Nursing culture is one of the most misunderstood parts of the profession—especially by the people making decisions about healthcare. 

In the first episode of this two-part conversation, Brandi and Darlene sit down with Dr. Kim McMillan, associate professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Ottawa, to dig into what “culture” truly means in nursing and why it’s so often reduced to oversimplified ideas.

Drawing on her research, Dr. McMillan explains the foundations of nursing culture, where common misconceptions come from, and how systemic pressures shape the way nurses practice today.

More About Dr. McMillan

A published paper in which Dr. McMillan examines how a culture of care and a culture of service in healthcare are often at odds, creating situations that result in moral distress for nurses. (Not open access):

• Ideological tensions amidst rapid and continuous organizational change in healthcare

About MNU

Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) represents more than 13,000 nurses across the province, advocating for fair wages, better working conditions, and quality patient care. Since 1975, MNU has been a bold voice for nurses, providing support and pushing for a stronger healthcare system. Learn more at manitobanurses.ca.

Submit a thank-you message for That Good Shift: https://shifthappenspod.ca/contact/ 

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manitobanurses/ 

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManitobaNurses 

Shift Happens is an MNU podcast, hosted by Darlene Jackson and Brandi Johnson. The show is produced and edited by Chynna Hill. Special thanks to Jane Chartrand for our show art and branding. Music and SFX on the show are produced by Ty Kiddo (https://www.instagram.com/tykiddomusic/).

On June 19, 2025, everything changed for Tara and her family. Her seven-year-old son, Brayden, was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia—a rare and life-threatening condition. Their world turned upside down overnight, and Tara was suddenly living every parent’s worst fear.

In this episode, Brandi and Darlene sit down with Tara as she shares what it’s like to live inside the healthcare system, and about the nurses who became her family’s lifeline. From small acts of kindness to moments of extraordinary compassion, her story is a powerful reminder of the difference nurses make, even when the system makes it hard for them to keep going.

Because sometimes, a story of compassion is exactly what we need to remember why nurses do what they do.

❤️ Follow Brayden’s Journey:

• Follow Tara on Instagram
• Join the Bray the Brave Facebook group
• Visit their GoFundMe page

About MNU

Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) represents more than 13,000 nurses across the province, advocating for fair wages, better working conditions, and quality patient care. Since 1975, MNU has been a bold voice for nurses, providing support and pushing for a stronger healthcare system. Learn more at manitobanurses.ca.

Submit a thank-you message for That Good Shift: https://shifthappenspod.ca/contact/ 

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manitobanurses/ 

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManitobaNurses 

Shift Happens is an MNU podcast, hosted by Darlene Jackson and Brandi Johnson. The show is produced and edited by Chynna Hill. Special thanks to Jane Chartrand for our show art and branding. Music and SFX on the show are produced by Ty Kiddo (https://www.instagram.com/tykiddomusic/).

Nurses know what it feels like to be ignored. To report violence or raise safety concerns and hear nothing back. To be told change is coming, and then wait months or years while conditions only get worse. It’s happening all over this province right now.

That silence has a name: institutional betrayal.

It happens when the very institutions meant to keep us safe look the other way. When harm is minimized, communication breaks down, and accountability disappears.

But it doesn’t have to stay that way. There’s another path, one grounded in institutional courage.

That’s what happens when leaders listen, take responsibility, and act transparently. When they protect the people who keep the system running—not just the system itself.

In this episode, Darlene and Brandi sit down with Dr. Katherine Brewer, Assistant Professor at Towson University, to unpack what institutional betrayal looks like in healthcare, why it persists, and what courage in leadership truly means.

To learn more about institutional betrayal and institutional courage, visit: institutionalcourage.org.

Learn more about the Institutional Betrayal Questionnaire (IBQ).

To learn more about Dr. Katherine Brewer's research, visit: https://www.towson.edu/chp/departments/nursing/facultystaff/katie-brewer.html 

About MNU

Manitoba Nurses Union (MNU) represents more than 13,000 nurses across the province, advocating for fair wages, better working conditions, and quality patient care. Since 1975, MNU has been a bold voice for nurses, providing support and pushing for a stronger healthcare system. Learn more at manitobanurses.ca.

Submit a thank-you message for That Good Shift: shifthappenspod.ca/contact

Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/manitobanurses

Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/ManitobaNurses 

Shift Happens is an MNU podcast, hosted by Darlene Jackson and Brandi Johnson. The show is produced and edited by Chynna Hill. Special thanks to Jane Chartrand for our show art and branding. Music and SFX on the show are produced by Ty Kiddo (instagram.com/tykiddomusic).

Sometimes the line between thriving and burning out as a new nurse comes down to two words: nurse mentorship. 

In this episode, Brandi and Darlene are joined by public health nurses Katryna and Hayley, a mentor–mentee duo from rural Manitoba, to talk about how trust, teamwork, and a little guidance can change everything for nurses starting out.

Plus, in this week’s That Good Shift segment, members share heartfelt thank-you messages to the mentors who helped guide their journey.

Whether you’re a seasoned nurse looking to support the next generation or a new grad searching for guidance, this conversation proves mentorship can really make all the difference.

Mentorship research shows that:

• Junior nurses have a faster, safer transition to practice with a higher competency, have higher job satisfaction and increased intention to stay, as well as generally better psychological outcomes (greater sense of belonging, reduced stress). 
• Mentors also see benefits like increased job satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment from their work, leadership, and professional development skills. 
• Similar benefits are seen in both formal and informal mentorship relationships, but formal mentorship programs do have some additional benefits, such as structure (goals, timelines, clear roles), good/intentional matching, monitoring and evaluation, and resources (time, mentor training).

But, without enough nurse mentors:

• New grads leave sooner, and turnover rises.
• Burnout and stress increase for seasoned nurses, and a lack of mentoring during transition amplifies workload stress and moral distress.
• New grads face longer, riskier “transition shock” without mentorship.
• New grads have lower confidence and competence in clinical skills.
• Patient safety is at risk when retention and mentorship supports fail.
• Units struggle to sustain a strong learning culture.

Research compiled by MNU Researcher Michelle Lark.

Shift Happens is back for another season, and hosts Brandi and Darlene are ready to dive in! In this episode, they reflect on why the podcast matters, touch on the challenges and wins that shaped the summer, and share what’s ahead for nurses and the union. Listeners can expect a renewed sense of energy and a few exciting changes to the show, designed to keep nurse voices front and centre while balancing hard truths with hope. Season 2 is here, and it’s all about connection, advocacy, and celebrating the people who keep Manitoba’s healthcare system moving.

Season 1 of Shift Happens brought important conversations and bold truths. In our season finale, Brandi and Darlene sit down to reflect on the stories that stuck with them, the guests who shook things up, and the real talk that made this season memorable.

But they’re not just looking back. They’re looking ahead… to a second season filled with hope, fresh perspectives, and a renewed commitment to amplifying the voices of nurses and pushing for real change in health care.

Home care nurse Mandee shares the day a routine visit took a dangerous turn, when she and a colleague were unknowingly exposed to meth. In this episode, Brandi, Darlene, and Mandee unpack the very real risks nurses face when delivering care in people’s homes, especially in rural areas, where resources are limited and safety plans don’t always hold up in practice. It's a candid look at what happens when nurses are sent into unpredictable environments while the system shrugs and hopes for the best.

Nurses and police officers work side by side every day, facing the same tough challenges in high-pressure environments. In this episode, Darlene and Brandi sit down with Tom Stamatakis, President of the Canadian Police Association, to dive into the connection between these two frontline professions. They discuss why it’s crucial for nurses, police, and all frontline workers to unite and advocate for more. For better. For lasting change. Not just for these workers, but for the communities they serve and the future of these vital careers.

The math doesn’t add up. Nurses are caring for critically ill patients with no staffing standards in place, while industries like childcare, aviation, and even pet care have strict safety limits. It’s not just unfair. It’s dangerous.

Research has long shown that nurse-patient ratios save lives, reduce complications, and prevent burnout. In this episode, Brandi and Darlene break down what safe nurse-patient ratios should look like and how MNU is pushing for made-in-Manitoba solutions.

Nurses and paramedics in Manitoba are facing the same crushing pressures—heavy workloads, violence, burnout, and little support. In this episode, Brandi and Darlene talk to Ryan Woiden, president of MGEU Local 911, about the striking similarities between these two professions and the toll it’s taking on those on the frontlines. They also highlight the importance of linking arms with other unions to drive change. Tune in for a frank conversation on the real cost of caring and the changes that need to happen to protect workers. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses mental health and suicide. Listener discretion is advised.