The Pulse Check Podcast

This week, our guest, Madi, shares examples about what she calls, “a toxic work environment,” that I bet you can relate to, too. She tells us how she tried to improve conditions for her and her fellow nurse colleagues, and then shares the heartbreaking story of the last straw before leaving the job she loved.

She’s about to begin a new job next week, and you might be surprised to hear what she’s doing now with her nursing license!

There are so many red flag practices taught in medical school that are even obvious from the outside looking in. It seems as if the culture of becoming a medical professional teaches out a bit of moral integrity. How does this ultimately impact unit culture and team culture; and how does it impact patient treatment down the line? Mandy and HeHe have not been through medical school or residency, and we’ll share examples with you of what we’ve witnessed and why we’re curious about their mistreatment.

Articles mentioned:

Article about medical gaslighting that is helpful  https://www.cfp.ca/content/67/5/367.short 


Prevalence of Discrimination, Abuse, and Harassment in Emergency Medicine Residency Training in the US; https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/article-abstract/2783236

Of 7680 emergency medicine residents, 45.1% reported exposure to some type of workplace mistreatment.

Joel Bervell: Online, Joel is better known as the '‘Medical Mythbuster.” http://joelbervell.com/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5109754/

When Nurse Whistleblowers Then File Retaliation Claims

Have you ever felt like your job might be on the line for doing the right thing? Our guests today are two nurses who were fired for advocating for patient safety. Hear about how they fight back against a facility with a track record of systemic retaliation, and their advice on how to stay safe as a professional in healthcare and how to learn more on navigating a whistleblower situation in the future.

Sarah encourages fellow nurses to keep speaking up, continue to support each other when other speak up about safety and patient care, and look into unionization if your facility is not already unionized.

• You can find the video and transcripts of all episodes here: https://mandyirby.com/pulse-check-podcast/

How does post-Roe v. Wade impact the care that healthcare professionals can give? This week we discuss how the reproductive healthcare landscape is changing before our eyes after just a couple months post Roe v. Wade being overturned. 

You can find the video and transcripts of all episodes here: https://mandyirby.com/pulse-check-podcast/

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2022/08/10/1116024857/young-obgyns-indiana

Dr. Caitlin Bernard, an Indiana abortion provider and one of the physicians who trains residents at this university hospital. Bernard was recently caught in a political whirlwind after she spoke to a reporter about an abortion she provided to a 10-year-old rape victim who crossed the state line from Ohio.

https://www.wfyi.org/news/articles/indiana-doctor-takes-step-towards-defamation-lawsuit-against-rokita

Providers in VA are in federal court to end unconstitutional laws criminalizing certain abortion care and regulating abortion providers.


https://acluva.org/en/news/heres-what-you-need-know-about-abortion-restrictions-virginia

Sites we love:

Abortion Access Front: https://www.aafront.org/

Three for freedom: https://www.threeforfreedom.com

Favor: https://heyfavor.com

Mandy speaks at her first nursing conference since leaving the bedside and we are sharing all of the feelings and thoughts on it in this episode of Pulse Check! If you are a nurse, educator, or considering leaving the bedside- you don't want to miss this!

On HeHe's TikTok, a nurse comment on a video explaining patient rights and their right to informed refusal saying, "That's fine. I will just document in your chart that you refused care and we'll see how things happen from there." Whether a patient declines or accepts your clinical suggestion shouldn't dictate how they are treated in the medical system, but HERE WE ARE. This episode covers everything from threatening language and manipulation of patients to consensual and trauma informed care. We packed a ton into this conversation!

Follow along with us: @pulsecheck.podcast

No guest today! Mandy and HeHe dive into evaluating trauma informed care as Mandy shares her recent experience within the medical system.  Navigating a new office, provider, and opening up about a problem that has been ongoing and difficult for Mandy to seek care for.  HeHe and Mandy break down the positives and areas of growth seen in this experience through the eyes of a patient.

HeHe's great idea to solve the broken healthcare system in America? A Listserve.

It takes years (and years and years) to see research backed change actually implemented in the medical system, but WHY?

With all of the technology, resources, and money in the American Health Care system there has to be a better way.  Join us as we chat through policy change, standards of health care, AND everyone's least favorite task...checking your email.  

We want to know your thoughts! Share them with us @pulsecheck.podcast

One might expect that a term used frequently across many medical settings would have a universal definition.  However, through our experiences as a nurse and doula - we have seen the struggle to define what it means to be a patient advocate as a nurse.  We share our thoughts today- and would love to hear yours!

Connect with us! @pulsecheck.podcast

Opening up the conversation on why Nurse's week (or really any profession with a dedicated 'week' or 'day') is BS.  What started as a joke between HeHe and Mandy quickly jumped to the dark reality behind these 'acts' of gratitude within the industry. 

Instagram: @pulsecheck.podcast