The Gritty Nurse

In this urgent episode, host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with Dr. Michelle Acorn, CEO of the Nurse Practitioners' Association of Ontario (NPAO), to rip the band-aid off a system that refuses to evolve.
Dr. Acorn pulls no punches: Nurse Practitioners are trained, capable, and ready — and they're being held back by outdated policy, inadequate funding, and a government content to watch the primary care crisis deepen rather than act.
What you'll hear in this episode:
The full scope of what Ontario's inaction actually means for patients on the ground
Why NPs remain one of the most underleveraged solutions in Canada's healthcare system
The funding reforms and regulatory barriers that must be dismantled — now
What a truly patient-centered, NP-inclusive system could look like — and the path to get there
Why this moment is a turning point
This is the conversation healthcare needs to have. The one that doesn't end with "we'll study it further."
If you care about access to care, about equity, about a system that finally treats Nurse Practitioners as the leaders they are — this episode is required listening.
Subscribe, share, and turn up the volume. The gritty truth can't wait.
Update:
The April 1st Deadline Has Come and Gone. Ontario's Patients Are Paying for It.
The federal government drew a line in the sand: by April 1, 2026, provinces must ensure that medically necessary services delivered by Nurse Practitioners are publicly covered. Ontario blinked — and millions of patients are now left holding the bill.
As reported by CBC News, Ontario failed to meet the federal deadline, leaving Ontarians without primary care and forcing them to pay out-of-pocket for services that should never cost them a dime. This isn't a bureaucratic hiccup. This is a political choice — and people without a family doctor are the ones suffering the consequences.
The Gritty Nurse isn't here for polite conversation. We're here to start the revolution.
More About Dr. Michelle Acorn
Dr. Acorn has over 35 years of nursing, health systems and leadership expertise. NP Acorn transitioned to her NPAO CEO role in 2024. She previously was the inaugural Chief Nurse with the International Council of Nurses, a former Provincial Chief Nursing Officer in Ontario, and has served as a NPAO President.
Dr. Acorn was inducted as an inaugural Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Nursing (FCAN), Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), Fellow of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland (FFNMRCSI, Ad Eundem), and Fellow of the Queens Nursing Institute in the United Kingdom.  NP Acorn has received prestigious recognitions including the Nurse Practitioner Association of Canada Award of Excellence and Premier's Award Nominee for Outstanding Scholars and Leaders. She was named one of the top 20 visionary CEOs in Canada (2024), and top 25 women of influence in Canada (2025) and received a King Charles III Coronation Medal (2025). Michelle received the inaugural Canadian Nurses Association highest merit Sapphire Award in 2025.
Dr. Acorn upholds all the NP advanced practice role domains. She is diploma to post-doctoral educationally prepared, is a Doctor of Nurse Practitioner/ Nursing Practice, dually registered as both a Primary Health Care and Adult Nurse Practitioner, and a certified Global Nurse Consultant. Dr. Acorn's diverse clinical expertise includes practicing in the Emergency, as a Hospitalist, innovating GAIN (Geriatric Assessment and Intervention Networks), and pioneering the most responsible provider (MRP) impacts of a NP–led model of inpatient hospital care as well as NP primary care models in corrections.  NP Michelle continues to practice in the community enhancing access to care for health equity seeking populations.  Michelle is recognized as a credible clinician, thought leader, mentor, teacher and scholar locally to globally.
https://www.npao.org/dipl-team-member/michelle-acorn/
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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!
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What does Florence Nightingale have to do with authoritarianism? More than nursing wants to admit.
In this episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley and guest Meg Lambrych, RN tackles one of nursing's most uncomfortable questions: why can't nurses criticize Florence Nightingale? She is nursing's most sacred icon — but what if the "good nurse" myth she built has been grooming nurses to accept obedience, silence, and their own oppression for over a century? Beyond this, what happens when we cannot critize the leaders we put in places of power?
This is a conversation about nursing, power, and democracy. It is about lateral violence in healthcare, racism in nursing, and the cult of individualism that keeps nurses isolated, exhausted, and politically powerless. It is about what happens to a democracy when citizens — cannot bring themselves to criticize the leaders and figures they have placed into power.
Because the conditions that silence nurses are the same conditions that allow fascism to take root.
In this episode you will hear about:
Florence Nightingale's legacy and why nursing needs to critically examine its own icons
The "good nurse" myth and how it has normalized obedience, self-sacrifice, and silence in healthcare
The connection between nursing culture, the cult of individualism, and the rise of fascism
Lateral violence and racism in nursing and how they are tools of systemic oppression
What happens to democracy when we cannot criticize our leaders
Why collective power — not individual heroism — is what changes systems
Hope as a discipline: what it means, why it matters, and how nurses can lead the way
This episode is for nurses who are exhausted but still showing up. It is for healthcare workers who know something is broken and are ready to name it. It is for anyone watching democracy erode in real time and looking for a way to fight back that goes beyond voting.
Because hope is not a feeling. Hope is a discipline. And collective power is the only thing that has ever dismantled oppression.
Keywords: nursing podcast, nurse empowerment, Florence Nightingale, nursing history, lateral violence in nursing, racism in nursing, nurses and politics, healthcare advocacy, nursing and social justice, collective action, nurse burnout, democracy and healthcare, authortarianiasm and obedience, Canadian nursing, Gritty Nurse Podcast, Amie Archibald-Varley, hope is a discipline, nursing culture, nurse mental health, political nursing
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Nursing Advocacy and Challenges
02:29 Meg's Journey into Nursing and Writing
05:02 The Toxic Environment in Nursing
07:44 Racism and Lateral Violence in Nursing
10:31 Historical Context of Racism and Accountability
12:55 The Political Landscape and Nursing's Role
15:34 Fascism and Its Impact on Society
18:20 Mobilizing Nurses for Change
20:54 Understanding Fascism and Its Mechanisms
23:30 The Role of Nurses in Advocacy
26:29 The Importance of Collective Action
29:11 Breaking Free from White Supremacy Culture
37:13 Responsibility and Collective Action
38:53 Breaking the Spell of Individualism
41:35 Stepping into Collective Power
45:21 The Power of History and Community
49:49 The Importance of Community in Resistance
54:10 Understanding Our Power and Responsibility
57:53 The Role of Each Individual in Liberation
01:01:22 Facing the Reality of Fascism
01:03:26 Empowerment Through Knowledge and Action
Connect with Meg Lambrych, RN
IG: https://www.instagram.com/meg_lambrych/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meg-lambrych-writer/
Website: https://www.meglambrychcontent.com
https://www.nursingcolleges.com/blog/tale-of-two-nurses
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Stay Connected:
Website: grittynurse.com
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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!
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The healthcare system is flatlining, and it's time for a professional resuscitation.
This Nursing Week, join Dr. Danielle McCamey and Gloria E. Barrera for a heavy-hitting breakdown of the HESS framework—Humanity, Ethics, Social Justice, and Science—as the ultimate toolkit for systemic reform. From the grassroots power of Nurses Shift Change to the national Report for Duty call to action, we explore how to move beyond the bedside to fight for environmental justice, primary care, and safe working conditions. We are done paying the price for a profit-first system; it is time to stop working the shift and start being the change.
Inside This Episode:
The HESS Framework: Why merging social justice with clinical science is the future of nursing.

