Nursing School Week by Week

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Mastering the Head-to-Toe Physical Assessment in Nursing
Hey 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-Up
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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!)
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Mastering the ISBAR Method: How to Give a Clear, Confident Bedside Shift Report
Giving 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 Resources
Listen now and take the stress out of bedside shift reports! 🎙️
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Disclaimer: 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!

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Feeling 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 burnout
This 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 stick
And 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! 🎧
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Picmonic
An audiovisual system with unforgettable stories to help you remember EVERYTHING you need to know

Disclaimer: 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!

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Mastering Electrolytes: Understanding Calcium and Magnesium in Nursing

In 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 Series
01:03 Understanding Calcium: Beyond Strong Bones
03:52 Magnesium: The Unsung Hero of Electrolyte Balance
06:11 Electrolyte Review Questions
08:33 Life-Threatening Electrolyte Emergencies
11:15 Diet and Electrolyte Balance
17:32 Patient Education on Electrolytes
24:11 Case Studies: Real-Life Electrolyte Imbalances
32:06 Key Takeaways and Conclusion
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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!

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Mastering Potassium: Essential Knowledge for Life-Saving Nursing

In 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 Potassium
00:51 Understanding Potassium's Role in the Body
02:11 Recognizing and Managing Hypokalemia
06:10 Recognizing and Managing Hyperkalemia
10:48 Potassium Quiz and Key Takeaways
13:39 Conclusion and Next Steps
Try 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!