In my day, we didn’t waste our money on electric blankets or heating pads, no sir. We used the hot water bottle for everything. My momma filled it with boiling water and wrapped it in a towel to put in the bed before she gave me a bath. When I got between the covers, the sheets were toasty warm. In those days, the hot water bottle eased aching muscles and tummy aches and my momma used it on our boils and abscesses to get them to pop. And you know what else she did? She wrapped it in a towel and put it on her head when we gave her a headache, which was just about everyday.

And she even used it for that most hateful, horrible procedure…the enema. Back then, everyone believed you must have a bowl movement everyday, but nice children didn’t call it that. They called it number two. My momma didn’t want us to advertise our functions to the whole world, so she told us to call it number four.  We foured, the dog foured and if we didn’t like someone, we’d say “He’s full of four!” Every morning we would report our condition to our mother and if our answer was no, the next thing we knew we were lying on our bellies in the bathroom floor and she was administering warm soapy water from the hot water bottle into our posteriors. Today, I can’t see a hot water bottle without reaching for the toilet paper and thinking of my mother. And this is Lynn Ruth Miller with another addition of “In My Day.”

And we talk with one of our favorite guests RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Jean Ross. Jean will tell us about the upcoming Nurses Assembly in Chicago next week where over 1200 nurses will gather to talk about everything from healthcare to Medicare and beyond. The nurses will also hit the streets of Chicago in a peaceful demonstration to promote a Wall Street Transaction Tax. Check out this Bill Moyers (PBS) interview with National Nurses United Executive Director Rose Ann Demoro as she talks about the “Robin Hood” tax. Peeps—no matter what your political persuasion—it makes sense!

Casey and Shayne check in with RN and playwright RN Alison Whitaker. Some of you may remember Alison was on the show last year introducing her one-woman play called, Vital Signs. It’s a great show and she opens in June at the Marsh Theater in San Francisco. And if you are paying attention you can win two VIP tickets to Vital Signs simply by emailing us at pattie@nursetalksite.com or calling 800-977-1863.

And we talk with one of our favorite guests RN and Co-President of National Nurses United, Jean Ross. Jean will tell us about the upcoming Nurses Assembly in Chicago next week where over 1200 nurses will gather to talk about everything from healthcare to Medicare and beyond. The nurses will also hit the streets of Chicago in a peaceful demonstration to promote a Wall Street Transaction Tax. Check out this Bill Moyers (PBS) interview with National Nurses United Executive Director Rose Ann Demoro as she talks about the “Robin Hood” tax. Peeps—no matter what your political persuasion—it makes sense!

And then..for you 60’s hippies…lets talk about Dropping Acid! That’s right…but of course, not the kind you think. Dr. Jamie Koufman will be with us to talk about Acid Reflux and what you can do to control or cure it by simply changing your diet. Dr. Koufman has written a book called Dropping Acid, The Reflux Diet Cookbook and Cure. According to the book, acid reflux affects 30-50% of the population. You won’t want to miss this.

And of course, the Golden Bed Pan Award, In My Day with Lynn Ruth Miller, Phobia of the Week and more…not sure how much more…but more!

When I was a kid, my mother used vinegar for everything. If I got a bee sting she rubbed vinegar on it and if the kid next door bit me, she poured vingear on him and called his mother. There didn’t seem to be anything vinegar couldn’t fix in those days.

If you got the hiccups you drank a tablespoon of vinegar and they were gone. After your father pounded you on the back and your sister jumped out from behind the couch and screamed “BOO!” It was magic!

If I had a sinus infection, momma put vinegar in a vaporizer and made me inhale it until I started breathing again. She liked to help it along by pounding on my chest and if I turned blue, my sister jumped out from behind the couch and screamed “BOO!” Magic again!

My mom taught me to give my hair a vinegar rinse after I shampooed it to get rid of dandruff and those little bugs I got from the kid next door. Sore throat, gargle with vinegar and then swallow. The germs were gone and so was your appetite.

Vinegar and honey and a little cayenne pepper got rid of my cough, but if you boiled it with water, tomatoes, sour cream and peanut butter, you got soup! We got rid of warts with a mixture of vinegar and glycerine and we stayed away from toads. Vinegar may have kept us healthy, but I wanna tell ya, the whole family smelled like a tossed salad. And this is Lynn Ruth Miller with a box of croutons and another of edition of “In My Day.”

Shayne and Casey have some fun with the story about the dentist who pulled all of her ex-boyfriend’s teeth! At least as much fun as you can have over such a tragic loss. Dumping a girlfriend is never easy but having all 32 teeth pulled out by her is the worst that could happen to anybody. Listen and find out just how this happened. There is a moral to the story too. A fairly obvious one at that.

We also visit with San Leandro Hospital RN Carol Barazi about Sutter Corp’s announcement to close yet another hospital in the Bay Area—this time in San Leandro—which serves the East Bay. Of the 27,000 patients seen in the San Leandro emergency room last year, more than 60 percent came from East Oakland, patients who will now need to drive many miles over crowded freeways for care. In news reports, a registered nurse from Highland Hospital in Oakland, who lives in San Leandro said, “I’m hearing from Sutter that they think it’s okay to close San Leandro, because they can send the patients to Highland. I’m here to tell you that we have a 50-bed ER and we are full.” Again—closure of a hospital that serves the “underserved.”

Facebook and CEO Mark Zuckerburg win the Golden Bed Pan Award for starting the majorly successful organ donor project. More than 100,000 new organ donors signed up during the course of a week. Congratulations and great work!

Ever wonder whats behind the old face? Angil Tarach-Ritchey RN, and national expert in senior care provides us with an insightful look at the lives of the aging. With over 30 years experience in senior care and advocacy Angil passionately talks about her elder advocacy project and book, Behind The Old Face. Angil is a frequent blogger on the Nurse Talk website and comes to Nurse Talk by way of our friends at Nurse Together.

We also visit with San Leandro Hospital RN Carol Barazi about Sutter Corp’s announcement to close yet another hospital in the Bay Area—this time in San Leandro—which serves the East Bay. Of the 27,000 patients seen in the San Leandro emergency room last year, more than 60 percent came from East Oakland, patients who will now need to drive many miles over crowded freeways for care. In news reports, a registered nurse from Highland Hospital in Oakland, who lives in San Leandro said, “I’m hearing from Sutter that they think it’s okay to close San Leandro, because they can send the patients to Highland. I’m here to tell you that we have a 50-bed ER and we are full.” Again—closure of a hospital that serves the “underserved.”

With us this week is D.C. Correspondent and National Nurses United Legislative Advocate Donna Smith. Donna gives a great answer to the question–why don’t we see the following headlines in the media?

• “For Profit Healthcare Poses Threat to Medicare, Federal Deficit, and Overall Economy in Coming Decades”
• “Social Security Trust Fund Even Larger Than It Was Last Year”
• “Growing Wealth Inequity Will Lead to Social Security Imbalance Later This Century”

On the show this week is RN, humorist, author Terri Tate. What makes all the wrong things funny? Terri Tate will tell you. Terri claims that humor saved her life. Most people wouldn’t find two bouts of disfiguring oral cancer, 30 plus hours of surgery, 7 weeks of radiation, endless complications and a 2% chance of survival all that funny. Terri wasn’t laughing the whole time but claims that her sense of humor never completely deserted her. Nineteen years after treatment—alive and laughing, Terri talks about her remarkable path and her new book, As Is.

Wiz kid Cameron Harris is stops by for a visit. Some of you may remember Cameron, at the ripe old age of sixteen, started a podcast company (Harwood Podcast Network) that now boasts over 900 different shows. The line up includes IN RANGE Cameron’s show with his advice about how to live a healthy active life with Type 1 Diabetes. Cameron himself was diagnosed at the age of eight.

Also with us is D.C. Correspondent and National Nurses United Legislative Advocate Donna Smith. Donna gives a great answer to the question–why don’t we see the following headlines in the media?

• “For Profit Healthcare Poses Threat to Medicare, Federal Deficit, and Overall Economy in Coming Decades”
• “Social Security Trust Fund Even Larger Than It Was Last Year”
• “Growing Wealth Inequity Will Lead to Social Security Imbalance Later This Century”

Boston RN Karen Higgins joins Casey and Dan to discuss the continuing need for single payer health care in our country, urgency regarding nurse-patient ratios and other important issues that affect all of us.

Karen is past president of Massachusetts Nurses Association and one of three co-presidents for National Nurses United.

We also get some great advice about taking care of your parents or other elderly loved ones from Kira Reginato, president of Living Ideas for Elders and host of her own radio show on KSRO, The Elder Care Show in Santa Rosa, California.

Lynn Ruth Miller

In 1936, when I was three years old, I had my tonsils and adenoids taken out in Dr. Steinfeld’s office. I loved Dr. Steinfeld, because he was the same height I was. That man was so short, the nurse had to lift him up to reach my throat. But he sure had a way with children.

The Doctor put a cloth soaked with ether over my face and the next thing I knew, I had the worst sore throat ever! But before the tears could start, he gave me a lemon drop. For those of you who have no clue what ether was or is, we use it these days for rocket fuel and to kill fleas.

Dr. Steinfeld sent me home with my mother and she fed me yummy chocolate ice cream and gave me lots of kisses and I got to read all my favorite books. I felt just like a princess, until the flatulence hit. I know that modern methods of removing your tonsils are very efficient and much safer than they were in Dr. Steinfeld’s office. But I sometimes wonder if the precautions they take these days are worth the emotional cost to a child.

You know, back then, I got to hold my momma’s hand while the doctor anesthetized me and I didn’t wake up to find myself surrounded by strange smells and sounds with strangers forcing me to take medications I didn’t understand. I understood chocolate ice cream.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m very glad that there’s been so much progress made in medicine in the last 75 years. God knows I wouldn’t be alive if there hadn’t been. I thank medical science for my hips, my knees, my mobile respirator and my botox. But I wonder if doctors today wouldn’t be much more effective and alot less intimidating if they gave their patients lemon drops and let them hold their momma’s hands.

I’m Lynn Ruth Miller with a lemon drop and another edition of  In My Day.

Coming Up Casey and crew rotate different co-host finalists through the show. Talk about being thrown into the fire! They were all champions and we thank each and everyone who auditioned or sent in their letter of interest. Next week we will introduce you all to our newly selected co-host.

Dr. Lesley Anderson joins us to talk about the number one cause of knee problems, the treatments and how they have advanced and a “fresh blood platelet” treatment that is used very successfully on shoulders and knees. “I’ll have a chef’s salad and some of those “fresh blood platelets.” Check it out.

We talk to our friend Donna Smith about the recent Supreme Court healthcare hearings, the upcoming May 18th Staff Nurse Assembly in Chicago (get ready to rumble) lets see—dancing in the streets, flash mobs and of course some serious business as well.

A big highlight of the conference isAnna Deavere Smith. Ms. Smith, called by Newsweek “the most exciting individual in American theater” will be performing a new stage monologue (as only she can) called, Tell Me Where It Hurts, Stories from the Front Lines of Nursing.

In my day, everyone shared their telephone line with their neighbor. When I was small, my momma would say to me, “if you ever need help, call the operator and stop complaining!” When the kid next door spit at me, I called the operator and she said, “Tell your mother.” I guess you had to be there.

You gave the number you wanted to call to the operator and she connected you from a central switch board. Those operators got to know everyone and they really cared, whether we liked it or not. Sometimes, I’d pick up the phone and she’d say “Lynnie Ruth, take off your mother’s high heels, she’s on her way home.” And sometimes she’d say, “Lynn Ruth, what are you doing?”

Nowadays, it’s the FBI that picks up. You have the internet but we had the party line.

I shared a party line with my high school Latin teacher, Henryetta Stateker. She was a heavy smoker with a nasty disposition. When I’d pick up the phone and she was breathing heavily, I knew we’d get that sweet subsitute the next day because Ms. Stateker’s asthma had kicked in.

That party line gave us access to everybody’s dirty laundry. I knew Mrs. Berlin was getting a divorce before she did. I knew they were taking bets in the backroom of the meat market and I knew the real reason Laura Hopkins had to spend that nine months out of town. Mr. Berlin knew too.

In my day, you could have alot of fun with the telephone. If we did this once, we did it a hundred times. We’d call the drug store and we’d ask “Do you have Prince Albert in a can?” And if he said yes, we’d say, “Why won’t you let ‘em out?” Ahh, the memories.

Nowadays, the operator is gone, the FBI answers the phone and Prince Albert came out of the can. I’m Lynn Ruth Miller with another edition of  In My Day.

More on the decline (evaporation) of mental health services. We are joined by RN and Vice President of  theMassachusetts Nurses Association, Karen Coughlin. Karen works at Taunton State Hospital which is on the chopping block. Closure would mean no place for the 147 patients they now serve, and no short-term mental health facility within a 150 miles for the community. This, unfortunately,  is happening all across the country.

