I've been an RN for twelve years; I've worked in med/surg, ICU, as a nurse manager and now I'm back to bedside in the Emergency Department. From the patriarchal systems that place us and our patients at risk to not having enough time to pee, each episode covers what it's like to be a nurse in the hospital today. I'm your host, an ED RN and I hope you'll stick around to listen.
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Sources: The Guardian breaks down some election demos Project 2025 Mandate for Leadership Sarah McBride just became the first transgender Senator The Satanic Temple is a recognized religion by the IRS Gen Z voted for Trump (and not just the dudes) The FBI reported a 20% increase in hate crimes under the first Trump admin How the FBI compiles hate c…
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Welcome to It’s An ED RN, on today’s episode we’re going to talk about the career pivot, that point in your nursing life in which the professional track that you have been on is suddenly not the track that you want to be on and you have to make a change. Which is scary. And confusing. And maybe a mistake but hey, we’re here now so we’re just gonna …
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on today’s episode we’re going to talk about patient privacy, particularly as it pertains to the involvement of law-enforcement and the lies that they will lie to get you to divulge protected health information that they in no way should have access to. This might get heated. Sources from this episode: https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html https://w…
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On today’s episode we’re going to talk about talking to our fellow nurses. Whether you have found yourself on the receiving end of a more experienced nurse looking to make a meal out of you, or you’ve maybe even been that hungry hungry RN yourself, it’s time to squash this beef once and for all. Sources from this episode: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.g…
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On today’s episode we’re going to talk about talking to patients. A good interaction with a patient can make your day, as surely as a poor interaction with a patient can ruin it. And although we as individuals are not responsible for the behavior of other individuals, there are some evidence-based ways we can shape our communication to improve the …
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On today’s episode we’re going to talk about talking to doctors. For the new nurse, this can be intimidating, for the experienced nurse this can be exhausting, but for most every nurse who’s been around for longer than a minute, this is the source of many a tale told at many an after-work happy hour that is only funny in hindsight. Because being ye…
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On today’s episode we’re going to talk about Nurses’ Week; also known, by me, as the week in which anyone with decision-making authority in healthcare spaces chooses to hand out candy and pizza instead of enacting policies to decrease workplace violence, increase pay, or in any way contribute in a meaningful way to the prevention of long-term menta…
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On today's episode we're going to talk about EMTALA (Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Law), the Supreme Court and abortion. For legal abortion care in all 50 States (yes, ALL 50 States): PlanCPills.org Mayday.Health Sources used in this episode: PBS NewsHour American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists American College of Emergen…
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On this episode we’re going to talk about money, specifically how to use some of the money you have now to make sure you aren’t poor when you’re old and can’t work because you’re back is broken and so is your spirit.Av ED RN
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In honor of me finally getting a five star review on this podcast, I thought we'd read some one star reviews on multiple hospitals nationwide. Whether you're a nurse, a potential patient or family member, you may find this interesting, entertaining and informative.Av ED RN
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This is part two of the burnt to a crisp series and now that we know how burnout contributes to poor patient outcomes (not to mention our own mental and physical wellbeing), let’s find out just how burnt we all are. Should be fun. TW: some mention of people deleting themselves in this episode Receipts: The MBI tool for burnout (what I can find for …
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This is the 50th episode of this podcast and we're going to celebrate by talking about one of my favorite subjects: nurse burn out. Statistically speaking, many of us are already burned out and 250% of us will be burnt out by the time we decide to quit nursing; why is burnout a problem, and what should we do about it? let’s find out. Receipt: 31.5%…
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On today's episode, we're going to talk about business. Not the first thing you think of when you think healthcare or nursing, but in fact business kind of runs what we do. On a day-to-day basis. And for a lot of us, it can ruin our lives and those of our patients. So let's talk about it. Receipts: Healthcare is big business... ...and not-for-profi…
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On today’s episode we’re going to talk about The Johari Window. You may not have thought about this concept since nursing school or maybe in ever, but it can help us better understand ourselves and others. Let's get into it. 2018 study on journaling and lower cortisol levelsAv ED RN
