Screaming to be Heard: The Urgent Fight to Save Black Moms and Their Babies (Karrie Jones and Mercedes Wells Horrifying Experinces with Birth in the US)
Two Black women. Two different states. One shared, terrifying experience: being ignored by the very people sworn to care for them. Why are Black women in 2025 still screaming to be heard? In this episode of The Gritty Nurse, Amie Archibald-Varley, a former L & D nurse and Maternal Health Expert (Masters in Women's Health) breaks down the viral birth stories of Karrie Jones (Dallas) and Mercedes Wells (Indiana)—two harrowing cases of medical racism & gaslighting that have shaken the nursing & medical world. We analyze the 54-million-view footage, dissect the latest maternal mortality stats, and discuss actionable steps for nurses to become better allies. From Karrie's screams being dismissed during intake to Mercedes being discharged only to give birth in her car eight minutes later, we are breaking down exactly what went wrong. We discuss the failure of the nurse and nursing teams, the weaponization of hospital policies, and the "weathering" effect that is keeping Black maternal mortality rates 3.5x higher than white counterparts. In this episode, we cover: The Receipts: A minute-by-minute breakdown of the viral videos from Dallas Regional and Franciscan Health. The Stats: Why 2025 data shows the gap is widening for Black maternal morbidity. Medical Racism & Medical Gaslighting 101: How nurses can spot implicit bias in real-time and the "fight languages" needed to advocate for patients. The Momnibus Act: An update on the legislative fight for health equity. Key Takeaways for Nurses: Pain is Subjective, Vital Signs Are Not: If a patient says the baby is coming, believe them. Documentation is Defense: How patients are using video to protect themselves when the chart doesn't tell the whole story. Silence is Complicity: Your duty to intervene when a colleague dismisses a patient. Resources & Links: Learn: CDC "Hear Her" Campaign Act: The Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act Status Tool: Irth App (Yelp for Black birth experiences) Join the Conversation: Have you witnessed medical gaslighting on your unit? Share with me your stories! #GrittyNurse #BlackMaternalHealth #KarrieJones #MercedesWells #NurseTwitter #HealthEquity #MedicalGaslighting #NursingEducation #PatientAdvocacy
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Are You A Caregiver in Crisis? Discussing Support & Solutions with Ontario Caregiver Organization CEO Amy Coupal
In this essential episode of the Gritty Nurse podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley engages in a critical discussion with Amy Coupal, CEO of the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO), about the vital role of caregivers in Ontario. This conversation illuminates the significant challenges faced by these essential, yet often overlooked, members of the healthcare team. Listeners will gain insight into the dynamics of caregiving and the crucial support available through the OCO. Key Takeaways for Listeners: Caregiver Recognition: Understand why caregivers must be recognized as essential members of the healthcare team in Ontario. Tailored Support: Learn about the need for tailored support and resources specifically designed for diverse caregiving communities. Burnout Prevention: Discover the importance of organizations implementing caregiver-friendly policies to prevent caregiver burnout and improve their experience. Political Awareness: The episode stresses the significance of political awareness and advocacy to drive systemic change for caregivers. 🎙️ Meet the Guest: Amy Coupal Amy Coupal is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Caregiver Organization (OCO), a charitable organization dedicated to supporting Ontario's 4 million caregivers. A visionary leader with over 20 years of experience in the not-for-profit sector, Amy is passionate about mobilizing change through knowledge exchange and building collaborative initiatives. She brings a deep personal understanding of the benefits and challenges of the role, having been a caregiver for most of her life, supporting her brother who had Cerebral Palsy, her mother throughout her cancer journey, and now her father through older adulthood. Do not forget to Comment, Like and SUBSCRIBE on Apple and Youtube! Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse! www.hospitalnews.com Where to Listen / Watch * 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
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When The Nurse Becomes the Patient: Emily Edwards on Her MS Diagnosis and Fighting to Be Heard
In this compelling and candid episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with a truly inspiring guest: Emily Edwards, RN, founder of Nomad Care Consulting. Emily, a healthcare expert, shares the deeply personal and often frustrating journey of her own Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis. She details the challenges of being a patient in the very system she knows so well, often feeling unheard, dismissed, and invalidated while searching for answers. This is more than a story about chronic illness; it's a powerful masterclass in self-advocacy. Emily opens up about the immense emotional toll of MS and the sheer resilience required to keep pushing for proper care. What you'll learn in this eye-opening conversation: The shocking reality of receiving a major diagnosis as a practicing RN. Why self-advocacy is crucial—especially when dealing with complex or chronic conditions. How to push past dismissal and demand validation from your care team. The psychological and emotional landscape of living with MS. Join us for this essential conversation that will redefine how you view the patient experience and inspire you to find your own voice in the healthcare world. Where to Listen / Watch * Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782 * Watch on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast Leave a comment, Like and SUBSCRIBE! Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse! www.hospitalnews.com More about Emily Edwards: Emily Edwards, RN is a Registered Nurse and a highly respected expert in the dementia care space, as well as the founder of Nomad Care Consulting. With an expansive knowledge of older adult mental health and dementia, Emily's expertise is built on years of experience, including her roles as a Psychogeriatric Resource Consultant, a Long Term Care Behavioural Supports Coordinator, and an RN Team Lead for a specialized dementia care team. Emily's unique strength lies in her ability to take complex healthcare topics and translate them into actionable, manageable pieces, empowering families and caregivers to navigate the intricate healthcare system and discover effective, non-pharmacological care approaches. She is dedicated to helping people cultivate a life worth living for both their loved ones and themselves. Support Emily! https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-emily-rest-recover-return-better-than-ever Where to find Emily: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilyedwardsbscn/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/thatnomadnurse/ Websites: https://www.nomadcare.ca/ https://nomadcare.kit.com/uncover?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn4bcyAvxUxhHr4TaDy1Yu6iH5VLVO7BbOmNemtDU08WrU1KmVDxw1pvoTLvg_aem_UCvO6EjkIb0Su1nZw0HNFg
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57:16
EVERY Nurse Has a Ghost Story: The rule of 3, Crash Carts Outside of Rooms and Never Say The "Q" Word
In this hauntingly hillarious episode, The Gritty Nurse, Amie Archibald-Varley and guest Co-Host, Matthew Shepherd, discuss why every nurse has a ghost story and the rituals nurses follow religiously. From haunted hospital basements to eerie night shifts, this Halloween special explores the myths, rituals, and real-life experiences that make the nursing profession both fascinating and frightening. Tune in for a mix of humor, horror, and heartfelt stories that will leave you questioning what goes bump in the night. Did you have an unlucky room? Do you prepare a room when a code is called in the emerge and you work in ICU? Tell us your rituals or if you have a ghost story or heard one! Please Like and SUBSCRIBE on Apple Podcasts and Youtube!! Takeaways Every nurse has a ghost story. Nursing rituals often serve as coping mechanisms. The 'Q word' is taboo on night shifts. Full moons are believed to affect hospital activity. The rule of threes is a common superstition. Some hospital rooms are deemed unlucky. Opening windows for spirits is a practiced ritual. Nurses' intuition is a valuable tool. Shared experiences create community among nurses. Humor helps nurses cope with the supernatural. Where to Listen / Watch * 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 Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse! www.hospitalnews.com
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45:43
Healthcare Can Be Horror: Examining Nursing Portrayals, Asylum History and Medical Phobias in Healthcare
Why are nurses a favorite target for horror movie villains? Why are nurses seen in movies as either sexy, satanic or dieties? In this spine-chilling episode of The Gritty Nurse, Amie Archibald-Varley and Guest Host Jordan Varley discuss the dark side of cinema's obsession with healthcare horror and nursing horror tropes. We cover everything from the psychological weight of nurse stereotypes and the real-world terror of nurse killers, to the unsettling history of asylums and our ingrained fears of medical procedures. Get ready for a thought-provoking analysis of horror film tropes and cultural perceptions of mental health. Tune in for expert commentary and find out which horror movies you must watch next. Ideal for fans of psychological thrillers and medical horror. Takeaways Horror films often reflect societal fears about vulnerability in healthcare. Nurses are frequently depicted as villainous in horror, which can perpetuate harmful stereotypes. Real-life cases of nurse killers highlight the darker side of the profession. The portrayal of asylums in horror films often exaggerates historical realities. Fear of medical procedures is a common theme in horror, tapping into real anxieties. Cultural perceptions of mental health are often shaped by horror narratives. The sexy nurse trope undermines the professionalism of nursing. Horror can serve as a lens to examine deeper psychological issues. The evolution of horror tropes reflects changing societal attitudes towards healthcare. Personal experiences with horror films can reveal underlying fears and anxieties. Chapters 00:00Exploring the Intersection of Healthcare and Horror 01:52Nurse Stereotypes in Horror Films 04:33The Villainous Nurse Archetype 06:59Real-Life Nurse Killers and Their Impact 09:56The Role of Asylums in Horror 12:26Psychological Fears and Vulnerability in Healthcare 15:11The Evolution of Horror Tropes 18:18The Fear of Medical Procedures 20:10Cultural Perceptions of Mental Health 23:06The Future of Horror in Healthcare 25:39Top Horror Movie Recommendations 📲 Follow, Like, and Subscribe! Platform Handle/Link Website grittynurse.com Instagram @grittynursepod X (Twitter) @GrittyNurse Facebook /grittynurse YouTube @grittynursepodcast TikTok @thegrittynursepodcast LinkedIn /company/thegrittynurse Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse! www.hospitalnews.com Where to Listen / Watch * 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
The Gritty Nurse is back, and NO TOPIC is off-limits! Launching in September 2025 with host Amie Archibald Varley, this podcast is dedicated to amplifying the voices of nurses and others who work in healthcare to explore the most pressing issues they face.
Join Amie as she continues to take a deep dive into powerful and often uncomfortable topics. Though shared experriences, storytelling and the discussions surrounding the intersection of power, we will navigate the challenges facing healthcare nationally and internationally--as of course--challenge the status quo. The show's core belief remains unwavering: that compassion is the through understanding diverse narratives and perspectives is KEY.
Amie will continue to explore hot-button issues like mental health, social justice, women's health, and the daily challenges within the nursing profession. The Gritty Nurse is more than just a podcast—it's a community where nurses and healthcare workers can feel heard, empowered, and recognized as the community leaders they truly are.
Change is HERE.
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