The Gritty Nurse Podcast
Unfiltered conversations and hot topics in healthcare.
Latest From Series
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
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
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
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
Ghost Stories: Welcome to Hell Hospital
The Gritty Nurses get 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!
October 22, 2020
When Should You Lawyer Up and How Can You Avoid Being Sued?
The Gritty Nurses talk legality in nursing and when you should lawyer up through the story of Gita Proudman, a nurse who was charged with murder after a baby with severe birth defects died shortly after birth. Tips to avoid being sued are discussed, with an emphasis on documentation, the nurse-patient relationship, and knowing your scope of practice.
October 9, 2020
The Gritty Nurse Podcast
The Gritty Nurse podcast is centered around the life of nurses, common issues that affect them, and hot topics related to health and healthcare. We focus on personal experience and the experience of other nurses and healthcare providers.
We shy away from nothing, discussing topics such as mental health, social justice, women's health and women's rights. We are story-tellers and love hearing how healthcare has impacted individuals' lives. We want to discuss the good, bad and ugly. We also provide a platform for empowerment and shared experiences, where we represent voices that have been silenced, underrepresented and marginalized --so they can share their stories of hope, change and inspiration. Episodes are informative, gritty, humorous and educational.
We shy away from nothing, discussing topics such as mental health, social justice, women's health and women's rights. We are story-tellers and love hearing how healthcare has impacted individuals' lives. We want to discuss the good, bad and ugly. We also provide a platform for empowerment and shared experiences, where we represent voices that have been silenced, underrepresented and marginalized --so they can share their stories of hope, change and inspiration. Episodes are informative, gritty, humorous and educational.
Team
Sara Fung, BSN, RN, MN
Cohost and Cofounder of the Gritty Nurse Podcast
Sara Fung, RN, BScN, MN, IBCLC, CAPM received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Western University and her Master's of Nursing from the University of Toronto. She has been practicing as a registered nurse since 2007. Her expertise is in maternal child health, with clinical experience in obstetrics and the NICU. She has worked in both academic and community hospitals and home health as a bedside nurse, educator, advanced practice nurse and professional practice specialist. In addition to working full time, she is also a mother of 2, resume writer/interview coach, and podcaster!
Sara Fung, RN, BScN, MN, IBCLC, CAPM received her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from Western University and her Master's of Nursing from the University of Toronto. She has been practicing as a registered nurse since 2007. Her expertise is in maternal child health, with clinical experience in obstetrics and the NICU. She has worked in both academic and community hospitals and home health as a bedside nurse, educator, advanced practice nurse and professional practice specialist. In addition to working full time, she is also a mother of 2, resume writer/interview coach, and podcaster!
Amie Varley RN, MN
Cohost and Cofounder of the Gritty Nurse Podcast
Amie Archibald Varley, RN, MN- Women’s Health has been a nurse for over 10 years. She graduated from the University of New Brunswick for her undergrad and completed her Masters Degree in Nursing at the University of Toronto. She also completed a collaborative Masters Degree Program through the school of Dalla Lana Public Health in Women’s Health at the University of Toronto.
With over 8 years experience in Maternal/ Newborn and Children Health, Amie has held numerous roles. She has been a labour and delivery nurse and maternal/newborn nurse. She has taught Nursing theory and applied sciences/laboratory science at the University of Toronto as well as Sheridan College. She has held roles as an Educator, Professional Practice Clinician, and Quality and Patient Safety Specialist. In her personal life, she is a mom to twin boys and a little girl. She has a passion for working in her community advocating for social justice, diversity and equity. She also is a female grappler, who enjoys Brazilian Jujitsu.
Amie Archibald Varley, RN, MN- Women’s Health has been a nurse for over 10 years. She graduated from the University of New Brunswick for her undergrad and completed her Masters Degree in Nursing at the University of Toronto. She also completed a collaborative Masters Degree Program through the school of Dalla Lana Public Health in Women’s Health at the University of Toronto.
With over 8 years experience in Maternal/ Newborn and Children Health, Amie has held numerous roles. She has been a labour and delivery nurse and maternal/newborn nurse. She has taught Nursing theory and applied sciences/laboratory science at the University of Toronto as well as Sheridan College. She has held roles as an Educator, Professional Practice Clinician, and Quality and Patient Safety Specialist. In her personal life, she is a mom to twin boys and a little girl. She has a passion for working in her community advocating for social justice, diversity and equity. She also is a female grappler, who enjoys Brazilian Jujitsu.
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