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On today’s episode we’re going to talk about Safe Harbor. Not every State has it, and even in those that do, many nurses don’t know how to use it. Until now. Because I’m going to teach you what you need to know to safeguard your license when shit gets out of control.Av ED RN
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On today’s episode we’re going to talk about working the holidays. Again. Between the increase in acutely ill patients and the decrease in staff and general resource availability, how could I not be persuaded to show up to work when the rest of the world gets to sleep in. At least the part that’s not heading to my hospital... The WHO shows 25% incr…
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On today’s episode we’re going to talk about the super fucked up dynamic you could be placed in by being a part of the healthcare workforce, specifically the concept that you should treat them as family, but they get to treat you any way they want to. Sound fucked up? I sure think so.Av ED RN
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On today’s episode we’re going to talk about engaging in a power struggle at work. With so many opportunities to be reminded of the fact that you hold almost no decision making ability over anything, it can be natural to hold on to what small scraps of power you are given; but is this the best use of your time and energy? The answer may surprise yo…
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An ED RN Knows Your Thing Is The Most Important Thing
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On today’s episode we’re going to talk about how everybody’s everything is the most important thing. Or, to be more specific, we breakdown the Fallacy of Isolated Importance, a thought distortion that gives certain people the confidence to try and tell you what your job is based solely on the one thing THEY want to happen despite multiple other com…
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I had a bad shift. It really sucked. In this episode I try to get to the bottom of why it was such a shitay day, and how to manage if you have one similar.Av ED RN
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Masks are gone and I have FEELINGS. This is all about that.
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Sometimes an RN is crushing it and sometimes she is failing a cardiac rhythm exam because she didn't study and heart blocks are hard. So let's review cardiac rhythms!Av ED RN
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On this episode we’re going to talk about how in my rush to ensure I don’t permanently fuck up my back performing the many physical requirements of this job, I accidentally joined a crossfit-style gym. RNs have a higher than average rate of workplace injury and illness Hilarious CDC article about preventing back injuries in healthcare workers made …
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The expectations placed on nurses in the hospital environment are ludicrous, to say the least. The key to preserving your energy is maintaining compliance with the things that matter most (to your bosses, anyway) while being non-compliant with things that don't really matter at all. Let's discuss how.…
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To err is human and in nursing, sometimes to err is to put another human at serious risk of harm. But why do these errors happen and who, or what, is really to blame? Turns out it's complicated. To Err Is Human (landmark study) Just Culture (a balanced approach to accountability)Av ED RN
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An ED RN Is Not A Soldier In The War On Drugs
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The War on Drugs is and always was a tool of oppression targeting communities of color and the opioid crisis is the result of rich people trying to get even richer. Adjust your prejudices accordingly. Sources: A seminar detailing The War On Drugs from content experts and scholars TJC report on drug diversion in healthcare NPR article detailing ways…
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The bonus plan. It's the only surefire way to make the money that more closely resembles what your labor is actually worth, you simply have to work a shit ton more. The obvious upsides are you make more money, the hospital is better staffed, everybody seems to win. But what are the downsides? Let's discuss. The mental health effects of voluntary vs…
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As the famous movie quote goes, there's a difference between mostly dead and all dead. As a nurse, knowing what to do when someone who is mostly dead arrives in your ED is called ACLS; let's talk about it. American Heart Associations ACLS algorithms Traumatic cardiac arrest survival rates study UpToDate ACLS info…
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Some new years' resolutions for a better work life, including spending our time where it will do the most good and tips on how to avoid spinning your wheels on things that cannot be changed.Av ED RN
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It's a new year and what are you going to do with it? As nurses, we spend a lot of our thoughts and feelings and energy at work, so how are we going to spend more of those valuable things at not-work. I have some ideas.Av ED RN
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For some bedside nurses, working holidays can be a definite downside. On the other hand, getting paid more to work slightly less with lots of homemade food to boot? Sounds like a good time to me. Let's discuss.Av ED RN
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As nurses, there is a lot we can handle (like, a lot a lot), but there comes a point when you just can't take it any more. This is a tale of me hitting that point.Av ED RN