Coming Up …our farewell to Dan…takes us on a walk down memory lane. Old favorites including the bits we did called “Is Anybody Out There Laughing” and “What Song Best Describes Your Nurse.” We share the story about Dan’s battle with racoons in his garage and some other silliness. Dan is leaving us to “spend more time with his family.” That has a familiar ring to it…but in his case it’s true. He is the busy father of three girls, two of whom are under 10 years old. Bravo to you Dan for being such a great dad.

More on the decline (evaporation) of mental health services. We are joined by RN and Vice President of  theMassachusetts Nurses Association, Karen Coughlin. Karen works at Taunton State Hospital which is on the chopping block. Closure would mean no place for the 147 patients they now serve, and no short-term mental health facility within a 150 miles for the community. This, unfortunately,  is happening all across the country.

How is it possible that 50% of the Nurse Talk staff is “suffering” from shoulder injuries? Well…let’s break that down. It might not be as shocking as it sounds, as there are only four of us to start with (at least in the studio) so realistically there are two professionals down for the count. Dan with bursitis and June—well she says she fell while chasing her cat. Whatever the circumstances, they hurt. Of course, we had to look into this a little further than just the pain, so we found whack job Clarissa Doolittle (on-line) “Body Part” Intuitive. Clarissa brings to the show her advice about what shoulder painreally means. Could it be burden??? She thinks they both need therapy—and not on their shoulders.

AND Casey and Dan talk with RN Greg Montes. Greg has been an RN at the Contra Costa County (Northern California) jail for the past five years. He cites an alarming trend. With more and more cuts in mental health services throughout the country—millions of Americans are going untreated. It is commonplace for the severely ill who suffer from conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to enter the criminal justice system rather than mental health treatment facilities. In fact the number of Americans who receive mental health care in prisons and county jails has surpassed the number of those who receive services in hospitals or clinics. Despite these numbers, government leaders and the mental health systems are doing little to reverse this shameful trend.

Casey and Dan talk with RN Greg Montes. Greg has been an RN at the Contra Costa County (Northern California) jail for the past five years. He cites an alarming trend. With more and more cuts in mental health services throughout the country—millions of Americans are going untreated. It is commonplace for the severely ill who suffer from conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder to enter the criminal justice system rather than mental health treatment facilities. In fact the number of Americans who receive mental health care in prisons and county jails has surpassed the number of those who receive services in hospitals or clinics. Despite these numbers, government leaders and the mental health systems are doing little to reverse this shameful trend.

Nurses keep up the fight for RN to patient ratios…we should all be very glad they do! We thought we’d check in with our friends in Massachusetts who are working on legislation—so Casey and Dan visit with RN and president of Massachusetts Nurses Association, Donna Kelly Williams. Donna brings us up to speed on current issues—with a central focus on staffing ratios.

Expert says compassion is key. Have you ever witnessed a parent or guardian verbally or physically abuse a child in a public setting? Did you walk away because you didn’t know what to do…or did you intervene? Find out what our expert has to say about what you should do. Cyndy Doherty, executive director of Marin Advocates for Children joins Casey and Dan to talk about what her organization is doing to help and prevent this epidemic. You won’t want to miss her advice and insights.

AND—We’ll have some fun as we continue our look back at callers from the early days of Nurse Talk. Lucille Jones and her cross-country trip with her ill mother. Oh, she was priceless! You can find this and more at Nurse Talk’s Comedy Pharm.

Nurses keep up the fight for RN to patient ratios…and we should all be very glad they do! We check in with our friends in Massachusetts who are working on safe staffing legislation. Casey and Dan visit with RN and president of the Massachusetts Nurses Association, Donna Kelly Williams.

Donna discusses how critically important nurse staffing legislation has become especially with the increase of for-profit hospitals. It’s “deplorable and patients are at greater risk every single day,” says Williams.

“When for profits are looking to increase profits they look for cuts in front line nurses at bedside…It doesn’t make sense for anyone with any sense of morality at all.”

Based on scientific studies, the MNA advocates for a ratio 4-5 patients per nurse on medical surgical units. Donna also talks about the MNA’s endorsement of U.S. Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren, who supports safe staffing ratios on a national level.

The one, the only Bing Crosby

If we started to whine, she would pour herself a glass of red and say, “You kids are driving me to drink. Don’t you listen to Bing Crosby? You know, ‘You gotta Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the positive. Eliminate the negative. Latch on to the affirmative and don’t mess with Mr. In-Between.’ And, don’t get in his car either.”

We didn’t hospitalize people with depression. If someone in the family was acting funny, we locked them in the attic and we waved to them when we backed out of the driveway. And sometimes they even waved back and my mom would say, “See I told you. He’s fine.” We didn’t go to psychiatrists either. No one in his right mind would pay some stranger good money just to complain. We just talked out our troubles to our friends and if they didn’t listen, we talked to strangers.

Now don’t get me wrong, depression is really serious. But if you need a fast cure, get a horse.

Dan is on the Island of Bursitis this week so our resident funny lady Lynn Ruth Miller sits in for him. Given our discussion about some pretty serious topics, Lynn Ruth finds a way to bring her compassion and humor to the table.

AND she’s back. Our friend and D.C. correspondent Donna Smith is with us. No one can articulate the D.C. health care news like Donna. She makes sense where there is no sense to be had. Ever wonder when you might hear about single payer health care again—good , bad or indifferent? How about Social Security and Medicare? Education? Listen this week for an update.

Later we talk with Canadian Musician Singer/Songwriter Brian Asselin. When a family member of Brian’s was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s—Brian wanted to make a contribution to help others going through the same thing. He did what he knows best—wrote a song to pay tribute. Listen to I Will Remind You.

And we have with us Bill Fisher. Mr. Fisher is the Chief Executive Officer of the Alzheimer’s Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada, since 1987. Like many involved with the Alzheimer’s Association, Mr. Fisher has a personal involvement with dementia, having lost both his grandmother and mother-in-law to Alzheimer’s.

Our friend and D.C. correspondent Donna Smith is with us. No one can articulate the D.C. health care news like Donna. She makes sense where there is no sense to be had. Ever wonder when you might hear about single payer health care again—good , bad or indifferent? How about Social Security and Medicare? Education? Listen this week for an update.

Hal Isen, MFA, CHT

How would you like to experience life as an ongoing, creative, unfolding “work of art? It is with great pleasure we introduce Hal Isen. For over 40 years, Hal has been providing programs, courses and life coaching for individuals, groups and organizations in the areas of personal transformation.

Hal’s Core Wisdom® programs (offered through Hal Isen & Associates) provide fundamental spiritual principles and practices that allow for the release of past limiting conditioning, fears, behaviors, and beliefs, and the discovery and recovery of one’s ability to respond naturally and creatively to each moment from one’s true nature.

AND…if this all seems like a paragraph of “pretty words”…well, listen to the show as Hal simplifies it all. Listen and we promise you will get some great insight. Ever thought of what “expectations” might be taking away from being present to the moment? Check it out. Hal Isen and Core Wisdom at www.corewisdom.com.

Blackberry Brandy Cured Everything

In my day no matter what ailed me, my father fixed it up with blackberry brandy. If I ate too much for dinner, and I swore I would explode, Daddy would give me a hefty shot of blackberry brandy. If  I suffered from the trots, out came the bottle of  brandy and I downed it in one gulp. If I complained of a sore throat, he insisted I gargle with it and the best part was I got to swallow. In moments I was singing like a canary, or so I thought.

He also used the brandy as a preventative. If we were all going out caroling or to a community sing we would all drink a Warsaw cocktail before we left the house: vodka, vermouth, blackberry brandy and lemon juice. You can’t beat that for numbing the throat, or the whole body for that matter. Now you’d never do that because you’d be charged with child abuse.

Ah, but the malady it cured best was insomnia. Before bedtime Daddy would mix up a Purple People Eater, raspberry and almond liquer, cherry and blackberry brandy, vodka, orange, pineapple and grapefruit juice, and within seconds we were so sound asleep, we often didn’t wake up until dinner time the next day, much to my mother’s delight.

Today, I wonder if the vodka had something to do with it, but my father swore it was the magic of the blackberry brandy that put us out like a light. In my day, we actually thought brandy could cure cancer and reduce tumors. It murdered our colds and kept us from murdering each other. We’ve come a long way from my day and sometimes I wonder how any of us lived to talk about it. But I certainly did, and everyone at the meetings loves that story.

Casey and Dan talk with the distinguished Doug Connor. Doug grew up in a conservative Republican family. He is a nurse, a veteran of the Iraq War, a union member, and a passionate supporter of the Occupy movement. Doug returned from the war in 2006, disillusioned by the unnecessary deaths and organizations profiting on the destruction that surrounded him as a nurse treating victims of war. Upon his return, he was looking for change. He supported Barack Obama because, he says, “…just saying the word ‘change’ was enough for me. That’s what I (was) looking for; change, hope.” But by 2011, failures to improve the economy and involvement with his nurses union took him down a different path. Connor came face to face with the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Casey and Dan talk with the distinguished Doug Connor. Doug grew up in a conservative Republican family. He is a nurse, a veteran of the Iraq War, a union member, and a passionate supporter of the Occupy movement. Doug returned from the war in 2006, disillusioned by the unnecessary deaths and organizations profiting on the destruction that surrounded him as a nurse treating victims of war. Upon his return, he was looking for change. He supported Barack Obama because, he says, “…just saying the word ‘change’ was enough for me. That’s what I (was) looking for; change, hope.” But by 2011, failures to improve the economy and involvement with his nurses union took him down a different path. Connor came face to face with the Occupy Wall Street movement.

AND LATER…Craig Preston from the California Clean Money Campaign. A few weeks ago we talked with California One Care’s Executive Director Andrew McGuire. Cal One Care is committed to single payer health care for all Californians. Craig Preston from California Clean Money Campaign also supports a single payer healthcare system but says we have to get the money out of politics first.

AND LYNN RUTH MILLER IS BACK with “In My Day” stories, remedies and reflections from the past. For more information on this and many more hot topics go to the Nurse Talk Blog.

In my day my mother said baking soda did everything. She sprinkled it all over the bathroom because she said it absorbed odors. I guess it worked because our toilet seat was so gritty I always went next door. Whenever I took a bath, I looked frosted. That’s probably why I love cake. My mom polished her silverware with baking soda and cleaned out our baby bottles. That made the silver look like ivory and I still hate the taste of milk.

My mother didn’t spend money on caustic cleaners. She used baking soda to polish plastic, porcelain and glass. And when she felt a storm coming on, she ran outside and put baking soda on the car’s windshield. She said it repels rain if you wipe the windows inside and out and it keeps lightning from striking the car. When I asked her why she didn’t just pull the car into the garage, she washed my mouth out with baking soda. I think that’s why I’m afraid of thunder.

She made us gargle with baking soda, and when we got sweaty, she rubbed it under our arms. She made us drink baking soda and water if we had indigestion and she smeared it on us for measles, chickenpox and insect bites. But when my vagina itched, she just said, “Serves you right.”

My mother would have murdered me if I ever called a plumber. She saved money by keeping our drains clear with a baking soda solution and a plunger. Until my cousin Alvin got his plumbing license. Then she called him over when the toilet backed up and she handed him a box of baking soda and a plunger. I guess you had to be there.

That woman used baking soda to dissolve grease, clean the coffee pot, polish rusty pans and clean up my language. Yessir, my mom swore by baking soda. She said it would do anything but make him love you. That takes  chemistry and a little perfume.

This week on our lovely “sheeew”—we talk about a customer service practice that is now being used in the healthcare field. It’s called scripting and rounding. In the corporate world scripting and rounding has been part of the customer service model for giants like Disney, major fast food chains and many five star hotels. Now—healthcare? What’s scripting and rounding all about? RN DeAnn McEwen gives us a “spirited” overview!

Stay tuned for this story—you won’t want to miss Phyllis Katz. Like any skilled improviser, when longtime performer and director with the famed Groundlings comedy troupe was faced with her insurance company being unwilling to pay six figures to fix her two hips, she improvised. Good-bye, Los Angeles. Hello New Delhi. Phyllis is here to talk with us about her wonderful new book Hipwrecked, My Health Insurance Sucked so I Went to India for Surgery.

And if you haven’t heard the our new segment “In My Day” with comedian Lynn Ruth Miller–you need to. This week Lynn Ruth talks about a favorite all-purpose remedy her mother used: baking soda. Told only as Lynn Ruth could—it definitely harkens memories from the old days!

