up a password, and you're good to go.

ABGs refer to "Arterial Blood Gases." These are tests performed on a blood sample taken from an artery to assess the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels, as well as the pH and bicarbonate levels in the blood.

ABG results provide valuable information about a patient's respiratory and metabolic status, that will help you diagnose and manage various medical conditions.

In this lesson, Brad will give you the need-to-know information about ABGs so you can pass your tests and take the best care of your patients.

Full Episode HERE

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NURSING.com FREE Access

If you are new to NURSING.com, let me tell you the best place to start!   Visit NURSING.com/free for a FREE Access account.  

For years now NURSING.com has been helping students make huge improvements to their grades, feel confident, and pass tests ALL while putting their textbooks aside and spending less time studying overall!! 

And you can get FREE Access to the resources that make it all happen.  No contract . . .  No $$ . . . start your FREE NURSING.com account today and learn from world-class nurses as they teach you challenging nursing topics in a clear and concise way.

With NURSING.com FREE ACCESS, you get 10 FREE minutes of the BEST nursing school supplement. . .  every day.    Again just go to NURSING.com/free to sign up!  

Now go out and be your best self today and as always Happy Nursing

NURSING.com FREE Access

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NURSING.com FREE Access

NURSING.com is your best place for all the resources you need to not only survive, but to THRIVE in nursing school.  Instead of reading hundreds of pages to learn heart failure,  we will walk you right through the whole story of how things work.  We will also highlight all the need-to-know information, cutting the fluff so you can focus on what really matters.   And now, you can watch our incredible video content for FREE.  With our new Free Access, you can watch 10 minutes of video EVERY single day.   You can test it out now, entirely free, at NURSING.com/free.   

Just wait until you see your grades start to soar while you build a deep understanding that will give you ALL the tools you need to be an amazing nurse.   

NURSING.com FREE Access

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Full Episode HERE

Your 14-Day Jump-Start For Nursing School Success Begins Now!!!

Come along for a 14-day series that will push you ahead of the curve, helping you break through the most difficult nursing content with a FREE 10-minute video each day.

You can access these lesson videos completely free of charge! Simply set up a password, and you're good to go.

We’ve asked 40,000 nursing students: "What is your biggest struggle in nursing school?"

Can you guess the most common answer?

💊 NURSING PHARMACOLOGY 💊

Nursing Pharm is possibly the most complicated subject in school.

But, with help, you can excel at pharm and master the course by developing methods and strategies that I would like to share with you.

In this lesson, I share what I learned so you do not have to struggle like I did.

Full Episode HERE

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Full Episode HERE

Your 14-Day Jump-Start For Nursing School Success Begins Now!!!

Come along for a 14-day series that will push you ahead of the curve, helping you break through the most difficult nursing content with a FREE 10-minute video each day.

You can access these lesson videos completely free of charge! Simply set up a password, and you're good to go.

Today we are talking about creating an Abdominal Pain Care Plan.  Learning to write a nursing care plan for abdominal pain will ensure quality outcomes.

In this lesson, I'll show you how you can write an effective care plan for abdominal pain, regardless of the underlying diagnosis.

Full Episode HERE

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Full Episode HERE

Your 14-Day Jump-Start For Nursing School Success Begins Now!!!

Come along for a 14-day series that will push you ahead of the curve, helping you break through the most difficult nursing content with a FREE 10-minute video each day.

You can access these lesson videos completely free of charge! Simply set up a password, and you're good to go.

Today we are talking about Advanced Directives, and in this lesson, I cut the fluff and give you what you need to know.  

I hope this Advanced Directives lesson helps you as you prepare for your nursing semester ahead . . . If you are not in fundamentals, yet, save this email for later!

Full Episode HERE

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Full Episode HERE

Your 14-Day Jump-Start For Nursing School Success Begins Now!!!

Come along for a 14-day series that will push you ahead of the curve, helping you break through the most difficult nursing content with a FREE 10-minute video each day.

