Episodes

• Season 2

• Urban Legend Myths BUSTED: Nurses CAN talk to the Media! ~Discussions with a Lawyer

  In this episode, Amie & Sara discuss the "urban legends" surrounding whether nurses can speak to the media. John Reiterowski, a Canadian Lawyer, joins us to answer some of the most frequently asked questions by nurses, such as: Can I be fired for talking to media?; What are my rights/legal obligations? We also whether your employer can force you to take the Vaccine & Vaccine Passports. John is a litigator who handles cases big and small for a large variety of clients that range from international steel companies to individuals. His practice focuses on representing his clients before Courts and Tribunals for all kinds of civil, commercial, trade and insurance matters. Central to his litigation practice is John's focus on service to others. Before becoming a lawyer, he served for 6 years in the Army Reserve. When he is not working hard for his clients John volunteers his time for Pro Bono Ontario's Hotline and Consumer Defence Clinic. He also assists in coaching a team of high school students for the OJEN Mock Trial Competition. Socials: Website: www.jhrlaw.ca LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-h-reiterowski-22465412/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/LawJhr
  April 15, 2021

  44 min

• Dirty Shades of Blue: Sexual Assault, Harassment & Misogyny in Policing

  In this episode, Amie and Sara explore "The Dirty Shades of Blue": The bullying, misogyny, gender discrimination and sexual harassment that is rampant in not only healthcare, but policing. Our guest, a Toronto Policer Officer recounts her struggles with bullying and sexual harassment by the people who are meant to be most trusted our communities. What happens when the people in these professions abuse their power? Nothing is more dangerous than a corrupt man, a gun and badge. You can also watch the CTV W5 Series "The Tarnished Badge" https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1906469 Part 1 https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1906478 Part 2 @dirty_shades
  April 8, 2021

  52 min

• Autism, Trains and Thermostats? Understanding the Unique Perspective from Those Who Live it

  In this 2 part episode, we discuss what it is like to have autism from those who have autism. With our guests, Ben Goodes (17 years old) and Tristan Varley (9 years old), we ask them what life is like on the spectrum and how individuals can be more understanding and inclusive (total time 17mins 45 sec). In the second part of the episode, we discuss what it is like having a child with Autism. Amie Varley and our guest, a CBC producer from White Coat, Black Art, Jeff Goodes, candidly discuss all topics surrounding Autism. From diagnosis, to advocacy, to hilarious moments with our families, this is the perspective you need to have to understand what its like to have a child on the spectrum (total time 45 mins)
  April 2, 2021

  67 min

• Is Canada taking the Moral and Ethical healthcare high ground when it comes to Global Health? Or is it Profits over People?

  In this episode, Amie & Sara discuss how Canada's public Research & Development funding should deliver public health outcomes with Dr. Jason Nickerson, the Humanitarian Affairs Advisor for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Ottawa, Canada. "Many governments, including Canada’s, fund critically important medical R&D using public money... but rarely demand that the resulting health innovations themselves be safeguarded for public health, or be made affordable and accessible to those who need them. Instead, the current system usually sees lifesaving medicines and other health technologies sold to private companies, who are then free to decide who gets access and at what price. Often that means selling their products back to the taxpayers who funded the development of these medicines in the first place – at increasingly high, unaffordable prices." We must do better and hold our governments accountable, peoples lives depend on it.
  March 25, 2021

  51 min

• Parenting, Paediatrics and Palliative Care: Discussions with a Paediatric Oncology nurse and Dad!

  In this episode, Amie and Sara sit down with David Metzger, aka "Nurse Papa" to discuss life as a paediatric oncology nurse. How do you not take it home? How do you cope seeing small ones so ill with small children your own? Is there a silver lining to working with these children? You have to listen to find out! He's writing a book and has a podcast called Nurse Papa! Follow Nurse Papa: https://www.nursepapathebook.com Instagram @nursepapathebook Twitter @nursepapa
  March 18, 2021

  45 min

• Alliances, Advocacy, and Activism: 1 Year into the Pandemic with The president of the Quebec Nurses Association Natalie Stake-Doucet

  Its the National day of Remembrance from the lives lost during the pandemic to Covid-19. Join us as we speak with Natalie Stake-Doucet PhD(c), the current president of the Quebec Nurses Association about her frontline experience during the pandemic, her grassroots advocacy work, and how she advocated for PPE, better working conditions and rights for nursing in Quebec. See more at: https://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/about-us/our-leadership/board-of-directors/natalie-stake-doucet#sthash.BGKbtQSZ.dpuf Article: https://historian.nursing.upenn.edu/2020/11/12/the-racist-lady-with-the-lamp/ https://canadian-nurse.com/en/articles/issues/2020/july-2020/if-you-see-an-injustice-you-fight-it https://blog.truthaboutnursing.org/2018/06/montreal-staffing/
  March 11, 2021

