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Explore every episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast

Dive into the complete episode list for The Gritty Nurse Podcast. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

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Pub. DateTitleDuration
21 Apr 2022Fake Nurse Throws herself "Nurse of the Year Party"- No You Can't Make This Ish Up00:28:00

There are no words to truly describe the f%^&kery of this story. What type of person, fakes being a healthcare professional, wants attention and recognition so badly that they throw themselves a party to win a fake award for a fake nursing association? In this episode, Amie & Sara discuss the odd case of Betty Lichtenstein, 57, of Connecticut who threw herself a "Nurse of the Year" party. The story only gets weirder and weirder as it goes. What do you need to know as a member of the public to keep yourself safe? Tune in for our tips!

https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Fake-Nurse-of-the-Year-sent-to-jail-924986.php

Thanks to our sponsor Executive Links!

Are you looking for continuing education from a Canadian provider? Executive Links has almost 200 webinars to choose from on many topics including: med/surg, critical care, geriatrics, peds, mental health and more! Each webinar is $35 and includes handouts, a certificate of completion and the option to watch live & on-demand for at least a year.  Save 15% for the rest of 2022 on any topic. Just use code: GRITTY at checkout!  Visit execulinks.net to register!

Follow Executive Links:

Facebook: NursingLinks https://www.facebook.com/nursinglinks

Instagram: @ExecutiveLinks

Twitter: @Executive_Links

TikTok: @ExecutiveLinks

23 May 2024Nursing Seniority: A tradition or a travesty?00:34:18

Why is it that the only thing that seems to matter in traditional nursing is seniority? Ask a nurse, any nurse to tell you about themselves and they will start by saying how long they've worked.

While the rest of the world focuses on performance and skills, nursing somehow seems stuck on where you are on the seniority list. Does seniority have a role in nurses eating their young? Or are times changing? Listen and see what The Gritty Nurses think. 

 

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!  

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

 

08 Dec 2022Can the Role of a Nurse Practitioner Save Primary Healthcare?00:38:37

Why aren't Nurse Practitioners (NP) more utilized in Canada? Are NPs the answer to solving the primary care crisis? In this episode, Amie & Sara interview Stella Cruz, a nurse practitioner in Ontario. We discuss what an NP is, their scope of practice and how they might contribute to an overstretched healthcare system. 

Stella Cruz has been an RN since 2002 working in neuro critical care, the emergency department, and geriatric psych medicine. She completed her masters at the University of Toronto in 2008 with a focus on nursing and women and horizontal violence. She decided to become a nurse practitioner (NP) in 2014 graduating from U of T with acute care NP specializing in seniors health. Currently, Stella works on a 32 Alternate level of care (ALC) unit at a downtown hospital. Stella has taught undergrad nursing and NP students. She was born, raised, lives and works in Toronto. She is a mom and wife, with two kids ages 8 and 14 plus a big dog. She would love to complete a PHD someday, is passionate about nursing and nurses work and is a very strong advocate for nurses. 

Stella’s life motto:

“If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything." 

 

31 Mar 2022The Story of RaDonda Vaught: A Comedy of Errors, Cover-ups and Criminal Charges01:01:12
In this episode, the Gritty Nurses sit down with Tina from Good Nurse Bad Nurse to tell the story of RaDonda Vaught. A series of mishaps in the healthcare system led to the death of a patient due to a medication error. Then the unthinkable happened: she was prosecuted criminally in court. How can we continue to promote a culture of safety and transparency? 

#istandwithradonda

To support RaDonda and learn more, visit:

Nurses United for RaDonda Vaught

Nurses March for RaDonda Vaught

Sara Beth Myers for District Attorney

Love true crime? Check out Tina's podcast Good Nurse Bad Nurse.

02 Feb 2024Quick and Gritty Takes: News Ep. 200:14:41

This week on Quick and Gritty Takes, Amie & Sara discuss: 

Ontario: Parents who waited 11 hours in Ontario ER with a child suffering allergic reaction focus their anger - “Not at the nurses, not at the doctors, not at SickKids, just at our government,”

Canada: Justin Trudeau adviser defends use of crude language in online exchange with right-wing group.

International: Organs of dead Black incarcerated ppl in Alabama are being removed & used for med school anatomy courses w/o family consent. Grave robbing the bodies of Black people was a commonplace practice to provide cadavers for med schools dating back to the 1700s.

Patient Safety Tip: Take the pain meds. Fear of Addiction in Medicine. 

 

06 Jun 2024National Nursing Staffing Ratios --Why Don't We Have Them? With Nurse Jessica Sites & Nurse Erica01:02:31

Right now, across Canada and the US, patients are not receiving the care they deserve because nurses continue to work with fewer resources. Nurses have stated, time and time again, that patients are getting sicker, are more complex and require more dedicated attention to their care. The evidence is clear--staffing ratios protect patients, support nurses to do the work required and improve better outcomes. In this episode, The Gritty Nurses Amie & Sara, sit down to talk to 2 of the most notable nurses in the US --Nurse Erica and Nurse Jessica Sites from Nursing Uncorked about National Nursing to Patient Ratios. This is an episode you do not want to miss! 

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!  

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

Listen to Nurses Uncorked:

https://thenurseericarn.podbean.com/

Follow Nurse Erica!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.nurse.erica/?hl=en

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the.nurse.erica?lang=en 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenurseerica/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NurseErica 

 

Follow Nurse Jessica Sites!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nursejessicasites/?hl=en 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nursejessicasites?lang=en 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nursejessicasites/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSffeNKKle3XBgScpPqF_dw 

 

15 Aug 2024We’re ALL Nurses, but not all TREATED like Nurses: Spotlight on The Registered Practical Nurse00:41:06

Have you heard that all nurses aren't made the same? That some are Registered Nurses and others are Registered Practical Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses? Did you know that even within nursing, we create categories of who is "really" a nurse? Let's cut the bullshi*t, shall we? In this episode, the Gritty Nurses talk about registered practical nurses (RPNs) with none other than Dianne Martin, CEO of WeRPN. We discuss what RPNs can do, common misconceptions, and raising awareness and improving working conditions, and her hopes and aspirations for RPNs. After all, if nurse is in your title, you're a nurse. 

Dianne Martin has been a nurse since 1979. She graduated first as an RPN and then in 1998, she graduated as an RN with a diploma in nursing and is dually registered as both an RN and RPN. Currently she works as an RPN in the role of Chief Executive Officer of WeRPN where she has been recognized for her work to build bridges of greater understanding and respect among the categories of nurses in Ontario. Dianne has experience working in several Ontario hospitals predominantly in the field of Perinatal Care. She has held several leadership positions including professional practice coordinator in an Ontario hospital and senior policy analyst with the Nursing Policy and Innovation Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (formerly The Nursing Secretariat).

In 2016, Dianne received the Premier’s Award which recognizes college graduates whose achievements have made a difference in the province of Ontario. She is the daughter of a nurse, mother to a nurse, and she holds all those who care for others in the highest regard.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!  

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

Follow WeRPN- Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario

https://www.werpn.com/

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/we_rpn

Facebook @wearepracticalnurses: https://www.facebook.com/wearepracticalnurses/

Instagram @we_rpn: http://instagram.com/we_rpn

 

31 May 2023The Controversial Use of Agency Nurses: Don't Hate the Player, Hate the Game!00:27:05

In this episode, Sara and Amie dicuss a hot topic! The controversial use of agency nurses and Internationally Educated Nurses. Using both were supposed to solve the problem of short staffing, but has it helped? They discuss price gouging, short staffing, costs to healthcare organizations, and holding agencies accountable. 

Little public information about how much is being spent on agency staff, and most of it is anecdotal. Don't hate the player-hate the game!

Links:

https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/newly-elected-ona-president-wants-to-stop-the-use-of-agency-nurses-1.6380815

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/alberta-international-nurses-applications-1.6825724

https://globalnews.ca/news/9504375/ontario-nurses-shortage-internationally-trained-nurses-support/

17 Mar 2022Is It Too Late Now To Say Sorry? Apologies, Accountability and Calling out the Bullsh*t00:37:01

In this episode, Amie and Sara discuss the importance of leaders making public apologies. Should our governments, politicians, healthcare leaders and CEO's be held to a different standard? Who holds them accountable when they muck it up? WE THE PEOPLE SHOULD. It’s time to take off your rose coloured glasses, and see them for who they are. People like you and me holding them accountable is one step to seeing change. 

06 Jan 2022What's the secret sauce? Children's Mental Health, Equity and Enriching Nursing Education00:40:39

In the first episode of Season 3, Amie and Sara sit down to talk to Dr. Lorna Kendrick PhD, the new dean for the School of Nursing at Samuel Merritt University in California. We discuss her experience as an advanced practice child-adolescent psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist which she had a private practice in for over 25 years. We also discuss her research with young African American men, focusing on untreated depression as a primary risk factor for early-onset cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Kendrick holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Loma Linda University, a master’s degree in child-adolescent psychiatric mental health nursing from Georgia State University, and a doctorate in nursing with a focus in nursing research from the University of California, Los Angeles. She worked for years in a neuro-surgical ICU and as an advanced practice child-adolescent psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist. She also maintained a private practice for the past 25 years in Southern California, providing individual, family, group, and play therapy to child and adolescent clients and their families.

Dr. Kendrick has conducted research with young African American men, focusing on untreated depression as a primary risk factor for early-onset cardiovascular disease. Her research interests connecting mental health with disease prevention and physical wellness have taken her to Europe, Argentina, Nigeria, and beyond. She is the School of Nursing Dean of Samuel Merritt University in California.

Thank you to our sponsor Samuel Merritt University! If you’re interested in getting more information on their MSN and DNP programs and scholarships visit them at https://smumsn.com and show them how much you appreciate them for sponsoring our podcast!

10 Mar 2022Andre Picard & Fixing a Broken Healthcare System: Let's Start with Accountability00:36:22

In this episode, Amie and Sara sit down with André Picard, one of Canada’s top health & public policy observers and commentators. We discuss how often history repeats itself in healthcare and what we can and SHOULD learn from it. We also discuss current challenges with the healthcare system and the importance of accountability in leadership. What do we need to do to make our healthcare system more equitable, cost effective and beneficial for all? Andre knew the answer over 30 years ago. Listen to find out! 

Andre is an eight-time nominee for the National Newspaper Awards, Canada’s top journalism prize, and past winner of the prestigious Michener Award for Meritorious Public Service Journalism.

André is also the health columnist at The Globe and Mail and the author of six books, including the current bestseller "Neglected No More: The Urgent Need To Improve the Lives of Canada's Elders."

 

18 Apr 2024Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP): There's a New Kind of Nurse in Town!00:30:40

Watch out now---we got a Doctor of Nursing in the HOUSE!!!

In this episode, the Gritty Nurses chat with Dr. Farah Laurent, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with 6 board certifications and nurse career coach! They talk about what a DNP is, what opportunities exist and the role of a DNP in healthcare organizations. They also take a dive into what Farah's career path has looked like and her entrepreneurial ventures! Have a listen and tell us what you think!

Order our #1 National Best Selling Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! If you have read a copy, please leave us a review on Amazon, GoodReads and Indigo! 

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!  

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees

who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

 

 

 

 

25 Aug 2023Healthcare, Gender Expression and Combatting Hate: Trans Rights are Human Rights with Advocate Fae Johnstone!00:36:17

Thank you to HMA Benefits for sponsoring this episode!

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees in Ontario who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one. Already have coverage through your spouse? Healthcare Providers still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected. Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

In celebration of Ottawa Pride Week 2023, the Gritty Nurses chat with 2SLGBTQIA+ advocate Fae Johnstone. They discuss how healthcare providers can protect trans folks, rising hate and the safety of those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ Community.

Fae Johnstone (she/they) is the Executive Director of Wisdom2Action, a 2SLGBTQIA+-owned and operated consulting firm, and President of the Society of Queer Momentum - a 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy Nonprofit. She is a leading voice on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues in Canada, a prominent advocate for queer and trans rights, a recurring voice in Canadian news on 2SLGBTQIA+ issues. Over the past ten years, she has trained thousands of people and hundreds of workplaces on 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion. She’s also on a chocolate bar!

 Foillow Wisdom2Action! Website: www.wisdom2action.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wisdom2action

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wisdom2action/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wisdom2action

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/CYCCNetwork

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wisdom2action/

Follow Fae Johnstone!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FaeJohnstone

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faedingaway/

Follow the Gritty Nurse Podcast!

Website: https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse 

10 May 2024National Nursing Week conversation with the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau00:29:11

There is no better way to finish off National Nursing Week than to hear from the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau. In this special episode, Amie and Sara sit down to discuss the triumphs and challenges in nursing with the Prime Minister.

We also discuss the role of the Federal Government as it pertains to healthcare & nursing, accountability of the provinces concerning healthcare funding, mental health and why nursing IS POLITICAL! We even hear a personal story from the PM about his most recent interaction with a nurse! We also ask the PM to name some famous nurses---you might be surprised by what he says!

Thank you to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for taking the time to leave a message for Nurses Week and speak to The Gritty Nurses (Amie Archibald-Varley & Sara Fung). Next time, we will call you JT lol!

 

Don't forget to order our National Best Selling Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! You can get it in any format (hardcopy, audible, kindle etc) and pick it up wherever you get books (Amazon, Indigo, Chapters etc). Please Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

Thank you to our sponsor Healthcare Providers!! Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!   Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing! With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one. Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected. Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

16 Jul 2024You Left WHAT in my Body?! A Patient's Worst Nightmare!00:35:19

In this episode, the Gritty Nurses discuss something that would be a patient's worst nightmare: having a medical instrument left in your body. In this particular instance, an epidural needle was left in Giovanna Ippolito's back from years ago! Furthermore, no one will take responsibility for it. Amie & Sara unpack some of the issues in hospitals related to medical malpractice, patient advocacy and glaring gaps in the healthcare system.