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It's been one glorious year since I went back to bedside in the Emergency Department and on this episode we're taking a look back at what has changed, what hasn't changed, and whether or not I deeply regret this life-changing decision (I do not).Av ED RN
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An ED RN Is Not Your Customer Service Representative
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Unhappy patients, unhappy family members, unhappy coworkers; dealing with unhappy people is the bane of any nurses’ existence, especially when we’ve been doing our best and now we’re being told that just ain't good enough. So how do we deal? Let’s talk about it.Av ED RN
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The thing that I have dreaded for some time has finally happened: they've oriented me to charge. Oftentimes charging a unit can be the start of something, but I am determined to make it the end. Why? I'll tell you.Av ED RN
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An ED RN Wonders What She's Doing With Her Life
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My path was simple: start out in med/surg, go to ICU, then become a nurse manager, then director, then ACNO, then CNO, then choke to death on an energy bar alone in my office on a weekend, an unfinished spreadsheet my only witness and friend. And yet, at 40 years old, I'm back to bedside in the Emergency Department. How did this happen? And why am …
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Being chosen as a preceptor can feel like validation that you have finally reached competency, but it can also be tedious, frustrating and often involves a lot of paperwork. So how can you make it the best possible experience for both yourself and your new recruit? I have some ideas.Av ED RN
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Money isn't every reason we do this job, but it is the main reason and when we stay in the same position at the same hospital year after year we are missing out on some well earned compensation. The solution? Quit.Av ED RN
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There's calling in sick and there's calling in "sick." In 11 years of nursing, I've never called in "sick." Until today. Let's talk about it.Av ED RN
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The thing about being a nurse is sometimes we don't take our lunch break, but the thing is lunch is the basement. We should be taking lunch breaks, breakfast breaks and nearly-end-of-shift breaks. Less work, more breaks! References: This excellent paper by Stefan D. Arias on how breaks prevent burnout: https://scholarworks.uttyler.edu/cgi/viewconte…
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An ED RN Wants You To Be A Better Patient
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Being a patient in the ED is hard and it can be frustrating when it seems like you've been waiting a long time. So what's really going on? Why does it take so long? What are these nurses even doing over there? Here are some answers, plus some tips on how you can have a better experience waiting your turn.…
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I'm back! It's been a shitty couple of weeks and I'm not doing great! So let's talk about religion, morals and other fantasy thinking that people use to justify denying others safe and legal healthcare.Av ED RN
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With everything we as nurses are already expected to do, why is it that every other thing is also considered our responsibility? Why are staffing models based on the idea that we will have adequate supplies and support from other departments despite the fact that national shortages and understaffing of every department have become the norm? I, for …
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Being a nurse means if you make a mistake at work, someone could die. We can do everything in our power to prevent mistakes and yet, since To Err Is Human, we also understand that they are inevitable. Since the felony conviction of RaDonda Vaught, nurses are left wondering if the risks are worth it to us. So let's discuss.…
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A Nurses' Week Sonnet: I do not like these nurses' weeks, I think your cheap cold pizza reeks, I do not need a free lunch box, I do not think you give two fox, I want more money and if you laugh, I hear traveling pays three times what you do so who's laughing now motherfuckers? Happy (belated) Nurses' Week!…
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What happens after you die? Well, if you're in a hospital, we bring you back to life. Hopefully.Av ED RN
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You know that feeling in your body after working three in a row? That pained, backed up, congested yuck feeling? That's workstipation and I'm here to talk all about it.Av ED RN
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Raise your hand if you've never, in your nursing career, been yelled at by a physician. Zero hands detected. When every nurse you know has a story about being dressed down by a doc, it stops being anecdote; it's endemic. References from this episode: Women are seven times more likely to be misdiagnosed during a heart attack 90% of female docs have …
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Being a nurse means having to perform in high stress, high stakes situations. Being a human means sometimes that stress makes you a real asshole (and by you I mean me).Av ED RN
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Content Warning: suicide. Being nurses places us at increased risk for a number of things, not the least of which is a lifetime of mental health struggles that have a direct link to the work that we do. Let's talk about it. Resources: - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK(8255); - Safe Call Now: 206-459-3020 (crisis referral for pu…
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