Nursing School Week by Week

Send us a textMastering the Head-to-Toe Physical Assessment in NursingHey there, future nurses! In this episode, I’m bringing back one of the most popular and highly requested episodes—a full, step-by-step head-to-toe physical assessment, demonstrated on my then-fiancé (now husband!).I’ll walk you through each step, explaining not just what to do but why it matters. We’ll talk about the difference between subjective and objective data, the essential tools you’ll need, and how to structure your assessment based on different body systems. Plus, I’ll throw in some quiz questions along the way to test your knowledge!Performing a thorough physical assessment is one of the most important skills you’ll develop as a nursing student and new nurse. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel in clinicals and beyond.Alright, let’s get started—grab your stethoscope, and let’s go!📌 Episode Breakdown: 00:00 – Introduction & Why This Skill is Essential 00:19 – The Importance of a Thorough Physical Assessment 01:42 – Subjective vs. Objective Data: What’s the Difference? 02:17 – Must-Have Tools for Your Assessment 02:54 – How to Structure Your Assessment by Body System 04:22 – Quick Quiz: Test Your Knowledge! 06:38 – Performing the Full Physical Assessment 09:10 – Head & Neck Examination 11:52 – Heart, Lungs & Abdomen Assessment 15:25 – Extremities & Skin: What to Look For 17:48 – Final Quiz & Wrap-UpSave 20% on a Picmonic subscription, or try it for free.Connect with me on: Instagram: @NursingSchoolWeekbyWeek YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nursingschoolweekbyweek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nursingschoolweekbyweek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nurse-melanie-88085b34a Blog: https://www.nursingschoolweekbyweek.com/blog/ Head over to the website and leave a voicemail (you might hear it on a future episode!) Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Send us a textMastering the ISBAR Method: How to Give a Clear, Confident Bedside Shift ReportGiving a bedside shift report can feel intimidating, but it’s a skill every nursing student needs to master. In this episode of Nursing School Week by Week, I walk you through the ISBAR method—Identify, Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendations—so you can communicate clearly, concisely, and professionally during handoff.I’ll share my own experiences with shift reports, break down each ISBAR component step by step, and explain why bedside reporting is worth the extra effort. You’ll learn how it boosts patient safety, improves teamwork, and enhances patient satisfaction—plus, I’ll give you practical tips on handling sensitive patient information and navigating tricky situations with confidence.By the end of this episode, you’ll feel prepared to walk into your next clinical shift and deliver a professional, well-structured bedside report without the stress. Stick around for a quick pod quiz at the end to test what you’ve learned!Episode Breakdown:🩺 00:00 Introduction + My Experience with Shift Reports 📋 00:25 Why Shift Reports Matter 🔍 00:52 What is ISBAR? 🛠️ 01:31 Step-by-Step Guide to ISBAR 🏥 01:53 The Benefits of Bedside Shift Reporting 💡 03:59 Practical Tips for Giving Reports with Confidence 📖 04:41 Deep Dive: Breaking Down ISBAR Components 🎧 06:32 Pod Quiz & Recap 🔥 14:55 Final Tips + Encouragement 📚 16:48 Wrap-Up & Additional ResourcesListen now and take the stress out of bedside shift reports! 🎙️Save 20% on a Picmonic subscriptionPicmonicAn audiovisual system with unforgettable stories to help you remember EVERYTHING you need to knowDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Connect with me on: Instagram: @NursingSchoolWeekbyWeek YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nursingschoolweekbyweek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nursingschoolweekbyweek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nurse-melanie-88085b34a Blog: https://www.nursingschoolweekbyweek.com/blog/ Head over to the website and leave a voicemail (you might hear it on a future episode!) Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Send us a textFeeling overwhelmed trying to keep up with nursing school lectures, clinicals, and exams while balancing work and life? You’re not alone! In this episode of Nursing School Week by Week, I’m giving you a step-by-step Nursing School Study Schedule—the exact system I used to get straight A’s and pass the NCLEX while working part-time and being a mom to five kids.You’ll learn: ✅ How to structure your study time to stay ahead in nursing school ✅ The biggest study mistakes that waste hours (and what to do instead) ✅ Proven study strategies that help you retain information faster ✅ How to balance nursing school with work, family, and life—without burnoutThis isn’t just another list of study tips—this is a full nursing school study plan that includes: 📅 A daily and weekly study schedule ⏳ Time management strategies that actually work 📝 The best study methods for long-term retention 💡 Why passive study techniques (like highlighting and re-reading) are a waste of time 💪 How to use active learning to make information stickAnd because I know how crucial it is to have a system in place, I’ve put together a detailed, hour-by-hour study schedule that you can tweak based on your personal workload. I’ll even cover when to review lectures, how to use Picmonic and Anki flashcards effectively, and how to prep for exams without cramming.