Episodes

The emergency severity index, or ESI, is meant to swiftly triage patients based on urgency and resource needs. In this episode emergency nurse, Kevin MacFarlane, shares his techniques for determining ESI scores, from identify...

Sedation and delirium can derail even the strongest patient’s recovery in the ICU – but spontaneous awakening trials (SATs) can empower nurses to get ahead of this vicious cycle. In this candid episode, I pick the brain of Kali Dayton, …

Proper sedation management is critical for improving outcomes, yet studies show a widespread problem of inaccurate Richmond Agitation-Sedation Score (RASS) assessments by nurses. In this revealing episode, Kali Dayton DNP, shares her technique to accurately and objectively measure the RASS …

Ever wonder what goes on behind the operating room doors? In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the fascinating world of anesthesia and surgery. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists Tanner and Cole from the Core Anesthesia podcast provide an …

We all know that staying in bed increases the risk of pressure injuries and DVTs. But the adverse effects of immobilization go far beyond those basics. In this eye-opening episode, Margaret Arnold, PT pulls back the curtain on the rapid …

In this episode Tim Madeira, cardiothoracic DNP, provides an overview of the primary heart valve diseases. He expertly guides us through the complex physiological processes underlying conditions like stenosis and valve regurgitation arising from congenital abnormalities, calcifications, infective endocarditis, and …

Listen in as I chat with Philip Gonzalez, a critical care occupational therapist. He will help us de-mystify the philosophy of occupational therapy, discuss how nurses cane help their patients make the most of their therapy sessions, and introduce us …

Understanding Diltiazem is an important part of your cardiac skillset. It’s indications range from blood pressure management, long term stable angina, to it’s mainstay in the hospital setting: acute rate control of arrhythmias with rapid ventricular rates. This episode will …

In this episode, I’ll give you the inside scoop on amiodarone so you can truly grasp why it is *the* most prescribed antiarrhythmic medication. We’ll unpack its unique mechanism of action that makes it so effective, share a real-world case …

Do you want to enhance your understanding and effectively use atropine in the treatment of bradycardia? Starting with atropine’s mechanism of action, we will explore its proper use for symptomatic bradycardia, including it’s important contraindications. We’ll also cover some of …

Part one of our cardiac medication mini-series spotlights Milrinone. We’ll unpack milrinone’s mechanism of action, indications, and potential pitfalls. This high-value overview distills need-to-know details about milrinone for seasoned critical care nurses and students alike.

When I found myself struggling to communicate a patient’s HIV status during a rapid response, it was a wake-up call that I needed to expand my knowledge. This podcast episodes delves deeper into HIV/AIDS than nursing school did, covering common …

We often draw blood gasses looking for an ACIDosis, but what about when you discover an ALKAlosis? In this episode, I share a story of a patient with a history of CHF, admitted for diuresis. She was initially improving but …

In nursing, we’re taught certain conventions in school. But what happens when those practices don’t match up with real-life situations? Join me as we delve into the controversial topics of administering medication one-by-one through feeding tubes, the presence of air …

Dive into the world of trauma nursing from the FAST exam, to the operating room and subsequent inpatient care. Michelle Dedeo, trauma and neuro clinical nurse specialist, explains key trauma concepts such as the trauma assessment, the triad of death, …

Have you ever wondered what float pool nursing is like? These nurses fill staffing gaps throughout various units in the hospital, meaning no two days are the same. Listen in as I discuss what float pool nursing is, it’s pros …

As nurses, we are trained to be on high alert for sepsis, but don’t be fooled! This episode covers sepsis imposters: the sneaky diagnoses that present similarly to sepsis but could prove deadly if misdiagnosed. Follow along as Dawn Carpenter, …

Have you noticed that your patients are being prescribed SGLT-2 inhibitors, even if they don’t have diabetes? If your patient asked, would you be able to explain why they are taking an SGLT-2 inhibitor? Listen in to learn about how …

When fluid resuscitating a hypotensive patients, how do you know when to continue with IV fluids and when to initiate vasopressors? In this episode, critical care teaching legend Nicole Kupchik, RN MSN CNS, shares evidence-based practices for determining the best …

In this episode, Sarah Wells from New Thing Nurse will dive deep into the many types of nursing positions that exist for those nurses who desire to move away from the bedside. We will specifically look at those career options …

In this episode, Nurse Mo from the Straight A Nursing will delve into pancreatitis – its definition, causes, pathophysiology, and its impact on various systems of the body despite being categorized as a gastrointestinal condition. Additionally, we will discuss significant …

Tune your delirium radar and add some extra tools in your tool belt to get your delirious patient back on the rails. To help navigate us through the crazy train of delirium in the ED, Kevin and Lisa from the …

In anticipation of the upcoming Nurses’ PodCrawl about Delirium, I am re-releasing one of my most impactful episodes of all time with thought leader, Kali Dayton. Propofol and Ativan are a nurses best friend, right? WRONG. Kali Dayton, RN, DNP …

On this episode, I will share with you the secret sauce of a prolific nursing career. It touches education, evidence-based practice, staying up to date, networking, and “recharging your batteries”. This episode is about nursing conferences, like the American Association …