Giovanna Ippolito is living with a broken needle in her spine after it broke off during childbirth. An anesthesiologist then left the 4cm/2 inch-long fragment embedded in her back — and didn't tell her what happened.

Instead, it was discovered during an X-ray more than a decade later. The woman says her doctor can't directly link the pain she's experiencing to the needle, but one thing has been made clear to her: it's not safe to remove it.

Story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/needle-spine-patient-investigations-1.7227058#:~:text=Giovanna%20Ippolito%20is%20living%20with,more%20than%20a%20decade%20later.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!  

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

 

20 Apr 2023The Intersection of Healthcare and Comedy: Two Gritty Nurses, a Doctor and a Comedian!00:39:14

Thanks to WeRPN for sponsoring this episode!

We want to share an amazing opportunity for RPNs & PSWs in Ontario! Designed in partnership with the Government of Ontario, WeRPNs Bridging Educational Grant in Nursing program (aka BEGIN) is a tuition reimbursement program for eligible students enrolled in bridging programs. To learn more, go to https://begin.werpn.com/ or email info@begin.werpn.com

The Gritty Nurses decided to team up with another Canadian medical podcast duo, Doctor vs. Comedian, for this episode! Get ready for some lighthearted comedy!

 

Dr Asif Doja is a pediatric neurologist and Ali Hassan is a stand up comedian and actor (CBC‘s Laugh Out Loud, Designated Survivor, Goon) who are each fascinated by what the other one does. In each episode, Asif picks a topic for Ali from comedy and entertainment and questions Ali about it. Then Ali picks a topic from medicine and health and grills Asif on that subject. 

 

We discuss the hilarious story of how Asif and Ali met in smalltown East Coast Canada and created the podcast. How do they come up with their topics compared to Amie and Sara? They discuss stories of being people of colour in mainstream media, celebrities who are vocal about their health issues, their favourite episodes and the hottest topics in healthcare right now!

 

Follow Doctor vs. Comedian:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoctorVComedian 

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/doctorvcomedian/

 

Contact Doctor vs. Comedian:

doctorvcomedian@gmail.com

https://www.doctorvscomedian.com/ 

 

Follow the Gritty Nurse Podcast:

Website: https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse 

 

04 May 2023Notorious Nurses: Fraud, Scandal and Murder00:49:34

In this episode, Sara and Amie interview guest Bruce Sackman, a former Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations about the Florida Nursing License Scandal.

We also discuss Netfilx’s The Good Nurse, a true story based Charles Edmund Cullen an American serial killer. Cullen, a nurse, murdered dozens – possibly hundreds – of patients during a 16-year career spanning several New Jersey medical centers, until being arrested in 2003. 

Bruce Sackman served as the Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, Northeast Field Office until May 2005 when he retired after 32 years’ service. In this capacity, he was responsible for all major criminal investigations involving VA from West Virginia to Maine. During his tenure he was involved in hundreds of investigations involving allegations of fraud, corruption, false claims, thefts, patient assaults, pharmaceutical drug diversions and suspicious hospital deaths. 

Bruce is a former self-employed licensed private investigator in New York City specializing in healthcare related matters. Under contract he had directed major investigations for a large New York metropolitan regional healthcare system.

He is the co-author of the book “Behind the Murder Curtain, Special Agent Bruce Sackman Hunts Doctors and Nurses Who Kill Our Veterans”.

Find Bruce at:

https://behindthemurdercurtain.com/

https://www.amazon.ca/Behind-Murder-Curtain-Special-Veterans/dp/1682617149 

 

28 Jul 2022Justice & Answers for Baby Patel: Apologies & Disclosure in Healthcare00:27:08

Trigger warning: This episode discusses a patient's traumatic experience with the birth and death of a newborn.

An apology can go a long way. But what if it never comes, comes too late, or comes with no reconciliation? This week's episode focuses on a couple, the Patels, who are asking for answers after the death of their newborn. We wanted to share this story. It breaks our hearts. We hope that this family gets the answers they so rightly deserve. 

Article:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/brampton-couple-newborn-baby-death-1.6514826

15 Dec 2022Does Teamwork Actually Make the Dream Work? Discussing The Power of Teamwork with Dr. Brian Goldman00:49:53

In this episode, Amie & Sara sit down to talk with Dr. Brian Goldman about his new book, "The Power of Teamwork". We discuss examples of high-functioning teams within other industries, why teamwork in healthcare is crucial and how better teams create better healthcare outcomes. We also touch on toxic environments and how individual behaviour can disrupt teams.

Dr. Brian Goldman is an emergency physician, author, public speaker, and radio personality. He practices in the Schwartz Reisman Emergency Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto

He has been a regular medical columnist on CBC Radio One since 1999.

He also hosts an award-winning current affairs radio series, White Coat, Black Art, on CBC Radio One about the culture of modern medicine and various aspects of the Canadian healthcare system and has a concurrent original podcast, The Dose, which has a similar medical theme.

He has written several books including; The Night Shift: Real Life in the Heart of the ER, The Secret Language of Doctors, The Power of Kindness.



23 Nov 2023Medicine Needs a #MeToo Movement: How can a Doctor be Suspended 3X For Sexual Assault STILL Practice?00:32:19

Trigger warning: this episode discusses topics which may be triggering for some.

In this episode, the Gritty Nurses discuss the recent case of a physician who has been suspended 3 times and convicted of sexual assault, but is allowed to continue to practice! Whatever happened to zero tolerance policies or the fact that he is a danger to the public as a REPEAT OFFENDER?

They discuss this story and other cases, how the College of Physicians of Ontario handled it, what the law is on sexual assault, and more. This is very concerning given the power of physicians, their role in relation to patients and the trust we put in them. What makes physicians who are serial sexual assault assailants any different than Harvey Weinstein, Jeffery Episen or the Peter Nygard's of this century? Power? Privilege? Staus? ---Nothing. Time's up--This is definitely a highly charged topic and one that needs to be amplified and justice needs to be served. 

**Pre-order The Wisdom of Nurses: Stories of Grit From the Front Lines

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/

Thanks to all that made this possible, especially the many nurses from across North America who generously shared their stories, passion and wisdom. We discuss stories of the challenges, heartbreak and humour of life on the front line. In their first book, (not our last ha!) We take you to the front line of nursing to show the compassion, selflessness and dedication of professionals who not only give it all for their patients, but get up and do it over and over again! Also available in digital and audio book formats!

Order Here: https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/

Episode Resources:

Image from Toronto Star:

Toronto doctor who sexually abused patients has ‘greatly’ harmed medical profession, but will keep license after third suspension

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/toronto-doctor-gets-no-professional-penalty-for-sex-assault-on-16-year-old-after-panel/article_705e1095-2500-5493-8005-baf62ddff310.html

https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jwh.2019.7766

https://www.cnn.com/2016/07/11/health/doctor-sexual-abuse/index.html

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/doctors-discipline-patient-boundaries-1.3405780

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/12/doctor-medical-center-sexual-abuse-allegations

https://www.sexassault.ca/doctor.htm

https://www.cpso.on.ca/en/Public/Services/Complaints-and-Concerns/Sexual-Abuse-Complaints

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02 Jun 2022For Pox Sakes! Should We Be Concerned About Monkeypox?00:33:13

For pox sakes, we have had enough! In this episode, Amie & Sara discuss: Monkeypox. We discuss what it is, where it came from, how it is currently being treated and some of the myths that go along with it. Is this a new pandemic of massive proportions, or do we just need to think outside of the "pox"?

Monkeypox response will show what, if anything, we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, by Andre Picard

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-moneypox-outbreak-canada-virus-response/?utm_medium=Referrer:+Social+Network+/+Media&utm_campaign=Shared+Web+Article+Links

 

09 Mar 2023Bad NICU Nurse: What Happens When a Nurse is the One Abusing Patients00:36:19

Nurses being abused on the job is unfortunately common, but what happens when it's the other way around?

In this episode, Amie and Sara discuss the shocking case of baby Nikko, whose nurse was caught slamming him down face first into a bassinet, with video evidence to prove it. They discuss the event, was happened afterwards, and steps that should be taken to prevent a situation like this from happening again.

They discuss the idea of Family Integrated Care, more transparency and screening in the hiring process, and legal actions. Patients and especially Infants being abused by nurses should NEVER occur!

Video shows New York NICU nursing slamming baby into bassinet: 

https://youtu.be/6enuQUkVQDE 

22 Feb 2024Lucy Letby: Nurse and Serial Killer of Babies in The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit00:59:27

Trigger warning: the case discussed in this episode may be triggering for some

In the true crime episode, the Gritty Nurses are back at it again with Bruce Sackman, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division. 

They discuss the shocking case of serial killer Lucy Letby, a British former neonatal nurse who was convicted and murdered seven infants and attempted the murder of six others between June 2015 and June 2016. (This is all we know of so far!)

How did she get away with it for so long? Were there signs? How can this be prevented from happening again? Why did the media portray her as an "angel of death". 

They also discuss similar cases of serial killers in the healthcare system and what they have in common with other serial killers. 

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!  

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Episode Resources: 

https://people.com/crime/lucy-letby-trial-what-to-know/ 

https://people.com/lucy-letby-killer-nurse-claims-innocence-board-deems-unfit-8415316 

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/jan/30/child-serial-killer-lucy-letby-loses-initial-attempt-challenge-convictions 

https://news.sky.com/story/lucy-letby-trial-i-am-evil-i-did-this-read-the-confession-note-written-by-nurse-accused-of-murdering-seven-babies-12718882 

https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/lucy-letby-parents-card-dead-baby/

https://www.mitchellrepublic.com/news/the-vault/double-o-swango-what-happened-to-dr-michael-swango-who-left-trail-of-dead-patients-in-midwest-elsewhere 

https://unsolvedmysteries.fandom.com/wiki/Michael_Swango

https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/5-chilling-details-serial-killer-kristen-gilbert 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kristen_Gilbert

Bruce Sackman's book, Behind the Murder Curtain:

https://www.amazon.ca/Behind-Murder-Curtain-Special-Veterans/dp/1682617149

Pre-Order our Upcoming Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

https://www.grittynurse.com/

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05 Jul 2024Reconciliation is more than a Checkbox: An Important Conversation with Len Pierre00:39:19

In this insightful episode, the Gritty Nurses chat with Len Pierre, an Indigenous leader who provides education and awareness in Indigenous Cultural Safety & reconciliation:
Indigenous cultural advising, education & training, and consultation
services. They chat about pressing issues in healthcare affecting Indigenous people, how healthcare providers can give better care to vulnerable populations, and more. 

Len Pierre is Coast Salish from Katzie (kate-zee) First Nation. Len is an educator, consultant, TEDx Speaker, social activist, traditional knowledge keeper, and cultural practitioner. He has completed his Master of Education degree from Simon Fraser University focusing on curriculum and instructional design. His experience includes Indigenous education and program leadership from various health organizations, including the First Nations Health Authority, Fraser Health Authority, and the Canadian Centre for Mental Health and Addiction. As an agent for change, Len leads and advises for systemic transformation in universities across North America. He specializes in the development of educational programs and services with decolonization and reconciliation as its core values. He comes to us with an open heart and open mind, and hopes to be received in the same way.

 

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!  

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

 

 

 

07 Jul 2022The Gruel of Nursing School00:40:31

In this episode, Amie & Sara discuss their experiences in nursing school. What was it like being in nursing school? Which one of us is the introvert/extrovert? How did we survive 4 years of schooling? You have to listen to find out!

16 Dec 202149 episodes, 23 Countries, 2000+ mins: This has been a Gritty Nurse Year!00:30:50

49 episodes, 23 Countries, 2000 mins: This has been a Gritty Nurse Year!

In the last episode of the season, Amie and Sara discuss their year in review: advocacy, political action, hopes for the new year and what's to come in 2022. 

Thank you all for listening, and we will see you in 2022 for another Gritty Nurse year, where for sure, we will continue to take names, call out the BS, and advocate for better healthcare outcomes for all!

Happy Holidays, stay safe!

Love Your Gritty Nurses,

Amie & Sara

Thank you to our sponsor Samuel Merritt University! If you’re interested in getting more information on their MSN and DNP programs and scholarships visit them at https://smumsn.com and show them how much you appreciate them for sponsoring our podcast!

26 Oct 2023Gritty Nurse Halloween Edition: What Makes Hospitals So Scary???00:44:27

The Annual Gritty Nurse Halloween episode is here! Sara, Amie, and Nurse Matt sit down and talk about what makes hospitals so scary! We share our insights, nursing ghost stories and what spooky shows we are watching now! We also discuss how we might make hospitals less scary! So turn down the lights, charge your defibrillators, grab your favourite nurse deadite--you don't miss this episode!

New Book Coming Soon "THE WISDOM OF NURSES"- Published By Harper Collins 

From the hosts of the hit podcast Gritty Nurses, stories of the challenges, heartbreak and humour of life on the front line

One of the enduring lessons of the pandemic has been the pivotal role that nursing plays in health care—vital work that isn’t widely understood or, sadly, appreciated. Sara Fung and Amie Archibald-Varley started the wildly popular Gritty Nurses podcast to give voice to nurses all over the world, including more than 400,000 nurses in Canada. The authors have quickly become sought-after speakers and advocates for nurses and are called on regularly by the media to talk about a wide range of issues around the profession. In their first book, they take you to the front line of nursing to show the compassion, selflessness and dedication of professionals who not only give it all for their patients, but get up and do it over and over again.

