The Super Nurse Podcast

Brooke Wallace
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The Super Nurse Podcast is for nursing students taking NCLEX, new graduate nurses, and working nurses who want to level up their game. This podcast helps you survive nursing school, thrive in clinicals, and step confidently into real-world practice as a Super Nurse— guided by 20-year ICU nurse Brooke Wallace, RN, BSN, CCRN, CPTC. 👉 Train smarter. Build confidence. Become a Super Nurse. Visit supernurse.ai for AI-powered tools, study support, and next-generation nursing resources. Powered by AI and real-world nursing experience, each episode delivers conversational, supportive insights based on the most common questions and challenges faced by student and new graduate nurses. Think of it as a focused study session — blending evidence-based strategies, clinical pearls, encouragement, and confidence-building guidance in a way that actually sticks. Whether you’re tackling pharmacology, preparing for clinicals, studying for the NCLEX, or learning how to manage your first 12-hour shift, The Super Nurse Podcast helps you grow stronger, sharper, and more resilient — from student nurse to confident clinician. Inspired by the real FAQs nurses ask, we answer the questions that matter most: How do I survive pharmacology? How do I speak to patients with confidence? What should I expect on my first 12-hour shift? Created by seasoned ICU nurse Brooke Wallace, each episode delivers practical study tips, NCLEX prep strategies, and real-world clinical wisdom, alongside honest conversations about the realities of nursing school and early practice. 👉 Train smarter. Build confidence. Become a Super Nurse. Visit supernurse.ai for AI-powered tools, study support, and next-generation nursing resources.

  1. Conquering Alarm Fatigue in Nursing: The Crisis We’ve Normalized

    5H AGO

    Conquering Alarm Fatigue in Nursing: The Crisis We’ve Normalized

    Check out SuperNurse.ai for AI powered learning, community, and comic book style nursing education! Alarm fatigue is cognitive desensitization caused by sensory overload. When your brain hears a danger signal repeatedly with no true danger, it adapts. It filters. It reclassifies the sound as background noise. That adaptation protects you in everyday life. But in a hospital? It can delay life-saving action. The Numbers We Can’t Ignore Nearly 9,000 alarms during just 25 routine procedures in one study More than one alarm per minute Over 500 alarm-related patient deaths reported in five years A 74% reduction in false alarms in systems using short algorithm delays This isn’t “annoying.” It’s systemic. False vs. Nuisance Alarms False Alarm The monitor is wrong. Motion artifact mistaken for an arrhythmia. Nuisance Alarm The monitor is technically correct — but clinically irrelevant. A brief dip outside a rigid factory setting. Most alarms are non-actionable. And yet every single one interrupts your thought process. The Cognitive Cost to Nurses Every alarm forces a mental shift: Assess Evaluate Prioritize Dismiss Now multiply that by hundreds of interruptions per shift. The result? Mental fatigue Increased error risk Burnout Emotional exhaustion Intention to leave the profession This isn’t weakness. It’s neurologic overload. The Patient Impact Alarm-heavy environments increase stress hormones — especially at night. That contributes to: Sleep disruption Delirium risk Delayed healing Family anxiety Erosion of trust When families hear alarms constantly and staff appear calm, it creates confusion and fear. We’ve adapted to the noise. They haven’t. Practical Strategies Nurses Can Use Tomorrow 1️⃣ Fresh Electrodes & Proper Skin Prep Clean the skin. Let it dry. Replace electrodes daily. Poor signal quality creates technical alarms. Better prep = fewer interruptions. 2️⃣ Customize Alarm Limits Factory defaults are not individualized care. Assess your patient’s: Baseline vitals Diagnosis Clinical trajectory Adjust limits so alarms signal change — not normal variation. Make the monitor work for you. 3️⃣ Use Alarm Pause Thoughtfully Before turning, suctioning, ambulating, or procedures. Prevent predictable alarm cascades. Protect the unit’s cognitive environment. 4️⃣ Advocate for Smarter Systems Evidence supports: Alarm champions who review trends Data-driven parameter adjustments Short algorithm delays to filter artifact Direct-to-device alerts instead of overhead noise Unit-wide alarm audits Technology should reduce cognitive burden — not amplify it. The Super Nurse Perspective The monitor is a tool. The patient is the priority. If the screen says emergency but your assessment says stable… Trust your clinical judgment. Always assess the patient first. Quick Recap Alarm fatigue is: A cognitive condition Linked to patient harm Contributing to nurse burnout A system issue — not a personal flaw Solutions begin with: Better signal quality Individualized settings Communication Advocacy We don’t have to accept chaos as normal. Nurses are the guardians of the clinical environment. And we deserve tools that are as intelligent as we are. Need to reach out? Send an email to BrookeWallaceRN@gmail.com

