Nurses deserve better than spending half a shift glued to a computer, and Microsoft might finally be helping. This week on Club Nurse, Colton talks with Mary Varghese Presti, former Johns Hopkins peds nurse turned Microsoft Health & Life Sciences leader, about Dragon Copilot for Nurses. They break down how ambient AI in Epic Rover can capture assessments in real time and help populate flowsheets, cutting down charting time and mental load. They also talk privacy, why this tool was built specifically for nursing workflows, and how nurses can stay involved as AI rolls out in healthcare.   

If you’ve ever stayed late to chart, skipped water, or held your pee for a heroic and medically inadvisable amount of time, this one’s for you.  

Jump Ahead to Listen:

[00:00:48] Introducing guest Mary Varghese Presti
[00:03:04] Mary’s path from bedside to policy and tech
[00:05:24] Why talk about AI and nursing now
[00:06:21] What Dragon Copilot for nurses is
[00:07:31] Nurses as “silent surveillance system”
[00:10:23] Using Copilot in noisy and ED settings
[00:11:39] Built specifically for nursing documentation
[00:13:05] Step-by-step: using Copilot in a patient room
[00:17:21] From pilots to general availability in hospitals
[00:18:08] Faster, richer documentation and patient safety
[00:21:21] Adopting new tech and changing nurse workflows

Connect with Colton on social media:
Instagram: @coltonalanlord, @club.nurse
TikTok: @nursecolton

Connect with Mary on LinkedIn

This week’s news is giving myth-busting, true crime, nurse solidarity, Super Bowl romance, strike wins, and discount meds. We’re running through the biggest nurse headlines in the exact order they dropped, so you can stay informed without doom-scrolling your nervous system into oblivion.

• Joint Commission clears up the “no drinks at the nurses station” myth and basically says… your water bottle isn’t the villain.
• Netflix’s The Investigation of Lucy Letby dives into the neonatal nurse case and hospital red flags.
• All 14 OB nurses resign after a Tennessee hospital shuts down its entire L&D unit. Rural healthcare crisis, unlocked.
• A male nurse gets legally married during Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show. Main character energy.
• NYC nurses secure a major strike victory with staffing and pay wins.
• Kaiser nurses in CA and Hawaii continue striking, with more workers joining.
• Trump Rx vs. Cost Plus Drugs vs. GoodRx breakdown for cheaper meds.

Jump Ahead to Listen:
[00:02:49] Joint Commission myth on drinks at nurses’ station
[00:06:02] Netflix documentary on nurse Lucy Letby
[00:08:58] 14 OB nurses resign after L&D closure in Tennessee
[00:11:59] Nurse marries during Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show
[00:13:28] New York City nurses strike agreement
[00:15:12] Ongoing Kaiser nurses strike in CA and HI
[00:15:51] TrumpRx, GoodRx, and Cost Plus Drugs overview

Connect with Colton on social media:
Instagram: @coltonalanlord, @club.nurse
TikTok: @nursecolton

Healthcare really said “no peace” again, so Club Nurse is clocking in to translate the chaos. This week, Colton covers the nurse news everyone’s talking about, from heartbreaking loss to major advocacy moves and strikes that could reshape staffing and patient safety. If you want the context without living on your For You page, this episode does the work for you.

This week’s stories:

• Death of VA ICU nurse Alex Pretti: Honoring his life and the impact on the nursing community
• L&D nurse Jen Hamilton calls out unsafe staffing: The one question every birthing patient should ask
• Nurses launch national petition on immigration enforcement: Protecting healthcare spaces and public trust
• 31,000 Kaiser nurses begin strike in CA & HI: Safe staffing, wages, and worker protections on the line

Heavy topics, real conversations, and the reminders nurses need right now.

