ENCORE! #290: The #1 Mistake New Grad Nurses Make

ENCORE! #290: The #1 Mistake New Grad Nurses Make

Author: Maureen Osuna, MSN, RN - Nursing school educator, author, and nursing student enthusiast. October 21, 2025 Duration: 31:52
You’ve survived nursing school, passed the NCLEX, and landed your first job, but being a new grad nurse comes with its own unique set of challenges. In this encore episode, I’m joined by my nurse bestie and incredible educator, Stephanie Griffeth, to talk about the number one mistake new grad nurses make — and what to do instead. (Spoiler alert: It’s not about charting, IVs, or time management.) In this episode, you’ll learn: ✨ What this common mistake looks like in real-world practice 💬 How to shift your mindset from self-doubt to self-trust 🧠 The key to turning every shift (even the tough ones) into growth 💪 Practical ways to build confidence as you transition from student to nurse And because confidence is so important, you’re invited to check out a sneak peek inside Confident Nurse Academy 2.0 — a CE-approved roadmap for new and early-career nurses who want to finally feel calm, capable, and in control. 🎥 Watch the sneak peek video here You’ll see exactly how CNA helps you build clinical judgment, manage your shifts, and step into the confident nurse you’re meant to be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maureen Osuna, known to many as Nurse Mo, brings her experience as a nursing school educator and her genuine enthusiasm for student success to every episode of Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX. She understands that feeling of sitting in a lecture where the concepts just aren't clicking, or the overwhelm that comes from a mountain of complex material. That's precisely where this podcast steps in. Maureen dedicates each session to breaking down those challenging nursing school topics-from pharmacology to pathophysiology-into clear, manageable explanations that actually stick. You'll hear practical strategies for studying more effectively, not just harder, with the direct goal of performing better on your course exams and ultimately, the NCLEX. It's about building a foundation of real understanding that translates directly to clinical confidence, so you can move from anxiety to assurance at the bedside. Tune in for a supportive, expert-guided resource that feels like having a knowledgeable mentor right in your ear, helping you navigate the demanding journey of nursing education one clear concept at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX
Podcast Episodes
ENCORE! #336: The Dangers of Local Anesthetics [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:00
Every other week I'm republishing one of my most popular or impactful episodes. This week I'm highlighting Episode 336, which is all about local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST). You'll definitely want to give this on…
#459: PodQuiz - Neuraxial Analgesia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:07
It’s PodQuiz Monday! Test your knowledge from last week’s episode with a quick set of audio flashcards designed to reinforce what you learned. These mini-reviews are a great way to study on the go, and they give you a ta…
#458: Nursing Guide to Neuraxial Analgesia [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:22
Neuraxial analgesia is used every day in med–surg, orthopedics, OB, and PACU settings. Understanding how these blocks work, what medications are used, and how to assess patients as the block takes effect (and wears off)…
ENCORE! #83: Ventilators for Nursing Students [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:52
Every other week I'm republishing one of my most popular or impactful episodes and adding an update, new insight, or context that will help you benefit from it even more. This week I'm highlighting Episode 83, which is a…
#457: MMM - Low Sorb Tubing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:20
Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, low-sorb tubing takes the stage. I'll review what it is, why it matters, and which medications req…
#456: Nurse’s Guide to Cardiac Stress Tests [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:33
Cardiac stress tests are utilized to show how the heart performs under pressure, whether that’s from a walking on a treadmill or from a stress-inducing medication. In this episode, I share the key things a nurse needs to…
#455: MMM - Early Signs of Hypovolemic Shock [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:36
Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, I'm talking about something every nurse needs to be able to recognize quickly: the early signs of…
ENCORE! #59: The Nurse's Guide to DVTs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:48
Every other week I'm republishing one of my most popular or impactful episodes and adding an update, new insight, or context that will help you benefit from it even more. This week I'm highlighting Episode 59, the nurse'…
#454: MMM - Central vs Peripheral Cyanosis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:08
Let's start your week strong with a quick tip you can incorporate right away. In this Mo's Monday Minute shortie episode, I'm talking about the the difference between central and peripheral cyanosis. Not all cyanosis is…
#453: Four Things to Fear About NSAIDs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:22
NSAIDs are everywhere, and for good reason. They’re incredibly effective at reducing inflammation and pain, managing fever, and even reducing cardiovascular risk. But while NSAIDs definitely have some great uses, they’re…