    13 min
  2. The Bleeders And The Clotters: Anticoagulants, Thrombolytics & Reversal Agents

    1D AGO

    The Bleeders And The Clotters: Anticoagulants, Thrombolytics & Reversal Agents

    Check out SuperNurse.ai for AI powered learning, comic book style nursing education, and more on how to be a super nurse! 🩸 The Bleeders and the Clotters Anticoagulants, Thrombolytics & Emergency Reversals 🎯 Core Concept Anticoagulants → Prevent clots Thrombolytics → Dissolve clots Reversal agents → Stop bleeding emergencies Nursing priority = balance clotting vs bleeding safely 🔴 Anticoagulants Heparin (Unfractionated) Monitored by PTT Goal: 1.5–2.5× baseline Prevents new clots (does NOT dissolve existing clots) Red Flags High PTT → bleeding Platelet drop ≥ 50% → suspect HIT HIT = immune reaction → causes clotting despite low platelets Reversal Protamine sulfate Must give slowly (rapid push → severe hypotension) Enoxaparin (Lovenox) Low molecular weight heparin No routine PTT monitoring Inject into abdomen (2 inches from umbilicus) Do NOT expel air bubble Do NOT rub injection site Warfarin Monitored by INR Goal: 2–3 (higher for mechanical valves) Requires consistent Vitamin K intake Reversal Vitamin K (non-emergent) PCC (Kcentra) for major bleeding FFP = slower + large volume DOACs (Direct Oral Anticoagulants) No routine INR monitoring Monitor renal function Renal failure → accumulation → bleeding risk Reversal Andexanet alfa (Xa inhibitors) Idarucizumab (dabigatran) 🔵 Thrombolytics tPA (Alteplase) Dissolves existing clots Used for ischemic stroke, massive PE Time window: 3–4.5 hours from last known well BP must be Monitoring Neuro checks every 15 minutes Watch for new headache Monitor for bleeding Critical Lab Fibrinogen Low fibrinogen → treat with cryoprecipitate 🧠 Clinical Pattern Recognition Match the drug to the lab: Heparin → PTT + platelets Warfarin → INR tPA → Fibrinogen DOAC → Renal function 🚨 High-Risk Scenarios Heparin + platelet drop → think HIT Warfarin + high INR + bleeding → hold + reverse tPA + sudden headache → stop infusion + CT DOAC + renal failure → accumulation risk 🩺 Key Takeaway Know: What prevents clots What dissolves clots What reverses bleeding Which lab confirms the problem That’s how you manage the bleeders and the clotters safely Need to reach out? Send an email to BrookeWallaceRN@gmail.com

    18 min
  3. Push Fast. Push Slow. Never Push: Cardiac Drug Rules

    2D AGO

    Push Fast. Push Slow. Never Push: Cardiac Drug Rules

    Check out SuperNurse.ai for AI powered learning, comic-book style nursing education, and a great community! Why Speed Matters in Cardiac PharmacologyCardiac drugs aren’t interchangeable — and neither are their administration speeds. The difference between pushing in 2 seconds versus 2 minutes can mean: Rhythm conversion Severe hypotension Bronchospasm Or cardiac arrest Today’s framework: Push Fast Push Slow Never Push Assess Before Push Rule 1: Push Fast — AdenosineUse: Stable narrow-complex SVT Mechanism: Temporarily blocks the AV node Half-life: Less than 10 seconds Why Fast?If you don’t push it rapidly (1–2 seconds with immediate flush), it metabolizes before it reaches the heart. Nursing PearlsExpect brief asystole (6–7 seconds) Warn the patient about chest pressure and “impending doom” Use lower doses in heart transplant patients Not effective for ventricular rhythms Clinical Judgment: If you're unsure whether it’s SVT or something else, adenosine can help reveal the underlying rhythm. Rule 2: Never Push — Potassium ChlorideThis is a high-alert medication. Why Never?Rapid potassium destroys the resting membrane gradient. The heart depolarizes — and cannot repolarize. Result: Immediate cardiac arrest. Safe AdministrationNever IV push Peripheral max: 10 per hour Central max: 20 per hour (ICU with monitoring) Always mix thoroughly (invert bag at least 10 times) Toxicity Clues (MURDER)Muscle weakness Urine output decreasing Respiratory distress Decreased contractility ECG changes (peaked T-waves) Reflex changes This is a system-safety drug. Treat it with respect. Rule 3: Assess Before Push — DigoxinNarrow therapeutic window. Digoxin and potassium compete at the same cellular pump. Low potassium increases toxicity risk. Always AssessApical pulse for a full 60 seconds Hold if under 60 Review potassium level Monitor for visual changes (yellow halos) Watch for nausea, confusion, or bizarre symptoms (like smelling flowers) Antidote: Digoxin immune fab Best strategy: Prevention through assessment Rule 4: Push Slow — IV MetoprololUse: Rate control Why Slow?Rapid administration can cause: Severe hypotension Profound bradycardia Loss of compensatory sympathetic tone Nursing PearlsGive over 1–2 minutes Monitor heart rhythm and blood pressure continuously Use caution in asthma/COPD (beta receptor selectivity can spill over) Beta blockers can mask hypoglycemia symptoms in diabetics Never stop abruptly — risk of rebound hypertension and ischemia Quick RecapPush Fast: Adenosine Never Push: Potassium chloride Assess Before Push: Digoxin Push Slow: Metoprolol Speed is physiology. Administration is pharmacology in motion. Clinical judgment is what makes you safe. Need to reach out? Send an email to BrookeWallaceRN@gmail.com