>>Dedicated VA ICU Nurse Alex Pretti Dead After Clash with Border Patrol in Minneapolis

>>L&D Nurse Jen Hamilton Calls Out Unsafe Staffing: ‘Ask This Question Before You Deliver’

>>‘Nurses SHIFT Change’ Petition Raises Public Health Concerns About Immigration Enforcement

>>31,000 Kaiser Nurses and Healthcare Workers Strike Across California and Hawaii

Jump Ahead to Listen:
[01:05] Coping with a Heavy News Cycle
[03:06] Introducing the Case of VA ICU Nurse Alex Pretti
[04:05] Honoring Alex Pretti’s Life & Career
[05:20] Community Reaction & Where to Learn More
[06:18] The Question for Expecting Parents About Safe Staffing
[07:09] What AWHONN Safe Staffing Standards Mean
[08:06] Why Ratios Matter During Labor & Delivery
[09:23] Nurses’ Petition on Immigration & Public Health
[10:30] Key Reform Demands in the Petition
[11:12] How Nurses Can Take Action on the Petition

Connect with Colton on social media:
Instagram: @coltonalanlord, @club.nurse
TikTok: @nursecolton

In this episode of the Love n’ Leary Nursing Podcast, Marion Leary and Rebecca Love announce the podcast’s new partnership with Nurse.org and reflect on how this milestone represents the power of saying yes to opportunity. They revisit the early conversations that sparked the show, including imposter syndrome and career uncertainty, and connect those experiences to the broader responsibility of nurse leadership. The discussion explores advocacy, the importance of nurses using their voices with confidence, and how storytelling, policy engagement, and diverse communication platforms can expand nursing influence. Together, Marion and Rebecca emphasize how nurses can shape public narratives, strengthen the profession, and drive meaningful change across healthcare. 

>>Love n' Leary Nursing Podcast

Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn

Connect with Marion on social media:
Instagram: @marionleary
TikTok: @marionleary
Facebook: Marion Leary

This episode is for every nurse who’s ever been like… “am I actually CRNA material?” 😅 

It’s CRNA Week, and Colton sits down with Jenny Finnell, CRNA (12+ years in anesthesia and the founder of CRNA School Prep Academy + TeachRN) to talk about what it really takes to get into CRNA school—and to make it through once you’re in. They get into imposter syndrome, fear of rejection, finding your deeper “why,” and how to filter out the noise and focus on feedback that actually helps. If you’re CRNA-curious, ICU, or prepping to apply, this one’s your sign.

>>So You Want to Be a CRNA? Let’s Talk Reality, Rejection, and Readiness

Jump Ahead to Listen:

02:22 | Jenny’s Origin Story: Discovering Anesthesia
05:07 | What Makes a Strong CRNA Candidate (Beyond Grades)
06:37 | Jenny’s Application Journey: Rejection, GRE, and Persistence
09:15 | How CRNA School Requirements Have Evolved
11:24 | Transitioning from ICU RN to Independent CRNA
15:23 | Finding Your Voice as a Bedside Nurse
16:47 | Imposter Syndrome, Comparison, and Fear of Failure
19:46 | Choosing Yourself & Trying Even If You Might Fail
21:06 | How CRNA School Prep Academy Was Born
23:18 | Jenny’s Deep ‘Why’ for Mentorship & CRNA Practice
25:40 | The Power of Passionate Care in Nursing
27:02 | When to Join CRNA School Prep Academy & What’s Included
28:34 | Community, Connections & Future Classmates
29:29 | Is CRNA School Really That Hard?
30:05 | How Do People Afford CRNA School? Loans, Savings, Strategy
33:33 | Final Advice

Connect with Colton on social media:
Instagram: @coltonalanlord, @club.nurse
TikTok: @nursecolton

Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn and social media:
Instagram: @crnaschoolprepacademy

Healthcare is doing the most again, so Club Nurse is here to break it all down. This week, Colton covers the biggest nurse news you need to know—from ongoing strikes and major healthcare system headlines to side-hustle warnings and career wins. If you want to stay in the loop without doom-scrolling, this episode has you covered.

