Introducing the Neuro Nurse Crash Course from FreshRN®
The online course for motivated nurses new to neuro who desire straight-forward and practical education they can apply at their very next shift on a neuro floor or neurocritical care unit

With the FreshRN® Neuro Nurse Crash Course, you’ll learn:
- How to perform a flawless neuro assessment on both conscious and unconscious neurologically compromised patients – with video examples! [Neuro Assessments section]
- The difference between primary and secondary injury, how to detect neurological decline, and how to communicate it in an educated and concise manner to neurologists, neurosurgeons, neurointensivists, and advanced practice providers [Communicating Assessment Findings module, Primary and Secondary Injuries section]
- The most common neuro disease processes like ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, subdural and epidural hematomas, subarachnoid hemorrhages, intraventricular hemorrhages, hydrocephalus, seizures, and tumors broken down so that you can truly understand them – and educate others [Brain Injuries module]
- What is really happening with brain death testing and organ procurement, and your role as the primary nurse [Organ Donation and Procurement modules]
- Why it is imperative to know your neuro patient’s sodium levels and how to safely correct them [It’s All About the Salt section]
- What to expect from your orientation into a neuro nursing unit and how to optimize it so you can begin to work as autonomously as quickly as possible [Neuro Orientation module]
- How to receive nursing report like a pro, know what questions to ask, and what red flags to watch out for [Neuro Report modules]
- How to give a flawless neuro nursing report and sound like a highly experienced neuro nurse [Neuro Report modules]
- How to detect subtle neuro changes, communicate them to providers, and document accurately [Communicating Assessment Findings module, Documenting Assessment Findings module, Noticing Subtle Neuro Changes module]
- How to manage your time and get things done in a busy neuro nursing unit [Time Management modules]
- The must-know information on top neuro meds, explained in plain English [Medications module]
Course Curriculum
Neuro Nurse Crash Course
Introduction
Goals & Objectives of the Course (1:45)
Disclosures and Disclaimers
Kati Kleber, MSN RN CCRN-K
Melissa Stafford, BSN RN CCRN SCRN
Abbreviated Neuro Anatomy
Circulatory System of the Brain
Lobes of the Brain
Intracranial Pressure (ICP)
Cerebral Perfusion Pressure (CPP)
Neuro Disease Processes
Brain Injuries
Spine Injuries
Infections
Neuro Degenerative Disorders
Primary and Secondary Injury
Definitions
Prevention (8:02)
Causes
Treatments
It’s All About the Salt
Why Sodium is Crucial
Symptoms of Hypernatremia and Hyponatremia
Patient Examples
Salt Syndromes
Treatment of Sodium Imbalances
Neuro Orientation
What to Expect
Practical Preparedness
Nursing Report
Neuro Report
Utilizing the Medical Record
Example Floor Patient Report (3:56)
Example Neuro ICU Report (11:33)
The Neuro Assessment
Why it’s Crucial & General Tips
Noticing Subtle Neuro Changes (10:06)
Conscious Neuro ICU Patient Assessment (24:48)
Unconscious Neuro ICU Patient Assessment (28:27)
Neuro Floor Patient Considerations (10:55)
Communicating Assessment Findings
Documenting Assessment Findings
Time Management
ICU Patient Management (20:31)
Floor Patient Management
Medications
Drips
Neuro-Specific Meds
Central Lines (17:45)
Brain Death and Organ Donation
Definition of Brain Death
Organ Donation
Resources & References
Resources
References
Feedback & Contact
OPTIONAL: 5.0 Continuing Education Credits