    13 min
  4. It Isn’t Burnout It’s Ethical Trauma

    3D AGO

    It Isn’t Burnout It’s Ethical Trauma

    Check out SuperNurse.AI for AI-powered learning, community, and comic-book style nursing education.  Burnout Is Often the Wrong DiagnosisBurnout is commonly framed as exhaustion that improves with rest. Research shows many nurses are experiencing moral distress, not fatigue. Mislabeling the problem leads to ineffective solutions. Moral Distress → Moral InjuryMoral distress occurs when nurses know the ethically correct action but are prevented from taking it due to institutional barriers. Repeated moral distress leaves behind moral residue, which accumulates over time. This “crescendo effect” eventually leads to moral injury, a psychological and ethical wound similar to trauma seen in combat settings. Real-World Example of Moral InjuryEthical compromise isn’t limited to end-of-life care. Even “routine” decisions—like performing substandard care due to hierarchy or time pressure—can violate professional values. Phrases like “you got this” can function as silencing tools rather than support. The Scope of the CrisisResearch projects over 600,000 experienced nurses leaving the workforce by 2027. Hospital nurse turnover costs average millions of dollars annually. This represents a massive loss of clinical intuition, expertise, and mentorship. Institutional BetrayalNurses report feeling abandoned by organizations during and after the pandemic. Unsafe staffing, unrealistic expectations, and lack of voice deepen moral injury. Moral injury is reinforced when systemic failure is reframed as personal inadequacy. This Is Also a Biological InjuryStress responses from moral distress cause measurable changes in metabolism and hormone pathways. When nurses say, “This job is making me sick,” the data supports it. Moral injury affects both mental and physical health. Futile and Non-Beneficial CareICU nurses face ongoing ethical conflict around care that prolongs suffering. Legal ambiguity (“yellow lights”) often leads clinicians to continue care they believe is unethical. Fear of liability forces nurses to participate in care that violates their moral compass. What Actually Works: Evidence-Based SolutionsThe R3 Initiative (Renewal, Resilience, Retention)A systemic model developed through academic and clinical collaboration. Mindfulness as awareness—not avoidance—of ethical threat. Self-stewardship to protect energy, empathy, and integrity. Ethical practice tools to articulate and navigate moral conflict. Integrated into nursing education and residency programs. Schwartz RoundsInterdisciplinary forums focused on emotional and ethical experiences. Reduce isolation and increase psychological safety. Help prevent moral residue from hardening into injury. Nurse-Led DebriefingBoth immediate (“hot”) and scheduled (“cold”) debriefings. Significantly reduce burnout and moral distress. Allow processing before trauma is carried home. GROSS Project (Getting Rid of Stupid Stuff)Leadership-driven removal of redundant, low-value tasks. Especially effective in reducing EHR burden. Signals respect for nurses’ time and expertise. Inclusion as WellnessPolicies that marginalize identity (e.g., appearance norms) contribute to burnout. Belonging and authenticity are foundational to workforce resilience. You cannot build resilience in a workforce that feels excluded. Core MessageResilience is not about enduring harm. It is about having the skills, systems, and support to do the job without losing yourself. If you’re exhausted, you need rest. If you’re morally injured, you need change—and community. Need to reach out? Send an email to BrookeWallaceRN@gmail.com

