As future nurses, interpreting results like Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) is more than just checking for high or low numbers; it’s about understanding the patient’s fluid status, organ function, and potential risk factors. What Does BUN Mean in Laboratory Testing? The BUN test measures the amount of urea nitrogen circulating in the blood. To interpret … Read more
Medication administration is arguably the most frequent and highest-risk task performed by nurses in most clinical settings. With hundreds of thousands of patients hospitalized annually due to medical errors, medication administration demands unwavering focus. The Six Rights of Medication Administration are designed to minimize errors and are often among the first things nursing students learn. … Read more
You walk into a patient’s room and they tell you, “My pain medicine isn’t working anymore.” Relying solely on a simple numeric rating (like “7/10”) is insufficient. To understand the full clinical picture and intervene effectively, you’ll need to ask clarifying questions. A thorough pain assessment is one of the most critical responsibilities a nurse … Read more
For most nursing students, the first semester feels like being dropped into a foreign country with a new language and zero experience. However, for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), the terrain is already familiar. Your time performing direct patient care isn’t just a relevant job; it is, in fact, the most powerful tool and hidden curriculum … Read more
The role of the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is the backbone of patient care across the entire healthcare spectrum. CNAs are essential, providing compassionate, daily support that directly impacts patient well-being. Unfortunately, the demanding nature of the work often feels disproportionate to the paycheck. Earning your initial CNA certification after passing the exam opens the … Read more
The journey to becoming a registered nurse (RN) or a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a long, rigorous, and often expensive process. While nursing school curricula cover clinical theory and advanced skill training, they lack one crucial element: the raw reality of working directly with patients. This is where the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) role … Read more
As future nurses, safely administering intravenous (IV) fluids is one of your core responsibilities. It’s not enough to know which bag to hang; you must understand why you’re hanging it and, critically, how it will affect your patient. This interaction is governed by tonicity—the concentration of solutes (like sodium, dextrose, or chloride) in a solution … Read more
As future nurses, the words you use to describe a patient’s position, movement, injury, or mobility matter. Anatomical terminology isn’t just theory; it’s the universal language of healthcare. Getting the basics right (like the difference between flexion and extension) is critical for accurate documentation, interprofessional communication, and patient safety. This article will clarify the fundamental … Read more
Moving can be stressful enough without worrying about your career certification. For Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), transferring your license to a new state is a manageable process, but it requires careful attention to detail. This process is commonly referred to as reciprocity or endorsement. While nearly all states offer a pathway for out-of-state CNAs, the … Read more
Starting a career in healthcare often means choosing an entry-level role. For students and career changers eager to make an immediate impact, consider these two essential roles: Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and Medical Assistant (MA). While both offer vital support within the medical ecosystem, their paths diverge significantly in terms of daily responsibilities, required training, … Read more