  51 min

• If Bill Burr met Nursing- Talking travel Nursing with Q The Nurse

  In this hilarious episode, Amie & Sara sit down and talk to Q The Nurse about travel nursing and we haven't laughed this hard in a long time! Q The Nurse talks about the life of a travel nurse, the pros and cons and all the juicy bits you have been dying to know. You don't need to be a nurse to enjoy this episode.!! He is funny, intelligent and honest. He is the Bill Burr of Nursing! Let us know if he has convinced you to become a travel nurse!
  March 4, 2021

  46 min

• When crisis strikes, you strike back! 5 Mental Health Tips to keep you going

  In this episode, Amie and Sara talk to Dr. Jennifer Love, a psychiatrist about her newly released book, "When Crisis Strikes- 5 steps to heal your brain, body and life from chronic stress". We all need tangible and practical steps to help support out mental health. This is the new empire that strikes back!
  February 25, 2021

  60 min

• How healthcare can be deadly- Stories that require justice

  In this episode, Amie & Sara discuss how healthcare can be deadly by examining cases that were highly publicized in which patients did not receive "care" or died while in care. These cases highlight systemic issues in healthcare. We provide insights for patients and families rights while accessing the healthcare system, and challenge healthcare providers to take a critical look into their practices and how their behaviours can perpetuate systemic racism, bias and stigmatization.
  February 18, 2021

  49 min

• Allyship, Anti-Asian Racism, and White Adjacency- "What's healthcare got to do with it"

  In this episode, Amie and Sara host Dr. Amy Tan, an Academic, hospice & palliative care physician with expertise in advance care planning and primary palliative care research. We discuss her experiences as a palliative care physician, understanding how white adjacency shaped her perceptions, anti -Asian racism and anti-Black racism during the pandemic. We also discuss systemic racism in healthcare and how to actively be an ally in healthcare and everyday. Dr. Amy Tan has expertise in bioethics, ethical decision-making, anti-racism medical education, shared decision-making and is a strong advocate for equity, diversity, inclusion practices. Links mentioned in the episode are below: ‘In Plain Sight’ Report: Systemic Racism in B.C. Healthcare 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act How to be an Antiracist From the Ashes The Skin We're In: A Year of Black Resistance and Power
  February 11, 2021

  47 min

• The Most Important Voice in Healthcare: Learning What Patient Experience Truly Means From a Patient

  In this episode, Amie and Sara talk to a Patient Partner, healthcare advocate and author, Sue Robins. We discuss the impact of understanding patient voice and patient experience through a lens not all healthcare providers have a great understanding of. We discuss the importance how the patient perspective can inform care and create positive health outcomes and the lasting effects and impact of negative healthcare interactions. We also discuss her experiences through her honest and refreshing book, A Bird's Eye View. Every healthcare provider and allied healthcare member should read this book and listen to this episode on how we can better partner with our patients and families to improve their healthcare journey and experience. You can find Sue Robins at https://www.suerobins.com/ or on Twitter @suerobinsyvr
  February 4, 2021

  47 min

• Our Mental Health Matters: Calling out an Inadequate Mental Health System

  In this episode, Amie & Sara discuss mental health, nursing and the inadequate structures that surround mental health support and resources in large organizations. In light of the nurse who recently died by suicide, we share our own mental health stories and our "calls to action" to improve mental health supports and resources locally, provincially and nationally. Mental health is HEALTH. We are so sorry to hear of the nurse who died by suicide this week. The nursing community mourns with the family and friends. https://letstalk.bell.ca/en/ https://www.suicideinfo.ca https://www.ontario.ca/page/find-mental-health-support https://ontario.cmha.ca/provincial-mental-health-supports/ https://www.betterhelp.com/ https://myicbt.com/home https://www.ccmhs-ccsms.ca/mental-health-resources-1 https://www.crisisservicescanada.ca/en/ https://mindyourmind.ca/help/where-call https://www.camh.ca/en/suicide-prevention https://kidshelpphone.ca https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1576089278958/1576089333975
  January 28, 2021

