Have you heard that all nurses aren't made the same? That some are Registered Nurses and others are Registered Practical Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses? Did you know that even within nursing, we create categories of who is "really" a nurse? Let's cut the bullshi*t, shall we? In this episode, the Gritty Nurses talk about registered practical nurses (RPNs) with none other than Dianne Martin, CEO of WeRPN. We discuss what RPNs can do, common misconceptions, and raising awareness and improving working conditions, and her hopes and aspirations for RPNs. After all, if nurse is in your title, you're a nurse.

Dianne Martin has been a nurse since 1979. She graduated first as an RPN and then in 1998, she graduated as an RN with a diploma in nursing and is dually registered as both an RN and RPN. Currently she works as an RPN in the role of Chief Executive Officer of WeRPN where she has been recognized for her work to build bridges of greater understanding and respect among the categories of nurses in Ontario. Dianne has experience working in several Ontario hospitals predominantly in the field of Perinatal Care. She has held several leadership positions including professional practice coordinator in an Ontario hospital and senior policy analyst with the Nursing Policy and Innovation Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (formerly The Nursing Secretariat).

In 2016, Dianne received the Premier’s Award which recognizes college graduates whose achievements have made a difference in the province of Ontario. She is the daughter of a nurse, mother to a nurse, and she holds all those who care for others in the highest regard.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP, is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

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https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/

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In this episode, The Gritty Nurses and Nurse Matthew discuss two juxtaposing cases: first of a nurse who uploaded a video showing her at a strip club before her shift and a horrifying case of a nurse who fell asleep in her car and then accidentally drove off the top floor of a parking garage. We discuss both cases, the circumstances around each, the "upload/pick me" culture and how common falling asleep while driving among shift workers are.

Details of Case 2: "I was so exhausted..."

A Boston nurse was injured after driving off the top floor of a parking garage. Authorities responded to the incident at Faulkner Hospital in Jamaica Plain, according to a police report from the Boston Police Department.

Responding officers found a “heavily damaged” 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee next to the garage, as well as a piece of railing that appeared to match the railing on the garage’s roof.

Boston fire officials reportedly informed police that a vehicle had plunged off the top of the parking garage, though it was unclear how.

Article: https://people.com/nurse-slept-in-car-drove-off-top-floor-hospital-parking-garage-8656111

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP, is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

In this episode, the Gritty Nurses discuss something that would be a patient's worst nightmare: having a medical instrument left in your body. In this particular instance, an epidural needle was left in Giovanna Ippolito's back from years ago! Furthermore, no one will take responsibility for it. Amie & Sara unpack some of the issues in hospitals related to medical malpractice, patient advocacy and glaring gaps in the healthcare system.

Giovanna Ippolito is living with a broken needle in her spine after it broke off during childbirth. An anesthesiologist then left the 4cm/2 inch-long fragment embedded in her back — and didn't tell her what happened.

Instead, it was discovered during an X-ray more than a decade later. The woman says her doctor can't directly link the pain she's experiencing to the needle, but one thing has been made clear to her: it's not safe to remove it.

Story: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/needle-spine-patient-investigations-1.7227058#:~:text=Giovanna%20Ippolito%20is%20living%20with,more%20than%20a%20decade%20later.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP, is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse