WORKING SHORT: The Nursing Podcast

Stabilize first, diagnose later: Airway, breathing, circulation always come before anything elseThe ER is uncertainty-heavy: Work with minimal info and build your differential as you goNurse-initiated actions matter: ER nurses can give fluids, aspirin, even epi when life-threateningMed-surg and ER thinking are different: Known problem vs ruling out the worst firstCTAS is not about sick vs not-sick: Stable vitals ≠ safe; patients can deteriorate fastPace & prioritization: You can’t do everything—prioritize immediate threats, then reassessTeam culture saves patients: Ask for help early; no one can manage two crashing patients aloneResource pressure is real: Offload delays + hallway care = constant need to move patients

Key Takeaways:Understand the stages of sleep and their roles in cognitive health.Learn about chronotypes and how they affect sleep patterns.Explore effective strategies for managing light exposure and incorporating naps.Discover the importance of a consistent pre-sleep routine.Gain insights into creating an optimal sleep environment.

Emotional realities of infertility: feelings of desperation, shame, and isolation.Importance of supportive communication in fertility care.Overview of diagnostic workflows, including semen analysis and ovarian reserve indicators.Treatment pathways: IUI vs. IVF and associated costs.Discussion on employer benefits covering fertility treatments.Insights on fertility preservation, particularly egg freezing.

Registered Nurse and early-career clinician who began in med-surg and later transitioned units after facing burnout, emotional overload, and the intense learning curve of bedside nursing.Patrick now advocates for:Sustainable nursing practiceNew-grad mentorshipHonest conversations about burnoutMental health in healthcare workers

Learn how to confidently assess stroke symptoms, seizures, and neurological changes with practical bedside tips from experienced neuro ICU nurses. Perfect for new grads, ED nurses, med-surg teams, and anyone wanting stronger neuro skills.

Forensic nursing is an often-overlooked specialty that plays a crucial role in addressing intentional interpersonal violence. This field encompasses a range of issues, including sexual assault, intimate partner violence, elder and child abuse, and human trafficking. Unlike general emergency care, forensic nursing requires a unique focus on the interpersonal context of violence, ensuring that victims receive not only medical attention but also the comprehensive support they need.The Scope of Forensic NursingForensic nursing operates at the intersection of healthcare and the legal system. It provides specialized care for victims of violence, ensuring their medical needs are met while preserving evidence for potential legal proceedings. This dual focus helps victims navigate the complexities of their situations, providing a bridge between medical care and law enforcement.In Canada, forensic nursing typically involves conducting thorough examinations of patients who have experienced violence within the last seven days. This time frame is critical for preserving evidentiary value, which is essential for any subsequent legal action.Patient-Centered CareA significant aspect of forensic nursing is the emphasis on patient autonomy and consent. Forensic nurses work closely with victims, ensuring they are medically cleared before any examination. The process is deeply personal, requiring the establishment of trust and respect for the patient's wishes. Nurses take the time to explain each step of the examination, allowing patients to control the process.The exams can be extensive, often lasting up to three hours, and involve a head-to-toe assessment, documentation of injuries, and collection of specimens for toxicology and STI testing. This thorough approach is vital in building a strong case, should the patient choose to pursue legal action.Collaborative Support SystemsForensic nurses are not alone in their work; they often collaborate with various support services. In many cases, advocates from organizations such as the Surrey Women's Centre accompany patients during examinations to address their psychosocial needs. This integrated support system is crucial in helping victims regain a sense of control and empowerment.After an examination, patients are linked to additional resources, including specialized clinics and victim services, ensuring they have ongoing support as they navigate their healing journey.Ethical Challenges and Emotional ResilienceDespite the rewarding nature of forensic nursing, the emotional toll can be significant. Nurses in this field frequently encounter traumatic stories and distressing situations, leading to moral injury and burnout. It is essential for forensic nurses to practice self-care and seek support to manage the emotional burden of their work.Maintaining neutrality is another challenge. Forensic nurses often serve as expert witnesses in court, requiring them to present facts without bias. This role can create tension between their advocacy for victims and the impartiality expected in legal settings.The Call for Increased AwarenessOne of the pressing issues in forensic nursing is the need for greater public awareness and education about violence as a healthcare issue. Many victims remain silent due to shame or a lack of understanding about available resources. By normalizing conversations around safety and providing discreet access to support, healthcare professionals can empower victims to seek help.Routine screening for domestic violence in emergency departments is critical. Integrating simple questions like "Do you feel safe?" into assessments can help identify victims and connect them with the resources they need.