Pre-Order Available Soon!

Follow the Gritty Nurse Podcast!

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18 May 2023As You Get Older Will We Care For You?: Interview with the Minister of Seniors of Canada00:49:39

In this eye-opening episode, Sara and Amie interview nurse, politician and Minister of Seniors of Canada, Kamal Khera.  

They discuss the national standards for seniors, the top priorities for seniors, concerns related to oversight in long-term care, access to treatment and how nursing and others in healthcare be a part of the solution.

The Honourable Kamal Khera was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Brampton West in 2015. Minister Khera is one of the youngest women ever elected to Parliament. A registered nurse, community volunteer, and political activist, she is passionate about improving the lives of those around her.

Links:

New National Long-Term Care Services Standard

New voluntary standards released for long-term care homes devastated by the pandemic

Members of Parliament: Kamal Khera

 

Follow The Gritty Nurse Podcast!

22 Nov 2022Fined, Bullied and Silenced over a Facebook Post? Carolyn Brost Strom's Story and Victory for Patient Safety and Patient Care00:34:54

Nurses are nurses' worst enemies. Our job is to ensure that patient safety and patient outcomes are our primary concerns. But what happens when self-interest or pride, or greed takes over and patients care is not important? This is exactly what happened in Carolyn Brost Strom's Story. There was no professional misconduct, only a nurse who was brave enough to speak out to protect her family which extended to protecting other patients and families. 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/sask-nurse-carolyn-strom-wins-appeal-1.5752592

03 Nov 2022They Don't Give a F*ck About Nurses or They Would Protect Us: Nursing Homicides00:36:20

In this podcast episode, Amie & Sara discuss the deaths of two nurses that happened less than weeks apart. On Oct 18, 2022 June Onkundi, a wife, mother, and psychiatric nurse practitioner was stabbed to death by one of her patients, James Gomes, while at work. On Oct 20th, 2022, Jacqueline Pokuaa (social worker), 45, and Katie Flowers (nurse), 63, were shot and killed by Nestor Hernandez, 30, who was on parole following an aggravated assault conviction. 

How does this continue to happen? Are nursing lives worth nothing? What is being done to stop this? Why aren't the hospitals doing more to protect healthcare staff? We are so angry and we all must call for stronger legislation and support to protect us from harm.

https://people.com/crime/n-c-nurse-allegedly-stabbed-to-death-at-work-by-psychiatric-patient-called-dedicated-compassionate-kind/

https://www.citizen.digital/news/american-man-charged-with-murdering-kenyan-nurse-june-onkundi-has-a-history-of-assaulting-women-n308036

https://abc11.com/raleigh-woman-stabbed-to-death-durham-family-mourns-june-onkundi/12348627/

https://www.wral.com/colleagues-come-together-to-honor-nurse-killed-in-durham/20541114/

https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2022/10/26/what-we-know-about-the-nurse-case-worker-killed-in-the-dallas-hospital-shooting/

https://www.nursingworld.org/news/news-releases/2022-news-releases/statement-on-the-methodist-dallas-medical-center-shooting/

https://khn.org/morning-breakout/after-2-nurses-killed-in-dallas-hospital-worker-safety-again-in-spotlight/

https://www.chiefhealthcareexecutive.com/view/after-dallas-hospital-shooting-nurses-call-for-greater-protection

04 Nov 2021Being Neurodivergent in Healthcare: ADHD and Nursing with Jami Fregeau00:32:15
What is it like working in healthcare with ADHD? What are your perceptions of those who are working in healthcare with ADHD? We sit down to talk to podcast host Jami Fregeau of "The Neurodivergent Nurse". We discuss with Jami what it is like having ADHD in the healthcare world. A little perspective goes a long way and focusing on how we can change our perspectives and attitudes to support those who are neurodiverse in healthcare is an important conversation to have! 
 
 
Clinical study of boys with more diagnosis than female resulting in underdiagnosis.

https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcpp.12874

 
 
 
Successful People in History with ADHD: 
 
 
The Neurodivergent Nurse
 
Thank you to our sponsor Samuel Merritt University! If you’re interested in getting more information on their MSN and DNP programs and scholarships visit them at https://smumsn.com and show them how much you appreciate them for sponsoring our podcast!
02 May 2024Nurses Getting Sh*t DONE: The Wisdom of Nurses is a #1 National Best Selling Book!!!!00:38:32

In this episode, Amie and Sara talk about the whirlwind of events that have taken place in the last few months. An exciting national media tour, a book release, hitting #1 National Bestselling status, NurseCon, and more! This is just the beginning. Unstoppable, Unflappaple, Undeniable! 

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

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Thank you to our sponsor Healthcare Providers!!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!  

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

 

 

 

27 Oct 2022Haunted Hospitals: A re-release of our own scariest stories00:42:35

Have you seen our Haunted Hospitals Episode yet? This creepy podcast that we released in Oct 2020 is now on a TV show!! Amie & Sara are both featured Season 4 of Haunted Hospitals premieres within our Creep Week programming event on Wednesday, October 12 at 10pm ET/PT. Links attached!

Our podcast episode gets into Halloween spirit by discussing personal encounters with the paranormal! Spooky stories that happened in the hospital and at home. Listen to this one curled up in the comfort of your bed or couch :)

Sara talks about a spooky encounter on nights at the hospital and another as a student living off campus, and Amie explains a creepy story from her childhood home, and a haunted room at the hospital.  

The Gritty Nurses discuss favourite horror movies and what makes them scary- listen if you dare!

S04 E01 · Terror in the Sanitorium, The Break Room, Do Not Enter  (Amie Archibald-Varley Story)

Oct 15, 2022

 

A young medical assistant starting a new job in a former TB hospital discovers she's not alone in the building. A rookie nurse goes through an initiation when she's assigned to take her break in a room rumoured to be haunted. A procedural nurse recounts her experiences with a hostile entity within the walls of an old hospital.

 

https://www.sky.com/watch/title/series/35fadbd9-d5fb-42c8-bb13-15d49af2240d/haunted-hospitals-35fadbd9-d5fb-42c8-bb13-15d49af2240d/episodes/season-4/episode-1
https://www.tandetv.com/shows/haunted-hospitals/

 

S04 E05 · Connection, Ghost Interrupted, Terror in the Tunnel (Sara Fung Story)

 

Nov 9, 2022

New

A nurse assistant observes uncanny coincidences that emerge in connection with a long term care resident. A teenager at a psychiatric facility detects spirits in an abandoned building. While transporting a baby a nurse senses a disturbing presence.

 

Creep Week: https://creepweek.tandetv.com/?utm_source=press_release&utm_medium=press_release&utm_campaign=creep_week

03 Feb 2022Code White: How Do We Address Violence in Nursing?00:56:17

Trigger Warning: The situations described in this episode may be triggering to some. 

"On every shift, in every emergency department in Canada, a staff member is subjected to harassment, abuse and
assault”. Our guests this week, Dr. James Brophy and Dr. Margaret Keith have studied an extensive range of important occupational and environmental health issues. They have just had a book published entitled Code White: Sounding the Alarm on Violence against Health Care Workers, which drew heavily on three important research studies they conducted over the past five years. The first two focused on violence against health care staff in the hospital and long-term care settings and the third on health care worker protection during the pandemic

Bio:

Dr. James Brophy and Dr. Margaret Keith both have PhDs in environmental health from the University of Stirling in Scotland.

As a couple and as research partners, they They have published numerous articles in peer reviewed scientific journals and contributed several book chapters to academic publications. Together they were awarded the Scientific Award from the Occupational Health Section of the American Public Health Association for the rigour displayed in their ground-breaking occupational breast cancer research.

The SARS Commission Report

 

05 Oct 2023Learning How to Own our Own Struggles: A Road to Recovery with Minaa B~ Social Worker, Author & WONDERMIND Mental Health Advisor00:35:00

In this powerful episode, the Gritty Nurses chat with Minaa B,  a licensed mental health professional and therapist specializing in treating depression, anxiety, and trauma. She is also the author of the book "Owning our own struggles- A Path to Healing and Finding Community in a Broken World" and sits on the Mental Health Advisory Committee for Wondermind, a mental fitness company co-founded by Selena Gomez.

They chat about why there is still so much stigma around mental health, how we can break the cycle of nurses eating their young, and how we practice self-care when many nurses, healthcare providers and the general public are simply trying to keep their heads above water.

 

Follow the Gritty Nurse Podcast!

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https://www.minaab.com/about-minaa

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/minaa_b/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MinaaBe

 

 

09 Jun 2022Highways over Healthcare: No, Life isn't a Highway00:34:59

In this episode, Amie and Sara discuss the recent election and how elections can impact healthcare. Are highway by-ways more important than bypass surgery? We don't hold back because we cant hold back. THIS IS ALL OUR HEALTH THAT WILL BE AFFECTED. 

06 Apr 2023Nurses Murdered by their Partners: The Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence00:31:11

Thanks to WeRPN for sponsoring this episode!

We want to share an amazing opportunity for RPNs & PSWs in Ontario! Designed in partnership with the Government of Ontario, WeRPNs Bridging Educational Grant in Nursing program (aka BEGIN) is a tuition reimbursement program for eligible students enrolled in bridging programs. To learn more, go to https://begin.werpn.com/ or email info@begin.werpn.com 

Trigger warning (intimate partner violence and sexual assault): the stories discussed in this episode may be triggering for some. 

In this episode, Amie and Sara talk about two very shocking stories about nurses who were brutally murdered by their partners, and the common themes between both of them. 

Story 1: Susan Chen, a nurse at Sick Kids Hospital and mother of 5, subjected to years of physical, verbal and sexual abuse, was found dead in 2019 on her bathroom floor from a gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Surprisingly, her killer was also a nurse.

 

Story 2: Rebecca Bliefnick, a registered nurse who was going to become a nurse practitioner and mother of 3,  whose husband is accused of her murder. She had a restraining order against her husband when was shot to death in her home. He was known for being a contestant on Family Feud, where he made misogynistic comments on the show. 

They discuss the need for stronger policies, support and protection for women who are abused by their partners. They talk about the cycle of abuse and toxic masculinity. 

If you or something you know is a victim of intimate partner violence, please reach out by talking to someone you trust. 

Related links:

MANDEL: Mom of five speaks from the grave at husband's murder trial

https://torontosun.com/news/local-news/mandel-mom-of-five-speaks-from-the-grave-at-husbands-murder-trial  

A Scarborough man is on trial for the murder of his wife Susan Chen, a nurse

https://globalnews.ca/video/8920808/a-scarborough-man-is-on-trial-for-the-murder-of-his-wife-susan-chen-a-nurse  

SickKids nurse was killed in sex assault by husband, judge rules, dismissing defence’s ‘fantastic claims’

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2023/02/22/sick-kids-nurse-was-killed-in-sex-assault-by-husband-judge-rules-dismissing-defences-fantastic-claims.html?fbclid=IwAR1mqVD1Mowe1drQhM_NluwZCh2_qVVd2CnxrthzZ3qJmCBr3WXBpVm5FSs  

Illinois Nurse Allegedly Killed by Estranged Husband with Bizarre History

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls7cYRh_kNM  

Rebecca Bliefnick obituary

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/whig/name/rebecca-bliefnick-obituary?id=48787337  

Rebecca Bliefnick Gofundme

https://www.gofundme.com/f/sf6w9h-becky-bliefnick-memorial-and-support-fund 

Resources:

Government of Canada family violence resources

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/stop-family-violence/services.html 

CASW Domestic Violence Resources

https://www.casw-acts.ca/en/resources/domestic-violence-resources 

CDC Intimate Partner Violence

https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/intimatepartnerviolence/index.html 

 

10 Nov 2022Hiding The Harm in Hospitals: Sounding the Alarm in Healthcare with Tracy Zambory- President of The Saskatchewan Union of Nurses00:37:41

Could you imagine working in a climate where the government is not being transparent about how dire the healthcare crisis is? Or even worse, working in conditions that you know can cause patient harm and are NOT ALLOWED to speak up because of severe punishment? Yes- this is real. And it is happening right here in Canada, specifically in Saskatchewan. Nurses CAN NOT SPEAK OUT without fear or reprisal or intimidation from their employers--but Tracey Zambory and the Saskatchewan Nursing Union is bringing the fight to the government for patient safety and nursing rights!

Tracy Zambory is a Registered Nurse (RN) and President of the Saskatchewan Union of Nurses (SUN); the union representing Saskatchewan’s more than 11,000 Registered Nurses, Registered Psychiatric Nurses and Nurse Practitioners.

As a nursing leader, Tracy strives to use her voice and influence to advance the principles of Truth and Reconciliation in health care, while facilitating crucial conversations around race and gender within the nursing profession. Under Tracy’s stewardship, SUN has instigated and lead critical dialogue on numerous health and social issues from Saskatchewan’s HIV, youth mental health, and overdose crises to the future of seniors’ care and access to rural health in the province.

Tracy’s leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been a source of strength for nurses and frontline health workers facing extreme system demands, a touchstone for patients and families seeking advice in the face of the unknown, and a driver of government and health decision-maker accountability.

Tracy represents her members as the current Vice President of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour (SFL) and as an Officer on the National Executive Board of the Canadian Federation of Nurses' Unions (CFNU).

Tracy lives in her hometown of Stoughton, Saskatchewan with her husband, Sam, and their dog, Danga. She’s known in town for her community service, and her love of gardening and baking.



