The Vet Nurse Hacker Podcast

• Ep10: Surfing C02 Waves: How to Spot Shark Fin and The Leak on a Capnograph

  Surfing the CO₂ Waves: How to Spot Shark Fin & The Leak on a Capnograph 🎧 Vet Nurse Hacker Podcast – Episode 10Capnography isn’t just a bunch of squiggly lines — it’s your patient’s ventilation story, written in real time.And in this episode, we’re zeroing in on two triangle-shaped waveforms that can trip you up if you don’t know what you’re looking at: The Shark Fin and The Leak.You’ll learn:🐟 The Shark Fin – What it means when your capnograph slopes up during exhalation (hint: it’s an outflow resistance problem), what causes it in vet patients, and exactly how to troubleshoot it before things get hairy.🎈 The Leak – How to spot that right-sloping triangle that says gas is sneaking out where it shouldn’t, the most common culprits in practice, and the fast checks that can fix it before your patient’s ventilation or airway protection is compromised. 🧠 Memory hacks so you can instantly recognise which triangle you’re looking at, even under pressure.🛠 Real-life scenarios from the treatment room so you can see these waveforms in action — from cats with deflating cuffs mid-dental, to Yorkies with airway collapse. Whether you’re new to anaesthesia monitoring or you’ve been staring at capnographs for years, this episode will make sure you never mix up these two lookalikes again — and that you know exactly what to do when you spot them.📎 Resources & Extras:Visual waveform cheat sheet (Shark Fin vs. Leak)Quick-reference nurse action checklist for both waveformsLinks to more capnography deep dives from trusted veterinary sources💬 Have you spotted a Shark Fin or a Leak in one of your patients? Share your story and tag me — I love hearing how you’re putting these skills into action.@vickythevetnurse@vetnursehacker

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• Ep 9: Ask Me Anything: Vet Nurse Hacker Confessions

  🎧 Vet Nurse Hacker — Ask Me Anything: Vet Nurse Hacker Confessions Host: Vicky, VTS (Nutrition)Episode Type: Solo AMA (Ask Me Anything)🩺 Episode Overview: In this raw and real AMA-style episode, Victoria answers the juiciest questions she's received from vet nurses across the profession. From clinical confidence to imposter syndrome, burnout to boundaries, and everything in between — this episode is a vulnerable deep-dive into what it really means to be a vet nurse in 2025. If you've ever asked yourself, “Is there more to this career?” — this episode is your sign that yes, there is. So grab a cuppa and let’s unpack the heart, hustle, and hidden truths of vet nursing.🔥 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:The #1 Clinical Skill Every Nurse Should Master (Spoiler: It’s Not Intubation)Why Victoria believes VTS titles are absolutely worth itThe hardest case she’s ever worked on — and how it shaped her foreverThe two things she’d change about how nurses are treated in clinic (utilization + pay!)Real talk about quitting, staying, and questioning your place in the professionHow she rebuilt her career after hitting rock bottomThe truth about burnout — how sneaky it is, and how you might not even know you're in itHer hot take on resilience training (aka: stop giving us more PowerPoints while we drown)Why rest is a boundary, not a rewardHer journey with imposter syndrome as a specialist — and how she pushes through itWhat a typical day looks like now as a business owner and locum nurseHer advice to any vet nurse thinking about walking away💡 Key Takeaways:Advocacy is a clinical skill — and your voice matters.You can absolutely step away from vet nursing and come back stronger.Burnout is preventable, but only if we start recognizing it and supporting each other.There is a future for vet nurses who want more — in leadership, business, education, product development, coaching, and beyond.You’re not stuck. You’re expanding. That’s worth celebrating.🧠 Resources Mentioned:🌟 Uncage Me: The Radical Reset for the Human Behind the HealerAn emotional reset course built specifically for vet nurses, techs, and vets.Normally $249 — get it for just $99 with the code vetnursehacker→ Uncage Me: RESET NOWLearn more about Uncage Me: The Radical Reset for the Human Behind the Healer Here!🎙️ Episode 5 — Claire Boyle’s Career Pivot to Life Coach🎧 A must-listen if you’re thinking about building a career beyond the clinic.🐾 Connect with VickyInstagram: @vickythevetnurseEmail: [email protected] or @vetnursehackerCompanion Animal Nutrition Service: cans.vetVetXIR (training + wellbeing): vetxir.com💬 Loved this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a vet nurse friend who needs to hear it. 💛

