Real Nurses Real Talk

Embarking on the journey towards your first job or advancing in your nursing career can be both exhilarating and daunting as you look to the interview process. Welcome to Episode 9! Whether you're a new graduate eager to start your career or an experienced nurse aiming for a new opportunity, mastering the art of conveying your experience, competencies, and interests with clarity and professionalis...

Nurses (and really all caregivers) are busy. There is no denying this fact. They are busy caring for patients and the last thing they (and the patients) need is someone interrupting their care with a phone call from some office questioning something in documentation. Welcome to Episode 8! In this episode, we give some fictional scenarios (Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual...

It is good to be back! We were out last week as Brandon attended a Conference and Erin/Sadie enjoyed Disney. Brandon was attending the HX24 conference and had some great things to bring back. Welcome to Episode 7 where we discuss a couple powerful keynotes from the conference, and the impact to healthcare. One of the best quotes of the conference, "Don't quite on a bad day". We dive into what that...

Have you ever been confronted with a situation where you are being told you are required to stay past your scheduled time to care for patients, and if you don't, it is "Patient Abandonment", perhaps even with a threat of reporting to a regulatory body if you don't stay? Welcome to Episode 6, where we clearly distinguish the difference between patient abandonment and job abandonment...and yes, ther...

"Joint Commission is here". These four words can cause fear/panic/anxiety amongst hospital executives and front-line caregivers alike. Welcome to Episode 5! We discuss some practical tips for surviving and thriving when The Joint Commission comes. One primary strategy is to remain "Joint Commission Ready" at all times so we aren't scrambling at the last minute. Join us as we dive into how to maint...

Eddie Bernice Johnson died on December 31, 2023 at the age of 89 after experiencing alleged negligence at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation. Welcome to Episode 4. In this episode, we pay tribute to the late Eddie Bernice Johnson. A nurse-turned-politician, Johnson's trailblazing career defied barriers. We reflect on her impactful life and the circumstances of her death. We also...

Have you ever revisited your documentation, or scrutinized a colleague's, and felt that something was off? Our documentation is more than a task; it's a cornerstone of patient care and accountability. Welcome to Episode 3! In this episode, we're diving into the essential dos and don'ts of effective documentation. Join us as we explore best practices that not only ensure the highest quality of care...

Have you ever used the terms "Routine surgery" or "Elective surgery"? Sure, we all likely have! Now, have you ever stopped to think about what those words really mean? Welcome to Episode 2 where we challenge some traditionally accepted "jargon" and make a case against their continued use. As we have said many times, words matter...and some of this jargon could be inadvertently causing harm to pati...

Welcome to Season 3! We are excited to be back behind the microphones and recording! Did you know George Washington likely died due to bloodletting? Have you heard of Apitherapy? In Episode 1, we explore some bizarre (and almost unbelievable) treatments used throughout history, with some of them still occurring today. This is a fascinating discussion! ----------------------------------------------...

Welcome to Episode 49, the last installment in our three-part series delving into the Kowalski story. We will bring you many of the details the Netflix documentary left out. In today’s episode, we dive into the trial that ultimately awarded the Kowalski family $261 million in damages. While we certainly don't have a law degree, the details of the case are somewhat perplexing. Prepare to navigate t...

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide. If you're experiencing suicidal thoughts, please seek immediate help or call a suicide prevention hotline such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), or dial 988 in the U.S. Listener discretion is advised. Welcome to Episode 48, the captivating second installment in our three-part series delving into the Kowa...

On June 19th, 2023, Netflix released Take Care of Maya, which covers parts of the story of Maya Kowalski and her parents, Jack and Beata Kowalski. While the documentary currently has a Rotten Tomatoes' Audience Score of 95%, does it tell the whole story? Welcome to Episode 47, which is the first of a three-part series exploring the details of Kowalski story based on an analysis of the available ev...

In healthcare, encountering death is an unavoidable occurrence, yet we can sometimes find ourselves unprepared for this reality. While traditional education (nursing school) tends to focus on the mechanics of dying, ways to prevent death, and the dying process, it seldom focuses on how to deal with death. Specifically, how to emotionally and mentally cope with the death of a patient you have cared...