27 Jan 2022Doctors and Nurses Who Kill: Behind the Murder Curtain with Special Agent Bruce Sackman00:59:34

In this episode, Amie & Sara talk True Crime. We interview retired Special Agent Bruce Sackman, who was in Charge of the US Department of Veterans Affairs OIG. He is the co-author of Behind The Murder Curtain a book chronicling the horrifying details and stories of doctors and nurses who have murdered their patients throughout the US and the world.

Bruce Sackman served as the Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA), Office of Inspector General, Criminal Investigations Division, Northeast Field Office until May 2005 when he retired after 32 years’ service. In this capacity, he was responsible for all major criminal investigations involving VA from West Virginia to Maine. During his tenure he was involved in hundreds of investigations involving allegations of fraud, corruption, false claims, thefts, patient assaults, pharmaceutical drug diversions and suspicious hospital deaths. 

Bruce is a former self-employed licensed private investigator in New York City specializing in healthcare related matters. Under contract he had directed major investigations for a large New York metropolitan regional healthcare system.

He is the co-author of the book “Behind the Murder Curtain, Special Agent Bruce Sackman Hunts Doctors and Nurses Who Kill Our Veterans”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDeRIA5NkaI&authuser=0

https://www.10tv.com/article/news/investigations/10-investigates/mount-carmel-patient-overdose-deaths/husel-murder-counts-dropped/530-dddcf3f0-5719-40e6-9ccc-0b7e8b6feadd?fbclid=IwAR0-zbki9lzN8K8EQgpXktW9kiL0bmgfMBEHQrAf1tqc1DqmhKbSFz9cfpM

Killer Nurse: William Davis Was Trusted and Well-Liked. Then Patients Around Him Began Dying
When the family of 47-year-old Christopher Greenaway learned he needed coronary-artery bypass graft surgery in August 2017, they were understandably concerned. Still, despite the risks, Greenaway—a medical transport pilot, certified open-water diver and Eagle Scout—was the picture of vitality, and he faced the procedure with his typical can-do spirit. “He said, ‘I’m trying to live to be 100,’” says his friend and fellow Army veteran Danny Sherman. “He lived a big, huge life. … He lived out loud

 
08 Feb 2024Criminalization of Miscarriage: Brittany Watts and The Black Maternal Health Crisis00:44:13

In this episode, Amie and Sara discuss the Black Maternal Health Crisis in relation to the most concerning case/situation of Brittany Watts. We discuss the history of nurses who "police" their patients, obstetrical racism and the changes needed to prevent what happened to Brittany Watts from happening again.

We stand in Solidarity with Brittany Watts against racial injustice. 

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Ontario!  

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees

who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Episode Resources:

https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/19/us/brittany-watts-miscarriage-criminal-charge/index.html 

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/01/a-nurse-called-police-after-a-black-woman-miscarried-theres-a-history-to-that/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/01/11/ohio-woman-miscarriage-criminal-charge-declined/72196038007/

https://www.usatoday.com

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/01/why-black-women-are-apprehensive-about-pregnancy-and-why-this-matters/

https://ebn.bmj.com/content/early/2024/01/23/ebnurs-2023-103913

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brittany-watts-the-ohio-woman-charged-with-a-felony-after-a-miscarriage-talks-shock-of-her-arrest/

Pre-Order our Upcoming Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

Follow us!

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04 Apr 2024What is the HARDEST specialty in nursing? Move out of the way ICU....00:23:20

In this episode, the Gritty Nurses discuss a viral Instagram reel in which a nurse describes what she believes to be the hardest specialty in nursing. We discuss the pros and cons! Which is the hardest or most stressful? There are so many, how do we decide? Does it mean the hardest is the best? You be the judge!

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!  

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees

who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Order our book, The Wisdom Of Nurses!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast 

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20 Jun 2024Leaving the Bedside for the Bedroom: The Hottest Job Trend in Nursing~ Working from Home with Nurse Fern!00:32:13

Remote work is a hugely hot topic right now! How the heck can you work from home as a NURSE?! The Gritty Nurses chat with Emma, aka Nurse Fern, who has built a platform and community centred on helping nurses find work from home jobs! Listen for Emma's story on how she got into remote work and how you can too, plus pros and cons of the WFH life!

Emma Geiser is the founder of Nurse Fern, a platform dedicated to helping nurses explore non-traditional and remote roles through education, support, and community. She has a background in medical intensive care, emergency, and clinical documentation integrity nursing. Once an adrenaline junkie, she now enjoys working from home in her pajamas. 

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP, is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

 Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

 Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon! https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/

Follow the Gritty Nurse Podcast!

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Follow Nurse Fern!

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5F77rzHJMWz4DVsojWwA9Q

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurse.fern/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/remotenursefern/ 

24 Feb 2023Becoming Your Own Boss: Rise of the Nurse Entrepreneur with Janine Kelbach00:30:49

Could you be a badass nurse entrepreneur?

So many of us want to be our own boss, but don’t actually know how! In this episode, we have not just one but THREE nurse entrepreneurs sharing their hacks: nurse and healthcare writer Janine Kelbach, and of course Sara and Amie!

Janine Kelbach, BSN RNC-OB, is a wife, mom of 2 boys (and a Great Dane), educator and author of the book, Entreprenurse: 30+ Nurses Turn Into Business Owners and Share Their Secrets to Success. She has been a Freelance Health Content Writer since 2013 and is the CEO of Write RN. She hosts The Savvy Scribe Podcast and owns SavvyNurseWriter.com. Her team of RN writers help healthcare companies with their content and social needs.

We discuss the ins and outs of owning your own business as a nurse, and what the 3 Fs stand for. If you’re even a little bit interested in owning your own business this episode is for you. 

24 Mar 2022Man Cold or Massive Blood Clot? When the “Walk it Off” Approach To Your Health Does Not Work So Well - With Ryan Lindley 01:07:23

It’s just a little blood when I cough, what the big deal? Can a little cough take your life? What’s your mentality in regards to taking care of yourself? In this strangely lighthearted and funny episode, we talk to Ryan Lindley from The Dean Blundell Podcast and Sheeple Shepherd Podcast about his extremely serious health care experience, one that could have taken his life. Listen as he describes his terrifying experience (like a comedian) and what advice he has about not ignoring your health. 

I AIN’T DEAD YET… BUT I PROBABLY SHOULD BE: A CAUTIONARY TALE

https://deanblundell.com/news/i-aint-dead-yet-but-i-probably-should-be-a-cautionary-tale/

The Sheeple Shepherd Podcast

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-sheeple-shepherd-podcast/id1546475099

The Dean Blundell Podcast 

https://deanblundell.com/podcasts/

Twitter @ryanlindley

07 Sep 2023Are you a Nursing Advocate or a Nursing Influencer? Healthcare Professionals in the Spotlight00:36:46

In this episode, the Gritty Nurses sit down with another fellow nurse, podcaster and entrepreneur, Amanda Guarniere! Amanda is an Ivy-league educated Nurse Practitioner, Keynote Speaker and Career Mentor who helps nursing professionals find and land their dream job. She founded The Résumé Rx in 2018 and since then has grown the community to over 40,000 nursing students and professionals worldwide.

They chat about how she pivoted from bedside nursing to becoming a business owner, whether she sees herself as a nurse influencer or an advocate, her friendship with Katie Duke, and what the biggest issues are for nurses today. Oh, and they touch on their mutual love of true crime!

Links:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/02/21/katie-duke-instagram-nursing-pandemic/

Follow Amanda and The Resume Rx!

https://www.theresumerx.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theresumerx/

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCehdWid2dE8GW2qG0DEh6uQ 

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07 Apr 2022Disrupt and Reimagine Nursing for the Future: Hot Topics with PatMacRN!00:49:23

In this episode, the Gritty Nurses chat with PatMacRN about all the things, such as citizen science, why nurses should start a business and why being a nurse should be accessible to all. They chat about why it's ok to be drawn to nursing for the pay, why nurses should be allowed to complain and the problem with high stakes testing! Let's make nursing more diverse in all aspects by removing barriers to nursing education.

Thanks to our sponsor Executive Links!

Are you looking for continuing education from a Canadian provider? Executive Links has almost 200 webinars to choose from on many topics including: med/surg, critical
care, geriatrics, peds, mental health and more! Each webinar is $35 and includes handouts, a certificate of completion and the option to watch live & on-demand for at least a year.
 Save 15% for the rest of 2022 on any topic. Just use code: GRITTY at checkout!  Visit execulinks.net to register!

Follow Executive Links:

Facebook: NursingLinks = https://www.facebook.com/nursinglinks
Instagram: @ExecutiveLinks
Twitter: @Executive_Links
TikTok: @ExecutiveLinks

Follow Pat Mac RN:

Twitter @nursepatmacrn

Instagram @patmacrn

www.patmacrn.com

11 Jan 2024The Rise & Popularity of Ozempic Use: What is the "skinny" truth of this "wonder" Drug00:38:11

Happy NEW YEAR 2024! What were the 3 most popular resolutions for 2024? Did you guess fitness, finances and weight loss? You guessed right! There has been A LOT of buzz around the medicine OZEMPIC. What is the "skinny" truth on Ozempic? We hear a lot about celebrities using it for weight loss, but what about the patients who need it? It's time to talk about our society's perceptions related to weight, fitness, well-being and what a health body size is--without being judgy a-holes (we think healthy bodies come in many shapes and sizes). It's time for healthcare providers to take over the conversation and leave the vapidness to the celebs! In this episode, Amie and Sara discuss what Ozempic is and why is it getting so much attention. We discuss Ozempic in the news, potential side effects, the controversy and whether it is a miracle drug. Do we just need better policies to support people to be healthy? Or Do we need to use medicines to support diagnoses such as Obesity? We think truth health lies somewhere in the happy middle.

Resources:

https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/new-years-resolutions-statistics/

https://globalnews.ca/news/10177555/semaglutide-liraglutide-canada-poison-control-calls/amp/

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-shortages/information-consumers/supply-notices/ozempic.html

https://www.tampabay.com/news/health/2023/12/30/ozempic-overdose-poison-control-experts-explain-why-thousands-odd-this-year/

https://globalnews.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Canada_Numbers.jpg?quality=85&strip=all

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/5-ways-ozempic-and-other-new-weight-loss-drugs-have-changed-health/

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/scammers-taking-advantage-of-surging-demand-for-ozempic-bbb-warns-1.6706973

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna131452

https://www.businessinsider.com/weight-loss-glp-1-drugs-ozempic-wegovy-mounjaro-effects-future-2023-12

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/22/well/ozempic-diabetes-weight-loss.html

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/ozempic-wegovy-diabetes-weight-loss-side-effects-rcna66493 

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-shortages/information-consumers/supply-notices/ozempic.html

Pre-Order our Upcoming Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

21 Jul 2022Treat YOU Better: What Healthcare Can We Learn from Shawn Mendes00:28:26

In this episode, Amie and Sara do a mental health check-in. We discuss the importance of taking a break, acknowledging that self-care and time to oneself are important. We also discuss a tweet from a Canadian Pop Star, Shawn Mendes and how taking care of ones mental health should not be "commendable" or "brave". It's just the right thing to do. The more we talk about and normalize mental health, the more likely we can make changes in healthcare overall and begin to treat and see mental health as healthcare. Please take care, folks! If you or someone you know is suffering, please reach out to https://talksuicide.ca or https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/988

 

23 Jun 2022Amie & Sara in the Multiverse: What Would We Be if We Were Not Nurses00:29:09

In this episode, Amie and Sara discuss what careers they would have gone into if they didn’t get into nursing. We also believe it’s never too late to combine our passions, or maybe, change them altogether! Ehem News/Media/TV, “We are ready for our close up Mr. DeMille”

21 Sep 2023Privatized Healthcare is no ROYALE with CHEESE00:37:02

Be warned--this episode is not for your kids, ok? We are MAD---annoyed in fact that we have to have this conversation---but here we are. In this episode, the Gritty Nurses discuss the current state of prviate vs. public healthcare in Canada. Is healthcare still universal, or are we sliding down a slippery slope? 

They discuss what privatized healthcare looks like, whether we should be concerned, and what they think should be occurring. 

 

References:

https://www.ipolitics.ca/queens-park/health-canada-concerned-about-ontario-company-that-charges-for-virtual-doctor-visits

 https://www.reddit.com/r/ontario/comments/etvke2/has_anyone_every_used_maple_online_doctor/?rdt=48992

 https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/maple-health-online-doctor-visits-1.4194285

 https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/maple-health-ceo-private-health-care-1.6777485#:~:text=Brett%20Belchetz%20is%20the%20CEO,services%20billable%20to%20private%20insurers.

Follow The Gritty Nurse Podcast!

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

01 Sep 2022There's a New Role in Town- The Chief Nurse Officer: Our Gritty Expectations00:39:21

There's a new role in town: the Chief Nurse Officer. Do you have a CNO position where you live? What is the role of a CNO? What will the CNO's first 90 days look like? In this episode, Amie & Sara give their "gritty" take on what the first 90 days of the CNO positions should look like. Its just our opinion...but we put it all out there. No BS here, just looking out for the needs of nurses. 