    15 min
  5. NCLEX Pharmacology: Antidotes For Respiratory Depression

    4D AGO

    NCLEX Pharmacology: Antidotes For Respiratory Depression

    Visit SuperNurse.ai for AI powered learning and super fun nursing resources!Episode Notes What Is Respiratory Rescue?Respiratory rescue is the moment when a patient who was stable minutes ago suddenly isn’t breathing. The key isn’t panic—it’s pattern recognition. This episode teaches you how to identify the cause of respiratory depression so you can treat the physiology, not just the symptom. 🚨 Scenario 1: Opioid-Induced Respiratory DepressionKey clues Bradypnea (low respiratory rate) Sedation Pinpoint pupils Mechanism Opioids suppress the brainstem’s carbon dioxide drive by binding to mu receptors. Antidote Naloxone Nursing trap Naloxone wears off before many opioids Risk of resedation Risk of acute pain, withdrawal, agitation, and flash pulmonary edema Clinical pearl Wake them up enough to breathe—not enough to fight. 🚨 Scenario 2: Magnesium Sulfate Toxicity (The “Mag Drag”)Key clues Loss of deep tendon reflexes (first sign) Normal pupils Later: respiratory depression Decreasing urine output Why reflexes matter Loss of patellar reflexes signals rising neuromuscular blockade before breathing fails. Antidote Calcium gluconate (given slowly) Critical safety point Calcium gluconate does not remove magnesium—it buys time while the kidneys clear it. 🚨 Scenario 3: Residual Neuromuscular Blockade After SurgeryThe problem Patients can appear awake but still be paralyzed after anesthesia. Old reversal Neostigmine Slow onset Causes bradycardia, bronchospasm, and secretions Requires atropine or glycopyrrolate Modern reversal Sugammadex Encapsulates rocuronium directly Rapid reversal Fewer cardiopulmonary side effects Nursing takeaway Know which reversal agent was used—your monitoring priorities change. 🧩 The Big Idea: Antidotes Are Not the EndAn antidote doesn’t fix the problem—it buys time. Naloxone wears off Magnesium is still in the body Paralytics can re-emerge You didn’t save the day—you saved the minute. Now save the hour. 🎯 Who This Episode Is ForBedside nurses ICU, OB, PACU, and med-surg nurses New grads building clinical judgment Nursing students preparing for boards Anyone who wants to think like a nurse, not just follow orders Need to reach out? Send an email to BrookeWallaceRN@gmail.com

    18 min
  6. You Can't Sleep Off Moral Injury In Nursing

    5D AGO

    You Can't Sleep Off Moral Injury In Nursing

    Check out SuperNurse.ai for AI powered learning and super charged nursing education resources.  Episode Notes / Key TakeawaysBurnout vs. Moral Injury Burnout is exhaustion from excessive demands and insufficient resources. Moral injury is the result of participating in or witnessing actions that violate a nurse’s moral and professional values. Burnout improves with rest; moral injury does not. How Moral Injury Develops Begins with moral distress: knowing the right thing to do but being unable to act due to constraints. Repeated moral distress leaves moral residue, which accumulates over time. Eventually hardens into moral injury, changing how nurses see themselves and their profession. Why the ICU Is Ground Zero High prevalence of qualitative futility: treatments that prolong biological life while violating patient dignity. Nurses experience a constant double bind between advocating for patients and complying with institutional demands. Futile care also raises ethical concerns about justice and resource allocation. Institutional Betrayal Occurs when healthcare organizations fail to protect staff or act against their stated values. Intensified during the pandemic through unsafe staffing, inadequate protection, and isolation policies. Leads to loss of trust, guilt, and long-term psychological harm. The Real Consequences Increased rates of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and suicide risk among healthcare workers. Physical symptoms, nightmares, emotional numbing, and disengagement from the profession. Drives quiet quitting and early exits from nursing. Why Resilience Training Isn’t Enough Mindfulness and self-care place responsibility on the individual rather than the system. Can feel invalidating or gaslighting when the root problem is ethical harm. Moral injury requires moral repair, not better coping skills. What Actually Helps Schwartz Rounds to process the emotional and ethical dimensions of care. Ethics consultations and moral distress support services. Leadership acknowledgment, shared decision-making, and restoring nurses’ voices. Treating moral injury as an occupational hazard—not a personal failure. Need to reach out? Send an email to BrookeWallaceRN@gmail.com

