Ask Nurse Alice

This episode tackles the taboo of menstrual health. Through real-life stories, Alice highlights conditions like endometriosis and uterine fibroids, shedding light on their debilitating effects and the importance of a timely diagnosis. With a blend of medical expertise and personal experience, Alice advocates for open conversation and support for menstrual health in our communities and workplaces. Tune in to empower yourself and start the conversation on menstrual health.

Episode Highlights:

[00:01:30] - Addressing the silence around menstrual challenges

[00:05:45] - Raising awareness and debunking myths about menstrual cycles

[00:10:20] - Providing resources and accommodations at work

[00:15:10] - Encouragement to seek support from healthcare providers

[00:17:45] - Conclusion and a call to action for listeners

Contact us at [email protected]

Feedback or questions? We love hearing from you. Share your thoughts on social media or in the comments!

Nurse Alice dives into the hot topic of weight loss injectables, shedding light on the increasing number of lawsuits surrounding them and what patients need to know before, and while, taking them. Discover benefits, side effects, and a holistic view on weight management. We tackle patient education, healthcare responsibilities, and the need for transparency in the pharmaceutical industry. Join us for a critical look at medication roles in health and happiness.

Episode Highlights:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Weight Loss Injectables & Growing Lawsuits

00:05:41 - Early Reports of Weight Loss Injectable Side Effects

00:06:16 - Base Line Assessments Before You Should Have Done BEFORE Starting Weight Loss Drugs

00:07:39 - Importance of Nutrition in Weight Management 

00:08:26 - How Mental Health Impacts Weight Loss

00:09:12 - How Sleep Impacts Weight Loss

00:11:00 - Expected Medication Side Effects You Should Report

00:12:33 - The Allegations Behind Many Weight Loss Medication Lawsuits

00:14:35 - The Pharmaceutical Company's Responsibility to Provide Medication Information

00:15:30 - When the Patient Doesn't Want to Talk/See the Healthcare Provider

00:21:38 - What is Gastroparesis and How it is Treated

00:23:09 - Suicidal Ideation Side Effects and Weight Loss Medications

00:25:00 - Proper Use of Medications Require the Supervision of a Healthcare Provider

00:26:35 - Semiglutide Variants Made at Compounding Pharmacies are Not FDA Approved

00:29:40 - What You Should Ask Your Healthcare Provider About Newly Prescribed Medications

00:30:45 - Understanding the Health Consumer's Responsibilities While on Medications

00:34:23 - The Healthcare Provider's Responsibilities When Prescribing Medications

00:35:41 - The Pharmaceutical Company's Responsibilities When Developing New Medications

00:36:33 - Post-Marketing Surveillance and Drug Labeling Updates 

00:37:23 - Promoting Health Literacy for Patient Understanding

Contact us at [email protected]

Feedback or questions? We love hearing from you. Share your thoughts on social media or in the comments!

Disclaimer: This episode contains a discussion on human trafficking, including sexual assault, domestic violence, strangulation, and human sex trafficking. Listener discretion is advised. If you, or someone you know,
 
 In this episode of Nurse Converse, Leah Helmbrecht, BSN, RN, also known as @offtheclocknurse, discusses the topic of human sex trafficking. As a forensic nurse examiner and sexual assault nurse examiner, Leah shares her expertise and experiences in working with patients who have experienced sexual assault, domestic violence, strangulation, and human sex trafficking. She debunks common myths about trafficking, provides statistics on its prevalence in the United States, and highlights the link between human sex trafficking and pornography. Leah also emphasizes the importance of recognizing the signs of trafficking in healthcare settings and offers guidance on how healthcare professionals can respond and provide support to victims. She concludes by sharing information about a human trafficking prevention program called Walking Wise, which aims to educate young people and adults about the issue. Listeners are encouraged to educate themselves, support advocacy efforts, and report any suspicions of human trafficking.

If you or someone you know is being human trafficked or in a human trafficking situation, please reach out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888. Or you can text INFO in all caps to 2-3-3-7-3-3.

>>>Read about human trafficking and recognizing the signs in healthcare settings

Jump Ahead to Listen:
00:02:30 - Definition of Human Sex Trafficking and the AMP Model
00:05:30 - Statistics on Human Trafficking in the United States
00:08:45 - Myths and Realities of Human Trafficking
00:12:15 - Grooming Process and Psychological Manipulation Tactics
00:15:45 - Reasons for the Existence of Human Trafficking
00:19:00 - Complicity and Normalization of Human Trafficking
00:22:30 - Link Between Human Trafficking and Pornography
00:25:00 - How Healthcare Workers Can Identify and Respond to Human Trafficking
00:29:00 - Conclusion and Resources for Help

Connect With Leah on social media:

Instagram: offtheclocknurse

TikTok: offtheclocknurse

FB: Off The Clock Nurse Travels

Nurse Converse, a collaborative podcast presented by Nurse.org. Picture this: In each episode, we bring you a fresh perspective with a rotating lineup of incredible nurse hosts from various backgrounds, specialties, and experiences. From seasoned nurse veterans to passionate newcomers, our hosts share the spotlight. What makes this podcast truly unique is that all of our hosts were selected by the nursing community. 

In each episode, we dive into the highs, lows, and in-betweens of the nursing journey. Expect laughter, tears, and a whole lot of wisdom as our hosts share their expertise, personal anecdotes, and invaluable advice.

Get ready for a dose of inspiration, a sprinkle of education, and a whole lot of community.