This week’s stories:

• NYC nursing strike reaches day 8: Patient safety at the center
• 31,000 Kaiser nurses issue strike notice: Potential walkouts Jan 26 in CA & HI
• Kaiser settles $556M Medicare fraud case: Documentation implications
• Fake nurse with stolen credentials injures patient: Employer charged with fraud
• Chicago nurse accused of selling fake Ozempic: Side hustles & license risk
• Nurse practitioners named best job of 2026: Top-ranked in healthcare and STEM

>>NYC Nurse Strike Update: 15,000 Nurses Officially on Strike, Largest in City’s History

>>31,000 Kaiser Nurses Plan to Strike Across California and Hawaii, From SF to San Diego

>>Kaiser Hit With Record $556M Medicare Fraud Payout — Here’s What It Means for Nurses

>>Fake Nurse Injured Disabled Patient During G-Tube Procedure, Employer Charged With Fraud

>>Feds Say Chicago Nurse Sold Fake Ozempic: What Nurses Need to Know

>>Nurse Practitioner Named Best Job in Healthcare, STEM, and Top 100 Jobs 2026

Jump Ahead to Listen:
02:22 | New York City Nurse Strike Update
04:21 | Upcoming Kaiser Strike: 31,000 Nurses
08:11 | Kaiser’s $556M Medicare Fraud Settlement
10:55 | Fake Nurse Injures Disabled Patient
12:24 | Fake Ozempic Case
13:03 | Nurse Practitioner Named #1 Job

Connect with Colton on social media:

Instagram: @coltonalanlord, @club.nurse
TikTok: @nursecolton

NYC nurses said “yeah… no” and walked out — and we’re breaking it ALL down. 🗽💥 

In this episode of Club Nurse, Colton dives into the largest nursing strike in New York City history and unpacks what’s actually going on behind the viral posts and protest signs. We’re talking safe staffing, fair pay, workplace violence, unions, picket lines, and the very messy reality of strike contracts.

If you’ve ever been confused about:

• what a nurse strike really means
• why crossing the picket line is such a hot topic
• how hospitals keep running during strikes
• or where you personally stand in all of it

…this one’s for you. 👀 

>>NYC Nurse Strike Update: 15,000 Nurses Officially on Strike, Largest in City’s History

>>New York Governor Declares Disaster Emergency as Nurses Walk Out

Jump Ahead to Listen:
2:06 – 3:04 | Announcements: Nurse.org is Hiring
3:04 – 4:05 | Pop Culture Break: ‘The Pitt’ at the Golden Globes
4:05 – 5:12 · Defining Strikes & Picket Lines
5:12 – 6:34 · Purpose of a Picket Line & “Crossing the Line”
6:34 – 8:20 · Strike Contracts, Travel Nurses & The Double-Edged Sword
9:13 – 10:11 · NYC Strike Overview & Scale
10:11 – 11:03 · Emergency Order & Out‑of‑State Nurses
11:03 – 11:52 · On Being a “Scab” & Why Nurses Are Striking
11:52 – 13:03 · If You Take a Strike Contract: Practical Advice
14:03 – 14:38 | Solidarity with NYC Nurses

Connect with Colton on social media:

Instagram: @coltonalanlord, @club.nurse
TikTok: @nursecolton

This week on Club Nurse, Colton sits down with Mama Nurse Tina (L&D nurse, breastfeeding specialist, and creator of Bump to Latch) for a chaotic-wholesome, wildly informative convo about pregnancy, birth, and the realities of modern healthcare. Tina shares why she’s passionate about making actual maternity info accessible, what it’s really like being a healthcare creator online, and why education should never come with shame.

They cover the greatest hits: minimalist hospital bag tips (think nips + bits, not your whole house), fed is best (with real talk on breastfeeding, combo feeding, and formula prep), plus a nuanced discussion on home birth vs hospital, Pitocin/oxytocin, the stuff nobody warns you about (yes, mucus plug + bloody show). They wrap with Tina’s spicy take on gender reveals: if you might be disappointed, maybe don’t film it for the internet forever. 

