The Vet Nurse Hacker Podcast

Victoria Koks
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Welcome to the Vet Nurse Hacker Podcast, your go-to source for all things veterinary nursing! Dive into the vibrant world of veterinary life with Vicky as she uncovers the secrets, tips, and hacks that you won't find in any textbook. From heartwarming stories to practical advice, we explore the highs and lows of being a vet nurse. Whether you're looking for motivation, education, or a good laugh, this podcast is here to inspire, inform, and entertain. Tune in and discover how to elevate your career and make the most out of your journey in veterinary nursing!

  1. The Hidden Burden: Chronic Illness in the Veterinary Profession | Ep15

    10/20/2025

    The Hidden Burden: Chronic Illness in the Veterinary Profession | Ep15

    The Hidden Burden: Chronic Illness in the Veterinary Profession Five years of constant pain, fifteen years of chronic illness, and what it’s really like to work behind the scrubs when your body won’t play along. 💬 What does it mean to work in a profession built on care when your own body won’t cooperate? In this deeply personal and powerful episode, Vicky opens up about living with hemicrania continua — a rare, constant migraine condition — and fifteen years of navigating chronic illness as a veterinary nurse. She explores the invisible reality faced by so many veterinary professionals, sharing the latest research, practical ways to support yourself and your team, and an unfiltered look at what real strength actually means in our profession. Whether you’re living with a chronic condition yourself or simply want to better understand your colleagues, this episode is a love letter to the quiet resilience that keeps veterinary medicine running. 🕓 Timestamps / Chapter Guide 0:00 – Welcome back + Vet Nurse Day reflection 2:25 – Imagine living with pain until 2030 4:00 – The day the migraine started 6:30 – Two and a half years to diagnosis: the long road to Hemicrania Continua 9:00 – Managing the unmanageable 11:45 – The invisible workforce: chronic illness in the vet profession 20:10 – Supporting yourself at work when your body won’t play along 27:15 – How to support a teammate living with chronic illness 33:45 – Redefining strength + why “pushing through” isn’t the goal 37:00 – The Hidden Burden survey: why your story matters 40:15 – What chronic illness has really taught me 44:30 – A message for anyone living with something invisible 44:00 – A message for anyone living with something invisible 💌 If this episode resonated with you, please take a few minutes to share your experience in The Hidden Burden: Chronic Illness in the Veterinary Profession survey. Your voice matters — and every response helps create a more compassionate, inclusive profession for those living and working with chronic illness. 🧠 Take the survey here: https://forms.gle/XwNPHumqBK6L2hFo9  Follow Vicky on Instagram @vickythevetnurse for behind-the-scenes stories, survey updates, and upcoming episodes of The Vet Nurse Hacker. 🐾Follow @vetnursehacker for updates on upcoming episodes and exclusive podcast content! 💬 “You don't need to be pain free or symptom free or have everything figured out to still be amazing at what you do.”  This week on The Vet Nurse Hacker, I’m sharing something deeply personal — five years of constant migraine and fifteen years of chronic illness. This episode is for every vet nurse, vet, and student who keeps showing up when it hurts — for everyone who’s ever felt invisible behind the scrubs. 🎧 Listen now: The Hidden Burden: Chronic Illness in the Veterinary Profession 💌 Take the survey: https://forms.gle/PHE9MJuYYgPRetMm9

    29 min
  2. Ticked Off: Inside The Ehrlichiosis Epidemic With Dr. Peter Irwin - Part 2 | Ep14

    09/22/2025

    Ticked Off: Inside The Ehrlichiosis Epidemic With Dr. Peter Irwin - Part 2 | Ep14

    Ticked Off: Inside The Ehrlichiosis Epidemic With Dr. Peter Irwin - Part 2 📄 Episode Show Notes In Part 1 of this series, Dr Liisa Ahlstrom helped us understand what ehrlichiosis is, where it’s spreading across Australia, and why prevention is so different from paralysis tick disease. In this episode, we take the next step with Professor Peter Irwin, internal medicine specialist and one of Australia’s leading experts on vector-borne disease in dogs. Peter was directly involved in the very first confirmed cases of ehrlichiosis in the Northern Territory back in 2020, and he brings decades of experience in research, teaching, and clinical medicine. We dive into: 🩸 Why Peter ranks ehrlichiosis among the top three most serious canine diseases worldwide🔬 The pathophysiology of Ehrlichia canis — how it causes widespread inflammation, immune complex disease, and systemic illness📈 The phases of disease (acute, subclinical, chronic) and how dogs present in each stage🧪 Key diagnostic clues for nurses to watch for on CBCs, blood smears, and biochemistry⚖️ Differentials and co-infections — when babesiosis or anaplasmosis might also be at play💉 Treatment pearls: doxycycline, supportive nursing care, blood transfusion considerations, and the controversy around corticosteroid use🏥 Surgical implications in endemic regions — pre-anaesthetic platelet checks and monitoring for delayed bleeding🐾 Ehrlichiosis in cats — what’s known, what’s theoretical, and what to watch forBetween Part 1 and Part 2, you now have the full ehrlichiosis picture:  from prevention and epidemiology to the clinic floor and patient care. 🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode Australian Government DAFF ehrlichiosis resourcesFourie et al. 2013 – Transmission within 3 hours of tick biteStanneck & Fourie 2013 – Seresto preventing E. canis transmissionJongejan et al. 2016 – Comparing repellents vs systemic tick products💬 If this episode gave you a lightbulb moment, share it with your clinic team or tag me on Instagram @vetnursehacker or @vickythevetnurse. Your feedback and stories help keep this community strong.