  47 min

• "Don't Push Me, Cuz I'm Close to the EDGE": Pulling back the veil on Gaslighting, Incivility and Bullying with Dr. Renee Thompson

  In this episode, Amie and Sara sit down with Incivility and Bullying expert, Dr. Renee Thompson to discuss how pervasive gaslighting and bullying are in all areas of healthcare. We share our very personal experiences of this kind of behaviour in the workplace. We also discuss how to stop this abhorrent behaviour with our passion, fierceness and, of course...GRIT! Find Renee Thompson at www.healthyworkforceinstitute.com!
  January 21, 2021

  38 min

• Private Life Vs. Professional Accountability in Healthcare: The Gritty Truth, Not the Diet Coke edition

  Is your life really private as a nurse? In this episode Sara and Amie discuss the boundaries surrounding professional accountability/ professional standards vs private life. What are the "dos" and "dont's"? We discuss the recent news of 2 Canadian nurses who travelled to Washington during the pandemic to attend an attempted coup to overthrow American Democracy. We don't hold back, well we never really do anyways.
  January 14, 2021

  38 min

• Long Term Care in Canada is in Crisis: Discussion with Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos

  In this powerful episode, Amie and Sara team up with Dr. Vivian Stamatopoulos, a Professor, Essential Family Caregiver Researcher/Advocate and Long Term Care (LTC) Advocate. We discuss the crisis in LTC, outbreaks, essential care givers, the need for greater oversight and accountability from the provincial government and tangible actions that can be taken to raise awareness and advocate for patient voice. The gloves come off in this episode. Passion, love and GRIT!
  January 7, 2021

  47 min
• Season 1

• The Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions Has Your Back: Chat with President Linda Silas

  The Gritty Nurses chat with Linda Silas, president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, which represents over 200,000 nurses. We discuss ongoing PPE shortages, the 40,000 or 20% of workers affected, and the government, municipal and hospital response. What did we learn from the first wave and apply to the second wave? Linda talks about the precautionary principle, using social media responsibly to advocate for our rights, and the strength of numbers for nurses - 20 million strong. We end on the importance of mental health and incidence of violence against nurses, and to ask for help. Resources: Wellness Together Canada Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions
  December 27, 2020

  37 min

• What happens at the holiday party, stays at the holiday party?

  In this lighthearted episode, Sara and Amie discuss their experiences of attending holiday parties as nurses. The booze, the bods, the DJing? Grab your cup of hot cocoa and your favourite holiday Snuggie and have a listen.
  December 17, 2020

  35 min

• Incivility: A Nursing Student Takes a Stand

  The Gritty Nurse are joined again by nurse Matthew, who describes a situation during his time as a nursing student where he experienced incivility between two nurses on the unit. He decides to take a stand, and exercise his responsibility to advocate for what is right. Ultimately, incivility and bullying can harm patients! These situations are far more common than they should be, and we have to break the cycle. Nurses need to feed their young!
  December 10, 2020

  42 min

• The Year of the Nurse and Midwife: What Happened?!

  The tables are turned this week as the Gritty Nurses are interviewed by Sarah McVanel, recognition expert, professional speaker, and CEO of Greatness Magnified. They give a recap of 2020, the Covid19 pandemic, occupational risks, PPE shortages, wage freezes, and what you can do to advocate for nurses by lobbying your local politicians, short and long term nursing shortages. What does nursing burnout look like to a patient? Nurses have had a challenging year and aren't feeling like healthcare heroes. However, the Gritty Nurses discuss the great things about nursing, why you should use your voice, and our advice to nurses! Learn more about Sarah McVanel at www.greatnessmagnified.com!
  December 3, 2020

  47 min

• Misogyny in Medicine: Healthcare Has A Problem With Gender Discrimination, Harassment and Equity in the Workplace

  The healthcare industry has a problem with addressing discrimination and harassment in the workplace. Over 80% of women in medicine have experienced some form of harassment working in healthcare by their colleagues. We are here to call it out. In this episode, Amie and Sara have a roundtable discussion with Dr. Holly Atkinson, Dr. Stella Safo and Dr. Natasha Anu Anandaraja, 3 of 8 plaintiffs suing Mount Sinai Health System in New York. We discuss their lawsuit, the pervasiveness of misogynistic culture in medicine & healthcare, gender discrimination and inequity as well as useful tips on how to deal with harassment in the workplace. We can no longer stay silent. Our time to speak out is now. Learn more about the Equity Now Movement: https://www.equitynowatmountsinai.com
  November 26, 2020

  69 min