You can access these lesson videos completely free of charge! Simply set up a password, and you're good to go.

Understanding the heart's complex physiology was like decoding a secret language. Ejection fractions, cardiac outputs – the terms seemed to swirl in a sea of confusion.

Hours were spent buried in textbooks, seeking clarity from professors, and collaborating with fellow students equally determined to conquer the subject.

It finally clicked . . . and in our heart failure lesson, I pulled out what you need to know about heart failure so you won't struggle like I did.

I hope this heart failure lesson helps you as you prepare for your nursing semester ahead . . . If you are not in cardiac, yet, save this email for later!

Set a reminder for tomorrow at 10 AM PST for day 2 of Jump Start to Nursing School . . . any guess on what our next nursing lesson will be on?

Full Espisode HERE

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Free NCLEX Prep Podcast - Just check out www.FlashNotesPodcast.com to start listening for FREE today.

The NCSBN - the company that administers the NCLEX - released the NextGen NCLEX in April and it was hailed as the new standard in measuring nursing students' ability to be a successful new nurse

Welp, they just published the results for the first batch of test takers

These results mean we KNOW the pass rate for all nextgen NCLEX test takers

I’m not even kidding when I say . . . . I was shocked - I was floored by what I saw when I read the results the first time

And let's just say one of these things is not like the other. The results show a 41% change in pass rate when compared to all NCLEX test takers BEFORE nextgen. And a 16% change compared to the 5-year average pass rate.

I am so excited for you and what this will mean for nursing students and the field of nursing, go out and take the NCLEX today!

And we just created the perfect FREE last-minute prep that you can do before you take the NCLEX

We listened to you and pulled out the 77 biggest topics of struggle. We created a beautiful PDF download that outlines each of these 77 Must-Know topics.

We also created a new Podcast Show where we cover each of the topics for you. And you can do this entire review for free, while on the go, listening in your car. Whatever works best for you!

Just check out www.FlashNotesPodcast.com to start listening for FREE today.

You have got this, go take your NCLEX today, and as always Happy Nursing

Just check out www.FlashNotesPodcast.com to start listening for FREE today.

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Get NCLEX Flash Notes here: https://nclexbook.com

I know just as well as any other nursing student - nursing school is freaking EXPENSIVE!

I attended an Accelerated BSN program or ABSN designed for working professionals interested in a career change.

That means that it was about 4 years of nursing school compressed into 18 months of grueling torture - about at the cost of all 4 years combined!

My wife and I were pregnant with our son Taz at the time, and…

… We were buried in student debt…

…We were living on food stamps and WIC…

.. We were sleeping on a mattress I pulled from the dumpster…

…I was giving my all (what was left) to becoming a nurse…

Once Taz was born, we found out that he had a fairly rare congenital birth defect that required multiple surgeries and weeks of hospital stays, just in his first year of life.

I will never forget staying up late into the night studying for exams in his hospital room by the light of the Emergency Room signage below then waking up in the early hours with him or going across the street to school and rushing back to baby Taz.

There were times I would bring him up to the school library during his nap time so I could attend a study group while he slept in his stroller.

I was completely dedicated to being an amazing nurse.

1st Semester GPA - 4.0.

2nd Semester GPA - 4.0

I was rocking it, but Taz’s surgeries were really starting to weigh on my wife and I.

That’s when the 3rd semester started, and I got the nursing professor from hell…

She had an utter lack of understanding of education, clinical nursing, and general people skills.

Over the course of the semester she only became more and more obtuse with her thinking and was clearly not in the game of educating nursing students but reaping vengeance on some past experience.

Not quite who I was paying tens of thousands of dollars to study under...

I wanted nothing to do with this woman, and therefore this class, and even nursing school in general!

I had lost all motivation to keep going in becoming a nurse.