Learn more about the new Nurse Converse Podcast at nurse.org/podcast

In this episode, Nurse Alice revisits the case of Redonda Vaught, who was convicted of gross negligence in a medication error that resulted in the death of a patient. Her nursing license was revoked by the Tennessee Board of Nursing in 2021 but seeks nursing license reinstatement.

Nurse Alice discusses the importance of medication safety systems and the devastating impact of such errors on patients and their families. She emphasizes the need for exploration and investigation to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:00:31] Medication error and patient death. 
[00:04:23] Nursing license reinstatement. 
[00:10:46] Patient death and consequences. 
[00:13:37] Breach of standard procedures. 
[00:17:13] Public trust in healthcare. 
[00:22:29] The board of registered nursing. 
[00:24:19] Nursing license and public protection. 
[00:27:30] Revoking nursing license discussion. 

In this episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, host Alice Benjamin discusses the alarming increase in drug overdose deaths in the United States. With over 105,000 deaths reported in 2022 alone, the issue of counterfeit pill use is becoming a major concern. Alice highlights that these deaths are often a result of drugs being abused and sold illegally on the black market, such as opioids and benzodiazepines. She stresses the importance of distinguishing these fake prescription pills from legitimate medications used for conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. It is crucial to address this issue and take action to prevent further harm.

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:03:48] Counterfeit drugs and their dangers. 
[00:10:06] Fake medications and leftovers. 
[00:11:16] Medication abuse and misuse. 
[00:14:48] Prescription medication and addiction. 
[00:19:13] Substance use and managing pain. 
[00:21:44] Higher drug overdose death rate. 
[00:26:45] How to protect from counterfeit pills. 
[00:33:23] Prescribing intranasal Narcan. 
[00:36:14] Helping people manage pain.

In this episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, host Alice Benjamin discusses the story of Eliana Tinnenbaum, a 16-year-old who recently graduated from Arizona State University's accelerated nursing program. Alice shares how this achievement sparked controversy and divided opinions among people. While some praised Eliana's academic prowess, others questioned the appropriateness of someone so young entering the nursing profession. Alice explores the different perspectives surrounding this milestone and emphasizes the importance of congratulating individuals for their achievements, regardless of their age.

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:00:27] Controversy over young nursing graduate. 
[00:04:38] Young nurse's eligibility dilemma. 
[00:08:19] Adolescents as nurses. 
[00:11:23] Licensing and age requirements. 
[00:15:11] Emotional challenges for young nurses. 
[00:19:13] Job demands and adolescent maturity. 
[00:21:40] Incorporating adolescents into healthcare. 
[00:25:19] Younger nurses and professional growth. 
[00:29:48] Impact of 16-year-old nurses. 

In this episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, host Alice Benjamin welcomes Dr. Mitzi Saunders, the president of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists. Dr. Saunders, who has 34 years of nursing experience and is a professor and graduate nursing coordinator, discusses the role of the clinical nurse specialist and its importance in healthcare. The conversation highlights the need to educate people about the CNS role and emphasizes its significance in providing specialized care. Tune in to learn more about the valuable contributions of clinical nurse specialists in the field of nursing.

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:01:56] What is a clinical nurse specialist (CNS)? 
[00:09:24] Impacting the population. 
[00:14:27] The problem with CNS title. 
[00:18:43] Harmony in leadership teams. 
[00:21:46] Demonstrating value in healthcare. 
[00:24:30] Nurse retention and shortages. 
[00:28:23] Career satisfaction during COVID. 
[00:31:13] CNS role and education.

In this episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, Nurse Alice discusses her transition to working remotely as a family nurse practitioner. She discusses her extensive experience working in various healthcare settings and the challenges faced along the way. Despite her love for patient care, she needed a change and is thrilled to have found a remote opportunity.

Working remotely offers numerous benefits for both mental and physical health. Nurse Alice highlights her favorite aspects, and although the positives surpass the negatives, she also candidly discusses the challenges associated with working remotely as a nurse.

 >>Read more on nurse.org

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:01:58] Remote nursing positions. 
[00:04:37] Flexible schedule. 
[00:07:12] Saving money working remotely. 
[00:10:34] Clothing advantages in healthcare. 
[00:14:39] Customizing my work environment. 
[00:18:50] Working remotely benefits mental health. 
[00:23:46] Working remotely pros and cons. 
[00:27:00] Changes in eating habits. 
[00:29:28] Lack of physical interaction. 
[00:33:15] Lack of separation from work. 
[00:37:41] The need to get out. 

In this episode of the Ask Nurse Alice podcast, Nurse Alice talks about a recent situation where she saved a life at the airport baggage claim. Nurse Alice discusses Good Samaritan laws and the challenges healthcare professionals face when providing care outside of their clinical setting. She shares a personal experience of rendering care while off duty and highlights the importance of understanding the legal protections and limitations when providing aid in emergencies. Tune in to learn more about the role of healthcare professionals in helping others and navigating legal responsibilities.

>>Read more about Nurse Alice's lifesaving experience at the airport on nurse.org

Jump ahead to listen:
[00:01:30] Rendering care while off duty. 
[00:05:30] The Good Samaritan Law. 
[00:14:24] Assessing without proper equipment. 
[00:15:23] Head injury and bleeding. 
[00:19:36] Good Samaritan laws in different states. 
[00:26:36] In-flight medical emergencies. 
[00:30:25] Saving someone's life.