In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, host Dr. Morgan Taylor sits down with Hiva Kaz, Director of Advanced Practice, to unpack what advocacy really means for nurses—and why it all starts with self-advocacy.

Advocacy can feel overwhelming, especially when it gets tangled up with politics and policy. But before you can advocate for the profession, you have to be able to advocate for yourself. Morgan and Hiva get candid about nursing's culture of self-sacrifice, why burnout is driving nurses from the bedside, and how small, everyday actions build the foundation for bigger change.

What we cover:

• Why self-advocacy is the starting point for all advocacy
• The problem with treating nursing as "just a calling"
• Meeting your basic needs as a form of self-advocacy
• How to speak up on your unit—and do it constructively
• Bringing solutions (and administrator language) to the table
• Asking the right questions in job interviews to find a healthy culture
• Knowing when to stay, advocate, and when it's okay to walk away

Whether you're a student about to graduate, a new grad at the bedside, or an experienced nurse looking for change, this conversation will leave you with practical, doable steps to advocate for yourself and your patients.

Ready for nursing to be fun? Give us 15 minutes and we'll make one complicated topic easy.

Archer Nursing has you covered through nursing school, the NCLEX, and beyond with on-demand video lectures, high-yield question banks, live case study reviews, and more.

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#NursingAdvocacy #SelfAdvocacy #NurseBurnout #NewGradNurse #NursingCareer #ArcherNursing

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the most urgent maternal emergencies every nursing student needs to recognize. In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down the pathophysiology behind postpartum hemorrhage, the most common causes, and the priority nursing interventions you need to know for the NCLEX and clinical practice. 

Through a real-life clinical story from her very first nursing shift, Morgan walks you through how to identify uterine atony, recognize early signs of hemorrhage, and prioritize lifesaving nursing actions.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• What postpartum hemorrhage is and why it happens
• The "4 Ts" of postpartum hemorrhage
• Why uterine atony is the leading cause of PPH
• How to assess a boggy fundus and what it means
• The priority nursing interventions for postpartum hemorrhage
• When to perform fundal massage
• The role of oxytocin (Pitocin) and other uterotonic medications
• Why an empty bladder matters after delivery
• How to recognize signs of hypovolemic shock
• NCLEX-style prioritization strategies for maternal-newborn nursing

Whether you're preparing for the NCLEX, studying maternal-newborn nursing, or reviewing postpartum emergencies before clinicals, this episode simplifies a high-yield topic into practical concepts you'll remember.

📚 Prepare for nursing school & the NCLEX with Archer Nursing:
https://nurses.archerreview.com

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• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archernursing
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Timestamps
00:00 Introduction & NCLEX Practice Question
02:10 Understanding normal postpartum physiology
05:20 The 4 Ts of postpartum hemorrhage
09:10 Uterine atony explained
12:30 Why bladder distention matters
15:15 Real-life postpartum hemorrhage case study
23:45 Priority nursing interventions
29:30 Oxytocin, uterotonics & medication review
36:15 When hemorrhage doesn't stop
42:20 NCLEX practice question breakdown
46:10 Key takeaways

#NCLEX #PostpartumHemorrhage #MaternalNewbornNursing #NursingSchool #NursingStudent #OBNursing #ArcherNursing #NCLEXPrep

What should a nurse do when a client taking haloperidol suddenly develops a high fever, severe muscle rigidity, confusion, and profuse sweating?

In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a rare but life-threatening reaction associated with antipsychotic medications.

Learn how to recognize:

• High fever and lead-pipe muscle rigidity
• Tachycardia, hypertension, and diaphoresis
• The difference between NMS and serotonin syndrome
• Complications such as rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury
• Priority nursing interventions and emergency treatment

Test your knowledge with an NCLEX-style practice question and learn why immediately holding the antipsychotic medication and notifying the provider is the priority action.

Explore nursing resources, NCLEX preparation, question banks, video lectures, and live case study reviews at:
https://www.archerreview.com

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#NeurolepticMalignantSyndrome #NCLEXReview #NursingSchool #NursingStudents #ArcherNursing

A painful rash after starting a new medication should never be ignored.

In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, Dr. Morgan Taylor explains how to recognize Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, why it is a medical emergency, and which nursing action takes priority.

Test your knowledge with the practice question, then learn the clinical clues that can help you identify this life-threatening reaction.

#ArcherNursing #PulseCheckPodcast #NCLEXPrep #NursingStudents #NursingEducation

Nursing careers do not always follow a straight path, and that is completely okay.