With only 10 weeks to go until graduation, I dropped out of nursing school…

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Get the free NCLEX Flash Notes ebook at: https://nclexbook.com

When we become a part of a group, especially a group that is so underfunded and understaffed (like Nurse Educators) it becomes very easy to defend every action and every individual.

(In the past, I have mentioned several things that I feel need to change in nursing education. You can read about that here and here.)

This is flawed however, because doing so denies the issues and neglects the need for change. Rather than keeping an open mind about how to improve, the moment we try to protect or defend an entire industry, we enter into confirmation bias and inhibit our ability to objectively see the need for change.

I know, without a doubt, that whenever I mention the need for change in nursing education we will get an email or two from a professor or administrator ranting up and down saying . . . (my answers below each one).

  • “How dare you say there are flaws in nursing education!”
    • It is completely asinine to assume that there are NO flaws in ANY industry, company, or individual. Hell yes there are flaws in nursing education . . . you know what? There are flaws with NRSNG and with Jon Haws too. None of us are perfect. It’s time to be a bit more humble about what needs to change.
  • “You are everything that is wrong with nursing!”
    • Ummm . . . if pointing out areas of improvement and then creating those lifelines for nursing students after the educators they have relied on have failed them is “what’s wrong” with nursing . . .then we have much bigger problems.
  • “If students weren’t so lazy.”
    • No doubt, there are some lazy students out there. However, all 300,000+ nursing students are not lazy just like all nursing educators are not “bad”. Lazy students do not preclude the educator from educating. Just as poor educators do not preclude the student from graduating.
  • “We don’t know the professors side of your story. I’m sure you were in the wrong.”
    • I state exactly what I did wrong on this post. Being will to openly share my failure shouldn’t grant you the right to attack my vulnerability and excuse poor education.
  • “Nursing school was hard for me, so it needs to be hard for other students . . . it’s the school of hard knocks.” (p.s. this one pisses me off more than any other)
    • Is this a joke? Like seriously, is this a joke? It’s your freaking job to educate. I would NEVER wish on anyone to work on a floor where this mentality was adopted. Imagine working with nurses who think it’s okay for other nurses to struggle just because they’ve had some hard shifts. Like . . . is this a joke. If you see a co-worker struggling you just turn your head and let them sink rather than throw them a lifeline. Get over yourself.
  • “We will NEVER share your material with our students.”
    • Thanks. You just proved my point that nursing education needs to change! How juvenile it is to deny your students of helpful materials just because your feelings got hurt. The funniest thing about this email is that they are emailing us AFTER finding AND using our materials. Then, they get their feelings hurt and refuse to distribute anything NRSNG to their students. Dude! You just proved the point. Some administrators have gone as far as to BAN myself (Jon) from physically coming on their campus. Come on! It’s time to grow up, recognize the flaws, and provide your students with anything that will help them.
  • “You are a bad example of negativity in nursing.”
    • I take offense to this. Our podcast has 800+ episodes covering an enormous amount of material on positivity. Our blog has 800+ posts, our YouTube channel has 400+ videos, our Instagram account has 700+ posts . . . 99% of this material is positive to nursing and nursing education. If I point out one flaw or state that “nursing education needs to change” and you see that a “negativity in nursing”, I fear we are so deep into confirmation bias . . .

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Hi NURSING.com family.  

You can now prep for the NCLEX Anywhere!

We just released a new Podcast show, “NCLEX Flash Notes.”  This is the perfect NCLEX review, and as ALWAYS, we have pulled out the MOST important info that you need to become an Amazing nurse!

Listen in each week while we review the critical topics you need to pass the NCLEX Exam.  Each episode will cover different MUST-know nursing topics, with a perfect overview of all you need to know.

Our new show is NCLEX Flash Notes.  

Just click the link below for a direct link to the show on either iTunes OR Spotify!  

https://nursing.com/flashnotes 

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Hi NURSING.com family.  Are you getting ready for the NCLEX??   This show is the perfect NCLEX review, and as ALWAYS, we have pulled out the MOST important info that you need to become an Amazing nurse!

