The Gritty Nurse

In this episode of the Gritty Nurse podcast with Amie Archibald-Varley, Dr. Katie Boston-Leary shares her journey from an accidental entry into nursing to becoming the Senior VP of Equity and Engagement at the American Nurses Association. She discusses the importance of equity in nursing, overcoming imposter syndrome, and the systemic barriers that exist within the profession. Dr. Boston-Leary also addresses the current crises in healthcare, the significance of the racial reckoning statement, and the upcoming Opportunity and Impact in Nursing Summit from Feb 12-Feb 14 in Washignton, DC. She offers valuable advice for every nurse on thriving in their careers while balancing personal and professional responsibilities. This is an episode you dont want to miss!
Keywords
nursing, equity, leadership, healthcare, systemic change, imposter syndrome, racial reckoning, nursing summit, workforce diversity, social change, oppourtunity and impact summit 2026, american nurses association, Dr. Katie Boston-Leary, Senior VP of Equity and Engagement
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Katie Boston-Leary
02:46 Journey into Nursing and Leadership
05:42 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
08:31 The Role of Equity in Nursing
11:17 Addressing Systemic Barriers in Nursing
14:22 Navigating Current Challenges in Nursing
16:58 The Racial Reckoning Statement
19:41 The Upcoming Summit for Change
21:56 Advice for New Nurses
27:44 Final Thoughts and Reflections
Takeaways
Everything happens for a reason.
Equity in nursing is about leveling the field for everyone.
Imposter syndrome is common, even among leaders.
Nursing is a profession that requires diverse voices.
Systemic barriers in nursing need to be addressed.
Current crises in healthcare are multifaceted.
The racial reckoning statement is a critical step for ANA.
The upcoming summit will focus on solutions and impact.
New nurses should aim to thrive, not just survive.
Self-care is essential for nurses to be effective. 
About The Oppourunity and Impact Summit
Join us at the 2026 Opportunity & Impact in Nursing Summit, hosted by the American Nurses Enterprise, where nurse leaders, innovators, and industry partners come together to expand opportunity, advance pathways, and drive real action across the nursing profession.
This Summit is where purpose meets progress; where we unite to remove barriers, amplify key voices, and advance fairness and representation through strategies that strengthen the nursing workforce.
Together, we will accelerate action and deepen the cross-sector collaboration needed to create lasting impact. Secure your seat now. 
https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/nurse-equity-summit/
More About Dr. Boston Leary
Dr. Katie Boston-Leary is the Senior Vice President of Equity and Engagement at the American Nurses Association addressing DEIAB and workforce challenges within the profession. Katie is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland School of Nursing and the School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. She sits on numerous boards and national committees in nursing and healthcare and is an editorial advisory board member with Nursing Management, Nursing 2025, OADN and ACHE.
Katie leads the National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing Forum an organized ANA's inaugural Equity Summit in Washington, DC. Katie is a 2024 ICN Global Nurse Leaders Institute Scholar and was previously identified in by Health Leaders Media as "One of Five Chief Nursing Officers Changing Healthcare". She also won the ICABA TD Bank 2023 Woman of Impact award, the 2024 Spectrum Circle Award for Innovation in Health and won
the 2025 National Black Nurses Association (NBNA) President's Trailblazer Award. She was inducted as a Distinguished Fellow at the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing with the NBNA, is a Fellow with American Organization of Nursing Leadership (AONL), the American Academy of Nursing (AAN) the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery with the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She was recently named as an honored listee on Marquis' Who's Who in America.
Katie authored two chapters in The Sage Encyclopedia of Multicultural Counseling, Social Justice, and Advocacy, the first encyclopedia focused on racism and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. Katie was also featured in the award-winning documentary film, Everybody's Work funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She recently co-authored a Sigma published book titled Harmony by Design, Navigating Work and Life in Healthcare.She has conducted research on care delivery models, time allocation, nurses' well-being, racism and civilized oppression in nursing with Quint Studer, Joslin Insight and McKinsey.
She is a well-known speaker internationally with many publications, podcasts and national outlets namely CNBC, NY Times, Cheddar TV, Axios, Beckers, Forbes, Bloomberg News and on NBC's Today Show. She completed her PhD at Walden University in Health Services, obtained a dual degree MBA and MHA from the University of Maryland Global Campus and her bachelor's degree in nursing from Bowie State University in Maryland. She is a board-certified Nurse Executive and obtained a nurse executive leadership certificate from
Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.
* Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts 
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782
* Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast
Stay Connected:
Website: grittynurse.com
Instagram: @grittynursepod
TikTok: @thegrittynursepodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482
X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse
Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact
Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!
www.hospitalnews.com