This week on our lovely “sheeew”—we talk about a customer service practice that is now being used in the healthcare field. It’s called scripting and rounding. In the corporate world scripting and rounding has been part of the customer service model for giants like Disney, major fast food chains and many five star hotels. Now—healthcare? Could this lead to the question, “Mrs. Smith would you like fries with your medication?” Or how about—“Here’s the key to the mini-bar and if you prefer you can go to the nurses station for your ice and extra towels.” What’s scripting and rounding all about? RN DeAnn McEwen gives us a “spirited” overview!

You know, my grandma didn’t believe in drugs. She believed in nuts. She used almonds for everything. She would slip them into everything she fed us just to be sure they did their job. We found them in salads, desserts, candy, and even our underwear. She said they got rid of warts.

I grew up during the depression. And, we spent the little money we had on food, not beauty products. When we saw a wrinkle in the mirror, we just gave up hope. But not my grandma. She made a paste of milk, almonds and rosebuds and smeared it on her face every night. She looked looked like the ghost of the apocalypse but she smelled like Almond Roca. And my grandpa loved sweets.

She had 18 children, not counting the 4 miscarriages and she wasn’t even Catholic. She wasn’t very careful either.

When grandpa lost his hair, she made a paste of gooseberry juice and almond oil. It made his scalp soft as a baby’s bottom. I think that’s why he wore a diaper on his head. He said it was to protect him from a chill. I guess you had to be there.

My aunt Hazel had teenage anemia and my grandma fed her almonds to build her up. It must have worked because she went from a 32A to a 36D in one summer and eloped with Uncle Jack in the fall.

Every night, grandma mixed almond oil with milk and made us drink it before we went to bed. She said it kept things moving. I thought that was why she and Grandpa changed neighborhoods so much but Mama said it was because of the bill collectors.

If we coughed, Grandma mixed a bubbly drink with powdered almonds and orange juice. Nowadays we use decongestants and antihistimines, but they’re not as much fun. If you drank enough of Grandma’s mimosas your cough vanished and so did your ability to stand up.

We always thought Grandma’s remedies cured a multitude of sins. But, I think they encouraged them. What else explains those 18 kids?

The show begins…

“Dan as you know, we try to shy away from controversy but sometimes a gal just has to speak up. I must comment on the recent congressional hearings on contraception. First of all—I thought that train left the station in the 70′s! And can we talk? The expert panel assembled consisted of all males! “Where’s the beef?” as our old friend Clara Peller used to say in the famous Wendy’s commercial. Without going into further detail, we wondered what it would be like—if the shoe were on the other foot—so to speak. You know, the deck being stacked to fall the other way?”

AS LUCK would have it—a little research provided us with the perfect opportunity to share just that kind of breaking news. Listen this Saturday as California State Senator Janelle Jones introduces groundbreaking legislation (Senate Bill SB 1240) that moves to criminalize the very dangerous Viagra. That’s right—Viagra. The all-woman senate panel that drafted this bill says there is mountains of evidence that Viagra should be banned! Don’t miss Senator Jones on Nurse Talk!

AND…we have an update on the very active nurses from National Nurses United. Deborah Burger always brings life and humanity to the critical healthcare issues in our country.

We’ll check in with our friend Andrew McGuire. Andrew is the Executive Director of California One Care. Cal One Care envisions a health care system where every child and every adult receives the health care they need, when they need it, and at a cost that is affordable. We align fully with that vision and we’ll check in with Andrew about the campaign and let our listeners know how they can get involved.

AND OF course where would we be with out a little laughter? We’ll have another edition of “In My Day” with comedian Lynn Ruth Miller, Golden Bed Pan Award, Phobia of the Week and some email questions and calls.

We have an update on the very active nurses from National Nurses United. Deborah Burger always brings life and humanity to the critical healthcare issues in our country.

RN Jean Ross, Co-President of National Nurses United, is a frequent guest on Nurse Talk. On this show she updates us on recent U.S. rallies organized by nurses to support their counterparts in Great Britain. On Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, over two million British workers joined the biggest strike in the United Kingdom in a generation. National Nurses United organized six rallies in cities around the U.S. in a show of support.

RN Jean Ross, Co-President of National Nurses United, is a frequent guest on Nurse Talk. On this show she updates us on recent U.S. rallies organized by nurses to support their counterparts in Great Britain. On Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, over two million British workers joined the biggest strike in the United Kingdom in a generation. National Nurses United organized six rallies in cities around the U.S. in a show of support.

Then, Dr. Barbara Greenberg, a clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of teens and families. She writes a regular column “The Teen Doctor” in Psychology Today. Her recent article focuses on why teens can be so competitive during the holidays. She has some good ideas about how you can have a happy TEEN HOLIDAY. We’ll talk to her about her new book, Teenage as a Second Language: A Parent’s Guide to Becoming Bilingual. Oh, that is good!

And, a segment every nurse needs, brought to you in partnership with Nurse Together.com, Annette Tersigni RN, the Yoga Nurse, and founder of Yoga Nursing. Annette is a contributor to our Nurse Talk blog and has some great ideas for how the restorative principles of yoga can fight stress and “empower you to continue to serve as the nurse hero that you are.”

We share a recent interview (from our friends at Labour Radio) with RN Karen Higgins. Karen addresses questions about the proposed Financial Transaction Tax. .50 per $100 ? Wow, so little could raise billions of dollars for vital healthcare, education and other services. Why is this so hard?

Check it out.

If there’s anybody who knows the positive effects of humor (and music) it’s RN Deb Gauldin. Deb is the incoming president of The Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor and has long practiced what she preaches. She is a professional humorist and entertainer specializing in health care morale and women’s well being. Deb joins Casey and Dan to talk about humor and the upcoming 25th annual conference where all they do is laugh and talk, and laugh and talk, and then laugh some more.

Why quit your job as an English professor to become an RN? Theresa Brown did. Before becoming a nurse, Theresa obtained a Ph.D in English from the University of Chicago and taught literature for three years. After being an RN for four years, she’s written a book called, Critical Care: A New Nurse Faces Death, Life and Everything in Between. She’s also a contributor to The New York Times‘ Tara Pope’s health blog, Well. We’ll talk with Theresa about her career and her very interesting and poignant book.

Nurses keep up the fight for RN to patient ratios…we should all be very glad they do! We thought we’d check in with our friends in Massachusetts who are working on legislation—so Casey and Dan visit with RN and president of Massachusetts Nurses Association, Donna Kelly Williams. Donna brings us up to speed on current issues—with a central focus on staffing ratios.

Expert says compassion is key. Have you ever witnessed a parent or guardian verbally or physically abuse a child in a public setting? Did you walk away because you didn’t know what to do…or did you intervene? Find out what our expert has to say about what you should do. Cyndy Doherty, executive director of Marin Advocates for Children joins Casey and Dan to talk about what her organization is doing to help and prevent this epidemic. You won’t want to miss her advice and insights.

AND—We’ll have some fun as we continue our look back at callers from the early days of Nurse Talk. Lucille Jones and her cross-country trip with her ill mother. Oh, she was priceless! You can find this and more at Nurse Talk’s Comedy Pharm.

Nurses keep up the fight for RN to patient ratios…we should all be very glad they do! We thought we’d check in with our friends in Massachusetts who are working on legislation—so Casey and Dan visit with RN and president of Massachusetts Nurses Association, Donna Kelly Williams. Donna brings us up to speed on current issues—with a central focus on staffing ratios.

In my day, safety was your responsibility. We didn’t have laws to take care of us. No seat belts or warning beeps. Either you held on, or you went through the windshield. But that was easier too, because we didn’t have double-paned glass.

When I was a kid, I could jump on my bike without worrying about helmets or shin guards. If I fell off, mama put an ice pack on my head and told me to stop complaining.

We didn’t bother with little lights on our shoes either, when we walked around at night. If someone jumped out of the bushes you just nodded and looked the other way because he was probably going to the bathroom. It was always a he. Trust me on that one.

I never thought of using mace or pepper spray to protect us. If someone scared us, we screamed and there was always a neighbor with a loaded gun. In my day, neighbors really did take care of each other. We used to give strangers at the bus stop rides and sometimes we even invited them over for dinner. But they had to eat what we gave ‘em. One guy said he was a vegan and my mother put on a mask. We didn’t know what vegan meant. It sounded like an STD. We trusted people even when they complained. I guess you had to be there.

But nowadays I dont leave my house without my lipstick, my Lipitor and my Taser.

The assault on public healthcare workers continues—things are heating up in Fresno, California with major cuts proposed by that county’s Board of Supervisors. RN Mary Morrison joins us to talk about the proposed cuts and the potentially devastating impact on yet another community.

We talk with Rob Horgan. Rob is a recruiter for the University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions. Rob joins Casey and Dan in studio to share about the Master of Nursing Program USF offers at their Santa Rosa, California campus.

And as the assault on public healthcare workers continues—things are heating up in Fresno, California with major cuts proposed by that county’s Board of Supervisors. RN Mary Morrison joins us to talk about the proposed cuts and the potentially devastating impact on yet another community.

And later we visit with one of our favorite people Karyn Buxman RN, MSN. Karyn is a humorist who really does employ humor in the healing process. She’s here this week to talk about her new book “What’s So Funny About Diabetes.”

Joining Casey (Dan was excused to go to Chuck E. Cheese with seven 8-year olds) is RN Dorothy Ahmad. Dorothy is a CCU nurse at Stroger Hospital in Chicago. Recently registered nurses at Jackson Park Hospital and Medical Center on Chicago’s South Side voted by 85 percent to join National Nurses United, the nation’s largest union and professional association of RNs. The Jackson Park RNs voted 94 to 16 to join NNU.

Joining Casey (Dan was excused to go to Chuck E. Cheese with seven 8-year olds) is RN Dorothy Ahmad. Dorothy is a CCU nurse at Stroger Hospital in Chicago. Recently registered nurses at Jackson Park Hospital and Medical Center on Chicago’s South Side voted by 85 percent to join National Nurses United, the nation’s largest union and professional association of RNs. The Jackson Park RNs voted 94 to 16 to join NNU.

Casey then visits with Jennifer Gainza, the communications director for the Northern California chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. We asked Jennifer to come on the show and talk with us about MS, the signs the symptoms and current treatments.

Moving on—Lost for many observers in last month’s end-of-the-year hullabaloo was the annual Gallup Honesty and Ethics Survey which by a wide margin again ranked nursing as the most honest and ethical profession.The survey found that 84% of Americans believe that nurses have “very high” or “high” honesty and ethical standards. RN and co-president of National Nurses United Karen Higgins is with us to talk more about the survey and what it means for the nurses, health care and social activism.

A little walk down memory lane to listen to some old stories we told when Nurse Talk was first on the air with RN and co-host Maggie McDermott. Maggie comes back to visit from time to time and she always has a story about a funeral she just attended or a “fender bender” that wasn’t her fault. We think these Comedy Pharm clips are at least amusing—funny? Well, that is in the eyes of the beholder!

Moving on—Lost for many observers in last month’s end-of-the-year hullabaloo was the annual Gallup Honesty and Ethics Survey which by a wide margin again ranked nursing as the most honest and ethical profession.The survey found that 84% of Americans believe that nurses have “very high” or “high” honesty and ethical standards. RN and co-president of National Nurses United Karen Higgins is with us to talk more about the survey and what it means for the nurses, health care and social activism.

AND we share a wonderful story from RN, writer JoAnn Spears. JoAnn has generously contributed some stunning blog posts about her life and career as a nurse. On a recent post she describes what she learned from a mute patient in a chronic psychiatric ward in Behind Blue Eyes.

On the show this week…Casey reads from a blog post—a first hand account of what it is like to know you have Alzheimer’s written by 89 year old Barbara Taylor Vaughan, Putting A Face on Alzheimer’s. Barbara started a Facebook page to facilitate an open dialog about the disease.

AND…She has been hailed as the “Meryl Streep of nurse activism,” our great friend and D.C. correspondent Donna Smith adds color commentary and perspective to our 2011 year in review.

If there were a radio jail…we’d be in it after comedian Lynn Ruth Miller gets together with Casey and Dan! The bleep button only goes so far.

She has been hailed as the “Meryl Streep of nurse activism”, our great friend and D.C. correspondent Donna Smith adds color commentary and perspective to our 2011 year in review. So much happened this past year: nurses joined the protests in Madison, Wisconsin; went on to the nation’s capitol to march outside the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; hit Wall Street to demand a transaction tax—before Occupy even pitched a tent; announced the Main Street Contract; fought for RN-patient ratios; joined world leaders at the G-20 summit in Cannes; and 20,000 RNs staged a one-day walk-out against Sutter Health Corp. in Northern California…whew! And all the while spending 40+ hours a week caring for their patients.

Former White House doctor Connie Mariano joins us to discuss her wonderful new book, The White House Doctor, a riveting look into the personal lives of our presidents. Dr. Mariano served as the White House Physician for presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, who nominated her to the rank of rear admiral.