In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, Dr. Morgan Taylor sits down with Lauren, founder and CEO of Scrub Life Notes, to discuss her journey from ICU nurse to family nurse practitioner to nursing educator and entrepreneur.

They explore how bedside nursing builds valuable skills in leadership, communication, education, adaptability, and problem-solving. Lauren also shares advice for new nurses, the importance of following your curiosity, and why stepping away from the bedside does not mean leaving nursing behind.

For more nursing education, NCLEX prep, and study resources, visit archerreview.com and follow @ArcherNursing.

#NursingCareer #NewGradNurse #NursingEducation #NurseEntrepreneur #ArcherNursing

RA vs. OA: Can you tell the difference? 🦴This week on Pulse Check, we're breaking down Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Osteoarthritis — the anatomy, the causes, the hallmark signs, and how treatment differs for each. From morning stiffness clues to classic joint deformities, we'll help you nail this comparison for clinicals, NCLEX, and beyond.🩺 What you'll learn:The anatomy of a healthy jointWhy OA is mechanical wear-and-tear vs. RA's autoimmune attackKey differentiators: morning stiffness, symmetry, warmth, and deformitiesTreatment approaches for each (DMARDs vs. NSAIDs/PT)Connect with us! 📸 Instagram: @archernursing 📘 Facebook: Archer NCLEX Review 🎵 TikTok: @archernursing ▶️ YouTube: Archer Review NCLEX, USMLE, TEAS7, and FNPVisit Archer Review: archerreview.com#NursingSchool #NCLEX

In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down serotonin syndrome in a clear, NCLEX-focused way. You’ll learn how too much serotonin affects the body, which medications can increase risk, and what symptoms nurses should recognize quickly, including fever, tachycardia, tremors, hyperreflexia, and agitation.

Morgan walks through a case study involving an SSRI and tramadol, explains why medication history matters, and reviews priority nursing actions, including holding serotonergic medications, notifying the provider, starting supportive care, cooling the patient, and monitoring for complications like rhabdomyolysis.

If serotonin syndrome feels confusing, this episode will help you connect the pathophysiology, clinical signs, and NCLEX-style priorities in a way that actually sticks.

In this episode, Dr. Morgan Taylor breaks down neonatal abstinence syndrome, including why withdrawal happens after birth, what symptoms nurses should watch for, and why low-stimulation care, swaddling, small frequent feeds, skin protection, and parent education are so important.

You’ll also walk through a practice question and learn why the priority nursing action is to swaddle the newborn and reduce noise and light.

Watch now and make this tough concept easier to understand.

#ArcherNursing #PulseCheck #NursingSchool #NursingStudent #NCLEXPrep #NeonatalAbstinenceSyndrome #NAS #MaternalNewbornNursing #PediatricsNursing #NursingEducation

Third-trimester bleeding can point to very different clinical pictures, and in this episode, we’re breaking down two major causes: placenta previa and placental abruption.

Dr. Morgan Taylor explains how to tell the difference between painless, bright red bleeding with a soft uterus in placenta previa and painful, dark red bleeding with a rigid “board-like” uterus and fetal distress in placental abruption. You’ll review the pathophysiology, key assessment findings, fetal heart rate concerns, and priority nursing interventions for each condition.

We’ll also work through an NCLEX-style practice question so you can apply the differences with confidence on exams and in clinical practice.

Follow Archer Pulse Check for more nursing school, NCLEX, and clinical judgment support.

Your first year as a nurse is challenging, emotional, and full of learning — but you are not alone.In this episode of Pulse Check with Archer Nursing, Morgan is joined by Tiffany to talk honestly about what it’s like to be a new grad nurse. They share what they wish they knew during their first year, including why it’s okay not to know everything, how to use your resources, why asking questions makes you safer, and how mistakes can become powerful learning moments.You’ll also hear practical advice on finding support, building confidence one shift at a time, taking care of yourself, and remembering that nursing is hard — but worth it.Perfect for nursing students, new grad nurses, and anyone preparing to enter the nursing workforce.Find everything Archer Review has to offer: ⁠⁠archerreview.link/PulseCheck⁠⁠ Use code PULSECHECK10 - an exclusive discount just for our listeners! Connect with us! 📸 Instagram: @archernursing 📘 Facebook: Archer NCLEX Review 🎵 TikTok: @archernursing ▶️ YouTube: Archer Review NCLEX, USMLE, TEAS7, and FNP#NewGradNurse #NursingSchool #NurseLife #ArcherNursing