26 May 2022Is it the Breast Choice? The Best "Formula" for Feeding Your Baby00:34:08
In this episode, Amie FINALLY gets Sara to discuss breast vs bottle feeding. The sh*t rolls down hill as always and when the US sneezes, Canada gets the cold! The formula shortage in the US is affecting us all. From the major shut down from Abbott due to 2 infant deaths, to the capitalism, supply chain issues and monopoly of the market- it has forced us to continue this debate on how infants are fed. We also discuss the good, bad and the ugly with in regards to lactation consultants. We have the "best formula" for our listeners.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/may/18/baby-formula-shortage-why-is-there-none-what-to-do-causes-explained

Implementation of Hospital Practices Supportive of Breastfeeding in the Context of COVID-19 – United States, July 15-August 20, 2020

https://www.bfmed.org/statement-on-shortage-of-breastmilk-substitutes

https://mariebiancuzzo.com/2019/10/11/8-ironclad-reasons-to-fire-your-lactation-consultant/

https://lailluminator.com/2022/05/21/baby-formula-industry-primed-for-disaster-long-before-key-factory-closed-down/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/reviewed/2022/05/23/baby-formula-shortage-here-how-supplement-and-transition/9894830002/

https://globalnews.ca/news/8862124/baby-formula-shortage-78000-pounds-us-europe/

10 Feb 2022Long-Term care, Palliative Care and Home Care: The Forgotten Sectors of Healthcare00:39:55
In this episode, Amie and Sara chat with Dr. Amit Arya, a palliative care physician. We discuss the long-term care crisis, what palliative care is and isn't, and why home care is so important. Should these areas be clinical placements in nursing school? We touch on quality of life and the power of connection. 

Dr. Amit Arya is a Palliative Care Physician who works in Hospital, Home Care and Long-Term Care Facilities.  He is currently the Palliative Care Lead at Kensington Health in Toronto & serves as Lecturer for the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Toronto and Assistant Clinical Professor for the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University.  

Dr. Arya holds multiple leadership roles at the national, provincial and local level, and was awarded the 2020 Award of Excellence in Social Responsibility, from the Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto.  In 2021, he co-founded Doctors for Justice in Long-Term Care, a coalition of over 1000 physicians and researchers advocating for an overhaul of the long-term care system in Ontario.  Through the COVID-19 crisis, he has been featured in the media speaking about LTC on the CBC the National, CTV’s The Social, and TVO’s The Agenda.

 

 

12 May 2022Reproductive Justice: Abortion Rights in a Post Roe World?01:03:52

What is Roe v. Wade? What does USA law have to do with Canada? We are not so far removed from n the United States, when it comes to the right to choose and Canada’s own history related to abortion access.  Who decides what women get to do with their bodies? The state or the women? In this episode, Amie & Sara discussion abortion rights with ADRIANNE M. BEHNING, a nurse who previously worked at an abortion clinic and the host of Nursing Uncensored Podcast.  With the ongoing pull back on services, health disparities in maternal outcomes, and the fact that some Canadian hospitals do not offer abortion services, we need to pay attention to whats happening around us— it never just happens to “them”. This is happening to “us”.

 

ADRIANNE M. BEHNING,

 

https://www.nursinguncensored.com/about-nu

 

Links:

 

https://www.prochoiceamerica.org/issue/abortion-access/

 

https://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/

 

https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/data_stats/abortion.htm

 

https://carafem.org/10-things-riskier-than-abortion/

 

https://www.reproductiverights.org/sites/crr.civicactions.net/files/documents/roeprivacy_0.pdf

 

 

Other organizations for info

National Abortion Federation -  prochoice.org

NARAL (natl abortion rights action league) - pro choice America.org

Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health - Nsrh.org

18 Aug 2022Gun Violence in America: A Healthcare Issue That Is In Our Lane with Dr. Mark Shapiro00:40:39

As of August 15, 2022, There have been 27,889 deaths from gun violence by all causes. There have been 419 mass shootings and 19 mass murders. There have been 215 children between the ages of 0-11, as well as 852 teenagers that have been killed by gun violence. There have been 24,849 individuals injured by gun violence. Where do occur?  In our schools. In our homes. At our places of employment. Where do they end up? In our hospitals. Who takes care of them? Physicians, Nurses and allied health. The devastating effects of gun violence is vicerally seen in healthcare. In 2018, the NRA told doctors to "stay in their lane". 

We save lives. We protect those most vulnerable. This is our lane. We are not going anywhere. In this episode, Amie & Sara speak to Dr. Mark Shapiro, a practicing Hospitalist, creator and host of Explore the Space Podcast and passionate advocate about gun violence in the United States. 

Dr. Mark Shapiro, MD is a practicing Hospitalist &; is the creator, producer &; host of Explore The Space Podcast, a show focused on bringing those who provide healthcare and those who seek healthcare closer together through conversations with leaders from across the spectrum. He is also a TEDx speaker, delivering his first TEDx in March, 2021.

Dr. Shapiro has been in full-time clinical practice as a Hospitalist since 2006. He has served as both Hospitalist Medical Director and member of the Board of Directors. He earned a BA in history at University of California-Los Angeles, attended medical school at Baylor College of Medicine and completed his Internal Medicine residency at University of California-San Diego.

Dr. Shapiro is an active voice on social media and can be followed on Twitter at @ETSshow,

Instagram @explorethespaceshow and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/markshapiromd/

12 Jan 2023As a Nurse, We Have a Nursing Ick: It's Nurses Doing Ick Videos About Patients00:24:28

Welcome Back to Season 4 of The Gritty Nurse Podcast! Our first episode back is about nursing icks. What in the hell got into these nurses why they thought this was ok? We discuss our takes as Maternal Child nurses/OB nurses, give other options for "venting" and discuss how social media can be used by nurses in a more productive way. Forgive our crazy video setup! We are just getting started using videos and video editing! Next episode we will have 3 cameras....please pray for us.

Your Gritty Nurses, Amie & Sara

Articles:

https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stefficao/labor-nurse-icks-tiktok-emory-healthcare-apology

https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/emory-hospital-nurses-no-longer-employed-after-viral-tiktok-criticizing-labor-and-delivery-patients/85-2b9c8730-9949-4e1c-b5e3-2be4de04e297

https://nypost.com/2022/12/13/atlanta-nurses-who-mocked-expectant-moms-in-tiktok-video-fired-from-emory-healthcare-hospital/

#ticktock #trending #trendingvideo #nursingicks #nursing #healthcare #podcast #nurse #labouranddelivery #icks #new #news #video #socialmedia #grittynurse #donttrythisathome #work #YouTube #hospital

14 Dec 2023A Book, A Baby, A Renewed Focus for 2024: Year End in Review00:36:18

In this episode, Amie & Sara discuss their year-end and how much has changed over 2023. They also discuss the hottest topic this week in healthcare to close the year.

Pre-Order our Upcoming Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

 

09 Feb 2023Ep 3. NYC Nurses Striking to Save Our Patients, Healthcare System & Profession00:24:03

In this episode, nurses and healthcare advocates Amie Archibald-Varley & Sara Fung discuss the strike of over 7000+ nurses in New York and their victory. The crisis surrounding safe patient-nurse ratios, a larger nursing workforce and low morale is a universal and International nursing issue—should more nurses across the globe go on strike? If so- tell us where and when- we ride at dawn. “Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; But make it hot by striking”~ William Bultler Yeats. “The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and progress”~ Martin Luther King

 

Subscribe to our YouTube: @grittynursepodcast

Twitter: @grittynurse @amievarley @saramfung

IG: @Gritty.nurse.podcast @amievarley @saramfung

 

Links to resources/ Written Credits: 

 

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/12/nyregion/nurses-strike-ends-nyc.html

 

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/12/business/nyc-nurses-strike-ends/index.html

 

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/nurses-ratify-contracts-after-strike-at-two-nyc-hospitals-1.6243855

 

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/how-the-nyc-nurses-strike-points-to-a-nationwide-problem-with-staffing

 

https://www.vox.com/health-care/2023/1/11/23548236/nyc-nurses-strike-2023-mount-sinai-montefiore-hospitals

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-64375244

 

Video Clip: Credit: 

 

https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/11/business/nurses-strike-staff-shortage-problem/index.html

 

09 Dec 2021From Bedside Nurse to CEO: Interview with Christine Buckley00:34:36

In this episode, the Gritty Nurses sit down with Christine Buckley, CEO of the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF). She shares her journey from frontline nurse to CEO. Christine talks about the many things the CNF has done to support nurses, especially during the pandemic. We also discuss advocacy and if she sees herself as an advocate!

BIO

Christine Buckley is the Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF), Canada’s only national charity that raises funds exclusively for nursing education and research. She has helped lead this organization for the past eight years setting new and innovative goals, including raising over one million dollars for indigenous nursing education and research. Prior to CNF, Christine worked with the Canadian Nurses Association, in a number of roles, the most recent being Manager of Regulatory Affairs. Christine has also worked internationally as the chair of the International Council of Nurses, International Nurse Practitioner /Advanced Practice Nurse Network health policy subgroup. Originally from Montreal, Christine completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees at McGill. Christine has several publications that focused on the role of advance practice nurses nationally and internationally. 

Links

Thank you to our sponsor Samuel Merritt University! If you’re interested in getting more information on their MSN and DNP programs and scholarships visit them at https://smumsn.com and show them how much you appreciate them for sponsoring our podcast!

 

22 Dec 2022Over 1700+ Minutes, Listened to in 27 Countries and Top 5% of Podcasts: The Gritty Nurses Say Goodbye to 2022!00:36:39

 In this episode, the Gritty Nurses say goodbye to 2022! We discuss our Spotify Wrapped Stats, our favourite episodes of 2022 and what to expect from us in 2023. The only place to go is up! We will be moving to a bi-weekly schedule (episodes will still be released on Thursdays) but we will also be going visual! You will still be able to find us on all of your favourite listening platforms and now watch us on our youtube channel. We also are planning to do more in-person engagements (A Gritty Nurse Tour- perhaps)! So stay tuned, stay safe and stay blessed! Thank you for listening to us for 3 seasons!!!

Happy Holidays to all~Love Amie & Sara

26 Jan 2023Destroying the Public Healthcare System to Fund a Private One: The New Wave of Healthcare in Canada00:30:46

In this episode, nurses and healthcare advocates Amie Archibald-Varley & Sara Fung discuss the new privatization clinics and hospitals proposed by the Ford government in Canada and Ontario. We also discuss strategies for how people can get involved in making changes and protecting our current system. 

“That’s the standard technique of privatization: Defund, make sure things don’t work, people get angry, you hand it over to private capital”~ Noam Chomsky.

#privatization #healthcare #health #canada #ontario #surgery #privateclinics #forprofit #hospital #care #caplitalism #upselling #OHIP #nursing #Nurse #podcast #upselling #twotieredsystem #dougford #slyviajones #grittynurse #AmieArchibaldVarley #SaraFung #advocates #equity #healthequity #medicare #medicaid 

 

Links to resources/ Written Credits: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nd_lJCWOUM Noam Chomsky 

 

https://cupe.ca/fords-plan-expand-private-clinics-ontario-will-cost-patients-dearly-risk-lives-and-significantly

 

https://www.ontariohealthcoalition.ca/wp-content/uploads/Back_Front-1.png

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-doug-ford-private-clinics-health-care-1.6712444

 

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-doug-ford-surgery-wait-times-private-sector-clinics-1.6715340

 

https://www.thestar.com/opinion/star-columnists/2023/01/19/the-warnings-about-doug-ford-and-private-health-care-are-coming-true.html

 

Video Clip: Credit: 

https://www.tvo.org/video/is-expanding-private-health-care-the-right-move-for-ontario

 

 

 

 

28 Apr 2022What You Don't Know About Long Covid...Can Hurt You00:49:55

There is so much information on Covid. The treatments, understanding transmission and prevention. Even how it affects the body during infection. But what about after you have had covid? What about when the symptoms come back, or never truly leave? What about smelling odd things, debilitating pain, and cognitive and emotional brain fog? There is not enough information, resources, evidence, and support when it comes to discussions on Long Covid. In this episode, we speak to Tracey Thompson, who is currently suffering from Long Covid. If you support her, please donate at:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/9apnu9-medical-treatment?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

Follow Tracey Thompson on Twitter: https://twitter.com/haziethompson 

Thanks to our sponsor Executive Links!

Are you looking for continuing education from a Canadian provider? Executive Links has almost 200 webinars to choose from on many topics including: med/surg, critical care, geriatrics, peds, mental health and more! Each webinar is $35 and includes handouts, a certificate of completion and the option to watch live & on-demand for at least a year.  Save 15% for the rest of 2022 on any topic. Just use code: GRITTY at checkout!  Visit execulinks.net to register!

Follow Executive Links:

Facebook: NursingLinks https://www.facebook.com/nursinglinks

Instagram: @ExecutiveLinks

Twitter: @Executive_Links

TikTok: @ExecutiveLinks

07 Mar 2024Nursing: The most Trusted Profession but the LEAST RESPECTED Profession00:33:30

How can for 22 years in a row Nursing as a profession voted the most "trusted" profession but also the LEAST respected and LEAST valued?

Nursing has been cited to be the least respected and most stressed, according to experts and national data. In this episode, Amie and Sara discuss this conundrum of a situation. We also discussed how other professions rank with the trust of the public.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!  

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees

who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Episode Resources: 

https://news.gallup.com/poll/608903/ethics-ratings-nearly-professions-down.aspx

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/nursing/most-trusted-least-valued-how-to-help-nurses.html

https://nurse.org/articles/nursing-ranked-most-honest-profession/

https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/workforce/healthcares-most-stressful-jobs.html

 

02 Aug 2024The Dangers of Sleep Deprivation: A Nurse Drives Off a Parking Garage and a Nurse at a Strip Club00:37:01

In this episode, The Gritty Nurses and Nurse Matthew discuss two juxtaposing cases: first of a nurse who uploaded a video showing her at a strip club before her shift and a horrifying case of a nurse who fell asleep in her car and then accidentally drove off the top floor of a parking garage. We discuss both cases, the circumstances around each, the "upload/pick me" culture and how common falling asleep while driving among shift workers are.