Dr Mariano has also achieved an impressive list of “firsts” that include being:

• the first military woman to become the White House Physician to the President,
• the first woman Director of the White House Medical Unit, and
• the first Filipino American in US history to become a Navy Rear Admiral!

We are rewinding one of our best this week while we wield the hot glue gun with care to finish up our last-minute gifts. Plus, we think its important to keep asking, “Who’s Your Doctor’s Daddy?” Our friend and Capitol Hill correspondent Donna Smith (legislative organizer for National Nurses United) says that while healthcare giants buying up hospitals is not new…now they’re also buying up the doctors.

AND we have powerhouse medical paralegal and co-author Corine Mogenis with us to talk about a new book she and partner RN, MBA Patricia Raya have written called Medical Tips from the Inside: Things You Need to Know.

Sharon Tobin, RN and 23 year ICU veteran at SUTTER MILLS PENINSULA HOSPITAL talks with Nurse Talk about the upcoming one day walk-out at Sutter hospitals in California. What has happened to big hospitals? Sharon says Mills Peninsula in Burlingame was once a wonderful community hospital, is now a shadow of its former self. LISTEN TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ONE DAY WALK-OUT AGAINST SUTTER SET FOR THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22. Learn more at NationalNursesUnited.org.

RN Jean Ross, Co-President of National Nurses United, is a frequent guest on Nurse Talk. On this show she updates us on recent U.S. rallies organized by nurses to support their counterparts in Great Britain. On Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, over two million British workers joined the biggest strike in the United Kingdom in a generation. National Nurses United organized six rallies in cities around the U.S. in a show of support.

Then, Dr. Barbara Greenberg, a clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of teens and families. She writes a regular column “The Teen Doctor” in Psychology Today. Her recent article focuses on why teens can be so competitive during the holidays. She has some good ideas about how you can have a happy TEEN HOLIDAY. We’ll talk to her about her new book, Teenage as a Second Language: A Parent’s Guide to Becoming Bilingual. Oh, that is good!

And, a segment every nurse needs, brought to you in partnership with Nurse Together.com, Annette Tersigni RN, the Yoga Nurse, and founder of Yoga Nursing. Annette is a contributor to our Nurse Talk blog and has some great ideas for how the restorative principles of yoga can fight stress and “empower you to continue to serve as the nurse hero that you are.”

RN Jean Ross, Co-President of National Nurses United, is a frequent guest on Nurse Talk. On this show she updates us on recent U.S. rallies organized by nurses to support their counterparts in Great Britain. On Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, over two million British workers joined the biggest strike in the United Kingdom in a generation. National Nurses United organized six rallies in cities around the U.S. in a show of support.

RN Jean Ross, Co-President of National Nurses United, is a frequent guest on Nurse Talk. On this show she updates us on recent U.S. rallies organized by nurses to support their counterparts in Great Britain. On Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2011, over two million British workers joined the biggest strike in the United Kingdom in a generation. National Nurses United organized six rallies in cities around the U.S. in a show of support.

Then, Dr. Barbara Greenberg, a clinical psychologist who specializes in the treatment of teens and families. She writes a regular column “The Teen Doctor” in Psychology Today. Her recent article focuses on why teens can be so competitive during the holidays. She has some good ideas about how you can have a happy TEEN HOLIDAY. We’ll talk to her about her new book, Teenage as a Second Language: A Parent’s Guide to Becoming Bilingual. Oh, that is good!

And, a segment every nurse needs, brought to you in partnership with Nurse Together.com, Annette Tersigni RN, the Yoga Nurse, and founder of Yoga Nursing. Annette is a contributor to our Nurse Talk blog and has some great ideas for how the restorative principles of yoga can fight stress and “empower you to continue to serve as the nurse hero that you are.”

Our friend RN Deborah Burger updates us on all things “Occupy,” progress on the financial transaction tax, the invisible SUPER COMMITTEE AND MORE…Deborah was one of many nurses from around the world that gathered at the recent G-20 summit in Cannes.

As a nurse do you ever shy away from researching new medical information? It’s a time issue and a lot of nurses “run for the hills” from diving in to the medical journals—including our Nurse Talk hosts. Well, maybe those days are over. Dan and Casey visit with entrepreneurial RN, Stefanie Modri. Stephanie has just introduced a new nursing and health research weekly text service called PrecisionRN.

Our friend RN Deborah Burger updates us on all things “Occupy,” progress on the financial transaction tax, the invisible SUPER COMMITTEE AND MORE…

And how many nurses have been patients a time or two? What do you recall from your experience in the hospital? Well RN and author Bobbi McCarthy is a contributing writer on the Nurse Talk blog and has written a great article called Through the Eyes of a Patient | What Will Your Patients Remember? It’s a great story and reminds us what it is like to be a patient. Dan and Casey talk to Bobbi from the comfort of her “blog cabin” in the beautiful state of Maine.

Comedian Lynn Ruth Miller stops by. It’s ALWAYS fun, a bit on the crazy side and hard to distinguish who’s saying what and/or why they’re saying it at all. Lynn Ruth Miller also talks about home remedies. Her views are NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THIS RADIO SHOW….please don’t try these at home (or anywhere).

We also explore  a case of retaliation against nurses by D.C.’s largest hospital, Washington Hospital Center. In October of 2010 the nurses at the hospital voted to join National Nurses United. Story ends happily ever after? Casey and Dan talk with WHC RNs Raj Rajini and Peggy Dinkel for a brief on the issues.

AND a little lighter conversation with Greg Allen. Time to travel you say? Sandy beaches, beautiful mountain resorts, tropical islands? You get paid to go? Thats right—how about the life of travel nursing…a new twist and just maybe your next gig. Greg is the CEO of Cirrus Staffing, one of the largest most successful travel nursing companies in the U.S. Aloha STAT!

This show was originally aired March 26-27, 2011.

Massachusettes RN Karen Higgins joins us. Karen is a good friend of ours and she always takes time out of her busy schedule to talk with us. As a matter of fact we want to make it perfectly clear that Karen was on her BREAK when speaking with Dan and Casey. Karen weighed in on the Financial Transaction Tax, a.k.a. the Robin Hood tax that nurses and others all around the world asked the G-20 leaders to adopt. The tax would be .005 on stocks and other financial transactions. The money raised COULD dramatically change and add to funding for healthcare, education, infrastructure and more. Karen is the past president of Massachusettes Nurses Association and is currently one of three co-presidents for National Nurses United.

Massachusetts RN Karen Higgins joins us. Karen is a good friend of ours and she always takes time out of her busy schedule to talk with us. As a matter of fact we want to make it perfectly clear that Karen was on her BREAK when speaking with Dan and Casey. Karen weighed in on the Financial Transaction Tax, a.k.a. the Robin Hood tax that nurses and others all around the world asked the G-20 leaders to adopt. The tax would be .005 on stocks and other financial transactions. The money raised COULD dramatically change and add to funding for healthcare, education, infrastructure and more. Karen is the past president of Massachusettes Nurses Association and is currently one of three co-presidents for National Nurses United.

And we’ll talk with the author of Critically ILL: A 5-Point Plan to Cure Healthcare Delivery. Dr. Frederick Southwick, author, teacher, respected researcher and decades-long medical practitioner, is an advocate for change to our country’s current healthcare practices, which cause thousands of hospital deaths and complications each year.

While the cats are away, the Best of Nurse Talk will play.

Casey and Dan visit with Texas RN Monica Sanchez about the vote the resulted in RNs in five Texas cities voting to join National Nurses United. They now join thousands of other bedside nurses across the country who are fighting for patient rights and better conditions for RNs.

Also on the show is RN Janet Izzo, who has written a book called Hotel Hennepin. Janet chronicles the poignant, sad and hysterically funny stories from her career as a staff and charge nurse on the obstetrics unit at a large county hospital in Minneapolis.

This show originally aired June 12-13, 2011.

We visited with two of our friends from CNA/NNU (California Nurses Association, National Nurses United) RN/Communications Specialist Liz Jacobs, and Colette Washington, On-Line Communication Specialist. Colette shared about a new mobile app that NNU has created that makes it possible to be involved in shaping national and international policy and politics without leaving the comfort of your own home. Check it out by texting the word “payback” to 53000 from your mobile phone. You will receive instructions and a link to download.

AND Casey and Dan talk with author and EMT Kim Kircher. Kim has written a book called The Next 15 Minutes: Strength From the Top of the Mountain. When she wasn’t rescuing wounded skiers as a member of the ski patrol or bombing snow-congested mountainsides to control avalanches, she and her husband, John, were proving to the world that a full life was possible in spite of each living with an autoimmune disorder. When John’s congenital liver condition – primary schlerosing cholangitis – approached the terminal phase, Kim was determined to use all of her mountain-borne skills to save him and return them to the adventurous life they both loved. Kim shares her story with us.

We visited with two of our friends from CNA/NNU (California Nurses Association, National Nurses United) RN/Communications Specialist Liz Jacobs, and Colette Washington, On-Line Communication Specialist. Colette shared about a new mobile app that NNU has created that makes it possible to be involved in shaping national and international policy and politics without leaving the comfort of your own home.

The app provides information about the day’s most vital issues such as the Main Street Contract and Occupy Wall Street. Plus tells you how to help support nurses fighting to keep their patients safe. You can make your voice heard to help pass a Wall Street transaction tax to support healthcare and more. You can get points for being an activist! Not like weight watchers but what you do makes a difference. Check it out by texting the word “payback” to 53000 from your mobile phone. You will receive instructions and a link to download.

Casey and Dan check in with our friend and NNU Legislative Organizer Donna Smith. They talk with Donna about the Occupy movement, the nurses’ participation, the upcoming Day Of Action on November 3rd, the G-20 Summit and the nurses demands for a Wall Street Transaction Tax and continuing movement on the state by state single payer healthcare efforts. The segment starts out with a clip of Jean Ross on the Thom Hartmann show.

Casey and Dan check in with our friend and NNU Legislative Organizer Donna Smith. They talk with Donna about the Occupy movement, the nurses participation, the upcoming Day Of Action on November 3rd, the G-20 Summit and the nurses demands for a Wall Street Transaction Tax and continuing movement on the state by state single payer healthcare efforts.

We talk with Judy Farrell the Assistant Director of Enrollment for University of San Francisco’s Master’s in Nursing Clinical Nurse Leader program. With Judy is RN Kristina Smith who is a manager of the ICU Unit at Santa Rosa, Calif. Kaiser Hospital and a student in the USF Master’s program.

This one’s a goody, so we rewind it for you this week. Casey and Dan talk with a delightful woman named Judith Stark Frost, a second grade school teacher for over 30 years. Judith’s very funny book Priceless Proverbs From the Tongue of the Young, shows how funny kids can be without even knowing it!

Later in the show RN Rita Batchley talks about her career as a labor and delivery nurse in a Southern California public sector hospital. Rita has written a book called Labor Pains, an inspirational book for all nurses about authentic power and finding your true purpose.

This show originally aired November 6-7, 2010.

This week on Nurse Talk Casey and Dan talk to RN Jill Furillo. Jill spent several days last week with Occupy Wall Street and will give us a firsthand account of her experience and what the Occupy movement is all about. Learn how nurses are taking action at www.nursetalksite.com/Nov3.

And author and sex addiction therapist George N. Collins is with us.  Mr. Collins has written a book, Breaking the Cycle, Free Yourself from Sex Addiction, Porn Obsession, and Shame. As a recovering sex addict himself, he knows all to well the shame and baggage that comes along with it. His book details techniques he developed to successfully teach sex addicts to confront the negative energy that fuels the addiction and turn that energy into positive life changes, including true intimacy.

This week on Nurse Talk Casey and Dan talk to RN Jill Furillo. Jill spent several days last week with Occupy Wall Street and will give us a firsthand account of her experience and what the Occupy movement is all about. Learn how nurses are taking action at www.nursetalksite.com/Nov3.

We check in on what is happening at Sutter Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland, California. Over 23,000 nurses went on a one-day strike against Sutter Health here in Northern California. At issue are cuts that impact patient safety. Sutter Health locked out nurses for an additional 4 days. During that lock out a patient died from what is described as a “medical error,” while under the care of a 23-year old replacement nurse. We have an update on this unfortunate tragedy.

And whiz kid Cameron Harris joins us. Cameron is our resident expert on Type 1 diabetes and has his own podcast show called In Range. On the show Cameron gives great tips and information on how to live a healthy life with Type 1.

We check in on what is happening at Sutter Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland, California. Over 23,000 nurses went on a one-day strike against Sutter Health here in Northern California. At issue are cuts that impact patient safety. As planned the nurses were only out one day and were ready to go back to work when Sutter Health announced they would be locked out for an additional 4 days. During that lock out a patient died from what is described as a “medical error,” while under the care of a 23-year old replacement nurse. This is an update on this unfortunate tragedy.