    48 min
  3. Ticked Off: The Ehrlichiosis Episode with Dr. Liisa Ahlstrom | Ep13

    09/14/2025

    Ticked Off: The Ehrlichiosis Episode with Dr. Liisa Ahlstrom | Ep13

    Ticked Off: The Ehrlichiosis Episode with Dr. Liisa Ahlstrom Ehrlichiosis is here—and it’s not your usual paralysis tick story. In this warm, technical chat with Dr Liisa Ahlstrom, technical vet at Elanco for Seresto, we break down what ehrlichiosis is, where it’s showing up across Australia, and why prevention looks different when transmission can occur in as little as three hours. This is Part 1 (the what/where/prevention); Part 2 brings Prof. Peter Irwin for diagnostics, differentials, and nursing care. 📄 Episode Show Notes Most of us on the east coast know the paralysis tick all too well — but did you know there’s another tick-borne disease spreading across Australia that looks completely different? In this episode of the Vet Nurse Hacker podcast, I’m joined by Dr Liisa Ahlstrom, technical vet at Elanco for Seresto, to shine a light on ehrlichiosis. We unpack: ✅ What ehrlichiosis actually is (and how to pronounce it without tripping over your tongue)✅ The difference between the brown dog tick and the paralysis tick — and how their diseases show up so differently in patients✅ Why prevention for ehrlichiosis is a whole new ball game, with transmission happening in as little as three hours✅ How this disease arrived in Australia, where it’s spreading, and what that means for clinics everywhere✅ Key myth-busts and takeaways for vet nurses, techs, and vets on the frontlinesThis is part one of a two-part ehrlichiosis series. Today we set the scene with the what, where, and how to prevent it. In part two, I’ll be joined by Professor Peter Irwin for the clinical deep dive into diagnostics, differentials, and nursing care. If you’ve ever pulled a brown dog tick off a patient and thought “phew, at least it’s not a paralysis tick” — this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. 🔗 Resources mentioned in this episode (Links Coming Upon Upload!) Australian Government (DAFF) ehrlichiosis resources: Ehrlichiosis in dogs – information for clinics, owners, and rescuesFourie et al. 2013 – Disease transmission within 3 hours of tick bite: Vet Parasitol. 197:595–603Stanneck & Fourie 2013 – Seresto preventing Ehrlichia canis transmission: Parasitol Res. 112:S21–S32Jongejan et al. 2016 – Comparing repellent vs systemic tick products for ehrlichiosis prevention: Parasit Vectors. 9:348💬 Got a question, case story, or lightbulb moment from this episode? I’d love to hear it — DM me on Instagram @vetnursehacker or @vickythevetnurse, or email me at vetnursehacker@gmail.com.

    42 min
  4. Beransa Backlash: Sorting Science from Speculation with Babs Tasker | Ep12

    08/31/2025

    Beransa Backlash: Sorting Science from Speculation with Babs Tasker | Ep12

    Beransa Backlash: Sorting Science from Speculation Guest: Babs Tasker, Emergency & Critical Care Vet Nurse, Veterinary Territory Manager Host: Vicky the Vet Nurse Length: ~1 hr 21 mins 🔍 Episode Summary: This episode dives head-first into one of the most contentious conversations in vet med right now: the backlash surrounding Beransa (Librela). With headlines, social media spirals, and speculation dominating the narrative, it’s time to pause, unpack the science, and get curious—not chaotic. Our guest, Babs Tasker, is a powerhouse ECC vet nurse with over 30 years in the industry and now a Veterinary Territory Manager at Zoetis. She's here to share insights from the clinic floor and the regulatory world, addressing concerns around Beransa’s safety, the now-infamous Farrell study, updated labels, post-approval data, and the truth behind those adverse event reports. This isn’t a sponsored episode. There’s no editorial input from Zoetis—just two vet professionals having an open, honest, and evidence-based conversation about how we can advocate for our patients through clarity, not fear. 💬 What We Cover: What Beransa (Librela) is and how it works as a monoclonal antibodyWhat the updated APVMA and FDA labels really meanHow post-approval pharmacovigilance works (and why it matters)A breakdown of the Farrell et al. (2025) case series and its limitationsThe dangers of correlation vs. causation in the age of TikTok and fear-based postsHow to navigate misinformation, emotional backlash, and clinical biasReal-world success stories from clinics using BeransaHow to use client information sheets, monitor side effects, and report concernsHow to hold space for concern without discarding innovation 🛠️ Resources & Links: COMING SOON!!! (One Spotify uploads episode! Stay tuned!) 18.1M Dose Pharmacovigilance Report (Zoetis)Zoetis Client Information SheetBedinvetmab vs Meloxicam clinicial studyBeransa Canine OA Flow ChartZoetis response to recent publications re RPOARead the Farrell et al. (2025) Case Series in Frontiers in Vet Science ✉️ Got Questions? We want to hear from you. Email us at vetnursehacker@gmail.com or DM @vickythevetnurse or @vetnursehacker with your questions or feedback. We’ll be adding follow-up resources in the show notes as needed! 💌 Final Word: If you’re a vet nurse, vet, or student feeling overwhelmed by the noise—this episode is for you. It’s okay to have questions. It’s okay to be uncertain. But let’s commit to staying informed, open, and always advocating for what matters most: our patients.

