In honour of Movember, we talk about men's health in this episode! We get into the nitty gritty on prostate exams, testicular cancer, mental health, emotional literacy, and stereotypical ways men deal with their health. 

We cover current issues, myths, and small steps you can take to improve men's health, either for yourself or an important man in your life.

In this episode, we talk about grossest nursing work stories as told by fellow nurses! We share experiences in the following categories: Poop, poop and more poop, wounds galore, oral secretions, childbirth fluids, crotch goblins, lost body parts, random things up the butt, patients drinking their own fluids.

We discuss possible reasons why these crazy situations can occur, and what you can do if this happens to you! You can't make this $h!t up. 

The Gritty Nurses are born and bred Canadians! In this episode, we talk about what it's like living in a country with universal healthcare. We talk about what it is, what it isn't, pros and cons. The Gritty Nurses both share stories of Canadian relatives who have had experience with the US healthcare system. 

The Gritty Nurses continue to discuss ghost stories from nursing and their own experiences, including a creepy encounter from when Amie's grandfather was in the hospital and when Sara was in an underground tunnel connecting two hospitals together. Happy Halloween!

The Gritty Nurses get into Halloween spirit by discussing personal encounters with the paranormal! Spooky stories that happened in the hospital and at home. Listen to this one curled up in the comfort of your bed or couch :)

Sara talks about a spooky encounter on nights at the hospital and another as a student living off campus, and Amie explains a creepy story from her childhood home, and a haunted room at the hospital.  

The Gritty Nurses discuss favourite horror movies and what makes them scary- listen if you dare!

Warning: you may need a box of tissues as the topics discussed can be triggering for some.

In this raw and emotional episode, the Gritty Nurses welcome Jessica, a Mental Health Counselor. Jessica and Amie share their personal experiences with miscarriage, their struggles, and how they are doing today. They share insight into the reasons for their losses and advice on how to best support women and families. 

This episode is dedicated to anyone who has experienced perinatal loss. Know that you are not alone!

The Gritty Nurses talk legality in nursing and when you should lawyer up through the story of Gita Proudman, a nurse who was charged with murder after a baby with severe birth defects died shortly after birth.  

Tips to avoid being sued are discussed, with an emphasis on documentation, the nurse-patient relationship, and knowing your scope of practice. 

The Gritty Nurses chat about the difficult situations many nurses are facing such as quitting the profession, or losing their jobs due to layoffs and cutbacks. 

This is unfairly affecting more new nurses, nurses at their end of their careers, and those who are working contact/casual/part time positions. We talk about the pros and cons of entering the nursing profession in 2020.

Should an RPN/LPN be paid more if they are assuming the duties of an RN? Why are so many nurses leaving the profession? Should CEOs and senior leaders take a pay cut or be downsized instead? What should you do if you've been laid off?

The Gritty Nurses talk about famous inventions by nurses through necessity and creativity.

Some of the inventions that nurses have brought to the world of healthcare include: a feeding tube for paralyzed patients, the Braden pressure ulcer scale, neonatal phototherapy, bilibonnet, Qlicksmart SnapIT ampoule opener, crash cart, patient transfer scale, disposable bottle liners, CathWear, colour coded IV lines, ostomy bag, sanitary pads and the Macy catheter. 

The Gritty Nurses talk about how we chose our podcast name and share some personal stories about failures in our lives, how we overcame them, and when to cut your losses. What's the real story vs. what's on paper?

Sara goes over her "resume of failures", trying again, dealing with crushed expectations after graduation, and failing an important exam. Amie talks about exam debacles, getting her head out of the clouds, and being true to yourself no matter what. 

Accept your wins just as graciously as your losses! Everyone has the ability to be a Gritty Nurse.