Casey and Dan talk with RN and co-president of National Nurses United Deborah Burger about the nurses strike in Northern California. Over 23,000 nurses took part in the one day strike against Sutter and Kaiser hospitals. Tragically as we spoke with Deborah about how a lockout adversely affects patient safety, a patient at Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center died due to a medical error while under the care of a replacement nurse. Though this was a one-day strike, Sutter refused to let the nurses come back to work for another four days, putting patients in further jeopardy. More on the strike and this story at National Nurses United.

And in studio Casey and Dan welcome RN Laurie Barkin. Laurie is a psychiatric nurse consultant at San Francisco General and has written a fascinatingly vivid account about her twenty years as an elite psychiatric trauma nurse treating San Francisco’s most complicated cases. Her book is called The Comfort Garden.

This show originally aired October 1-2, 2011. Read more about the show or listen to the podcast.

When Nurses are on the Outside There’s Something Wrong Inside

There was big news last week with the nurses strike in Northern California. Over 23,000 nurses took part in the one day strike against Sutter and Kaiser hospitals. Tragically as we spoke with RN and co-president of National Nurses United Deborah Burger, a patient at Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center died due to a medical error while under the care of a replacement nurse. Though this was a one-day strike, Sutter refused to let the nurses come back to work for another four days, putting patients in further jeopardy.

Caring for those in need includes standing up for patients against corporate greed and disinterest in the human costs of cuts in staffing and services. There are 23,000 nurses on the street for theCalifornia Kaiser and Sutter Health strike doing just that. We’re with them.

We’re rewinding our show with Boston RN Karen Higgins, past president of Massachusetts Nurses Association and one of three co-presidents for National Nurses United who talks about nurse activism. Corporate health care is looking at the bottom line but they aren’t seeing it. Nurses face the results of cost cutting up close every day. Karen says, “When hospitals feel the need to save money, the first place they cut unfortunately are the ones who take care of patients and the vast majority of who that is, is nurses…Patient care suffers and patients suffer.”

Karen Higgins, RN

Karen also shares her views on the continuing need for single payer health care in our country, the urgency regarding nurse-patient ratios and other important issues that affect all of us. It seems the hospitals are looking at more ways to cut staffing (this is in the face of a health care crisis) in preparation for Obama Care kicking in. Is it really Obama Care of is it just one more way to continue to make huge profits on the backs of hard working RNs and health care workers?

Kira Reginato

AND some great advice about taking care of your parents or other elderly loved ones. Kira Reginato joins us. Kira is the president of Living Ideas for Elders and is the host of her own radio show on KSRO, The Elder Care Show in Santa Rosa, California.AND course what would it be without the square needle award, phobia of the week, some crazy calls and emails and Casey and Dan acting up.

And, please tell me I am not the only one who knows and loves Denny Crane! I just needed to hear his voice again so ordered an audio clip of the Denster and everyone in the studio looked at me like I was out of my mind…Help! Is anybody out there willing to defend me?

NURSE TALK IS GROWING…GROW WITH US. ADVERTISE to our active and engaged audience. Email to reserve your spot on the air or online: pattie@nursetalksite.com.

You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen to any show anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

Until next time remember, “laughter is the best medicine!”

Donna always brings us up to speed on the issues that are important…at least to us they are. We’ll get an update on the nurses’ Main Street Campaign (more about that at nationalnursesunited.com), the state of Social Security and Medicare, a Wall Street sales tax and much more.

We have comedian Lynn Ruth Miller with us and she is wound up like a top! Find out what the Dust Bowl and Lynn Ruth have in common. Lynn Ruth is always….well, pretty out there but always an inspiration. At the ripe age of 78 years young…most of us can’t keep up with her.

Donna Smith chats with us from Austin, Texas–you know, the home of one of the largest bat caves around…and its right downtown!! And yes…you can see the Texas State Capitol from the cave! Donna always brings us up to speed on the issues that are important…at least to us they are. We’ll get an update on the nurses’ Main Street Campaign (more about that at nationalnursesunited.com), the state of Social Security and Medicare, a Wall Street sales tax and much more.

Coming Up On Nurse Talk…we welcome two great friends on the show, NNU legislative organizer and health care activist Donna Smith, then comedian Lynn Ruth Miller.

Your favorite Texas legislator? No, Mexican Freetailed Bat.

NNU's Donna Smith

Donna chats with us from Austin, Texas–you know, the home of one of the largest bat caves around…and it’s right downtown!! And yes…you can see the Texas State Capitol from the cave! Donna always brings us up to speed on the issues that are important…at least to us they are. We’ll get an update on the nurses’ Main Street Campaign (more about that at nationalnursesunited.com), the state of Social Security and Medicare, a Wall Street sales tax and much more.

Lynn Ruth Miller

And then hold on to your hats because we really do go bats in the studio—’cause we have comedian Lynn Ruth Miller with us and she is wound up like a top! Find out what the Dust Bowl and Lynn Ruth have in common. Lynn Ruth is always….well, pretty out there but always an inspiration. At the ripe age of 78 years young…most of us can’t keep up with her. Kate Copstick, of  The Scotsman newspaper says, “This woman is sharp, and in among the fun and schtick there are some killer lines. Ms. Miller is a poster girl for growing old disgracefully and she looks to be enjoying every second.” Her secret to a long life? Listen and find out.

NURSE TALK IS GROWING…GROW WITH US. ADVERTISE to our active and engaged audience. Email to reserve your spot on the air or online: pattie@nursetalksite.com.

You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen to any show anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

Stay healthy and remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Have you cruised around the web site lately? Read some of our new contributors. You could become one…email pattie@nursetalksite.com.

A special thank you to all of our listeners, the nurses who save lives and make a huge impact on humanity every day. Thanks too to our sponsors the California Nurses Association, National Nurses United, the Massachusetts Nurses Association, our media partner Laura Flanders and GRITtv and our strategic partner Nurse Together. Without you all we might be driving down Route 66 in our RV waxing about Nurse Talk as something that might have been.

Next week, we will be announcing a whole new season of Nurse Talk. We’ll be lauding the good and spanking the bad. We know you are busy. Did you know you can subscribe to Nurse Talk News and links to listen will be delivered to your inbox weekly? You never have to miss a show!

We salute you nurses. Please enjoy this song by San Francisco area singer and songwriter, Colette Washington, Angel By My Side and an encore presentation of Nurse Talk featuring a great nurse memoir and interview with an 82-year-old nurse who is still helping people.

Which Side Are You On? A Nurse’s Memoir and Rita Goes Red Cross | Show 415.

Casey and Dan just can’t get enough of themselves! The jury is still out as to whether others feel the same… Great show though. What do the Pips have to do with it? Listen and find out.

Our hosts chat with National Nurses United’s Michael Lighty about making Wall Street pay its fair share.

Later in the show RN and author Kate Genovese joins us. Kate has written a book called Thirty Years In September, A Nurse’s Memoir. It is a tale of strength, hope, and courage in a world of sickness and death.

We also have RN Rita Grady who just happens to have the same last name as Dan. That’s right Dan’s mom visits with us about her Red Cross “tour of duty” in the tornado ravaged states of Alabama and Missouri this summer. Rita doesn’t mind if we share with you she is 82 and has an aversion to recliners.

And of course the Phobia, Square Needle, news and hiccups in between.

You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen to any show anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

We visit with Massachusetts Nurses Association‘s president, RN Donna Kelly Williams. Donna brings us up to date on all things Mass including the upcoming Day Of Action, the continued fight for fair and equitable RN-to-patient ratios, The Main Street Campaign, and the Mass Nurses Association’s recent endorsement of Elizabeth Warren for Senator. Oh if we could only find enough Elizabeth Warrens to fill the halls of Congress!

We also talk with Greg Batte who has started a nurse advocacy organization called—surprise— Nurse Advocate Organization.

This week we visit with Massachusetts Nurses Association‘s president, RN Donna Kelly Williams. Donna brings us up to date on all things Mass including the upcoming Day Of Action, the continued fight for fair and equitable RN-to-patient ratios, The Main Street Campaign, (to find out about the Main Street Campaign go to National Nurses United’s website) and the Mass Nurses Association’s recent endorsement of Elizabeth Warren for Senator. Oh if we could only find enough Elizabeth Warrens to fill the halls of Congress!

We visit with RN Marsha Podd, aka the Baby Whisperer, who has written a book called Secrets of a Baby Nurse. The book is getting rave reviews and if you know of anyone that is expecting a child, already has a baby or toddler or is remotely related to a baby, they should read this book. For more info about Marsha go to gotosleepbaby.com.

And we share an interview that our media partner Laura Flanders of GRITtv did with Executive Director of National Nurses United, Rose Ann DeMoro. It’s a great opportunity to hear from Rose Ann, why the nurses are on the front lines of so many issues that affect ordinary Americans like Medicare, Social Security, access to affordable healthcare and patient safety.

Rose Ann DeMoro, Executive Director National Nurses United
“I always knew women would lead a revolution in this country.”

In studio with RN Marsha Podd, aka the Baby Whisperer

Former Senatorial candidate Christine O’Donnell wins the Nurse Talk Square Needle Award

Dan’s in Hawaii and Pattie sees an opportunity!

Author Marsha Podd, RN on the show this week

We always joke that when our friend and baby expert RN Marsha Podd is in the studio…we all go to sleep. We mean that in a good way, as Marsha has one of the most soothing voices you’ll ever hear. Marsha, aka the Baby Whisperer has written a book called Secrets of a Baby Nurse. The book is getting rave reviews and if you know of anyone that is expecting a child, already has a baby or toddler or is remotely related to a baby…they should read the book. It is filled with practical advice. During the show Marsha answers questions from listeners, along with trying to maintain her composure with all the ruckus! For more information about Marsha go to gotosleepbaby.com.

And we share an interview that our media partner Laura Flanders of GRITtv did with Executive Director of National Nurses United, Rose Ann DeMoro. It’s a great opportunity to hear from Rose Ann, why the nurses are on the front lines of so many issues that affect ordinary Americans like Medicare, Social Security, access to affordable healthcare and patient safety. Labor Day is coming up and the nurses of National Nurses United have declared it a Day Of Action. Everyone has the power to make change…but do they have the will?

A big shout out to our sponsors National Nurses United and the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Without their support we would not have a show.

ADVERTISE WITH US…FOR AS LITTLE AS $300 YOU CAN get 13 weeks of advertising and a lot of attention. Email to reserve your spot: pattie@nursetalksite.com.

Remember You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen to any show anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

Remember, “laughter is the best medicine.”

Rose Ann DeMoro, Executive Director National Nurses United
“I always knew women would lead a revolution in this country.”

We share an interview that our media partner Laura Flanders of GRITtv did with Executive Director of Nationl Nurses United, Rose Ann DeMoro. It’s a great opportunity to hear from Rose Ann, why the nurses are on the front lines of so many issues that affect ordinary Americans like Medicare, Social Security, access to affordable healthcare and patient safety. Labor Day is coming up and the nurses of National Nurses United have declared it a Day Of Action. Everyone has the power to make change…but do they have the will?

This week on Nurse Talk Casey and Dan visit with RN and National Nurses United Co-President, Deborah Burger. We chat with Deborah about the Day Of Action as she makes her way home from an important nurses’ rally in Michigan. The purpose of the Day Of Action is to bring awareness to the growing divide in our country between the rich and the poor. Find out how you can get involved at nationalnursesunited.org.

Also New York Times best-selling author Steve Berry joins us to talk about his passion for history and his fascinating new book The Jefferson Key. Not only is this author of best-selling thrillers a fantastic writer, but he is inspiring and brilliant! A lifelong, devoted student of history, Berry is dedicated to researching his novels in-depth. This is a great story–all of it!

RN Deborah Burger, NNU Co-President

This week on Nurse Talk Casey and Dan visit with RN and National Nurses United Co-President, Deborah Burger. It isn’t unusual that we found Deborah on her way home from an important nurses’ rally in Michigan–because that’s what Deborah does when she isn’t working her full time job at a hospital in Northern California. Deborah chats with us about the upcoming Day Of Action on September 1st. The purpose of the Day Of Action is to bring awareness to the growing divide in our country between the rich and the poor. It sounds simplistic but it’s not–and as our politicians work toward more cuts in basic services and education, access to affordable healthcare gets further and further out of reach, our jobs are being shipped offshore and Medicare and Social Security are being threatened–something must be done. Who better to lead the charge than nurses? Find out how you can get involved at nationalnursesunited.org.