>>Being a Nurse, a Creator, and a Voice for Parents: Mama Nurse Tina

Jump Ahead to Listen: 

[00:01:28] Making healthcare information accessible.
[00:05:03] Building an online business.
[00:08:21] Stand-up comedy as a hobby.
[00:11:21] Essentials for hospital packing.
[00:17:01] Breastfeeding versus formula debate.
[00:19:54] Supplementing with formula options.
[00:21:25] Birth culture and personal agency.
[00:25:00] Home birth vs. free birth.
[00:28:23] Emergency department and labor delivery dynamics.
[00:30:57] Hospital birth vs. home birth.
[00:34:24] Pitocin: usage and concerns.
[00:37:18] Mucus plug explained.
[00:40:31] Gender reveals and expectations.
[00:43:10] Gender roles in parenting.
[00:46:20] Keep learning for better birth.

Connect with Colton on social media:

• Instagram: @coltonalanlord, @club.nurse
• TikTok: @nursecolton

Connect with Tina on social media: 

• Instagram: @mama_nurse_tina
• TikTok: @mama_nurse_tina
• Facebook: Mama Nurse Tina
• YouTube: @mamanursetina
• Website: https://www.bumptolatch.com/

Besties, we’re so back! After a little holiday break, Colton’s kicking off 2026 with a fresh Nurse News drop — and honestly? This week is packed.

We’re talking:

• The heartbreaking loss of certified nurse-midwife & DNP Dr. Janelle Green Smith after childbirth — and why this tragedy is a painful reminder that Black maternal health disparities are still VERY real (even for healthcare leaders).
• “The Pitt” winning big at the 2026 Critics Choice Awards and actually getting hospital life right (aka finally not cringe medical TV). 
• A literal HIV nurse competing on RuPaul’s Drag Race??? Mandy Mango is serving care + charisma and we are OBSESSED. 
• 21,000 NYC nurses voting 97% yes to authorize a strike — safe staffing ratios, wages, and union power are the main character energy here. 
• And yes… the flu is going absolutely feral this year. Like, hospitals bringing masks back feral.

This episode is your reminder that staying informed = staying empowered. So grab your coffee, your scrubs, or your emotional support water bottle… and let’s get into it.

>>Nurses Mourn Midwife and Leader Dr. Janell Green Smith, Who Died After Childbirth

>>'The Pitt' Wins Big at the Critics Choice Awards + Season 2 Launch!

>>Meet Mandy Mango: The Nurse Bringing HIV Care to ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’

>>21,000 NYC Nurses on the Brink of a Strike After 97% Vote—What To Know

>>Flu Surge 2026: Record Hospitalizations — What Nurses Need to Know

Jump Ahead to Listen:

[00:02:34] A Heartbreaking Loss
[00:06:07] 'The Pitt' Wins Big
[00:08:18] Nurse Competes on Drag Race 
[00:10:06] NYC Nurses Near Strike
[00:13:23] Flu Surge Hits Hospitals

Connect with Colton on social media:
Instagram: @coltonalanlord, @club.nurse
TikTok: @nursecolton

Not gonna lie… most of us are “certified” but still low-key panicking when a real code pops off. 😅 This episode with Susan B. Davis, DNP, RN, EMT-P (Rescue RN + the brain behind CodePRep) is all about closing the gap between knowing the basics and actually feeling ready to use them. We get into why traditional mock codes aren’t cutting it, what actually builds confidence (hint: quick, hands-on reps), and how empowered teams = better outcomes. If you’ve ever frozen in a high-stakes moment, this one’s for you. ⚡🫶

>>Certified Nurse but Panicking During a Code? You’re Not Alone—Here’s How to Feel Ready

Jump Ahead to Listen: 

[00:02:02] Nursing career transitions.
[00:05:49] Flight nursing experiences and insights.
[00:07:36] Code Blue Practice Education.
[00:11:28] Confidence in nursing emergencies.
[00:15:14] Code preparation program.
[00:18:06] Cardiac arrest response times.
[00:20:27] New nurse code experience.
[00:27:06] Empowering healthcare decision-making.
[00:30:08] Importance of hands-on training.
[00:32:02] Code training preparedness gaps.
[00:36:44] Master instructor program for nurses.
[00:38:22] Giving yourself grace in nursing.

Connect with Colton on social media:
Instagram: @coltonalanlord, @club.nurse
TikTok: @nursecolton

Connect with Susan on LinkedIn & social media:
Instagram: @rescue.rn
Website: https://www.rescuern.com/