Listen in each week while we review 77 critical topics you need to pass the NCLEX-RN Exam.  Each episode will cover these MUST-know nursing topics with a perfect overview.  

Our new show is NCLEX Flash Notes.  You can search that in apple podcasts or spotify and pull up the SHOW.   NCLEX Flash Notes

NCLEX Flash Notes is your go-to last-minute refresher for the NCLEX exam. Cut through the fluff and get straight to the essential information with this free resource.  

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If you want to further improve your test-taking skills, we have a FREE webinar for you - 5 Insanely Easy NCLEX Test-Taking Tips for Nursing Students.

Sign up HERE!

Are you preparing for the NCLEX exam and looking for study tips to help you pass? In this episode, we share 20 essential study tips to help you ace the NCLEX. From creating a study schedule to utilizing study groups, these tips are tried and true methods that have helped countless nursing students succeed on the exam. We also cover test-taking strategies and how to make the most of your study time. Whether you're a visual learner or prefer hands-on practice, there's something in this episode for everyone. Don't miss out on these valuable tips – watch now and start incorporating them into your NCLEX study routine today!

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If you want to further improve your test-taking skills, we have a FREE webinar for you - 5 Insanely Easy NCLEX Test-Taking Tips for Nursing Students.

Sign up HERE!

Looking to take the NCLEX exam but feeling overwhelmed? Look no further! In this episode, we cover the 8 things you need to know about the NCLEX before taking it. From understanding the computerized nature of the exam to knowing what to expect on test day, this video will give you all the information you need to feel prepared and confident going into the NCLEX. Whether you're a first-time test taker or a repeat test taker, these tips and insights are essential for success. Don't miss out on this valuable information - watch now to learn more about what you need to know before taking the NCLEX!

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If you want to further improve your test-taking skills, we have a FREE webinar for you - 5 Insanely Easy NCLEX Test-Taking Tips for Nursing Students. Sign up HERE!

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If you want to further improve your test-taking skills, we have a FREE webinar for you - 5 Insanely Easy NCLEX Test-Taking Tips for Nursing Students. Sign up HERE!

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If you want to further improve your test-taking skills, we have a FREE webinar for you - 5 Insanely Easy NCLEX Test-Taking Tips for Nursing Students. Sign up HERE!

If you're a nursing student preparing for the NCLEX, it's important to have a solid understanding of the categories and subcategories that make up the exam. In this video, we're breaking down each of the categories and subcategories that you'll encounter on the NCLEX. We'll provide you with a detailed overview of each category, including the key topics and concepts you need to know for success on the exam. From Safe and Effective Care Environment to Psychosocial Integrity, this episode covers all of the categories and subcategories that you need to master to become a licensed nurse. Whether you're a first-time test taker or preparing for a retake, this episode is a must-watch for anyone looking to pass the NCLEX. So sit back, take notes, and get ready to learn everything you need to know about the NCLEX categories and subcategories

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If you want to further improve your test-taking skills, we have a FREE webinar for you - 5 Insanely Easy NCLEX Test-Taking Tips for Nursing Students. Sign up HERE!

Preparing for the NCLEX can be a daunting task, but focusing on the right categories can help you feel more confident and better prepared for the exam. In this video, we're breaking down the NCLEX categories that you should prioritize in your studying before taking the exam. We'll discuss the most commonly tested categories on the NCLEX, and provide you with tips and strategies to help you master each one. Whether you're a first-time test taker or retaking the exam, this episode is packed with valuable information to help you pass the NCLEX and become a licensed nurse. Don't let the NCLEX stress you out any longer. Tune in to this episode and learn how to effectively prioritize your studying to focus on the categories that matter most for success on the NCLEX. 

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If you want to further improve your test-taking skills, we have a FREE webinar for you - 5 Insanely Easy NCLEX Test-Taking Tips for Nursing Students. Sign up HERE!

