Every nurse has heard of them, or maybe even follows a few! In this coffee break mini episode of Chaos to Competence: A Nurse's Guide Podcast, we're diving into the fun (and surprisingly common) world of nursing rituals and superstitions. From never saying the "Q-word" out loud, to the full moon "scaries", we explore the traditions, habits, and little rituals nurses swear by to survive chaos in healthcare.

This episode of Chaos to Competence: A Nurse's Guide Podcast breaks down the reality of responding to a code blue as a nurse, focusing on three key phases: preparation, performance, and processing.

Join Sarah and Savannah as they share personal stories and practical advice on familiarizing yourself with crash carts, finding your voice in a chaotic environment, and taking care of yourself and your team after the room goes quiet. Learn how mental rehearsal and understanding team roles can turn panic into competence, and why debriefing and self-care are essential for nurses facing high-stress situations.

Pressure is part of the job, confidence is built.

In this episode of Chaos to Competence: A Nurse's Guide, Sarah and Savannah are joined by ER nurse Jimmy McRedmond (“Nurse Jimmy”) to tackle three essentials for high-stress nursing: IV access, cardiac monitoring, and managing deterioration with composure. From choosing the right catheter and improving IV success to simplifying EKG interpretation and treating the patient—not just the monitor—this episode is packed with practical, real-world tips.

They also dive into staying calm when it matters most, using the mantra “slow is smooth, smooth is fast,” and the power of teamwork and clear communication. Plus, an honest look at emotional resilience and why quick debriefs are critical after tough cases.

Less chaos. More control. Real competence.