Nurses Shift Change: How grassroots movements are mobilizing the workforce to demand better working conditions.

Political Power: Why nurses must engage in policy and advocacy to fix a broken healthcare system.

The Retention Crisis: Addressing the unique challenges facing young nurses and how to prevent "ethical injuries" in the workplace.

Collective Action: The roadmap for nurses to unite and demand better outcomes for both patients and practitioners.

Nurses are the backbone of healthcare, but systemic barriers often stifle their voices. This episode is a call to action for every nurse, student, and healthcare advocate to pivot from "coping" to "changing."
"It's not just about surviving the shift; it's about changing the shift."
Keywords: Nursing Week, Nursing Advocacy, HESS Framework, Healthcare Reform, Nurses Shift Change, Nursing Ethics, Social Justice in Nursing, Nurse Retention, Health Policy.
Don't forget to like, share and subscribe and leave a review if you're ready to see the nursing profession lead the charge in healthcare transformation!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Nursing Advocacy and Community Building
02:25 The HESS Framework: Humanity, Ethics, Social Justice, and Science
05:14 Public Health and Nursing: Bridging the Gap
07:45 The Power of Collective Voice in Nursing
10:45 Mobilizing for Change: The Report for Duty Rally
13:48 Strategic Nursing Leadership and Systemic Change
23:03 Awakening the Nursing Profession
24:45 The Political Nature of Nursing
26:57 Understanding Nursing as a Political Force
33:08 Addressing Racism in Nursing
39:13 The Leaky Bucket: Retaining Nurses
42:15 Ethical Injuries in Nursing
More about Nurses Shift Change: https://nurseshiftchange.org 
Gloria E. Barrera, MSN, RN, PEL-CSN, PLNC

Gloria E. Barrera (she/her/ella) is a public health and school nurse leader, recognized expert, and dedicated nursing faculty member with over 16 years of experience. She serves as Director of an RN to BSN Program and has been recognized nationally for her leadership, including being named Nurse Influencer of the Year by ANA-Illinois, and a 40 Under Forty in Public Health honoree by the de Beaumont Foundation. Gloria is the Co-Founder of Nurse Heroes for Zero and the Society of Latinx Nurses, a Fellow of the Center for Health Equity Education and Advocacy (CHEEA) and the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments, and alumni of Healing Politics '25. She is dedicated to advancing health equity, climate justice, and the next generation of nurse leaders.
Danielle McCamey, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, FCCP

Danielle McCamey is a dedicated nurse leader, educator, and advocate for diversity in healthcare. With over 16 years of critical care experience and nearly a decade as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, she currently serves as the Chief Advanced Practice Provider of the Pre-anesthesia Testing Department and Senior Advanced Practice Provider in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit. She also chairs the MedStar Doctoral Nurses Collaborative and is a Fellow of the American College of Chest Physicians. As the founder, CEO, and president of DNPs of Color, Inc., Dr. McCamey is committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in nursing through mentorship, leadership development, and community empowerment.