Are you a nursing student looking for ways to ace your exams and succeed in your program? In this episode, we're sharing 5 proven test-taking tips that will help you improve your grades and perform your best on nursing school exams. From effective study strategies to simple test-taking techniques, these tips are designed to help you overcome test anxiety, retain information, and approach your exams with confidence. Whether you're a first-year nursing student or getting ready to take your NCLEX exam, these tips will be valuable additions to your study routine. So sit back, take notes, and get ready to take your nursing school test-taking skills to the next level with these 5 proven tips.

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Join us for our FREE Test-Taking Webinar to boost your exam scores: https://bit.ly/nursingtesttaking

In this episode, not only do I cover some of my best test-taking tips, but I also talk to you about some of the ways that you can approach these new Next Gen test questions that you're probably seeing in your classroom and that I hope you're preparing for as you get ready for the NCLEX.  

I have some new tips, tricks, and strategies that you can use in taking tests in nursing school and for the NCLEX.  I'm sure if you're here, you're probably struggling with the way that nursing school exams are, right?

  • What are SATA questions?
  • How do I answer the different types of NCLEX-style questions?
  • How do I overcome test anxiety?

Tests and test-taking are one of the most difficult things that we encounter as nursing students, but we never really want to take the time to learn how to do these better because it feels like a waste of time.

But I'm gonna tell you tonight that what you're gonna get out of this next 30 45 minutes or so will be one of the biggest investments that you'll make in your career, both as a nurse and in your future as you go on to take certifications and things like that.  

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If you want to further improve your test-taking skills, we have a FREE webinar for you - 5 Insanely Easy NCLEX Test-Taking Tips for Nursing Students.  

Sign up HERE!

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If you want to further improve your test-taking skills, we have a FREE webinar for you - 5 Insanely Easy NCLEX Test-Taking Tips for Nursing Students.  

Sign up HERE!  

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Join us for our free test-taking tips webinar to boost your exam scores: https://bit.ly/nursingtesttaking

We have a special interview for you today with Derek!  After 6 attempts at the NCLEX he was feeling crushed… 

“Failed my 6th one, and you just don’t know what to do… it just crushes you.  You can’t work as a nurse, you’ve gotta find money other ways, your degree is useless”  

Yet somehow Derek found the courage to keep going.  

"Then your practice questions came up for the NextGen.  I was doing all of those a lot then I took the NextGen and Passed on my 7th time testing." 

Wow, passed after his 7th time!    Guys, I am so excited to share Derek’s inspiring story with you today…  if you are thinking about giving up… I just want you to know that there is still hope!! 

So here we have Jon Haws interviewing Derek!  Enjoy.  

What happens if you fail the NCLEX multiple times?   As you will see it is never too late.  Derek shares his story of failing the NCLEX 6 times.  And then shares how to pass the NCLEX after failing multiple times.  

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If you want to further improve your test-taking skills, we have a FREE webinar for you - 5 Insanely Easy NCLEX Test-Taking Tips for Nursing Students.  

Sign up HERE!  

If you have ADHD and are considering nursing school, you may be wondering if the challenges you face with attention and focus will make it more difficult for you to succeed. In this video, we'll explore the unique challenges faced by nursing students with ADHD and provide strategies to help you overcome them. We'll discuss the importance of creating a structured routine, utilizing study tools, and seeking support from professors and peers. We'll also provide tips on how to manage stress and avoid burnout. Whether you're a current nursing student with ADHD or considering entering a nursing program, this video will provide valuable insights and resources to help you succeed. So, tune in now and learn how to navigate nursing school with ADHD!

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If you want to further improve your test-taking skills, we have a FREE webinar for you - 5 Insanely Easy NCLEX Test-Taking Tips for Nursing Students.  

Sign up HERE!  

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If you want to further improve your test-taking skills, we have a FREE webinar for you - 5 Insanely Easy NCLEX Test-Taking Tips for Nursing Students.  

Sign up HERE!  