    18 min
  7. How to Call a Provider at 3 a.m: New Nurse Survival Skill

    6D AGO

    How to Call a Provider at 3 a.m: New Nurse Survival Skill

    Visit SuperNurse.ai to access AI-powered courses, real-world nursing scenarios, and tools designed to help you think and communicate like a confident nurse—especially in high-stress moments. In this episode, we tackle one of the most universal fears in nursing: calling a provider in the middle of the night. Whether you’re a brand-new nurse or still building confidence, this conversation walks you step-by-step through how to prepare, what to say, and how to escalate concerns safely. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why provider communication errors are a leading cause of sentinel events How nighttime cognitive fatigue affects provider responses The “pregame” mindset: having your data, vitals, and chart ready before you call The 20-word challenge to eliminate rambling and sound confident How to use SBAR effectively without sounding robotic Why the “R” (recommendation) matters—and how to use it safely Scripts that reduce tension, including “non-emergent but time-sensitive” How to escalate concerns using CUS (Concerned, Uncomfortable, Safety) The difference between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication When and how to use documentation language to protect patient safety This episode is designed to move you from fear-based calling to clear, professional advocacy, helping you become the nurse your patient needs—even at 3 a.m. Need to reach out? Send an email to BrookeWallaceRN@gmail.com

    15 min
  8. No More Pizza Parties - 3 Real Solutions For Nursing Burnout

    6D AGO

    No More Pizza Parties - 3 Real Solutions For Nursing Burnout

    Check out SuperNurse.ai for super powered nursing education and AI powered learning.  Episode Notes / Key PointsWhy Nurses Are Really Leaving the Bedside Nurse turnover is often driven by moral injury, not fatigue. Moral injury occurs when nurses know the right action but are prevented from taking it. Burnout vs. Moral Injury Burnout = exhaustion that improves with rest. Moral injury = a violation of conscience that does not resolve with time off. Common Triggers of Moral Injury Non-beneficial or futile care. Compromised patient dignity. Policies and productivity metrics overriding ethical judgment. Fear-based decision-making and lack of nurse voice. Why Self-Care Isn’t the Solution Mindfulness and wellness initiatives address individuals, not systems. These approaches can feel dismissive when the root issue is ethical harm. Moral injury cannot be “fixed” with better coping strategies alone. What Moral Repair Looks Like Nurses being genuinely heard. Access to ethical and moral support. Shared decision-making at the bedside and organizational level. Leadership acknowledgment of harm. Healthcare systems aligned with professional nursing values. The Bigger Picture Moral injury is an occupational hazard, not a personal failure. Retaining nurses requires systemic change, not resilience training. Protecting the moral foundation of nursing is essential for the future of healthcare. Need to reach out? Send an email to BrookeWallaceRN@gmail.com

    14 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Super Nurse Podcast is for nursing students taking NCLEX, new graduate nurses, and working nurses who want to level up their game. This podcast helps you survive nursing school, thrive in clinicals, and step confidently into real-world practice as a Super Nurse— guided by 20-year ICU nurse Brooke Wallace, RN, BSN, CCRN, CPTC. 👉 Train smarter. Build confidence. Become a Super Nurse. Visit supernurse.ai for AI-powered tools, study support, and next-generation nursing resources. Powered by AI and real-world nursing experience, each episode delivers conversational, supportive insights based on the most common questions and challenges faced by student and new graduate nurses. Think of it as a focused study session — blending evidence-based strategies, clinical pearls, encouragement, and confidence-building guidance in a way that actually sticks. Whether you’re tackling pharmacology, preparing for clinicals, studying for the NCLEX, or learning how to manage your first 12-hour shift, The Super Nurse Podcast helps you grow stronger, sharper, and more resilient — from student nurse to confident clinician. Inspired by the real FAQs nurses ask, we answer the questions that matter most: How do I survive pharmacology? How do I speak to patients with confidence? What should I expect on my first 12-hour shift? Created by seasoned ICU nurse Brooke Wallace, each episode delivers practical study tips, NCLEX prep strategies, and real-world clinical wisdom, alongside honest conversations about the realities of nursing school and early practice. 👉 Train smarter. Build confidence. Become a Super Nurse. Visit supernurse.ai for AI-powered tools, study support, and next-generation nursing resources.

Information

  • Creator
    Brooke Wallace
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025- Present
  • Show Website
    The Super Nurse Podcast

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