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!

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

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Follow WeRPN- Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario

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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/

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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

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

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/

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

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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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!

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

Follow Nurse Jessica Sites!

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

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

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

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/

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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!