Do a quick Google search of the words "Nurse Burnout". In about 0.31 seconds, you will have roughly 112 million results. Suffice it to say there is not shortage of information (and purported solutions) to "nurse burnout". So why are we still talking having to talk about it today? Welcome to Episode 45, where we seek to turn the whole conversation on wellbeing and burnout on its head. The core issu...

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide. If you're experiencing suicidal thoughts, please seek immediate help or call a suicide prevention hotline such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255), or dial 988 in the U.S. Listener discretion is advised. On August 7, 2023, Tristin Kate Smith died at home by suicide. In the wake of this tragedy, a letter pen...

Welcome to Episode 43! We know there is no shortage of podcasts on leadership. So in this episode, we take a different and refreshing perspective. We tell the story of an incredible nurse leader. Last week, we heard from Kendall, a bedside RN on a busy Neuro-Trauma PCU. This week, we get to hear from the leader of that unit, Karyn. With over 20 years in healthcare, Karyn shares the wisdom that spu...

Welcome to Episode 42! In this episode, Brandon gets to interview Kendall, a Neuro-Trauma PCU Nurse. Kendall talks about what keeps her at the bedside, her philosophy on culture development and shares some great words of wisdom for aspiring nurses. Kendall started right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit America. Listen to how this has shaped some of her experiences! --------------------------------...

Welcome to Episode 41. We've hit an amazing milestone - 10,000 downloads of the Real Nurses, Real Talk podcast! For this episode, we want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey so far, remember our favorite episodes, and most importantly, extend our heartfelt gratitude to each one of you! Without you, none of this is possible. --------------------------------------------------------...

Welcome to Episode 40, which is part 2 of our important discussion about Trauma-Informed Care. Discover the transformative power of being trauma-informed, its far-reaching benefits, and the compelling reasons it matters now more than ever." Also - Happy Emergency Nurses Week!!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- New website: https://www.purposedriven...

Welcome to Episode 39! We are beginning a two-part journey to introduce and cover Trauma Informed Care. In this first episode, we dive into the often unknown world of Adverse Childhood Events (ACEs), those unseen moments from youth that can ripple throughout our lives, impacting our health, happiness, and even how we connect with others. Join us for a compelling exploration that might just reshape...

On September 12, 2023, the online community was stirred when a former patient of Dr. Lewis Dabney shared a candid account of a distressing encounter during an April visit. More strikingly, she presented dozens of online reviews from other women with similar experiences over the years. .Her final plea, "Passing this over to you. Maybe you can help those of us who have gone unheard," didn’t go unnot...

Ever been at work and thought, "There must be a better way"? That's exactly how Roanoke Resource began. Welcome to Episode 37, where Brandon gets to chat with Dr. Celia – an RN, practitioner, business owner, and entrepreneur (to name a few). Discover how a single idea can spark a transformative journey as she shares her story of turning that thought into a thriving business that continues to impac...

Have you ever been to a workplace and was greeted by someone saying, "Welcome to the family!" or "We're family here!"? Should we really be viewing our coworkers as a family? In Episode 36, we explore some compelling reasons to NOT refer to your coworkers as a family but instead look at this as a team. We also discuss some possible reasons a family viewpoint may be helpful. After listening, we want...

On July 9th, 2023, Jessica Ross and Treveon Isaiah Taylor Sr. went into Southern Regional Medical Center in Riverdale, GA, after Jessica's water broke. The couple was fully expecting to leave with a healthy baby. However, a horrific tragedy would bring that dream to an abrupt end. What's worse, the hospital staff is accused of attempting to cover up an unthinkable medical error that resulted in th...

Back in S2 Episodes 13 & 14, we introduced you to the story of the unexplained NICU deaths in Chester, England. During these episodes, we also introduced you to the primary suspect in the deaths of multiple babies, Lucy Letby. After a 10-month trial, the VERDICT IS IN! In this episode, we go through the details of the case, discuss the verdict, and highlight an "unsung hero" in this case. ----...