Details of Case 2: "I was so exhausted..."

A Boston nurse was injured after driving off the top floor of a parking garage. Authorities responded to the incident at Faulkner Hospital in Jamaica Plain, according to a police report from the Boston Police Department.

Responding officers found a “heavily damaged” 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee next to the garage, as well as a piece of railing that appeared to match the railing on the garage’s roof.

Boston fire officials reportedly informed police that a vehicle had plunged off the top of the parking garage, though it was unclear how.

Article: https://people.com/nurse-slept-in-car-drove-off-top-floor-hospital-parking-garage-8656111 

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!  

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

 

17 Feb 2022The "Blockades" Need an Enema: Flushing out the Toxic Waste, Nursing Edition00:42:14

In this episode, Amie & Sara talk about "the occupation" and the blockades that are occurring across Canada. We discuss the new meanings that this "protest" has taken on and what it means to us as nurses and members of our community. Like many of you, we are also fed up with it and kinda could not hold back in this episode. This group is not fighting for OUR freedom-- they are full of it! If there is one thing this group needs, it is a good fleet enema because we aren't buying that shhhhhhhhhhh.....

23 Mar 2023Manslaughter Charges Dropped & Unequal Justice: The Nurse DonQuenick Joppy Story00:40:58

Thanks to WeRPN for sponsoring this episode!

We want to share an amazing opportunity for RPNs & PSWs in Ontario! Designed in partnership with the Government of Ontario, WeRPNs Bridging Educational Grant in Nursing program (aka BEGIN) is a tuition reimbursement program for eligible students enrolled in bridging programs. To learn more, go to https://begin.werpn.com/ or email info@begin.werpn.com 

In this episode, Amie & Sara discuss the case of nurse DonQuenick Joppy with nurse Amanda Golino. Ms. Joppy, a Black nurse claims she faced racial discrimination at an Aurora hospital that led to her being wrongly prosecuted for manslaughter in the death of an elderly patient. We agree. The criminal charges, brought by the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, were later dropped at the prosecution’s request “in the interest of justice,” a motion to dismiss shows. Where is the same outrage/energy nursing colleagues had for Radonda Vaught? This could happen to any nurse too. Please elevate and amplify Ms. Joppy's story.

 https://www.denverpost.com/2022/05/04/donquenick-joppy-lawsuit-medical-center-aurora/

Full case transcript here: https://www.scribd.com/document/572914029/DonQuenick-Joppy-sues-hospital#

Sharing DQs fundraiser for legal fees: http://spot.fund/wdwcvsc

Venmo is @GiveUsOurHarvest and her 

CashApp is $DonQuenick 

Denver Post article: https://www.denverpost.com/2022/05/04/donquenick-joppy-lawsuit-medical-center-aurora/ 

DailyKos: https://m.dailykos.com/stories/2022/5/5/2095876/--It-s-wild-Black-nurse-sues-hospital-after-she-was-targeted-with-unjust-criminal-charges

Hashtags on Twitter: #IStandWithDonQuenick #RacismInNursing #JusticeForDQ

20 Oct 2022Pregnancy and Infant Loss & Perinatal Mental Health: When it's more than the Blues00:35:11

October is pregnancy & infant loss awareness month. Thousands of families are devastated each year by the death of their baby. But the grief of these families and the value of their babies’ lives are very rarely acknowledged.  In this episode, Amie and Sara discuss Perinatal Mood Disorder and Pregnancy loss. We also discuss how we coped with loss in our professional and personal experiences and signs and symptoms of perinatal mood disorders. It's ok to not be ok. Mental health matters.

https://pailnetwork.sunnybrook.ca/about-us/awareness/pregnancy-and-infant-loss-awareness-day/

https://starlegacyfoundation.org/awareness-month/

02 Dec 2021The Surgical Safety YELL List: Creating a Language of Mutual Respect in the Operating Room00:41:27

Working in the operating room can be a fun and very scary place.  When it comes to the Surgical Safety Checklist, a standard of care  to ensure patient safety, can turn into a real hot mess when the whole team doesn't participate. In lighthearted, funny episode, Amie & Sara sit down with Nurse Matt to discuss an experience that he had that is not uncommon in the OR, but the ending had a unique twist! Ultimately, the name of the game is Respect, and there is much more that needs to go around! 

Thank you to our sponsor Samuel Merritt University! If you’re interested in getting more information on their MSN and DNP programs and scholarships visit them at https://smumsn.com and show them how much you appreciate them for sponsoring our podcast!

11 Aug 2022Transverse Myelitis, Nursing and Advocacy: How Andrea Dalzell became The Seated Nurse00:38:34

There is nothing, and we mean NOTHING, that Andrea Dalzell cannot do. In this episode, we talk to a registered nurse, healthcare advocate, disability rights influencer, speaker and survivor, Andrea Dalzell. She is known as The Seated Nurse and was the first nurse in a wheelchair in New York. We discuss her path into nursing school, advocacy and passion for amplifying folks with disabilities everywhere, especially in nursing. 

Andrea Dalzell is a registered nurse, healthcare advocate, disability rights influencer, speaker and most importantly, a survivor. At the age of five, Andrea was diagnosed with transverse myelitis, an inflammation of the spinal cord that causes pain, muscle weakness and paralysis, and she was using a wheelchair full-time by twelve years old. Inspired by her experiences with nurses, she received her nursing degree from the City University of New York, College of Staten Island. Andrea became the first registered nurse in a wheelchair in the state of New York, and she devotes her career to helping others with disabilities live healthier lives whether seated or Able-bodied.

Andrea was crowned Ms. Wheelchair New York 2015, and utilized her title and platform: "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Access," to promote her message and belief that people with disabilities can live a fulfilling life. As an advocate and activist, she has won national recognition over the years, including being named New Mobilitiy's Person of the Year (2021) and the inaugural Craig H. Neilsen Visionary Prize Winner 2020. She has also been featured in Unite Spinal, HomeCare Magazine, Apple's iWatch campaign, Yahoo, and Forbes.

https://www.theseatednurse.com

https://linktr.ee/TheSeatedNurse

https://www.instagram.com/theseatednurse/

https://twitter.com/theseatednurse

@theseatednurse

 

 

12 Sep 2024Health Equity, Medical School & Creating Healthy Changes: Toronto Metropolitan School of Medicine with Dean Dr. Teresa Chan!00:52:17

In this episode, the Gritty Nurses talk about a new medical school at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) with their founding dean, Dr. Teresa Chan! They discuss their bold new training model, what sets them apart from other medical schools, student racial inequities, bullying and advocacy!

Dr. Teresa Chan is a Canadian emergency physician and medical educator. On July 15, 2023 she became the Founding Dean of the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) School of Medicine. 

​She is currently a practicing emergency physician and clinician educator at William Osler Health System in Ontario, Canada. She has formerly served as the Assistant Dean of Faculty Development and Associate Dean of Continuing Professional Development within the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University. 

Dr. Chan is also the founder and editor-in-chief of the medical education website, CanadiEM.org, which provides resources for medical learners and educators in Canada and around the world.

She is a well-known figure in the medical education community and has received numerous awards for her contributions to the field.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, TMU School of Medicine!

In summer 2025, Toronto Metropolitan University’s new School of Medicine will officially open its doors and begin shaping a new generation of doctors. Through a bold new approach to medical education, we will train future-ready doctors who are dedicated to delivering primary care to those who need it most. Our doctors will come from our communities and work with our communities to improve health and wellbeing. They will disrupt and drive change within the healthcare system for the benefit of our communities all across Canada. And they will advance our shared vision to build a healthier, more equitable world. The TMU School of Medicine will welcome its first cohort of residents in summer 2025 across 17 residency programs, including seven in family medicine and ten in generalist specialties. MD students will follow in September 2025, pending successful preliminary accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools. Visit torontomu.ca/school-of-medicine  to learn more.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!  

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

 

19 May 2022Keep the CHANGE, You Filthy Animal! Navigating Change with Nurses and in Healthcare00:30:54

You would think that in such a dynamic environment such as healthcare that change would come easily? You would also think that when the evidence is presented for change it would be an easy sell and quick win, right? WRONG! Nurses and other healthcare professionals tend to resist change, but change is good! In this episode, Amie & Sara discuss why change in healthcare is so difficult and what we can all do to make change more successful and less daunting. 

15 Sep 202215,000 Nurses Walk off the Job...00:39:13
01 Dec 2022Pay Me What You Owe Me: Bill 124 and Women Talking About MONEY00:38:27

In this episode, Amie & Sara discuss 2 hot trending topics: Bill 124 has been deemed unconstitutional and the "taboo" subject of talking about pay equity. In nursing, there is a long history of saying that "we are called by god", well some nurses are called by the paper,- and that's just fine too. This thinking as well is PROBLEMATIC. We are not servants, we are not just caregivers, the church does not, nor should influence what we do. Nursing is a job- just like any other jobs, but the price of not bargaining what we are worth can have even steeper consequences.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-bill-124-ontario-public-sector-wage-increase/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/bill-124-ontario-public-sector-wages-1.6668186

 

08 Nov 2023Nursing During Times of War: Healthcare Should NEVER be Military Targets00:33:41

Trigger warning: this episode discusses topics which may be triggering for some. Our episode starts with the story of Emily Callahan, an American nurse activity manager with Doctors Without Borders, who shared her experience working with Palestinians in Gaza before returning to the US. 07:49 - Source: CNN

In this episode, the Gritty Nurses discuss the role of nursing and war. They discuss nurses' roles during war & conflict, nurses' experiences, international law during war and the fact that hospitals and healthcare should NEVER be militant targets. They discuss how war affects healthcare and nursing and the types of trauma nurses can encounter. More importantly, how nurses can keep themselves safe, how to support nurses during war, and how we can prepare ourselves if ever needed to work during a war or crisis.

Please listen, lift your voices, and help us protect those who are vulnerable during times of war. 

Follow the Gritty Nurse Podcast! https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

 

Resources:

ONA: https://www.ona.org/news-posts/safe-access-to-health-care-in-israel-and-palestine-conflict/

ICN: https://www.icn.ch/news/international-council-nurses-board-new-statement-israel-gaza-conflict#:~:text=We%20condemn%20in%20the%20strongest,continued%20loss%20of%20innocent%20life

 UN: https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/peace-and-security

https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/international-law-and-justice

 https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/human-rights

WHO: https://platform.who.int/mortality/themes/theme-details/topics/indicator-groups/indicator-group-details/MDB/war

https://www.who.int/emergencies/situations/conflict-in-Israel-and-oPt

Doctors without Borders: https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org

https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/msf-violence-gaza-escalates-despite-calls-ceasefire

CNN Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk7iWgCk14U

 https://www.safeguardinghealth.org/key-issues

https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/global-nursing/nurses-in-ukraine-brave-but-burnt-out-leaders-warn-06-07-2023/

https://www.statnews.com/2023/10/14/gaza-israel-hospitals-health-care-warzones/

https://ojin.nursingworld.org/table-of-contents/volume-24-2019/number-3-september-2019/preparing-nurses-for-war-army-school-of-nursing/

https://www.crisisgroup.org/global/10-conflicts-watch-2023

 

16 Jun 2022Inflation, Gas Prices and Mental Health- A Gritty Nurse Perspective00:29:52

If the pandemic wasn’t challenging enough, we still have not fully addressed the rising cost of living. With gas prices at an all-time high, and inflation over 6%, our mental health is suffering. Are we all in this together? Believe what people do, not what people say.  In this episode, Amie & Sara discuss the politics and costs of inflation. We all know the true costs of policy decisions. Poverty. Food Insecurity. House Insecurity. Our Lives.

If you need help, please reach out. You are not alone.

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/mental-health-services/mental-health-get-help.html

https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/guides-and-publications/looking-for-mental-health-services

https://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/immediate-help

https://www.mhanational.org/get-involved/contact-us

 

07 Dec 2023What Will it Take to Retain Nurses? Tangible, Measurable, NURSE- LED interventions00:25:04

Yes we have talked about nursing retention...and we have to keep talling about it...

What will it take to actually retain nurses? Will CEO's and hospital executives listen and adhere to nurse-led interventions?

The Gritty Nurses take a deeper dive into the results of Nursing retention toolkit: Improving the working lives of nurses in Canada, of which they were contributing members. 

Which parts resonated the most with them and why? Take a listen to find out. 

Resources:

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-care-system/health-human-resources/nursing-retention-toolkit-improving-working-lives-nurses.html 

Pre-Order our Upcoming Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

27 Jul 2023A Historic Wage Increase for Nurses...But not ALL Nurses...00:21:08

In this episode, the Gritty Nurses discuss a recent arbitration decision that will increase wages of nurses part of the Ontario Nurses Association (ONA) by 11% over the next 2 years. They discuss their thoughts and opinions of this wage increase that was so badly needed and well-deserved by nurses! Although this win was historic for nurses in Ontario--not all nurses get this pay bump. Listen to hear the positives, and what is still needed after a step in the right direction.

Bill 124:

In 2019, the Ford government introduced and passed Bill 124, wage-suppression legislation negatively impacting registered nurses, nurse practitioners, health-care professionals and other public-sector workers. This bill limits wage increases to a maximum of one per cent total compensation for each of three years.

Bill 124 Reopener: 

This is on top of the previous decision by Arbitrator Stout that allocated additional wage increases of 0.75 per cent and 1.0 per cent, effective April 1 of 2020 and 2021, respectively. Hospital members also received unlimited mental health coverage in this decision.