💡 Want even more study strategies? Be sure to listen to Season 4, Episode 9: "My Insanely Effective Study System", where I break down the exact methods I used to master nursing school content and ace my exams.If you find this episode helpful, I’d love for you to leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—your reviews help other nursing students find the podcast and get the support they need. 💙Hit play now and let’s create a nursing school study routine that sets you up for success! 🎧Save 20% off a Picmonic subscription tPicmonicAn audiovisual system with unforgettable stories to help you remember EVERYTHING you need to knowDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Connect with me on: Instagram: @NursingSchoolWeekbyWeek YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nursingschoolweekbyweek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nursingschoolweekbyweek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nurse-melanie-88085b34a Blog: https://www.nursingschoolweekbyweek.com/blog/ Head over to the website and leave a voicemail (you might hear it on a future episode!) Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Send us a textMastering Electrolytes: Understanding Calcium and Magnesium in NursingIn this final installment of the Electrolytes series at Nursing School Week by Week, the focus is on calcium and magnesium. The role of calcium extends beyond strong bones to muscle contractions, nerve transmission, and blood clotting, while magnesium maintains muscle and nerve functions. Detailed signs of imbalances such as Chvostek's and Trousseau's signs for hypocalcemia and symptoms of hypercalcemia and hypermagnesemia are discussed. Practical case studies emphasize the critical application of lab values in real clinical scenarios. Key strategies for patient education and ways to handle electrolyte imbalances through diet, medication, and IV fluids are elaborated. The episode also provides tips from successful nursing students, stressing the importance of understanding the mechanisms behind electrolyte levels and continuous practice. The discussion concludes with real-life case scenarios for deeper insight into how imbalances impact patient care and the importance of vigilant nursing assessments.00:00 Introduction to the Final Electrolyte Series01:03 Understanding Calcium: Beyond Strong Bones03:52 Magnesium: The Unsung Hero of Electrolyte Balance06:11 Electrolyte Review Questions08:33 Life-Threatening Electrolyte Emergencies11:15 Diet and Electrolyte Balance17:32 Patient Education on Electrolytes24:11 Case Studies: Real-Life Electrolyte Imbalances32:06 Key Takeaways and ConclusionTry Picmonic for Free, or save 20% on a subscription with this link.Connect with me on: Instagram: @NursingSchoolWeekbyWeek YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nursingschoolweekbyweek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nursingschoolweekbyweek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nurse-melanie-88085b34a Blog: https://www.nursingschoolweekbyweek.com/blog/ Head over to the website and leave a voicemail (you might hear it on a future episode!) Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Send us a textMastering Potassium: Essential Knowledge for Life-Saving NursingIn this episode of Nursing School Week by Week, the focus is on the critical role of potassium in the body. The discussion includes the importance of potassium for heart function, recognizing the dangers of both hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) and hypokalemia (low potassium levels), as well as the symptoms and causes of these imbalances. Practical tips are provided on how to manage these conditions, including administering potassium supplements, monitoring heart rhythms, and understanding emergency treatments. Listeners will also benefit from a pod quiz testing their knowledge on essential points covered in the episode.00:00 Introduction to Potassium00:51 Understanding Potassium's Role in the Body02:11 Recognizing and Managing Hypokalemia06:10 Recognizing and Managing Hyperkalemia10:48 Potassium Quiz and Key Takeaways13:39 Conclusion and Next StepsTry Picmonic for Free, or save 20% on a subscription with this link.Connect with me on: Instagram: @NursingSchoolWeekbyWeek YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nursingschoolweekbyweek Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nursingschoolweekbyweek LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nurse-melanie-88085b34a Blog: https://www.nursingschoolweekbyweek.com/blog/ Head over to the website and leave a voicemail (you might hear it on a future episode!) Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode!