What does it look like when a nurse chooses to honor patient autonomy even when the system makes it difficult?

In this honest and deeply thoughtful conversation, we’re joined by Rita Rogers, a former Cardiovascular ICU nurse who spent 15 years working at a Level 1 trauma center. Rita shares her personal journey from pursuing emergency medicine out of a desire to help others, to navigating the challenges that came when her commitment to informed consent didn’t align with institutional policies.

Together, we explore:

Rita also opens up about her decision to decline the COVID vaccine during pregnancy, the difficult consequences she faced, and the hope she still holds for a more respectful, patient-centered future in healthcare.

Whether you’re a patient looking for a provider you can trust, or a healthcare professional trying to honor your values in a complex system, this episode is here to remind you: change doesn’t only come from the outside. It’s already happening from within.

Learn more from Rita Rogers

Resources:

Free Training Course

NVIC State Law Mandate and Exemptions

Crowd Health Podcast Episode

Pro-Informed Consent Provider Directory

Follow on Instagram & X: @JustTheInserts

Subscribe & Leave a Review (It helps more people find this information!) If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend and let’s empower more families to make informed choices!