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• Ep 8: The Code Whisperer: ECC, Education and Empowerment with Megan Brashear

  In this powerhouse episode of The Vet Nurse Hacker Podcast, Vicky is joined by the legendary Megan Brashear, BS, RVT, VTS (ECC) — a veterinary technician specialist, international speaker, educator, and deeply respected leader in emergency and critical care. From baby Megan’s animal-obsessed beginnings to becoming one of the most recognisable voices in veterinary nursing education, this episode explores her journey, lessons learned, and why she believes ECC nurses are absolutely superheroes. Megan opens up about:The chaotic but exhilarating early days of ECCWhy mentorship, teamwork and emotional intelligence are non-negotiable in vet medHow she navigated burnout, leadership and major life changeWhat keeps her in love with ECC, even after two decadesWhy techs teaching techs is the legacy she's most passionate aboutHer favourite topics to teach (spoiler: bring on the acid-base nerds!)Packed with honesty, humour, real-life stories (including auto-transfusing blood in a white boxer at 3AM), and practical advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in the veterinary profession—especially those curious about ECC, leadership, or public speaking.💡 Topics Covered:Megan’s vet tech origin storyECC highs, heartbreaks, and what makes it magicalThe truth about burnout and working “invincible” shiftsThe transition from floor to education and leadershipTraining tips and in-the-moment learning in emergency settingsHer journey to becoming an international educator and speakerAdvice for vet nurses wanting to get into public speakingThe secret to longevity in vet med (hint: it involves peanut butter & good people)Rapid fire: scrub pocket surprises, chaotic shifts, theme songs & more🧠 Key Takeaway:“You can do this—you just may need to make a few changes. You don’t have to push so hard all the time. The knowledge will come. You’ll get there.” — Megan Brashear🔗 Connect with Megan:Catch Megan at upcoming conferences like VMX and IVECCS, or come say hi at her next international speaking engagement—she promises she actually loves talking to people, even as an introvert.Follow Vicky@vickythevetnurse and @vetnursehacker and learn more at www.vetxir.com

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• Ep 7: The Vet Nurse's Guide to Brave Conversations

  The Vet Nurse's Guide to Brave Conversations 🩺 Episode Summary: In this heartfelt episode of Vet Nurse Hacker, Vicky unpacks the emotional reality of having hard conversations in vet med—from asking for a break, to setting a boundary, to speaking up when something doesn’t feel right. If you’ve ever cried in your car after a shift or second-guessed your voice in the treatment room, this one’s for you. Vicky walks you through the emotional labour we carry as vet nurses, how that impacts our ability to speak up, and—most importantly—how to reclaim your voice without burning out or burning bridges. With practical tools like the SANE Method, grounding strategies, and easy-to-remember scripts, this episode is your go-to guide for building brave conversations that honour your humanity. 🧠 What You'll Learn: Why hard conversations feel unsafe (hint: it's not about confidence) How emotional labour affects our ability to advocate for ourselves The SANE Method to prepare what you want to say Scripts and phrases to hold your ground without conflict Nervous system regulation tools for before and after the convo How to reflect, reset, and reclaim your power—even if it felt messy 🛠️ Tools & Takeaways: SANE Method: Situation, Action, Need, Emotion Box breathing & grounding anchors Mantras to stay calm: “I am safe to speak. My needs matter.” Broken record technique for holding boundaries under pressure Reflection questions to build self-trust post-conversation 🧡 VetXIR + Uncage Me If this episode landed deep—if you’re ready to go from just surviving to showing up with confidence—explore VetXIR for in-clinic skill building, or join Uncage Me, the emotional reset course for the human behind the healer. 📱 Connect with Victoria: Instagram: @vickythevetnurse Podcast IG: @vetnursehacker Website: vetxir.com 💬 Listener Love: “If this episode resonated, or you're processing your own brave convo, DM me on IG or leave a voice note—I'd love to hold space for you.” 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with the vet nurse who needs to hear it.