ONA members working in the charitable nursing homes sector will receive an additional 0.75 per cent in each of three years, effective July 1 of 2021, 2022 and 2023.

ONA arbitration decision July 20, 2023:

The arbitration decision provides average wage increases of 11 per cent over two years. When added to two additional recent arbitration decisions stemming from the overturn of Bill 124 – wage suppression legislation passed by the Ford government – Ontario hospital RNs and health-care professionals will receive wage increases that average 16 per cent from March 31, 2023 to April 1, 2024. This amounts to an average hourly wage increase of approximately $5 to $7.

References

Bill 124- Ontario Nurses Association

ONA press release, July 20, 2023

 

24 Feb 2022Anti-Black Racism in Healthcare: When Cell Phone Use is More Important Than Providing Care00:47:46

Disclaimer: In the introduction of this podcast, we play a recorded clip (with permission from Shirley Archibald) of the recording that was taken by Amie during her mom's visit to the hospital. It does contain disturbing and difficult content to listen to. It may be triggering to some. Please listen at your own discretion. 

When did cell phone usage in the emergency department become more important than delivering care to a cardiac patient who told you they feel their heart is going to stop?

Anti-Black racism in healthcare is a pandemic. Its effects are long lasting and devastating to those who encounter its grips. There are no other words to describe the fear, mistrust and overwhelming impact it has on the health of Black communities. In this episode, Amie recounts her mother (Shirley Archibald) most recent encounter with the healthcare system. We discuss the importance of dismantling the structures that allow racism to continue to exist in healthcare organizations and that ALL organizations must do the work to combat anti-Black racism, because after all, racism can have deadly outcomes. 

Article: 

https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/this-is-about-racism-72-year-old-black-woman-says-she-was-humiliated-at-ontario-hospital-1.5782373

05 May 2022Give Yourself Permission To Say NO: Matters of the Mind00:34:20

Its Mental Health Awareness week. In this episode, Amie and Sara do a mental health check in and discuss their challenges over the past 2 years. It’s ugly, it’s raw, but it’s honest. We also discuss a nurse who recently died by suicide, how organizations need to step up their mental health resources and we give our “gritty” tips to how we can all make it through another year.

13 Jul 2023More than "Just a Nurse" with Nurse Blake: Advocate, Entrepreneur and Comedian00:33:59

In this exciting episode, the Gritty Nurses interview the one and only Nurse Blake! If you haven't seen his hilarious, heartwarming and HONEST videos, you have been missing out!

Blake Lynch (aka Nurse Blake) is a nurse, creator, internationally touring comedian, healthcare advocate, and keynote speaker. Earning viral video status via his light takes on his experience as a nurse, he now takes his comedy to stages around the world bringing nurses together through his humor and inspiration. Nurse Blake's sold out 2022 PTO Comedy Tour began as a 14 show run and grew to 55 shows due to demand. He is the creator of NurseCon at Sea, one of the largest and most popular nursing conferences, and the NurseCon App which provides free continuing nursing education courses. Nurse Blake is also the author of the best-selling children's book "I Want To Be A Nurse When I Grow Up" available online and at bookstores everywhere.

Blake is the creator of NurseCon at Seaone of the largest and most popular nursing conferences, and the NurseCon App which provides the free continuing nursing education courses. He will host the next NurseCon cruise & conference in April 2024.
 
Blake started Banned4Life to end the FDA gay blood ban, which ultimately contributed to the lifetime ban being lifted in 2015. It recently surfaced in the news again with updates made to the ban.

 He also leads the drive for safer nurse staffing at hospitals.

 
Nurse Blake talks about how he advocates for underpaid healthcare workers through his online content and comedy shows: https://advocatechannel.com/nurse-blake-opens-up-supporting-nurses-comedy-tour 
 

 

25 Aug 2022Dental Care: It's NOT Universal and You'll Be SHOCKED To Find Out Why00:38:58

In Canada, over six million people avoid seeking treatment from the dentist each year. It's not the "fear" of going to see the dentist, but the fear of going absolutely broke doing it. But missing dentist's appointments has costs- it degrades the quality of life, and can introduce severe health problems down the road. At the end of the day, to decrease healthcare costs, keep a healthy community and reduce socioeconomic inequities- Canada NEEDS a universal dental care plan. In this episode, Amie and Sara speak with Dr. Brandon Doucet, a Dentist and advocate about the importance of having a universal dental health program. 

Brandon Doucet is a Nova Scotia-based dentist with interests in surgery and public health. He is the founder of the group Coalition for Dentalcare, which is a group that seeks to highlight the shortcomings of Canada’s dental care system while advocating for a more humane alternative.

Coalition for Dental Care is an advocacy group started by passionate dentists and dental students. They do not receive funding from any source; all members are volunteers. The team is comprised of dentists, dental hygienists, dental students, allied healthcare workers, and members of the public who believe that access to dental services should be available to all Canadians, regardless of socioeconomic status.

https://www.facebook.com/coalitionfordentalcare/

https://twitter.com/for_dentalcare?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/canada-is-long-overdue-for-universal-dental-care#:~:text=dental%20care%20plan.-,Why%20is%20oral%20health%20excluded%20from%20the%20rest%20of%20the,dentists%20as%20an%20individual%20responsibility.

 

18 Jan 2024Quick & Gritty Takes: News Ep 100:14:17

Welcome to “Quick & Gritty Takes” our independent news network where we discuss hot topics in news provincially, nationally and internationally. We will take 4-5 news items and in under 20 minutes discuss our “gritty takes” on the subject matter. 

We hope that this can be a forum where you take these topics and continue the conversation. We also will add a patient safety tip at the end for all listeners because increasing health literacy and patient safety is always top of mind for us. 

Today's Topics:

Ontario: Health Minister Sylvia Jones announces that starting this spring the government will expand the number of private surgical and diagnosed centres. Will be OHIP covered. 

Canada- Canada’s Rights and the idea we have none:  Kevin Sorbo on Twitter- “You’re Canadian, who cares. You don’t have any rights so you wouldn’t understand why we want to keep ours.” 

International: Lucy Letby was convicted/found guilty in the deaths of 7 babies but authorities are now looking into the suspicious deaths of around 4000 babies.

Patient Safety Tip: You’ve got questions for your doctor, but you always forget to ask them—

 

03 Mar 20221010 Moments! Making the Best Out of The Small Things In Life00:32:59

In this light-hearted episode, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Kwan a family physician to talk about her movement the 1010 moment! Do you have a 1010 moment? Share it with us!

Dr. Kwan completed family medicine residency training at McMaster University. Since the beginning of the pandemic, she has created COVID19 graphs & shared on social media to help Ontarians stay safe by translating data into easy-to-understand visualizations, using her Twitter handle @jkwan_md.  She is a co-founder of advocacy groups Masks4Canada & Docs4LTCJustice. Most recently, she created 1010moment, a mental health initiative. Dr. Kwan believes in public education to empower everyone to understand their own health.

21 Mar 2024A Historic Document For Nursing Retention: Collaboration, Consultation & Connection: For us, by us!00:37:59

In this episode, the Gritty Nurses get an update from the Chief Nursing Officer of Canada, Dr. Leigh Chapman! In the most recent update of the Nursing Retention Toolkit, on March 1st, 2024, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health and Dr. Leigh Chapman, Chief Nursing Officer for Canada, held a news conference to announce an initiative to improve the well-being and retention of nurses across Canada as well as the Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians Plan, which includes a government investment of over $200 Billion over 10 years. They discuss a comprehensive new resource, The Nursing Retention Toolkit, designed to actually KEEP nurses in nursing. 

This is a huge step in the right direction.

Now, which healthcare organizations are going to step up and put their staff first?

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!  

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees

who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP,  is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

 

Resources: 

Introduction: Nursing Retention Toolkit

Nursing retention toolkit: Improving the working lives of nurses in Canada

 

Pre-Order our Upcoming Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ 

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

 

29 Jun 2023Is the Florence App Uber for Nurses? The intersection of Health & Tech with Shelly-Ann Rampersad00:30:05

In this episode, Amie and Sara speak with Shelly-Ann Rampersad, the Managing Director of Florence in Canada, a global tech start-up on a mission to tackle the healthcare staffing gap. We discuss needed innovations in healthcare and tech, why this app was created and the pro's and cons of creating a healthcare app such as Florence. 

 

Bio: 

Shelly-Ann Rampersad is Managing Director of Florence in Canada, a global tech start-up on a mission to tackle the healthcare staffing gap. She is the former Vice President of Clinical Operations at Maple, where she built and led the company’s health systems partnerships function and ran the company’s clinical operations including clinical strategy and care delivery operations. Prior to Maple, she was a management consultant within KPMG’s healthcare practice and has an MBA from the Rotman School of Management. Shelly-Ann is deeply committed to amplifying the voices of equity-deserving groups and tackling issues around accessible healthcare. She is a CivicAction DiverseCity Fellow, representing rising leaders shaping their communities, recent Arbor Award Recipient for her long-standing volunteer work with the University of Toronto, and was honoured as one of WXN’s Top 100 Canada’s Most Powerful Women in 2022.

 

Links:

Shelly-Ann Rampersad

Florence Canada

 

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13 Jan 2022One of the Most Powerful Voices in the ICU: Birgit Umaigba's Experience of Grit, Poise and Advocacy in the ICU 00:37:03

There is nothing that Birgit Umaigba cannot do. She is a teacher, singer,  ICU nurse, speaker, mother and writer. She has been a force and is one of the strongest and most vocal voices of a nurse who has worked in the ICU during this pandemic. In this episode, Amie and Sara discuss Birgit's experiences, her personal journey, passions and hopes for the future. We also discuss her advocacy in: health equity, Internationally Trained nurses, paid sick days.

Birgit Umaigba has a Bachelors of Nursing and has a Masters of Education. She is a Clinical Course Director at Centennial College, York & Trent Universities where teaches Nursing students in the BScN, Bridging, and Internationally Educated Nurses programs. She is also a Professor at Durham College, where she teaches a mental health course to Personal Support Workers. 

Birgit works as a Critical Care/Emergency Room Registered Nurse across various hospitals in the Greater Toronto Area. She is a Public Health Nurse with the Cities of Durham and Toronto. 

In addition to her many hats, Birgit is a vibrant member of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario and volunteers as a Scrutineer at the RNAO Annual General Meeting. She was recently featured as a guest speaker at the RNAO 96th AGM, and with the Canadian Medical Association. 

She is passionate about Nursing, and strongly advocates for more equitable healthcare in Ontario. Throughout the pandemic, she has been very vocal about repealing Bill 124 and implementing 10 universal paid sick days for better nurse retention in Ontario. She has been featured in several journals, media and healthcare debates both nationally and internationally. 

Birgit envisions a diverse nursing workforce where different cultural groups are represented in nursing leadership and academia, and not just at the bedside. She is a wife, and proud mother of her 10-year old daughter. Birgit  is a lifetime member of the Golden Key International Honor Society. Her other passion is music. She recently launched a song demo and enjoys singing in her free-time.

Thank you to our sponsor Samuel Merritt University! If you’re interested in getting more information on their MSN and DNP programs and scholarships visit them at https://smumsn.com and show them how much you appreciate them for sponsoring our podcast!

 

14 Apr 2022Let's Talk About Sex...Baby? The Gritty Nurses Talk Sex Education00:33:03
In this episode, Amie and Sara get down and talk about sex. No, not their sexual experiences (get your mind out of the gutter), but how they approach talking about sex, gender and consent with their kids. This one was a "listener request"!

Thanks to our sponsor Executive Links!

Are you looking for continuing education from a Canadian provider? Executive Links has almost 200 webinars to choose from on many topics including: med/surg, critical
care, geriatrics, peds, mental health and more! Each webinar is $35 and includes handouts, a certificate of completion and the option to watch live & on-demand for at least a year.
 Save 15% for the rest of 2022 on any topic. Just use code: GRITTY at checkout!  Visit execulinks.net to register!

Follow Executive Links:

Facebook: NursingLinks = https://www.facebook.com/nursinglinks
Instagram: @ExecutiveLinks
Twitter: @Executive_Links
TikTok: @ExecutiveLinks

22 Sep 2022The Dark Side of Working in Healthcare: Violence towards Healthcare Workers00:39:08

"92% of healthcare workers experienced workplace violence in April 2022" (Security Magazine) 

In this episode, Amie & Sara discuss the current rise of violence towards healthcare workers. In an article posted by the Amercican Medical Association, it was noted that "...violence against healthcare employees has markedly increased since the onset of the pandemic. The American Hospital Association (AHA) reports that healthcare workers suffer more workplace injuries because of violence than any other profession".  It is not just verbal but physical violence as well. Our guest this week, Dr. Resa Lewiss, discusses the pervasiveness of violence she has seen and experinced in her own profession. 

Dr. Resa E. Lewiss MD is a Professor of Emergency Medicine and Radiology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia PA.  She directs the Point-of-Care Ultrasound Section. She publishes and speaks on equity, health design, point-of-ultrasound, medical education, global health, and navigating the workplace, including leadership and mentorship. Resa has led point-of-care ultrasound education courses regionally, nationally, and internationally. 

After graduating Brown University with a degree in Sociology and Racial Ethnic Studies, Resa attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. She spent one year at the NIH in Bethesda, MD, as a Howard Hughes Research Scholar. Resa is a graduate and former chief resident of the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency program in Boston, MA. She graduated in the first emergency ultrasound fellowship class at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York, NY.  Resa was the Fellowship Director and Chief of the Emergency Ultrasound Section there from 2003-2014.  From 2014 – 2017, she led the Point of Care Ultrasound program at the University of Colorado.