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If you want to further improve your test-taking skills, we have a FREE webinar for you - 5 Insanely Easy NCLEX Test-Taking Tips for Nursing Students.  

Sign up HERE!  

Are you tired of studying hard but still struggling to perform well on your nursing exams? You're not alone. Many nursing students struggle with test-taking, but the good news is that there are effective strategies you can use to improve your results. In this video, we'll share 11 valuable test-taking strategies specifically designed for nursing students. From understanding the question types to managing your time effectively, our tips and tricks will help you boost your confidence and achieve better results on your nursing exams. Whether you're a new nursing student or a seasoned pro, these strategies will help you excel in your academic career. So don't wait, watch this video now and start applying these proven techniques to your study routine. Your success in nursing school is just a few clicks away!

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If you want to further improve your test-taking skills, we have a FREE webinar for you - 5 Insanely Easy NCLEX Test-Taking Tips for Nursing Students.  

Sign up HERE!  

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LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) is a type of nurse who has completed a practical nursing program and has obtained a license to practice nursing under the supervision of an RN (Registered Nurse) or a physician. Here are the differences between an RN and LPN.

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Practice NCLEX PN Questions at NURSING.com

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Practice NextGen Bowtie Questions at NURSING.com

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Practice NextGen Drag & Drop Questions at NURSING.com

NextGen NCLEX changes in 2023 will feature Drag & Drop questions. These questions can be challenging because they require a higher level of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Here are some tips to help you answer these types of questions effectively

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New NCLEX format 2023 will feature NextGen style questions: Let's discuss how drop-down questions will work and how to best answer.

Practice NextGen Drop Down Questions at NURSING.com

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Highlight Questions will be on the new NCLEX changes in 2023, there are Next Gen NCLEX practice questions available online for free at NURSING.com.

Practice NextGen Highlight Questions NURSING.com

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Nursing school presents a unique challenge when it comes to test-taking. You’re no longer just looking for the right answer - you’re now looking for the most right answer or multiple right answers. In this episode I am going to break down how to understand what these questions are even asking you, and our best tips for how to answer them.

Learn more about dissecting an NCLEX question at NURSING.com

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Matrix multiple-response questions on the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) require you to select multiple correct answer options from a matrix table. Here are some tips on how to answer these types of questions.

Take free NextGen practice questions at NURSING.com

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Multiple Response Select N questions on the NGN require careful reading, critical thinking, and clinical judgment skills. By following these tips, you can prepare yourself for success on the NGN.

Take free NextGen practice questions at NURSING.com

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Hi guys, this is Sandi! For everyone taking the nclex, there's only one thing on our minds, PASSING, am I right? It's the last hurdle that stands in the way of getting your nursing license and starting April 1st, there's going to be a change to the nclex.

I've been studying the NCLEX changes for the last two years . . . in this episode I am going to share with you exactly what I have learned about the new scoring matrix multiple response questions on the NCLEX. . . Yep, its a bit different than what you are “use to” but after listening to this, you will go from stressed to confident as you walk into the testing center on TEST DAY

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Practice NextGen for free at: https://www.NURSING.com In the last 2 years nursing students on nursing.com have answered over 27,769,787 questions - today I want to give you a peak behind the curtain and show you the question more nursing students struggle with than any other - and help you see EXACTLY how to answer it correctly - and similar questions every single time. This video covers one of the most missed questions on NURSING.com and provides you with some tips to answer not only this question but others just like it. Want to significantly improve your chances of passing NCLEX? Take a SIMCLEX at https://nursing.com With NextGen NCLEX 2023, it is important that you understand content over hacks.

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UNTIL 12/1/22 you can get NURSING.com for over 50% Off . . . visit: https://nursing.com

Caveat: some people (nurses) might not agree AT ALL with what I say here . . . oh well! I want to share how it really is to give confidence to those struggling.

We literally get hundreds of emails a day from nursing students.