In this episode of Working Short, we chat with Rob Timmings from ECT for Health about essential strategies for managing chest pain in emergency settings. Rob introduces the OPQRST method—an effective framework for assessing chest pain.Rob highlights the importance of quick diagnostics, emphasizing that ECGs should be performed within 10 minutes and troponin levels monitored. He discusses the critical medications for chest pain management, including aspirin, GTN, heparin, and tenecteplase (TNK), while also stressing the updated approach to oxygen therapy—now reserved for patients with SpO2 below 94%.Tune in for a comprehensive look at effective chest pain management that can significantly impact patient outcomes in emergency nursing!

Welcome to a brand new season of Working Short: The Nursing Podcast! Join us as we explore vital nursing topics that matter, from assessing chest pain and conducting thorough neuro evaluations to sharing unforgettable patient stories. We’ll dive into specialized fields like fertility nursing, menopause, emergency nursing, and beyond. Discover the nuances of forensic nursing, explore the importance of sleep, and embark on the adventures of travel nursing! Listen to insightful discussions, expert advice, and all the laughs along the way.

A good workplace culture has many components. This week Phil and I chat about what we find effective in fostering positive workplaces and where we think there may be opportunities for improvement.

This week Phil and I are joined by Eleanor, an Irish trained RN. Eleanor spent several frustrating and expensive years pursuing her Canadian nursing registration. Although the system has reportedly improved this process, Eleanor’s story is one that will leave no doubt on why a change was needed.

On this episode Phil and I chat about the mass exodus of nurses from the profession. We discuss the rapid burnout of new nurses and what we see as potential explanations. Redefining burnout from a mid and end career concern to a new nurse problem is worth further investigation as it leaves all of us working short. 

This week Phil and I take some time to get to know each other a bit better as nurses. We dig a little deeper into the things we like, don’t like, and hope to never have to do again as nurses. 

This week Phil and I chat with Taran about her road to becoming a nurse practitioner. Taran shares all the helpful tips on pursuing the NP role as well as what a day in the life looks like. Join us as we get the inside scoop on becoming an NP. 

In our final episode of Season 2, Phil and I have a cathartic conversation about the nurse role. Reflecting on the notion that nursing is both intimate, but also impersonal, we share stories and experiences of times where we needed to lean in and when we needed to take a step back. Join us as we allow ourselves to have an unscripted and genuine conversation about navigating the emotional and connected work that we do. 

This week Phil and I catch up with our old friend Madeline who recently moved south of the border. Although we miss her terribly, we were excited to get a first hand report of the expensive and time consuming process of taking your nursing degree across the border. 

From frostbite to cardiac arrests, rural nursing demands confidence and critical thinking. This week we chat with Janelle who left the lower mainland as a new grad to become a critical care trained emergency room nurse in rural BC. Tune in for interesting tales of what it is like to work with limited staff, resources, and allied health.

Andrea is an emergency room nurse in Ontario where the pressures of nursing have reached a breaking point. In addition to the stress of working the front lines of the covid- 19 pandemic, Ontario nurses are also being told they will only receive a maximum of 1% wage increase under Premier Doug Ford’s wage-suppression legislation. Bill 124 is driving nurses out of the profession where retention and recruitment are already struggling.

The MAiD program aims to prevent unnecessary suffering for individuals facing end of life. As BC looks to expand MAiD to include mental health diagnoses it is important for nurses to understand their role and limitations when working with patients considering or planning to access the MAiD program. In this episode we chat with Dr. Lauren Kimball about her first hand experience in the provision of MAiD.

As the dust settles on our first few years as nurses, Phil and I sit down to reminisce about our experiences as new grads and what we wish we had known when we started out. If you are a student, a new grad, or are just feeling the pressure to get it all done in a day, then this episode is for you!