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• Ep 6: Nailed It: How Vet Tech Alex Contreras Built KlipTrio From the Ground Up

  🎙️ Episode Title: Nailed It — How Vet Tech Alex Contreras Built KlipTrio From the Ground Up 🚨 Episode Highlights: In this inspiring episode of The Vet Nurse Hacker, Vicky is joined by veterinary technician, canine massage therapist, and entrepreneur Alex Contreras — the visionary creator behind KlipTrio, the world’s first 3-in-1 nail clipper with an integrated file and disposable styptic powder cartridge. Together, they dive into: Alex’s journey from vet tech to award-winning inventor The everyday clinic frustration that sparked KlipTrio’s creation How one traumatic nail trim became a lightbulb moment 💡 Why KlipTrio is a confidence-boosting must-have for every clinic and pet parent Alex’s bold leap into entrepreneurship and his all-in approach (yes, including a tattoo!) The launch of PetTrio Charity and his powerful mission to support both pets and the people who care for them 🔥 If you’ve ever cursed your way through a nail trim or dreamed of building something that solves a real clinical problem, this one will fire you up. Expect laughter, truth bombs, and a healthy dose of "you can do it too." 🛠️ What Is KlipTrio?KlipTrio is a patented 3-in-1 nail clipper designed by a vet tech for vet professionals and pet parents: Nail clipping, filing, and styptic application in one tool Hygienic, disposable styptic powder cartridges Built for speed, safety, and reducing patient (and human!) stress 💡 Spoiler alert: It's the tool you didn't know you needed until now. 🫶 Support the Mission Alex’s work doesn’t stop at innovation. Through PetTrio Charity, he's helping fund veterinary care for underserved communities, supporting vet tech education, and advocating for accessible pet healthcare. 👉 Follow and support: Website: www.kliptrio.com | www.pettriocharity.org Instagram: @kliptrio | @pettriocharity TikTok: @kliptrio 💬 Call to Action: Loved this episode? Show some love: Hit follow on your podcast app Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review Share it with a vet nurse or pet parent who hates nail trims 🧠 Bonus Mention: This episode is brought to you by Uncage Me — an 8-week radical reset for the human behind the healer. If you’re ready to ditch burnout and rediscover your joy in practice, check out the course via the show notes.Chapters 00:00Introduction to Innovation in Vet Med01:04Alex Contreras: A Journey from Passion to Purpose03:59The Importance of Veterinary Technicians06:47Finding Passion in Veterinary Dentistry09:19The Entrepreneurial Spirit: From Dogapy to ClipTrio11:58The Birth of ClipTrio: Addressing Pain Points in Nail Trimming14:56Designing ClipTrio: Features and Benefits17:37The Patent Journey: Overcoming Challenges21:32The Future of ClipTrio and Its Impact on Vet Med39:12The Journey of an Entrepreneur41:16Transforming Challenges into Opportunities43:59Navigating Aggressive Pets: A Case Study50:25Innovating with ClipTrio: A New Approach to Nail Trimming55:58Philanthropy and the Pet Trio Charity01:02:25Building a Community: The Human-Animal Bond01:05:47Time Management and Balancing Responsibilities01:08:33Protecting Your Energy and Space01:13:16Vision for the Future: Dreams and Aspirations01:20:26Embracing the Vet Nurse Journey01:20:26Overcoming Burnout in Veterinary Nursing

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