Michigan RN Katie Oppenheim talks about serious concerns for patients of the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS). Four-thousand registered nurses at the UMHS, represented by the Michigan Nurses Association/National Nurses United, held a press conference Tuesday at the University of Michigan about the future of quality patient care at one of the nation’s leading medical facilities. Nurses announced they are prepared to picket the hospital on August 13 should management refuse to withdraw demands that the nurses say will erode nursing standards at the facility.

Katie also talks about the recent “No Soup for You” Soup Kitchen on the Capitol lawn sponsored by Michigan Nurses Association protesting budget cuts in social programs.

Michigan RN Katie Oppenheim talks about serious concerns for patients of the University of Michigan Health System (UMHS). Four-thousand registered nurses at the UMHS, represented by the Michigan Nurses Association/National Nurses United, held a press conference Tuesday at the University of Michigan about the future of quality patient care at one of the nation’s leading medical facilities. Nurses announced they are prepared to picket the hospital on August 13 should management refuse to withdraw demands that the nurses say will erode nursing standards at the facility.

Katie also talks about the recent “No Soup for You” Soup Kitchen on the Capitol lawn sponsored by Michigan Nurses Association protesting budget cuts in social programs.

Coming Up…while the summer grilling continues for Casey and Dan we have a great rewind! Enjoy and share this with your friends, enemies, nannies and anyone else you can think of! And next week all new Nurse Talk shows.

Hunting from a recliner? No, it’s not Sarah Palin but it’s a great story. Tune in as Casey and Dan talk about this and much more.

Joining us is Minnesota RN Jean Ross. Jean is one of three co-presidents for National Nurses United and has been an RN for over 30 years. Checking in about national issues from single payer healthcare to the proposed Medicaid and Social Security cuts, Jean says, “we fight because we have to.”  With over 160k members National Nurses United is a powerful political force on the national political scene.

And later…we host an incredible woman, Dr. Yvonne S. Thornton, author of the best selling book, The Ditchdigger’s Daughters. Dr. Thornton has just finished her second book, Something to Prove, A Daughter’s Legacy to Fulfill a Father’s Legacy. When she was a little girl her father had a dream that all five of his daughters would be doctors. He knew that would not happen if they stayed in the housing projects so he moved the family to a different state and the rest of the story you won’t believe! Oh, how about five doctors in the family? Try four and one nurse. This is a story that you will hear and be clear that anything is possible! Dr. Thornton says, “Don’t let anybody else define who you are.”

You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen to any show anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

What happens in Vegas doesn’t necessarily stay in Vegas...Casey and Dan talk with RN Lisa Myers from St. Rose Hospital in Las Vegas. Lisa and thousands of fellow nurses have gone through a protracted negotiation process with their hospitals since the nurses voted unanimously to join National Nurse United over 15 months ago. Although Lisa’s hospital has settled their new contract some of the others have not. At issue? Safe nurse-to-patient ratios. Studies prove that having fewer patients during shifts saves lives. Listen to our discussion…One of those patients may one day be you!

Casey and Dan talk with RN Lisa Myers from St. Rose Hospital in Las Vegas. Lisa and thousands of fellow nurses have gone through a protracted negotiation process with their hospitals since the nurses voted unanimously to join National Nurse United over 15 months ago.  At issue? Safe nurse-to-patient ratios.

And Kaiser RN, BSN Susan Dean joins us in the studio.  For the past seven years she’s gone to Guatemala with a team of doctors and nurses from around the U.S. with the organization Faith in Practice (http://faithinpractice.org). During a week’s time the team performed over 80 lifesaving medical procedures. Susan is also a volunteer with Operation Access, an organization that provides medical care to the uninsured right here at home in the San Francisco Bay Area (http://www.operationaccess.org).

Our friend and Capitol Hill correspondent Donna Smith (legislative organizer for National Nurses United) asks “Who’s Your Doctor’s Daddy?” Healthcare giants buying up hospitals is not new…but they’re also buying up the doctors. Donna tells us the reasons all of this is disturbing, confusing and something everyone should know about.

Our Capitol Hill correspondent Donna Smith, legislative organizer for National Nurses United, asks the question “Who’s Your Doctor’s Daddy?” Do you know who owns the medical facility you have or will be treated in? Do you understand the paperwork you sign when you are admitted to a hospital or clinic? Check it out.

And powerhouse medical paralegal Corine Mogenis talks with us about a new book she and partner Patricia Raya have written called Medical Tips from the Inside: Things You Need to Know. This book is a must have and includes topics such as, how and why you should get medical tests from your doctors, the patients bill of rights, having an advocate with you, what to do if you are diagnosed with a serious illness and much more.

While the nurses are burning steaks on the barbie…enjoy a rewind! All new series of shows coming soon…stay healthy!

Sexy 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme S Coupe’s significance becomes clear on the show this week.

What happened to Casey’s poor aunt Sylvia? Listen and find out. An old friend of Nurse Talk calls to check in…oh boy she never disappoints…who could it be? Casey and Dan chat about 2010 and Casey shares that if she could pick a song that reflects last year it would be “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Hmmm? Great show this week.

Florida RN Gwen Collins checks in with us to talk about her efforts to protect her patients and how she is educating her community on the importance of RN-to-patient ratios. It’s not just a nursing issue. It is an issue that has an impact on all of us.

Author Susan Shapiro Barash with Her Daughters, Jennie and Elizabeth

And later, we talk with author Susan Shapiro Barash. Susan is the author of the best seller, Toxic Friends: The Antidote for Women Stuck in Complicated Friendships. She has written a new book called, You’re Grounded Forever…But First, Let’s Go Shopping: The Challenges Mothers Face with Their Daughters and Ten Timely Solutions. Are we raising monsters? Why do mothers feel like they need to be friends with their daughters? Get the answers and check out Susan’s book.

Join us for all the fun.

You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen to any show anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Casey and Dan talk with Florida RN Gwen Collins.Gwen sits on the National Nurses Organizing Committee’s State Leadership Council. She is a tireless advocate for patients and nurses alike and is working hard in he hospital community and he community at large to introduce and pass RN Patient Ratio legislation. Don’t miss the upbeat chat about how we can all effect change.

Michael Lighty joins Nurse Talk for a conversation about Main Street vs. Wall Street. Which side are you on? Michael is the articulate and passionate Director of Public Policy for National Nurses United. Michael recently spoke with Casey at the NNU Staff Assembly in D.C. You won’t want to miss what he has to say.

Coming Up…Casey and Dan just can’t get enough of themselves! The jury is still out as to whether others feel the same… Great show though. What do the Pips have to do with it? Listen and find out.

Michael Lighty joins Nurse Talk for a conversation about Main Street vs. Wall Street. Which side are you on? Michael is the articulate and passionate Director of Public Policy for National Nurses United. Michael recently spoke with Casey at the NNU Staff Assembly in D.C. You won’t want to miss what he has to say.

Later in the show RN and author Kate Genovese joins us. Kate has written a book called Thirty Years In September, A Nurse’s Memoir. Her memoir poignantly describes the adventures of her nursing career, beginning with her trial some days as an LPN, when she lost her nursing license because of a drug addiction, her recovery, and going back to school once again to obtain her RN. Full of hilarious anecdotes, Thirty Years is a tale of strength, hope, and courage in a world of sickness and death.

And last but not least our hosts chat with RN Rita Grady who just happens to have the same last name as Dan. That’s right Dan’s mom is going to visit with us about her recent Red Cross “tour of duty” in the tornado ravaged states of Alabama and Missouri. Rita doesn’t mind if we share with you she is 82 and has an aversion to recliners.

And of course the Phobia, Square Needle, news and hiccups in between.

You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen to any show anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Casey talks with our friend RN and human rights activist DeAnn McEwen. DeAnn just returned (to her home in Southern California) from a trip to NYC where she was joined by hundreds of other nurses and others in a rally on Wall Street. The message was simple, Wall Street—pay your fair share! It’s not radical…it is a simple 1/2 penny transaction tax. That alone would raise an estimated 38 billion dollars…that’s with a B! www.nationalnursesunited.org.

Rick Compton and Betsy Bennett, creators of Assisted Living The Musical, join us to discuss the opening of their show in San Francisco. Check it out at www.assistedlivingthemusical.com.

Casey also interviews DeAnn McEwen, who joined hundreds of other nurses in a rally to tell Wall Street pay its share! A proposed 1/2 penny transaction tax would raise an estimated 38 billion dollars….that’s with a B! www.nationalnursesunited.org.

And later we visit with Wayne Cooke, author of On The Far Side Of The Curve. Wayne is eight years away from his colon cancer diagnosis and gives a very down to earth account of his journey.

Coming Up…a rewind and an update from Boston about how things are going at two hospitals we featured (Tufts and St. Vincents) as the poster children for worst practices by hospital administrators. AND a moving and inspirational story told by Linda and Tony Cole. When the Cole’s son Anthony was 12 years-old he suffered a heart attack and collapsed on the school playground. It took paramedics 13 tries to bring Anthony back. Now 23, he lives with a brain injury and Tony and Linda have written a book about their remarkable journey.

News Flash

This week hundreds of nurses and allies marched on Wall Street as part of the Main Street Contract for America. Their demands are simple…tax Wall Street transactions 1/2 cent per transaction. That’s it! Let’s all pay our fair share. More next week.

On with the show: Casey and Dan open the by announcing the 2011 uninsured death tolls for California and the U.S… Do read more about this on our blog.

AND in an attempt to share more medical knowledge with their listeners—Casey decides they should read from the Physicians Desk Reference…you know…like the Republicans read the Constitution the first day of the congressional session.Later in the show, our nurses visit with Massachusetts RN Barbara Tiller. Barbara works at Tufts Medical Center and is chair of the Massachusetts Nurses Association‘s local bargaining unit. Barbara will share with us some disturbing facts about two hospitals in her area, (Tufts and St. Vincents) notorious for worst practices by hospital administrators to cut costs and boost profits by failing to provide appropriate nurse staffing. There have been over 800 unsafe staffing reports filed against one hospital alone.

A moving story by Linda and Tony Cole

And an inspiring conversation with Linda and Tony Cole who have written a book called Resurrecting Anthony: A True Story of Courage & Destination. They wrote the book about their son Anthony. When Anthony was 12 years old he was at school and out for recess when he said to a friend, “I have no pulse” and then collapsed on the playground. It took paramedics 13 tries to bring him back to life. Now 23, Anthony lives with a brain injury and Tony and Linda have written about it. You won’t want to miss the remarkable story of courage.

And of course the same old craziness from our hosts, Square Needle, Phobia of the Week and lots in between.

You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Discussion about the role nurses are playing in leading the voice of opposition to cuts in Medicare and Social Security and fighting for taxation on wall street transactions. Listen, we are not talking about about persecuting those who do business on Wall Street—we are simply calling for a fair transaction tax in the amount of a half a penny per. Our D.C. friend and expert on all things Capitol Hill, RN Donna Smith is with us to make sense out of the sometimes senseless.

What up with male politicians?? Twitter, Facebook, bathroom stalls, mountain trails, pay-offs borrowed from Mom and Dad!! Yikes can anyone imagine a female in high office getting away with any of this? Barbara Boxer tweeting bra-less photos of herself to a 21-year-old guy?? Join Casey and Dan for a walk down “naughty politician lane.”

And more discussion about the role nurses are playing in leading the voice of opposition to cuts in Medicare and Social Security and fighting for taxation on wall street transactions. Listen, we are not talking about about persecuting those who do business on Wall Street—we are simply calling for a fair transaction tax in the amount of a half a penny per. Our D.C. friend and expert on all things Capitol Hill, RN Donna Smith is with us to make sense out of the sometimes senseless.

Later in the show Casey and Dan talk with RN, MSN, humorist Karyn Buxman. Karyn reminds us that in July we acknowledge the 30-year anniversary of the first diagnosed case of AIDS. Karyn shares about the fear, lack of understanding, treatment and protocol in hospitals, and shame surrounding the patients. We’ve come along way—but where are we now?

We welcome an old friend to the studio, RN Wilda Ruthier. Wilda is traveling around the country with her partner Bonnie in their RV–doing anything they please! They stopped by to visit and we literally dragged Wilda into the studio and made her speak. Sad–but we did. Years ago Wilda started the first of its kind, Alzheimer’s assisted living facility in Burlington, Vermont. This was before anyone really knew what it was. She and her staff worked on treatment protocols that are still used in facilities around the country. Congratulations to her innovation and years of care and service to others.

A big salute to all of our RN friends from the Massachusetts Nurses Association!

You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com.

You can also listen anytime right here on NurseTalkSite.com and iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

Remember “laughter is the best medicine.”

Our Nation’s capitol just got hit by a big storm this week. One thousand RNs on a mission to remind elected officials they need to listen to those of us on Main Street–not Wall Street.