Sadly, a good portion of them are from students that feel like they should quit nursing school altogether.

My Story . . . (uncensored) When I Quit Nursing School PLUS 7 tips to stay mentally sane during nursing school I started nursing school with high hopes, but after my fourth semester, I dropped out. I quit nursing school.

I knew nursing school was going to be hard . . . I mean the whole point is to learn how to competently take care of a human being suffering from complex heath issues.

I expected school to be hard.

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Download the app here: https://nursing.com/app/ 

Time management is perhaps the one element of nursing that all nurses, from novice to expert, struggle with more than anything else.

From the moment you enter nursing school you are given an unmanageable amount of tasks to complete. This does not change as you leave school and enter the workforce.

Part of succeeding in nursing school and scoring well on exams comes done to learning how to manage your time. Hence, we begin our “Test Taking” course with a module in Time Management.

I believe this is the foundation to success in school and throughout your career as a nurse. Mastering this one skill will make all the difference in your career.

Here I will present a few key strategies the nurse and nursing student can implement to improve their command on their time.

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Download the new app here: https://nursing.com/app/ 

You will have few opportunities in life to feel as inundated as you will during nursing school. Sometimes it feels like the entire object of nursing school is to see how many students they can stress out of the program.

There is no situation where the old adage applies more realistically; “drinking from a firehose

In all seriousness, nursing school is intense. You are learning how to care for a human being in the most complex of situations both physically and emotionally and there is so much to be learned.

On top of this you are only given a few months to cover the 1,875 pages of a MedSurg textbook before switching to an entirely new topic.

We all understand the problem . . . I’ll move on.

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To watch the lesson and access all the links, visit: https://nursing.com/lesson/01-05-study-tips-for-success/

To download the new app, visit: https://nursing.com/app/

Hey guys! I’m excited today to talk to you about a study tips that are for sure going to make you a successful nursing student and nurse!

So in this lesson I want to talk to you about where to start in regards to studying, a few of the do’s and don’ts of studying and different types of techniques or aids that may help you!

Ok guys so I just wanted to start off by saying our founder Jon Haws has an awesome blog entry called “How to slay nursing school: Forget study tips go for strategy” if you haven’t already read you definitely need to! He gives fantastic tips for any nursing student when it comes to studying and that link has actually been attached to this lesson so check it out! So actually here in this slide I have added a few of Jons tips to start us out! Jon says and it makes perfect sense….have a battle plan meaning nursing school is very much like a battle and it’s not meant to be easy….if it was everyone would do it! So right off the bat figure out how you are going to attack it by adopting study habits and a routine that will make you successful which we are going to talk about. Another thing Jon says is “cut the clutter” meaning not every single thing you learn in nursing school is extremely important or it doesn’t really apply to real life nursing. Jon suggests using the SSIP mnemonic for this – “Scan and sift” meaning find the most important new information and throw out the redudant material. “Import in intervals” meaning take your studying in small portions rather than huge chunks at a time which will help with retaining and comprehending. After you continue to scan, sift, and import in intervals you will “pin it” or retain it and it will stay with you. And remember whatever you are learning or studying we want to apply it to nursing because that in fact is your end goal. Not only will it help you during your studies but also will help you pass your boards and most importantly to be a great nurse!

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To download the app go to: nursing.com/app

Let’s face it. Pharmacology is hard. It is one of the toughest subjects in a nursing program. So if it is on your course list this coming semester, you’re probably feeling anxious and overwhelmed already.

You’re not alone. Many students, including me, have been where you are, and some even felt like they didn’t belong to nursing school anymore.

One of the most common questions we get is; “How to study for pharmacology in nursing school”?

I totally understand this. After all, being subjected to an endless list of medications and their classifications can be stressful.

Despite being difficult, pharmacology is an extremely necessary class. This is why you need a plan to handle it successfully and pass with good grades.

If you need to boost your pharmacology grades, pay keen attention to this information as I shall discuss my top tried and tested tips on how to study for pharmacology nursing.