What happens when high-stakes clinical expertise meets a heart for patient advocacy? Join us as we sit down with Jessi Dressler, a veteran registered OB-GYN sonographer and the founder of New Life Imaging Ultrasound.
After years of navigating the high-pressure environment of emergency rooms and hospitals, Jessie recognized a glaring gap in the healthcare system: the need for emotional support and personalized care during the most vulnerable moments of pregnancy. Today, she's bridging that gap by bringing high-quality 3D and 4D mobile ultrasound technology directly to expectant mothers across Middle Tennessee and Kentucky.
In this episode, we discuss:
The Shift from ER to Entrepreneurship: Why Jessie left the clinical grind to focus on the patient experience.

Advocacy in Loss: Jessie's mission to provide free scans for women experiencing confirmed pregnancy loss, offering comfort and acknowledgment when it's needed most.

The Power of Connection: How in-home ultrasounds create a space for families to bond with their babies without the rush of a traditional doctor's office.

Closing the Care Gap: Addressing the emotional needs of expectant parents that the modern healthcare system often overlooks.

Whether you are an expectant parent, a healthcare professional, or someone passionate about patient advocacy, Jessie's journey is a powerful reminder of how one person can humanize healthcare.
Where you can Find Jessi's services: 
https://www.newlifeimagingus.com/about
Connect with Jessi Here:
https://www.facebook.com/jessidressy/
TikTok @jessidress
IG: @jessidressy
* Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts 
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782
* Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast
Stay Connected:
Website: grittynurse.com
Instagram: @grittynursepod
TikTok: @thegrittynursepodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482
X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse
Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact
Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!
www.hospitalnews.com

Are we diagnosing allergies all wrong? Join pediatric allergist and clinical immunologist Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman as we debunk common myths in allergy management. We dive deep into why patient history matters more than testing, the danger of using Benadryl, and the life-changing impact of early food introduction.
Dr. Abdurrahman also discusses the "diversity gap" in Canadian healthcare, explaining why cultural sensitivity and representation are vital for better patient outcomes. Whether you're a parent, a medical professional, or someone living with allergies, this episode offers a masterclass in modern immunology and health equity.
In this episode, we cover:
Early Food Introduction: How to reduce allergy risks in infants.

Allergy vs. Intolerance: Clearing up the most common misconceptions.

The Specialist Shortage: Why Canada needs more pediatric allergists.

Cultural Sensitivity: Why representation in medicine saves lives.

Learn how to advocate for better care and understand the critical role of social media in spreading accurate allergy awareness.
More about Dr. Abdurrahman: 
Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman, president of the Ontario Medical Association, is an allergist and clinical immunologist, advocating for health equity, medical innovation and inclusive leadership. She brings a strong background in biostatistics and a deep commitment to systemic change.
Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman (she/her) is the president of the Ontario Medical Association and a practising allergist and clinical immunologist in the Greater Toronto Area. She serves as an assistant clinical professor of the School of Medicine at the Toronto Metropolitan University and an adjunct assistant clinical professor in pediatrics at McMaster University.
Dr. Abdurrahman earned her doctorate of medicine from the University of Toronto. She completed her pediatrics residency and subspecialty training in allergy and clinical immunology at McMaster University. She also holds a master's degree in statistics, with a specialization in biostatistics. She is deeply committed to advancing health and has been a key contributor to the Black Scientists Taskforce on COVID-19 Vaccination Equity and the Black Health & Vaccine Initiative, in partnership with the Black Physicians' Association of Ontario.
Beyond equity work, Dr. Abdurrahman is passionate about the intersection of technology and medicine. She is dedicated to leveraging innovation to enhance patient care and is a strong advocate for advancing the medical profession through inclusive leadership and systemic change.
https://www.oma.org/expert-advice/request-a-physician-speaker/speakers-search/dr-zainab-abdurrahman/


https://www.qandaallergy.ca/post/dr-a-explains-the-concerns-about-older-sedating-antihistamines
Keywords
pediatric allergy, immunology, health equity, representation in medicine, food allergies, EpiPen, allergy diagnosis, cultural considerations, adult allergies, social media awareness
* Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts 
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782
* Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast
Stay Connected:
Website: grittynurse.com
Instagram: @grittynursepod
TikTok: @thegrittynursepodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482
X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse
Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact
Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!
www.hospitalnews.com