Is our country really broke? Is it really necessary to cut Medicare and Social Security? Why are nurses taking the lead in the fight to return to values such as caring, compassion and community? We’ll talk about that and more on the Main Street Contract for America from our friend, and National Nurses United Co-President RN Deborah Burger. And more discussion in the coming weeks on Nurse Talk.

Can you be in the Army without joining the Army? Maybe…check it out! Main Street not Wall Street…and Casey and Dan get an email from a woman who has lost her charm…

COMING UP…on Nurse Talk. Our Nation’s capitol just got hit by a big storm this week. One thousand RNs on a mission to remind elected officials they need to listen to those of us on Main Street–not Wall Street.

Is our country really broke? Is it really necessary to cut Medicare and Social Security? Why are nurses taking the lead in the fight to return to values such as caring, compassion and community? We’ll talk about that and more on the Main Street Contract for America from our friend, and National Nurses United Co-President RN Deborah Burger. And more discussion in the coming weeks on Nurse Talk.

Later in the show, Casey and Dan have some fun with Dr. James Harrison from an organization called MEDCOM. Did you know if you are a doctor or a nurse you can go to work for the Army without being in the Army…AND get all the perks?

Go Army but not Go Army?

And of course the usual silliness, Square Needle, news and Phobia of the Week!

You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com.

You can also listen anytime right here on NurseTalkSite.com and iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

Remember “laughter is the best medicine.”

Casey talks with RN and co-president of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger about “The Main Street Contract.” Will we be a “me” society…or a “we” society? It’s time for a main street contract…heal America/tax Wall Street.

Find out how you can join the fight to raise standards for America’s working people! With the erosion of living standards for many, and new attacks almost daily from Wall Street-funded politicians, all Americans need a new contract, a binding relationship for their security, for their families, and for future generations.

This week on Nurse Talk Casey talks with RN and co-president of National Nurses United, Deborah Burger about “The Main Street Contract”. Will we be a “me” society…or a “we” society? It’s time for a Main Street contract…heal America/tax Wall Street.

Find out how you can join the fight to raise standards for America’s working people! With the erosion of living standards for many, and new attacks almost daily from Wall Street-funded politicians, all Americans need a new contract, a binding relationship for their security, for their families, and for future generations.

All this and more in our Bonus Podcast.

Maggie and Casey ham it up

Then, on the show this week, a walk down memory lane….listen to the issues we discussed in 2009. Have we made a dent? Are things better..or worse? What the hell…let’s just see if we can make you laugh a little! The usual shenanigans…Maggie is back from her “estate sale” shopping spree–sporting a $2 pair of European shoes. She’s unhappy though and thinks she paid too much because they are quite worn.

Deborah Burger Co-President of California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee gives our listeners a “state of the state” about Health care reform and the role CNA/NNOC is playing in the process.

Casey and Maggie talk to two MAD AS HELL DOCTORS…they’ll talk about their impending motor home caravan to Washington D.C. to raise awareness for “single payer” health insurance.

Casey and Dan check in with Boston RN and president of Massachusetts Nurses Association, Donna Kelly-Williams. Every week we take a look at what is happening in health care all around our country and if you have listened to the news and/or—our show—you may have come to the conclusion that things are spinning out of control a bit. Donna will share with us about some very important issues in her state including cutbacks in services and hospital staffing, nurses benefits being reduced, and in some cases eliminated, and retaliation for nurses organizing in support of patient safety and care.

What do The Real McCoys, American Idol, Dad, Angels and Dogs, Boston and sore feet have to do with one another? Not much…but this week on Nurse Talk…you’ll hear a little about them all.

Casey and Dan check in with Boston RN and president of Massachusetts Nurses Association, Donna Kelly-Williams. Every week we take a look at what is happening in health care all around our country and if you have listened to the news and/or—our show—you may have come to the conclusion that things are spinning out of control a bit. Donna will share with us about some very important issues in her state including cutbacks in services and hospital staffing, nurses benefits being reduced, and in some cases eliminated, and retaliation for nurses organizing in support of patient safety and care.

And first time author, longtime nurse, Maggie Hogan joins Casey and Dan to talk about her inspiring new book called Dad, Angels and Dogs. After being a nurse for 32 years Maggie was called to service by a request of her mother’s before she died. “Maggie please promise me you will take care of your father after I’m gone.” Well…Maggie kept that promise and took care of her father until his death. Through her journey she met and depended on the love and kindness of many…including angels and dogs. Yes, we said angels and dogs. Her poignant and down to earth story is an inspiration to all.

Coming up…continuing discussions about single payer health care, a new look at hospitals that are contracting with prisons to take care of inmates (there’s an interesting twist to this story), a conversation about unions from a “different” point of view. That’s right—we’ll be talking with a few nurses who are opposed to organizing and unions. They have their reasons and we thought it would be valuable to listen to what they have to say. And—get this—remodeling your kitchen to have better kitchen sex? I do not kid! I would never make that up! This summer we’ll talk to the authors of a new book about ways to improve your sex life…and the kitchen, my good friends, is one of them!

Once public employees who serve their communities as teachers, fire fighters, police and public health care nurses—were thought of as heroes. Now they are being vilified as the cause of these real and in some cases, perceived fiscal crises.

Casey and Dan talk with ER RN Dennis Kosuth. Dennis works at Chicago’s John Stroger (Cook County) Hospital and shares with us the damage that is mounting in county hospitals all over the country. He specifically shares his experience as an ER nurse at Stroger—one of the busiest county hospital in Chicago.

This week we are broadcasting a show originally aired March 12, 2011. It was so good we are playing it again, and pairing it with an all new BONUS podcast, The Assault on the Public Sector. Once public employees who serve their communities as teachers, fire fighters, police and public healthcare nurses— were thought of as heroes. Now they are being vilified as the cause of these real and in some cases, perceived fiscal crises.

Casey and Dan talk with ER RN Dennis Kosuth. Dennis works at Chicago’s John Stroger (Cook County) Hospital and shares with us the damage that is mounting in county hospitals all over the country. He specifically shares his experience as an ER nurse at Stroger—one of the busiest county hospital in Chicago.

You can buy Marsha's book in the Nurse Talk Must Read bookstore

On the show, here comes RN Marsha Podd, The Baby Whisperer, and as always she is full of great information for moms and dads with babies and toddlers. She answers questions about her new book, Secrets of a Baby Nurse. Check her out on Nurse Talk and at gotosleepbaby.com.

Then, RN champions from National Nurses United tell us about their experiences in Madison, Wisconsin. Jean Ross, co-president of NNU and Jeff Breslin, president of the Wisconsin Nurses Associatsee ition call in and share the importance of solidarity with our pro-union brothers and sisters everywhere.

And what an honor it is to have California Congresswoman Jackie Speier with us. Some of you may have heard her courageous speech on the house floor when she shared a very personal story about having a surgical procedure that resulted in the loss of her baby. She gave the speech in response to a contentious debate about cutting funding for Planned Parenthood. If you missed it somehow, see it, then listen to the show!

Coming up next week…big scoop on newly introduced single payer health care legislation! With us to talk about it is Sen. Bernie Sanders, and our friend and D.C. Goddess, Donna Smith. Don’t miss it!

A big thank you to our sponsors NNU, CNA and MNA and to all of our listeners!

RN Judy Brown calls in to play “Wheel of Misfortune” with us. Of course that is the game where you spin the wheel and land on one of the country’s ten worst governors. Right now Arizona governor Jan Brewer is ahead by one spin! Judy lives and works in Bangor, Maine and has been a nurse at the Eastern Maine Medical Center since 1982. She has been on the board of the Maine State Nurses Association for 15 years. Judy will give us a “state of healthcare” update for her state and talk about her governor’s proposed legislation and how it will impact patient care.

The cat’s away so Maggie and Casey play. Dan is off on vacation this week so Maggie stepped in to sleep in the chair. It’s been a while since she was in the studio and the producer forgot to give her a tumbler of box wine before she put on her headset. Sorry Maggie.

Good show this week—RN Judy Brown calls in to play “Wheel of Misfortune” with us. Of course that is the game where you spin the wheel and land on one of the country’s ten worst governors. Right now Arizona governor Jan Brewer is ahead by one spin! Judy lives and works in Bangor, Maine and has been a nurse at the Eastern Maine Medical Center since 1982. She has been on the board of the Maine State Nurses Association for 15 years. Judy will give us a “state of healthcare” update for her state and talk about her governor’s proposed legislation and how it will impact patient care.

And later Casey and Maggie talk with our friend from Hawaii, Advanced Practice RN Hob Osterland. Hob talks with us about the new video Humor Rumor that she created to promote a recent study she conducted at Queens Medical Center in Honolulu. The study called COMIC (comedy in chemotherapy) was a randomized controlled trial that examined the impact of comedy on symptoms of cancer and chemotherapy. While cancer is no laughing matter…the study was. Listen to find out the results. And check out Hob’s video the Humor Rumor.

And coming up in June—Nurse Talk travels to our nation’s capitol to join over 1000 nurses as they come together at the National Nurses United staff assembly. We’ll interview all kinds of interesting people; politicians, nurses from around the world, mini mart clerks and more.

Let’s play Wheel Of Misfortune! Find out if you live in one of ten states with the worst governor. It’s easy…just spin the wheel and a governor will pop up—complete with the list of why he/she is in the running! Listen this week as our friend Donna Smith helps us inaugurate the game! Who did the wheel land on this week?

And Dan and Casey have a conversation with Donna about all things Capitol Hill and beyond. How about cuts to social security, vouchers for medicare, patient safety and more. Donna Smith as most of you know, is a legislative advocate for National Nurses United.

Let’s play Wheel Of Misfortune! Find out if you live in one of ten states with the worst governor. It’s easy…just spin the wheel and a governor will pop up—complete with the list of why he/she is in the running! Listen this week as our friend Donna Smith helps us inaugurate the game! Who did the wheel land on this week?

And Dan and Casey have a conversation with Donna about all things Capitol Hill and beyond. How about cuts to social security, vouchers for medicare, patient safety and more. Donna Smith as most of you know, is a legislative advocate for National Nurses United.

Then…wake up it’s time for a conversation about sleep apnea. Wow were we surprised to hear about how many people are diagnosed with it, how many go undiagnosed…and the serious health risks that are associated with it…particularity if left untreated. Our nurse on duty Casey Hobbs has a special interest in this conversation…as she was recently diagnosed and is now plugged in to her brand new 2011 2-door CPAP machine. Casey was so impressed with her Kaiser Respiratory Therapist, Grace Bartee, that she invited her to come on the show and talk about sleep apnea and all that goes with it.

A big shout out to our listeners in Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond!

You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com.

You can also download and listen anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com and iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

Remember “laughter is the best medicine.”

And…Rewind that show! So good we’re playing it again, Sam.

Joining us is Minnesota RN Jean Ross. Jean is one of three co-presidents for National Nurses United and has been an RN for over 30 years. Checking in about national issues from single-payer healthcare to the proposed Medicaid and Social Security cuts. With over 160k members National Nurses United is a powerful political force on the national political scene.

California Insurance Commissioner, Dave Jones joins in the lawsuit against Sutter Health. Sutter is being sued for “alleged” fraudulent billing to the tune of $millions of dollars since 2009. Why does this affect all of us? So many reasons—fraud carries a heavy price for patients, healthcare providers and insurance companies—and contributes to the rising cost of healthcare for everyone.

Casey talks with RN Susan Wittstock about this and other issues that are impacting us all. Susan has been an RN at Sutter Medical Center (formerly Alta Bates) since 1987 and has seen a myriad of changes over the years. Check it out on www.nursetalksite.com!

Have we got something for you! Bonus Podcast this week friends, plus a special trip down memory lane with a best of the best of Nurse Talk featuring RN Jean Ross and Dr. Yvonne Thornton. But first, here’s this:

California Insurance Commissioner, Dave Jones joins in the lawsuit against Sutter Health. Sutter is being sued for “alleged” fraudulent billing to the tune of $millions of dollars since 2009. Why does this affect all of us? So many reasons—fraud carries a heavy price for patients, healthcare providers and insurance companies—and contributes to the rising cost of healthcare for everyone.

Follow the Money. Fraudulent billing can add to the rising cost of healthcare.

Casey talks with RN Susan Wittstock about this and other issues that are impacting us all. Susan has been an RN at Sutter Medical Center (formerly Alta Bates) since 1987 and has seen a myriad of changes over the years. Check it out on www.nursetalksite.com!

And…Rewind that show! So good we’re playing it again, Sam.

Hunting from a recliner? No, it’s not Sarah Palin but it’s a great story. Tune-in as Casey and Dan talk about this and much more. Joining us is Minnesota RN Jean Ross. Jean is one of three co-presidents for National Nurses United and has been an RN for over 30 years. Checking in about national issues from single-payer healthcare to the proposed Medicaid and Social Security cuts. With over 160k members National Nurses United is a powerful political force on the national political scene.