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A nursing student AMA we did at our live event in 2019.

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For some reason, Amazon dropped the price of our NCLEX book to below $30!

Grab a copy here:

https://nursing.com/nclexbook/

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How to develop a growth mindset as a nursing student.

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Learn more about the NCLEX Book and join the wait list at: https://nursing.com/nclexbook/

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Follow these 10 steps to start passing nursing school exams.  Find our test taking course at: https://nursing.com

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Follow these steps to get your first nursing job.

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What is the worst nurses week gift you've gotten? 🎉 SAVE NOW CLICK HERE: https://nursing.com/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=nurses-week-2022

All promos end 5-12-22

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we love you happy nursing!

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Take the FREE QUIZ HERE: https://nursing.com/lesson/labs-02-02-brain-natriuretic-peptide/?quiz-view=open&utm_medium=social&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=vid-labs-bnp

     **What is the Lab Name for Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Lab Values?**      Brain Type Natriuretic Peptide

             **What is the Lab Abbreviation for Brain Type Natriuretic Peptide?**      BNP

             **What is Brain Type Natriuretic Peptide in terms of Nursing Labs?**      Brain natriureticpeptide (BNP) is a hormone made by the heart. When the heart is stressed or working hard to pump blood, it releases BNP.

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Watch the interview here: https://nursing.com/lesson/02-01-jons-story-on-his-personal-journey/ 

  1. Why & how did you know you wanted to be a nurse?
  2. What did your application process look like?
  3. What was the hardest part of school?
  4. What is one thing you wished someone had told you about nursing?
  5. What is one thing you will never forget about your experience in nursing school?
  6. What is the most memorable patient story you can think of?
  7. Do you have any regrets?
  8. What is the worst thing you have seen in practice? Ie. blood, deep skin wound
  9. How do you balance work/life
  10. What is your advice for future students?

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Overview 1. Troponin I

1. Normal value range
2. Pathophysiology
3. Special considerations
4. Elevations in lab values

Nursing Points General 1. Normal value range

1. Typically less than 0.035 ng/mL or less
2. Can vary among institutions
3. Has to be greater than the 99th percentile
  1. Pathophysiology

    1. Troponin is released during myocardial cell damage
    2. Decreased perfusion causes myocardial cell damage
    3. Causes of myocardial cell damage

      1. Myocardial infarction
      2. Demand ischemia
        1. Cardiogenic

          1. ACS 2. Noncardiogenic

          2. Sepsis

          3. Renal failure
          4. Extreme exercise

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What order to complete your blood draws. 

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How to take Absolute Words NCLEX questions. 

always, never, none, all, every

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Free Quiz: https://nursing.com/lesson/labs-01-01-lab-panels-2/?quiz-view=open&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=lab-values

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2 Letters Kept Me Going As A Nursing Student

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NURSING.com is the trusted learning hub of all future nurses.

Your secret weapon for passing Nursing School with your sanity intact.

We want to invite all our listeners to visit us online and take advantage of a special promo offer.

Just head over to NURSING.com/free

And check out the free resources and other goodies we have there, just for our podcast listeners.

Until next time, go out and be your best self today!

Happy Nursing!

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NURSING.com is the trusted learning hub of all future nurses.

Your secret weapon for passing Nursing School with your sanity intact.

We want to invite all our listeners to visit us online and take advantage of a special promo offer.

Just head over to NURSING.com/free

And check out the free resources and other goodies we have there, just for our podcast listeners.

Until next time, go out and be your best self today!

Happy Nursing!

View Details

NURSING.com is the trusted learning hub of all future nurses.

Your secret weapon for passing Nursing School with your sanity intact.

We want to invite all our listeners to visit us online and take advantage of a special promo offer.

Just head over to NURSING.com/free

And check out the free resources and other goodies we have there, just for our podcast listeners.

Until next time, go out and be your best self today!

Happy Nursing!