Resa publishes, speaks, and is committed to creating a safe, equitable, and dignified work environments in healthcare. She is the creator and host of the Visible Voices podcast coving topics of Healthcare, Equity, and Current Trends. Her work has been published in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Slate among others. You can learn more at resaelewiss.com and follow her on twitter @ResaELewiss

https://www.thevisiblevoicespodcast.com/

https://www.aamc.org/news-insights/threats-against-health-care-workers-are-rising-heres-how-hospitals-are-protecting-their-staffs

https://www.forbes.com/sites/coronavirusfrontlines/2022/09/01/violence-against-healthcare-workers-is-at-an-all-time-high-heres-how-workplaces-can-keep-them-safe/?sh=75ff713e372b

https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/navigating-hazard-rising-violence-health-care-facilities-2022-05-17/

https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/97590-92-of-healthcare-workers-experienced-workplace-violence-in-april-2022

https://www.securitymagazine.com/articles/98244-june-2022-saw-5-violent-attacks-in-us-hospitals



11 Nov 2021A comedy of errors: Nursing Shortage, High Grades and Nursing Attrition00:33:11
Sara and Amie talk about the chronic nursing shortage and nursing recruitment such as high entrance grades, cheating, and the lack of clinical placements and preceptors. They also talk about creative solutions, and the dire need for more government support. There is significant red tape for internationally trained nurses, and nurses who want to return to the bedside. They also discuss a looming strike due to a proposed wage cut of new hires by a whopping 26-39%! What can be done? Listen and find out!
 
Thank you to our sponsor Samuel Merritt University! If you’re interested in getting more information on their MSN and DNP programs and scholarships visit them at https://smumsn.com and show them how much you appreciate them for sponsoring our podcast!
 
Links:
15 Jun 2023In Between Life and Death: Chat with Hospice Nurse Hadley!00:28:24

In this episode, Sara and Amie chat with Nurse Hadley, and what it's like looking after patients at the end of life. They caht about what drew her into hospice nursing, what kinds of things patients think about and what their biggest regrets are. 

They talk about how her work has shaped her thoughts about her own end of life plans and her upcoming book called The In-Between!

Hadley Vlahos, RN, is a hospice registered nurse, mother, and wife. Her husband also works in the medical field as a doctor of physical therapy. Vlahos started her career as a registered nurse at twenty-two. As a hospice nurse, she now visits people at their home while also educating and sharing stories about hospice care on social media, where she has more than a million followers.

 

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06 Oct 2022Nurses and the Supernatural: Fact, Fiction or Fun?00:46:47

It's OCTOBERWEEN! Your Gritty Nurses are at it again! In this light hearted episode, we discuss nursing/ healthcare ghost stories? Are they real? Are they fake? Is it just fun? We also have a para-skeptical guest, Jordan Varley, joining us to give us his take on our experiences. We also discuss our experineces recording Haunted Hospitals, Season 4 premieres October 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on T+E. Creep Week programming starts Oct 10- 15th! See the Creep Week hub here for more info. 

Amie's Episode: Haunted Hospitals, Season 4, Episode 1 (The world premiere episode of Season 4 on October 12 at 10 p.m. ET/PT) Story #2

Haunted Hospitals, Season 4, Episode 5 (this episode will air on Wednesday, November 9 at 10pm ET/PT) Last story in the series. 

04 Aug 2022Yes There's A Nursing Crisis....and Nurses are Kinda Pissed that The Government is NOT Listening 00:42:22

What more can we as nurses say? We have said it all 6 ways from Sunday. Nurses are working short. Nurses are tired. Nurses are underpaid. Nurses are understaffed. Nurses are taken for granted. Nurses are morally distressed. Nurses are not showing up. Nurses are sick. Nurses are crying out for patient safety. Nurses are asking for safe staffing ratios. Nurses are asking for folks to listen. Now nurses are just plain pissed off. Sorry, mom- there are a few F-bombs in this episode. 

 

Thank you to our Sponsor Gales®! We want to introduce you to a footwear brand changing the game for healthcare workers. Meet Gales®, the first Smart PPE Shoe® designed in collaboration with nurses. Gales feature custom, machine washable insoles with cloud-like, long-term arch support. These slip-resistant and featherlight shoes wipe clean in seconds and stay dry thanks to their full moisture and microbe barrier! Gales® are 40-50% more affordable than other healthcare footwear brands, 

- You can shop now at weargales.com and use the code GN10 for 10% off your order. https://www.weargales.com

 

 

30 Jun 2022Abortion is Healthcare: We got some “choice” words…Post Roe Vs Wade00:34:04

In this episode, Amie and Sara discuss the overturning of Roe Vs. Wade in the US. As women who both provided care to women who needed abortions, we discuss our personal experiences, thoughts and what we believe is the way forward. Please visit the links below and see how you can support folks with a uterus. This is work we ALL need to do. This is a human rights issue. 

 

https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/issues/abortion/roe-v-wade

AOC Response to things we can do to protect abortion rights:

- entertain expansion of SCOTUS

- end the Senate filibuster

- repeal the Hyde Amendment

- codify Roe, same-sex marriage, right to contraception, and interracial marriage

https://twitter.com/colbertlateshow/status/1542004242222923776?s=20&t=uueBGNVh4N8K1C3IkK6Cng

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/20/opinion/abortion-laws.html

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2022/06/28/yeah-and-ocasio-cortez-embraces-gop-freakout-over-helping-women-skirt-abortion-bans

https://aidaccess.org

https://www.eff.org/issues/reproductive-rights

https://prochoice.org

https://globalnews.ca/news/8957017/roe-v-wade-overturn-triggers-abortion-related-legal-issues-u-s/

29 Sep 2022So we got a Lawyer here to talk about Nursing Strikes...Part 2!00:38:41

We finally did it. We have a lawyer who talks about Strike action of Nurses. Some good news, some not so great news. But as we have always said...LAWS CAN CHANGE. Listen. Learn. Reflect. There is still hope!

John has been litigation counsel for innumerable clients for over a decade. John has experience before private arbitrators, the Ontario Courts, the British Columbia Courts, the Federal Courts, federal and provincial agencies, and the Supreme Court of Canada.

John has worked for law firms and clients big and small and has helped clients ranging from individuals to international corporations and prides himself on giving timely and efficient service to clients of all stripes.



John Reiterorski is a Canadian lawyer practicing in Toronto. Since his call to the Bars of New York State in 2012 and Ontario in 2013, John has brought his discipline, drive, and determination to being litigation counsel for innumerable clients. John has experience before private arbitrators, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Divisional Court, and Court of Appeal, the British Columbia Supreme Court, and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal, Canada Border Services Agency, Federal Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada.

John has worked for law firms and clients big and small and has helped clients ranging from individuals to international corporations.



25 Jan 2024"Mother knows best?" When your parents health remedies Do Not Match Your Health Science Background00:15:41

"Cover your head or you'll get a cold"...." Close that window or you will catch a chill"...." Drink this tea...it will clear your sinuses".....Are you in the health field and you hear these remedies from your parents? How do you handle these conversations? Do you ignore your parents, or do you educate them? Or is there a bit of truth to what they say, their teachings or ways of knowing? Listen as Amie & Sara dive into this interesting topic!

 

Pre-Order our Upcoming Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast

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20 Jan 2022Monoclonal Antibodies, New Therapies & How Omicron Has Changed The Game00:33:29

In this episode, we speak with Infectious Diseases Physician Dr. Zain Chagla about new therapies, and how Omicron has changed the game. Canada has recently approved a new treatment for COVID-19, Pfizer's highly effective oral therapeutic Paxlovid Experts seem hopeful that this pill can help control a devastating Omicron-driven surge — if it's rolled out fast enough. What are the other therapies available now? We discuss monoclonal antibodies and other therapies that we can and should look to in the future. 

Dr. Zain Chagla is an Infectious Diseases physician and medical director of Infection Control at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and an Associate Professor of Medicine at McMaster University.  Throughout the pandemic, Dr. Chagla has focused on local, provincial and national policy, participated in clinical trials, helped with outbreak management and public outreach, and has been a part of local and national media.  Dr. Chagla has also participated in helping with COVID responses and education in Central Afghanistan and Nepal.

https://twitter.com/zchagla?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

https://experts.mcmaster.ca/display/chaglaz

 

 

10 Aug 2023A Nursing Retention Strategy FOR US, BY US: Discussions with Chief Nursing Officer of Canada Dr. Leigh Chapman00:36:17
Thanks to the Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan for sponsoring this episode! !

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees in Ontario who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. 

Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one. With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. 

Already have coverage through your spouse? Healthcare Providers still has your back! 

For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Have your heard the saying, "Faith without works is dead"---well conversations pertaining to nursing recruitment without conversations on nursing retention dead! In this episode, Amie and Sara sit down with Dr. Leigh Chapman, the Chief Nursing Officer of Canada to discuss how to KEEP nurses at the bedside. 

They chat about important issues such federal initatives on nursing retention, nursing regulatory bodies, and the road that lies ahead for nursing on a national level. What is your Chief Nursing Officers in other around the world doing to help support nurses to remain at the bedside?

On June 14th, 2023, the Government of Canada hosted a Nursing Retention Forum, led by Canada's Chief Nursing Officer, Dr. Leigh Chapman, bringing together the nursing community, employers, and frontline workers from across the country to discuss the current health workforce crisis including strategies to address and improve nursing retention. The Forum's participants met earlier today to co-develop a toolkit with evidence-informed practical strategies, such as mental health and wellness supports, that employers and health authorities can implement to support nursing retention within their organizations. The Forum provided a unique opportunity for experts, decision makers, and key members of the nursing community to come together in support of the nursing workforce and discuss targeted strategies aimed at optimizing the work environment.

This episode was filmed at the International Council of Nurses Congress 2023 in Montreal, Canada. It was such an honour to meet and chat with Dr. Chapman in person!

Dr. Chapman was announced as the new Chief Nursing Officer of Canada on August 23, 2022. In this role, she will provide strategic advice from a nursing perspective to Health Canada on priority policy and program areas, including health workforce planning and stability, long-term care, home care, palliative care, mental health, alcohol and drug use, models of care, scope of practice and competencies. She will play a convening role with provincial/territorial governments along with federal health populations, the broad range of nursing stakeholders, regulatory bodies/colleges and educators on key nursing issues and will represent the Government of Canada at public forums, both within and outside of Canada.

Dr. Chapman's nursing career has spanned almost 20 years, and in that time, she has gained a deep understanding of nursing through a variety of clinical leadership positions in home and community care, research, academic, regulatory, and professional practice environments. Her background in direct service provision includes critical care (i.e., intensive care unit, emergency department), community care (i.e., home care, harm reduction, and camp nursing), as well as education in professional associations.

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25 Nov 2021From the Bedside to the Courtroom: Why former ICU Nurse Jennifer Groenewold became a Lawyer00:44:32

Sick and tired of being a nurse/healthcare provider? Feeling trapped in this profession? Feeling stagnant and need a change? Been bullied and pushed to the limits? Maybe it is time for a change- and thats what our guest Jennifer Groenewold did! She was an ICU nurse for many years and one pivotal moment made her re-think her entire career. From the ICU to the courtroom, Jennifer is still making an impact in healthcare, protecting the frontlines in healthcare, lawyer style!

Jennifer completed her Bachelor of Science of Nursing at the University of Alberta in 2001. She has worked on the medical unit, cardiac cath lab,  neuro/trauma ICU, general systems ICU, and coronary care ICU. 

In 2009, Jennifer applied to law schools, and received an early acceptance at Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University in Halifax,  Nova Scotia. After completing her law degree she started her articles at a large downtown law firm where she primarily practiced personal injury defence work and defending nurses in medical negligence cases. After a few years of private practice, she made the change to work in public law, at the BC College of Nurses and Midwives. She currently holds the position of legal counsel in the Inquiry, Discipline and Monitoring department.

Thank you to our sponsor Samuel Merritt University! If you’re interested in getting more information on their MSN and DNP programs and scholarships visit them at https://smumsn.com and show them how much you appreciate them for sponsoring our podcast!

18 Nov 2021"I was punched in the face several times by my patient": Addressing Online Hate and Violence in Healthcare00:46:31

In this episode, Amie & Sara address the rising level of online hate and death threats in social media towards healthcare professionals. We also discuss the increasing violence in nursing and towards healthcare staff. When will this stop? We need protection. The government needs to step up and protect healthcare workers.

Disclaimer: In the following episode we will discuss a violent attack that occurred with a healthcare worker. She has allowed us to tell her story. Please note the details of her account can be triggering to some. We recommend listening at your discretion.

Links:

https://www.ona.org/news-posts/expert-panel-southlake/

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-man-accused-attacking-pregnant-nurse-resulting-death-unborn-baby-n1283261

https://www.assp.org/news-and-articles/house-passes-bill-to-protect-healthcare-and-social-service-workers-from-violence 

https://www.ajmc.com/view/violence-against-healthcare-workers-a-rising-epidemic

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2779310 

https://www.nationalnursesunited.org/press/nurses-applaud-passage-legislation-protecting-health-care-social-service-workers

https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/coral-springs/fl-ne-woman-coral-springs-murder-20200728-qdwwga3wejck7c4ugom3ttu3jy-story.html

https://nursesunions.ca/campaigns/violence/ 

https://ohsonline.com/articles/2019/11/25/congress-bill-works-to-protect-health-care-workers-from-violence.aspx 

Thank you to our sponsor Samuel Merritt University! If you’re interested in getting more information on their MSN and DNP programs and scholarships visit them at https://smumsn.com and show them how much you appreciate them for sponsoring our podcast!

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