What is the Beers List of Medications? - ENCORE! #169

What is the Beers List of Medications? - ENCORE! #169

Author: Maureen Osuna, MSN, RN - Nursing school educator, author, and nursing student enthusiast. August 20, 2026 Duration: 31:06
The Beers Criteria, or Beers list, is a list of medications which are considered to be potentially harmful medications for individuals over 65 years old due to risks or side effects that outweigh the benefits.  In this episode, you'll learn: Beers criteria  Why this list matters Key medications you’ll see in the clinical setting Implications for your nursing practice. The Beers list is updated by the American Geriatrics Society every 3 years with the most recent version as of 8/2026 being from 2023. View the 2023 Beers list here. Pharmacology Success Pack - Want to get a head start on pharmacology? Download the FREE Pharmacology Success Pack and you'll have drug naming conventions, safe medication administration, unit conversions and reversal agents at your finger tips. Print them and put them in your clinical binder or keep them in your files at your phone so you can reference them any time.Fast Pharmacology - Learn pharmacology concepts in 5 minutes or less in this audio based program. Perfect for on-the-go review! Read the article "The Beers List Explained" and view references here. This is a throwback to episode 169 of the Straight A Nursing School Podcast, where nursing school help is at your fingertips with hundreds of episodes covering your journey from taking the TEAS through passing NCLEX and having success as a new-grad nurse.  💕Did you love this episode? Please take a moment to follow or subscribe to the show so you never miss an episode…and share with friends so you can help other nurses thrive!  ___________________ The information, including but not limited to, audio, video, text, and graphics contained on this podcast are for educational purposes only. No content on this podcast is intended to guide nursing practice and does not supersede any individual healthcare provider's scope of practice or any nursing school curriculum. Additionally, no content on this podcast is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Straight A Nursing is a proud member of the Airwave Media Network. 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: 50

Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX
Podcast Episodes
#496: MMM - What ETCO₂ Is Really Measuring [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:19
A common misconception is that ETCO₂ measures oxygen. It doesn't. Hit play to find out what ETCO₂ does measure, how it works, and why it's so valuable. ___________________ ⁠Nursing School Survival Blueprint⁠ - Feeling ov…
Pain Essentials for Nursing - ENCORE! #309 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:02
Understanding the key foundational concepts of pain is crucial as a nurse and I've got you covered in this episode. Press play to gain a deeper understanding of pain and pain management for nursing, including: types of p…
#495: MMM - Care Plan Pharmacology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:30
As a clinical instructor, I noticed that many new nursing students struggle with care plan pharmacology. In this episode, I'm addressing the key things your clinical instructor wants to see as your fill out your med work…
#494: 6 First Semester Nursing School Mistakes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:09
Over the years I've seen students struggle and students thrive, and what becomes clear pretty quickly is the students who struggle tend to repeat the same handful of mistakes. And the sneaky part? Most of them won’t feel…
Know These 8 Labs Before Your First Day of Clinical - ENCORE! #329 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:47
Want to start clinicals with more confidence? Walking in, already knowing these 8 common labs inside and out will definitely give you an edge when it comes to interpreting your patients lab results and understanding impo…
#492: MMM - Why Low Albumin Causes Edema [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:06
If you've ever wondered why your patients with low albumin also have edema, hit play and I'll explain. You'll see that the "why" behind this connection makes total sense and it will stick with you forever. This is a quic…
#491: The Overstudying Trap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:17
If you can relate to feeling like your mind has blanked while you're taking your nursing school exams despite studying all weekend going through your notes, rewatching lectures, and rewriting your study guides, I'd bet t…
#490: MMM - BUN:Cr ratio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:51
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 breaking down the BUN-to-creatinine ratio and why nurses look at them together. See you there!…
ENCORE! #267: 7 Things to Know Before Starting Clinicals [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:46
Every other week I republish one of my most popular or impactful episodes from my backlog of over 450 episodes. This week I'm throwing it back to episode 267 and talking about what to know before you start clinicals. The…