Are you tired of feeling lost and overwhelmed when you or a loved one ends up in the hospital? Ready to challenge the idea that you're powerless in the healthcare system? This episode is going to transform how you think about hospital stays.

Board-certified hospitalist Dr. Monique Nugent pulls back the curtain on what really happens inside hospitals—and more importantly, how you can take control of your care. From understanding what a hospitalist actually does to navigating insurance complications and medication confusion, this conversation delivers the insider knowledge you need to advocate effectively for yourself and your loved ones.

What You'll Discover:

• The critical difference between healthcare and sick care—and why understanding this distinction could save your life
• Why every hospital patient needs a "care partner"—and what questions they should be asking
• The real reason hospital stays feel so chaotic—and how to bring clarity to the confusion
• What "medication reconciliation" means—and why you must demand it before discharge
• How to leave the hospital with a solid plan—even if you don't have a complete diagnosis yet
• The shocking truth about emergency room rights—what hospitals legally must provide (and what they don't)
• Why the American healthcare system is "perfectly designed"—to get exactly the outcomes we're seeing

Key Quotes

On the healthcare system: "What we have designed and what we pay for in this country is sick maintenance. Healthcare isn't just something that happens in the four walls of a hospital in the 15 to 20 minutes of a doctor's appointment."

On hospital preparedness: "I want people to know what's in their community. Get to know what's in your community...because hospitalizations happen fast."

On having support: "The number one thing I want people to have in a hospital stay is another person. I call that person your care partner."

On discharge planning: "I don't particularly care if you get a diagnosis. I want you to have a plan. A diagnosis can come two weeks from now as long as someone is still working with you two weeks from now."

Who This Episode Is Perfect For:

✓ Anyone who's ever felt confused or powerless during a hospital stay

✓ Family members who want to be effective advocates for their loved ones

✓ People navigating chronic conditions that require repeated hospitalizations

✓ Anyone interested in understanding how the healthcare system really works

✓ Those looking for practical strategies to improve their hospital experience

The Truth About Hospital Medicine:

Here's what the medical establishment doesn't always tell you: hospital stays are high-stakes, fast-moving experiences where you're expected to make critical decisions while you're in pain, scared, and vulnerable. Dr. Nugent reveals that hospitals aren't just about treating acute illness—they're complex systems where safety, timing, and navigation skills matter just as much as medical expertise.

While conventional wisdom says "just trust the system," the research and real-world experience show that informed, prepared patients with strong advocates get better outcomes. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is refuse to accept that confusion and poor communication are just "how hospitals work."

Take Action:

Get Dr. Nugent's book: Prescription for Admission: The Power and Potential of Hospital Medicine (available on Amazon and wherever books are sold)

Visit: drmoniquenugent.com

Key takeaways to implement now:

1. Identify your care partner before you need one
2. Research the hospitals in your community—what are their specialties and limitations?
3. Always ask for written discharge instructions and medication reconciliation
4. Remember: demand a PLAN, not just a diagnosis

Final Thought:

Your future self will thank you for not settling for confusion and chaos during hospital stays. Keep questioning, keep advocating, and remember—you deserve clear communication, safe care, and a solid plan for what comes next.

That's what taking control of your wellness journey is all about—even inside the hospital walls.

Stay empowered and keep challenging the system to work FOR you.

Got a hospital story or question? Share it in the comments—I want to hear about it!