    1h 22m
  5. Just a Vet Nurse, Asking to Be Seen: Laura Bennington on ECC, Leadership & Changing the Game | Ep11

    08/24/2025

    Just a Vet Nurse, Asking to Be Seen: Laura Bennington on ECC, Leadership & Changing the Game | Ep11

    Just a Vet Nurse, Asking to Be Seen: Laura Bennington on ECC, Leadership & Changing the Game  🩺 Episode Summary: In this deeply honest and empowering episode of the Vet Nurse Hacker Podcast, we sit down with Laura Bennington, RVN, VTS (ECC)—Emergency & Critical Care specialist, educator, and founder of VEST (Veterinary Emergency Specialty Training). From her early days in general practice in the UK to her move to Australia, Laura shares the winding, wonderful (and at times wobbly) path that led her to advanced certification, founding her own CE platform, and becoming a fierce advocate for vet nurse value. We unpack the must-haves for your crash cart, triage mistakes to avoid, how to grow confidence in emergency settings, and why leadership doesn’t require a title. And then we go even deeper—into what it really means to say, “I’m just a vet nurse, standing in front of an industry, asking it to value me.” Whether you're a seasoned ECC nurse, new to the game, or somewhere in between—this one will hit your heart and your clinical brain.  🧠 What We Cover: Laura’s journey from Scotland to Australia—and from self-doubt to VTSWhat inspired her to launch VEST, and why nurse-focused CE mattersMust-have items for every crash cart (yes, including suction!)The art of rapid triage and managing five blocked cats at onceThe real difference between experience and empowermentHow to build confidence, speak up, and advocate in high-pressure environmentsWhy retention isn't solved by pizza—and what vet nurses actually needThe problem with title protection (and how unqualified roles hurt all of us)Hope, burnout, identity, and why ECC is more human than we think⚡ Rapid Fire Fun: If ECC was a cocktail? 🍸The weirdest (and most satisfying) foreign body storyOne thing Laura wishes every vet nurse knewHer guilty pleasure post-shift ritualWhy “Pred Before Dead” is a thing (sort of)📲 Connect with Laura Bennington: Instagram: @laurarvn.vestCourses & CE: invest.thinkific.comEmail: vet.emergency.specialty.training@gmail.com🐾 Loved this episode? Tap follow, leave a review, or share it with the vet nurse who needs to hear this. For more real talk and deep dives, follow @vetnursehacker and @vickythevetnurse.  Check out Uncage Me — our signature course for veterinary professionals ready to reclaim their joy - www.vetxir.com

    1h 17m
  6. Surfing C02 Waves: How to Spot Shark Fin and The Leak on a Capnograph | Ep10

    08/11/2025

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

    Surfing the CO₂ Waves: How to Spot Shark Fin & The Leak on a Capnograph 🎧 Vet Nurse Hacker Podcast – Episode 10 Capnography 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

    20 min
  7. Ask Me Anything: Vet Nurse Hacker Confessions | Ep9

    08/03/2025

    Ask Me Anything: Vet Nurse Hacker Confessions | Ep9

    🎧 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 Healer An 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 NOW Learn 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 Vicky Instagram: @vickythevetnurseEmail: vetnursehacker@gmail.com 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. 💛

    30 min
  8. The Code Whisperer: ECC, Education and Empowerment with Megan Brashear | Ep8

    07/27/2025

    The Code Whisperer: ECC, Education and Empowerment with Megan Brashear | Ep8

    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

    56 min
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About

Welcome to the Vet Nurse Hacker Podcast, your go-to source for all things veterinary nursing! Dive into the vibrant world of veterinary life with Vicky as she uncovers the secrets, tips, and hacks that you won't find in any textbook. From heartwarming stories to practical advice, we explore the highs and lows of being a vet nurse. Whether you're looking for motivation, education, or a good laugh, this podcast is here to inspire, inform, and entertain. Tune in and discover how to elevate your career and make the most out of your journey in veterinary nursing!

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