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Stay Connected:
Website: grittynurse.com
Instagram: @grittynursepod
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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!
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div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown"> This Gritty Nurse episode is my special kick-off to the National Nursing Week 2026, celebrated May 6–12 in the United States  and celebrated May 11-16 in Canada. Nursing week dedicated to honoring the nurses who show up for us at every stage of life.
What does it really mean to care for someone — and why has the profession built around that act been so misunderstood for so long? To open the week, host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with Sarah DiGregorio, journalist and author of Taking Care: The Story of Nursing and Its Power to Change Our World — a sweeping cultural history of nursing from the Stone Age to the present day. Part love letter, part urgent call for change, the book traces how nurses have always been at the vital intersection of healthcare and community, appearing in hospitals, schools, prisons, homes, and even at NASA — yet remain chronically undervalued in ways rooted in misogyny and racism.
Sarah shares how personal encounters with nurses during family medical crises inspired her to write the book, why she believes we need to radically reframe nursing as a fundamental human necessity rather than a supporting role in medicine, and what gets lost when we reduce the profession's rich history to a single heroic figure like Florence Nightingale. We dig into the forgotten nurses whose contributions have been erased from the historical record, the urgent need for nurses to have a seat at the table in advocacy and policy-making, and the persistent racial disparities in healthcare that nursing is uniquely positioned to help address.
Whether you're a nurse, a patient, a caregiver, or simply someone who believes the people doing the hardest work deserve to be seen — this conversation is for you.
📖 Taking Care is available wherever books are sold.
More about Sarah DiGregorio:
Sarah DiGregorio is a freelance journalist and critically acclaimed author whose work sits at the intersection of healthcare, humanity, and storytelling. She has written on health and other topics for the New York Times, the Washington Post, Slate, Insider, and others, and has been a keynote speaker for national audiences including the American Nurses Association, the National Association for Neonatal Nurses, Seattle Children's Hospital, and Rutgers University, among many others.
She is the author of two books: Early: An Intimate History of Premature Birth (Harper, 2020) and Taking Care: The Story of Nursing and Its Power to Change Our World (Harper, 2023). The New York Times Book Review called Taking Care "a brilliant book" and described DiGregorio as "a beautiful writer," saying it deserves to be on the reading list for nursing and medical schools and on the bedside table of all politicians.
Sarah lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, daughter, two cats, and a dog.
Find Sarah Here:
Instagram: @sarahedigregorio

X (formerly Twitter): @sarahdigregorio

LinkedIn: Sarah DiGregorio

Website: sarahdigregorio.com

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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!
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In this episode on The Gritty Nurse, host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with Dr. William Berk as he shares his transformative journey from a traditional emergency medicine career to exploring the depths of mental health and emotional well-being. After graduating from Brown University and completing his residency at Mount Sinai, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Berk faced the overwhelming challenges of working in a high-pressure environment. He discusses how the emotional toll of the pandemic led him to reevaluate his life choices, ultimately guiding him towards meditation and psychedelic therapies as tools for healing. Dr. Berk emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces for healthcare professionals to discuss their mental health and the need for compassion in the medical field.
As he delves deeper into his personal experiences, Dr. Berk recounts a life-altering health scare involving a massive aortic aneurysm, which prompted him to confront his own mortality. This experience further fueled his desire to help others navigate their emotional landscapes. He is currently in India, exploring spiritual practices and the concept of presence, aiming to integrate these insights into his medical practice. The conversation highlights the critical need for healthcare providers to prioritize their mental health and the importance of fostering open dialogues about emotional well-being in the medical community.
William Berk is an ER doctor, assistant professor of medicine, psychedelic researcher & guide, sound meditation & breathwork facilitator.
Keywords
Dr. William Berk, mental health, emergency medicine, meditation, healthcare, emotional well-being, COVID-19, psychedelic therapy, compassion, burnout
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Dr. William Berk
01:23 The Impact of COVID-19 on Emergency Medicine
03:30 Finding Balance: Meditation and Mental Health
07:00 Exploring Psychedelics in Therapy
09:41 Creating Safe Spaces for Healthcare Workers
13:47 The Human Curriculum: Tools for Emotional Wellness
16:59 Embracing Emotions: A Path to Compassion
17:34 Understanding Emotions and Their Impact
20:57 A Life-Altering Diagnosis
25:21 The Journey of Recovery and Gratitude
29:38 Reconnecting with Humanity in Healthcare
34:07 The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
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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