In this episode of Vet Nurse Skills, Amelia sits down with Sam Thompson — former referral nurse turned Medical Quality Manager, RCVS Practice Standards Scheme assessor, and founder of Pet Med CPR Education — for a conversation that’s equal parts inspiring and laugh-out-loud honest.

From an unconventional start (circus horses, graphic design, and an accidental fall into vet nursing) to building North Downs’ induction and CPR training programs from scratch, Sam shares how she turned a “just sort out CPR” request into a genuine mission. They dig into why every member of the team — receptionists included — should be crash-trained, the most common (and surprisingly simple) mistakes practices make with their crash boxes and algorithms, the emotional toll CPR has on vets and nurses, and why confidence, not qualifications, should decide who leads in an emergency.

Packed with practical advice on the RECOVER guidelines and plenty of Sam’s trademark humour, this episode is essential listening for any practice serious about being crash-ready.