How long is too long to wait in an emergency room? For 16-year-old Finlay van der Werken, an eight-hour wait for a doctor proved fatal.
In this powerful episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with Hazel van der Werken to share the heartbreaking story of her son, Finlay. After being rushed to an Ontario hospital with what began as a migraine, Finlay was triaged as an CTAS 2 (urgent case) but left in a "constant state of terror" for hours as his oxygen levels plummeted. By the time he was finally seen, he was in septic shock.
Hazel discusses the systemic failures that led to Finlay's preventable death and why she is now channeled her grief into Finlay's Voice—a national movement demanding urgent reform in pediatric emergency care.
In this episode, we dive into:
Finlay's Story: The harrowing 8-hour wait at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital.

Sepsis Awareness: Identifying the "silent killer" that the WHO has named a global health priority.

The Legislative Push: What is Finlay's Law, and how would it mandate maximum wait times and safe staffing ratios for children?

Advocacy in Action: How parents and healthcare providers can support Finlay's Petition to ensure "no child dies waiting."

This is a must-listen for nurses, healthcare advocates, and parents. It's time to move from complacency to action to protect our most vulnerable patients.
About the Guest: Hazel van der Werken is the mother of Finlay and the co-founder of Finlay's Voice. She is currently advocating for a coroner's inquest and the passage of Finlay's Law in Ontario.
Connect with The Gritty Nurse:
Follow Amie Archibald-Varley for more episodes on healthcare reform and nursing advocacy.

Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts!

Important Links & Resources:
Sign Finlay's Petition: https://www.finlaysvoice.com/finlay-s-law

Learn More about Finlay's Law & Voice: https://www.finlaysvoice.com/

Please, like, follow and SUBSCRIBE!!
Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts 
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782
* Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast
Stay Connected:
Website: grittynurse.com
Instagram: @grittynursepod
TikTok: @thegrittynursepodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482
X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse
Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact
Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!
www.hospitalnews.com

In this critical episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, Amie Archibald-Varley hosts Kara Yates, RN (WSNA Union Co-Chair) and Therese Hill, BSN, RN(Membership Officer) to discuss a historic turning point for nursing in Washington.
This conversation goes beyond the headlines, exploring the dire conditions that led nurses to the negotiation table. We expose how stalled contract negotiations have endangered patient safety, fueled critical staffing shortages, and allowed workplace violence to escalate—all while the hospital remains highly profitable. But since the episode, things have changed. 
For the first time in its 118-year history, nurses at Seattle Children's Hospital have overwhelmingly authorized a strike.
Yates and Hill detail the nurses' core demands, emphasizing that the potential strike is not about wages alone but is a necessary action to protect the community's children by ensuring safe staffing and a workplace where nurses can heal without losing their PTO after being assaulted. Hear firsthand why this show of unity is a powerful mandate for change, and why community support is now vital to pushing the hospital to prioritize care over corporate profit.
Links for WSNA:
https://www.wsna.org/
https://www.wsna.org/news/2025/seattle-childrens-nurses-vote-overwhelmingly-to-authorize-strike
https://www.wsna.org/news/2025/perspective-seattle-childrens-is-promoting-ableism-with-its-sick-time-policy
* Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts 
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782
* Like & Subscribe! Watch on YouTube –  https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast
Stay Connected:
Website: grittynurse.com
Instagram: @grittynursepod
TikTok: @thegrittynursepodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064212216482
X (Twitter): @GrittyNurse
Collaborations & Inquiries: For sponsorship opportunities or to book Amie for speaking engagements, visit: grittynurse.com/contact
Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!
www.hospitalnews.com