Shift Happens

As MNU heads into AGM season, Brandi and Darlene wrap up Season 2 of Shift Happens with a focused conversation on what it actually means to be a union activist — and why that role belongs to every member. Activism isn’t limited to rallies or big moments. It’s sending an email about a workplace concern. Completing a survey. Documenting unsafe conditions. Showing up to a Local meeting. Sharing a cam...

In this episode of Shift Happens, our co-hosts talk about what Darlene’s been hearing on her President’s Tour across Manitoba’s health regions. Darlene talks about the value of being physically present in nurses’ workplaces, making time for direct, face-to-face conversations, and staying grounded in the day-to-day realities of the profession. For nurses, these visits are a meaningful opportunity t...

Every week, there’s a new headline saying healthcare is improving. But for nurses, the story feels very different. In this episode of Shift Happens , Brandi and Darlene are joined by Michelle Lark, MNU’s in-house researcher, to break down how data gets used to shape public perception and why that matters. They dig into how cherry-picking data can distort reality, and why context is the difference...

In this episode of Shift Happens , Brandi and Darlene break down MNU’s Same Shift, Different Day campaign: why it was needed, how it came to life, and why it’s now resonating beyond Manitoba. They unpack the real issues behind the campaign billboards — workplace violence, mental health and workplace culture, and the strain unsafe conditions place on patient care — and why these realities show up s...

The holidays don’t hit pause in healthcare, and nurses know that better than anyone. In this special holiday episode of Shift Happens , Brandi and Darlene talk about what it’s like to work through the season. The strain. The missed moments. The responsibility. And the quiet, powerful ways nurses show up for patients when it matters most. You’ll also hear holiday messages from nurse leaders and col...

Every nurse can name a manager who shaped their career — for better or for worse. In part two of our conversation with Dr. Kim McMillan from the University of Ottawa, Brandi and Darlene dive into the realities of the nurse manager role. Kim breaks down the balancing act managers face every day, from advocating for their staff to navigating executive expectations, bureaucracy, and system-level cons...

Nursing culture is one of the most misunderstood parts of the profession—especially by the people making decisions about healthcare.  In the first episode of this two-part conversation, Brandi and Darlene sit down with Dr. Kim McMillan, associate professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Ottawa, to dig into what “culture” truly means in nursing and why it’s so often reduced to oversi...

On June 19, 2025, everything changed for Tara and her family. Her seven-year-old son, Brayden, was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia—a rare and life-threatening condition. Their world turned upside down overnight, and Tara was suddenly living every parent’s worst fear. In this episode, Brandi and Darlene sit down with Tara as she shares what it’s like to live inside the healthcare system, and...

Nurses know what it feels like to be ignored. To report violence or raise safety concerns and hear nothing back. To be told change is coming, and then wait months or years while conditions only get worse. It’s happening all over this province right now. That silence has a name: institutional betrayal. It happens when the very institutions meant to keep us safe look the other way. When harm is mini...

Sometimes the line between thriving and burning out as a new nurse comes down to two words: nurse mentorship.  In this episode, Brandi and Darlene are joined by public health nurses Katryna and Hayley, a mentor–mentee duo from rural Manitoba, to talk about how trust, teamwork, and a little guidance can change everything for nurses starting out. Plus, in this week’s That Good Shift segment, members...

Shift Happens is back for another season, and hosts Brandi and Darlene are ready to dive in! In this episode, they reflect on why the podcast matters, touch on the challenges and wins that shaped the summer, and share what’s ahead for nurses and the union. Listeners can expect a renewed sense of energy and a few exciting changes to the show, designed to keep nurse voices front and centre while bal...

Season 1 of Shift Happens brought important conversations and bold truths. In our season finale, Brandi and Darlene sit down to reflect on the stories that stuck with them, the guests who shook things up, and the real talk that made this season memorable. But they’re not just looking back. They’re looking ahead… to a second season filled with hope, fresh perspectives, and a renewed commitment to a...

Home care nurse Mandee shares the day a routine visit took a dangerous turn, when she and a colleague were unknowingly exposed to meth. In this episode, Brandi, Darlene, and Mandee unpack the very real risks nurses face when delivering care in people’s homes, especially in rural areas, where resources are limited and safety plans don’t always hold up in practice. It's a candid look at what hap...

Nurses and police officers work side by side every day, facing the same tough challenges in high-pressure environments. In this episode, Darlene and Brandi sit down with Tom Stamatakis, President of the Canadian Police Association, to dive into the connection between these two frontline professions. They discuss why it’s crucial for nurses, police, and all frontline workers to unite and advocate f...

The math doesn’t add up. Nurses are caring for critically ill patients with no staffing standards in place, while industries like childcare, aviation, and even pet care have strict safety limits. It’s not just unfair. It’s dangerous. Research has long shown that nurse-patient ratios save lives, reduce complications, and prevent burnout. In this episode, Brandi and Darlene break down what safe nurs...

Nurses and paramedics in Manitoba are facing the same crushing pressures—heavy workloads, violence, burnout, and little support. In this episode, Brandi and Darlene talk to Ryan Woiden, president of MGEU Local 911, about the striking similarities between these two professions and the toll it’s taking on those on the frontlines. They also highlight the importance of linking arms with other unions t...

In this episode, Darlene and Brandi reflect on the whirlwind week of MNU’s 50th Anniversary AGM. From the high-energy rally at the legislature to an honest look at the ongoing tension with government, they dive into what’s really been happening behind the scenes, the frustration nurses are feeling, and why it’s more important than ever to keep fighting the good fight.

Nurses know firsthand that their real-life experiences are powerful tools for advocacy and stories that need to be heard. In this episode, Darlene and Brandi are joined by Doug Darling, CEO & Executive Creative Director of Tripwire Media Group, to discuss the impact of storytelling in driving change. They reflect on past MNU campaigns, and Doug shares why authentic stories can inspire action a...

What happens when the system fails the very people who keep it running? In this powerful episode, Brandi and Darlene sit down with Kelly, a frontline nurse, who shares her story of workplace trauma and PTSD. Kelly reveals the devastating effects of sexual assault at work and the struggles she faced to receive the proper supports. This episode is a raw look at the urgent need for real change in hea...

Misinformation is rampant. Division is growing. And across Canada, public sector workers—from nurses to teachers to police officers—are burning out. In this episode of Shift Happens, Brandi and Darlene tackle what’s fuelling the chaos we’re all feeling, who it’s hurting most, and why Canadian solidarity isn’t just a nice idea. It’s a necessity.

Nurses sign up to save lives, not to dodge punches. Violence in healthcare is rising, and for nurses, it’s becoming an everyday reality. In this episode, MNU Vice President-to-be Katie Stark shares her firsthand experience with workplace violence, the gaps in support for nurses, and the fight for real safety measures. From staffing shortages to security failures, we’re breaking down the rise in vi...

We know that nursing isn’t just physically exhausting. It’s emotionally and psychologically draining, too. And yet, nurses are expected to just keep going, push through, shift after shift. But at what cost? Paige Mathison—a former psychiatric nurse turned clinical counsellor—joins Darlene and Brandi to talk about the heavy emotional toll of nursing, why so many healthcare workers struggle with unp...

Let’s get into it! Welcome to Shift Happens . In this first episode, hosts Darlene Jackson and Brandi Johnson introduce the podcast, share why now is the time for bold conversations about nursing and healthcare, and set the stage for what’s ahead. Get ready for real talk, unfiltered stories, and a deep dive into the issues that matter most to nurses.