And later…we host an incredible woman, Dr. Yvonne S. Thornton, author of the best selling book, The Ditchdigger’s Daughters. Dr. Thornton has just finished her second book, Something to Prove, A daughter’s legacy to fulfill a father’s legacy. When she was a little girl her father had a dream that all five of his daughters would be doctors. He knew that would not happen if they stayed in the housing projects so he moved the family to a different state and the rest of the story you won’t believe! Oh, how about five doctors in the family? Try four and one nurse. This is a story that you will hear and be clear that anything is possible! This show was originally broadcast December 26, 2010.

Calling all cars, calling all cars…we are looking for great nurse stories or patient stories or anything health care or health insurance related. Good, bad, funny or sad…we want you! Call us and leave your story (anonymous if you wish) on our hot line at 1-800-977-1863 or Email to pattie@nursetalksite.com or post it on Facebook!

Do you ever wonder if life continues on beyond physical death? Does love ever die? Have you heard from your deceased loved one? Hospice nurse and author Elissa Al Chokhachy joins Casey and Dan for a powerful and poignant conversation about life after death. Elissa has written a book called Miraculous Moments: true stories affirming that life goes on after death. Without a doubt–this conversation provides invaluable hope and reassurance for the dying and bereaved. Don’t miss it.

And later in the show our nurses on duty—aka Casey and Dan—talk with Michigan RNs Katie Oppenheim and Bonnie Nesbit. Katie and Bonnie give us an inside perspective on Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s proposed emergency financial law. The law, put forth by Governor Snyder gives emergency financial managers the authority to cancel union contracts and fire current city or municipal workers without cause. Emergency financial managers can be appointed by the sitting governor. How does this affect nurses and patients? Find out…

Casey and Dan—talk with Michigan RNs Katie Oppenheim and Bonnie Nesbit. Katie and Bonnie give us an inside perspective on Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s proposed emergency financial law. The law, put forth by Governor Snyder gives emergency financial managers the authority to cancel union contracts and fire current city or municipal workers without cause. Emergency financial managers can be appointed by the sitting governor. How does this affect nurses and patients? Find out…

Casey and Dan have a great discussion with our friend RN Deborah Burger. Deborah is one of three co-presidents for National Nurses United and shares details of an open letter she wrote for CommonDreams.org. The letter: Want to cut the federal deficit? Restore fair taxes on Corporations and the Wealthy? Why does this affect nurses you say? Find out as Deborah puts forth the details of what is being cut from the budget and why—and why no one is talking about raising revenue–NOT just cutting spending. Yes this does affect nurses and all of the rest of us. To read Deborah’s letter go to nationalnursesunited.org.

Guest: RN  Deborah Burger

Oh my…seems like we just can’t get rid of Gomer Pyle! For some reason Dan continues to channel Gomer and he actually thinks he has been chosen to deliver an important message to the masses. What could Gomer have possibly known that would be so important to the rest of us? Stay tuned.

Casey and Dan have a great discussion with our friend RN Deborah Burger. Deborah is one of three co-presidents for National Nurses United and shares details of an open letter she wrote for CommonDreams.Org. The letter: Want to cut the federal deficit? Restore fair taxes on Corporations and the Wealthy? Why does this affect nurses you say? Find out as Deborah puts forth the details of what is being cut from the budget and why—and why no one is talking about raising revenue–NOT just cutting spending. Yes this does affect nurses and all of the rest of us. To read Deborah’s letter go to nationalnursesunited.org.

And you’ve heard us say on the show that according to the latest Gallup poll–nurses are (top of the list of) the most trusted professionals. 85% of those polled thought nurses were honest and displayed integrity. OF course our own nurses Casey and Dan are very proud of their profession BUT thought it might be useful to conduct their own Nurse Talk poll. A little less scientific, perhaps—but nonetheless—oh so much fun. Listen as they swing into action with the Nurse Talk “Nurse” poll.

Guests: Raj Rajini and Peggy Dinkel

A case of retaliation against nurses by D.C.’s  largest hospital, Washington Hospital Center. In October of 2010 the nurses at the hospital voted to join National Nurses United. Story ends happily ever after? Not yet…this month the RNs staged a one-day strike to protest WHC’s unwillingness to negotiate and the systematic retaliation against the hospital’s nurses.

Casey and Dan talk with WHC RNs Raj Rajini and Peggy Dinkel to find out what is happening now. It is reported the hospital (parent company Medstar) spent $1.5 million dollars a day during the strike and the four day lock out that followed. You can learn more in this open letter to the doctors from National Nurses United (PDF)

Oh my…the show got away from Casey and Dan (aka the nurses on duty) this week! With comedian Lynn Ruth Miller stopping by it’s ALWAYS fun, a bit on the crazy side and hard to distinguish who’s saying what and/or why they’re saying it at all. Health benefit? Sharpens the mind.

Topics this week include a case of retaliation against nurses by D.C.’s largest hospital, Washington Hospital Center. In October of 2010 the nurses at the hospital voted to join National Nurses United. Story ends happily ever after? Not yet…this month the RNs staged a one-day strike to protest WHC’s unwillingness to negotiate and the systematic retaliation against the hospital’s nurses. Casey and Dan talk with WHC RNs Raj Rajini and Peggy Dinkel to find out what is happening now. It is reported the hospital (parent company Medstar) spent $1.5 million a day on a campaign against the union and the nurses during the strike and the four day lock out that followed. You can learn more in this link to the open letter from National Nurses United (PDF).

AND a little lighter conversation with Greg Allen. Travel you say? Sandy beaches, beautiful mountain resorts, tropical islands? You get paid to go? Thats right—how about the life of travel nursing…a new twist and just maybe your next gig. Greg is the CEO of Cirrus Staffing, one of the largest most successful travel nursing companies in the U.S. Aloha STAT! For more information about traveling nurse careers go to www.cirrusmedicalstaffing.com.

And of course the Phobia of the Week, The Square Needle Award and comedian Lynn Ruth Miller talking about home remedies. Her views are NOT NECESSARILY THOSE OF THIS RADIO SHOW….please don’t try these at home (or anywhere)!Don’t forget to check out Grit TV’s new Nurses Station segment and stay healthy!

You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am Eastern or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM Pacific on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Guest: Donna Smith

The “nurses on duty” aka hosts Casey Hobbs and Dan Grady talk with our friend  Donna Smith who is a legislative organizer for CNA/NNU. She talks about all things D.C. and the upcoming Grit TV series that updates us on the families (Donna and her husband Larry being one) that were featured in Michael Moore’s movie Sicko. Donna weighs in on collective bargaining and the fight in Wisconsin, single payer heath-care, and much more.

The nurses on duty, a.k.a Casey and Dan, have too much fun with the news…none of which is particularly useful…but good for a laugh  nonetheless.

A great chat with our favorite health care activist…CNA/NNU’s Donna Smith. As most of you know, Donna is a legislative organizer in Washington D.C., and if you ever need to know anything about what’s going on in the nation’s capitol, she is the go-to person. Donna weighs in on collective bargaining, the importance of the Wisconsin demonstrations, single payer health care and other topics near and dear to us.

And she shares about the new Grit TV series, The Nurses Station, that will be opening with a SiCKO reunion of sorts. The series visits the families that were featured in Michael Moore’s film SiCKO about the failure of the U.S. health care system and the toll it takes on American families. Donna and her husband Larry were featured in the film.Here’s a clip of Donna’s appearance on Grit TV called “What Value Does Private Insurance Add?”

And we meet a real hero. Kaiser intensive care nurse Janet DeMers. Although Janet is humble and would never refer to herself as a hero…the family of a Novato, CA man thinks otherwise. It turns out Janet was on her way to work one day last month when she happened to drive by a man on the ground tangled up in his bicycle. At first she thought he had just fallen off, but something didn’t seem right so she went back. Her instincts served her well…the man was in cardiac arrest. Tune in and find out what happened next…

And coming up in the weeks ahead…Have Nurse Will Travel…let’s check out traveling nurses. Pack your stethoscope and your blood pressure cuff and be sure you can get though airport security and you’re off! A look at nurses who travel from site to site.A show about Mommies and Blogs? That’s right and who better to unveil this new kid on the block, The Mommies, A Musical Blog, than the writer/producer of the mega-hit Menopause, The Musical, Jeanie Linders? Just happens she can’t stop writing and creating shows that have perfect demographic pitch and big doses of laughter that bring her audiences to a common place…humanity!

Don't miss Lynn Ruth Miller's new segment,"In My Day"

Last…Comedian Lynn Ruth Miller kicks off her new Nurse Talk segment “In My Day.” You won’t want to miss her reflections!You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!

Guest: Congresswoman Jackie Speier

What an honor it is to have California Congresswoman Jackie Speier with us. Some of you may have heard her courageous speech on the house floor when she shared a very personal story about having a surgical procedure that resulted in the loss of her baby. She gave the speech in response to a contentious debate about cutting funding for Planned Parenthood.

You can buy Marsha's book in the Nurse Talk Must Read bookstore

It finally happened! The Baby Whisperer, RN Marsha Podd, is really on the show this time. Thanks to the genius scheduling of someone who shall remain nameless—we announced that Marsha was going to be on last week. Well, here she comes and as always she is full of great information for moms and dads with babies and toddlers. She answers questions about her new book, Secrets of a Baby Nurse. Check her out on Nurse Talk and at gotosleepbaby.com.

And our RN champions from National Nurses United update us on their experience in Madison, Wisconsin. Jean Ross, co-president of NNU and Jeff Breslin, president of the Wisconsin Nurses Association call in and share the importance of solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin. See pictures and learn more at http://www.nationalnursesunited.org/pages/solidarity.

Marchers in the jazz funeral parade on 3/3/2011 in Madison

And what an honor it is to have California Congresswoman Jackie Speier with us. Some of you may have heard her courageous speech on the house floor when she shared a very personal story about having a surgical procedure that resulted in the loss of her baby. She gave the speech in response to a contentious debate about cutting funding for Planned Parenthood.

And lots more from Casey and Dan as they twist and turn through the news and sometimes their views, the Square Needle Award, the Phobia of the Week and staying awake while listening to the soothing voice of Marsha Podd. All this and more…

You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Guests: Jean Ross and Jill Fullier with Peter B. Collins

Direct from Madison, Wisconsin…our nurse friends Jean Ross and Jill Fullier chat with our correspondent Peter B. Collins about why they are standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters there.
Over 100,000 people were present and accounted for at last Saturday’s rally.

Direct from Madison, Wisconsin…our nurse friends Jean Ross and Jill Fullier chat with our correspondent Peter B. Collins about why they are standing in solidarity with our brothers and sisters there.Over 100,000 people were present and accounted for at last Saturday’s rally.

Mr. Kors follows the remarkable story of Sgt. Chuck Luther, who served in Iraq and won 22 honors before being wounded by mortar fire. The explosion left Luther with severe vision and hearing loss. Army doctors told Luther his blindness and deafness were caused by a personality disorder

Later In the show, Casey and Dan have a fascinating conversation with investigative reporter Joshua Kors. Joshua talks about his three part series, The Veterans Benefit Scandal. Kors’ report exposes the Army’s systematic cover up of over 25,000 false diagnoses of pre-existing personality disorders.According to a report on armytimes.com, “service members receiving administrative discharges for those disorders have no opportunity to get disability compensation or medical benefits…many service members separated for pre-existing personality disorder had served in combat and displayed symptoms of post-traumatic stress.”Shameful. You won’t want to miss this. To say this is a scandal of epic proportions is an understatement.And in the coming weeks…The Baby Whisperer, RN Marsha Podd takes your questions, and an exclusive interview with Congresswoman Jackie Spiers. Also…what everyone should know about Oakland’s Children’s Hospital.You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

RN Rita Batchley talks about her career as a labor and delivery nurse in a Southern California public sector hospital. Rita has written a book called Labor Pains, an inspirational book for all nurses about authentic power and finding your true purpose. A very interesting perspective on connecting with your “inner nurse,” health care reform and social change.

Here comes…THE BABY WHISPERER, RN Marsha Podd! She is taking your questions to answer on the show taping this weekend to air March 5/6. Call 800.977.1863 or email pattie@nursetalksite.com for everything you ever wanted to know about babies but were afraid someone might think you inadequate.And…WHAT IS SCRIPTING AND ROUNDING? Find out…next week.WHAT’S GOING ON WITH OSHA? There is increasing concern as a number of proposed rules that were designed to protect workers’ health and safety have been withdrawn by the Obama administration…What does this mean for you and all workers in this country? Answers to this question and many more are coming up on Nurse Talk.COMING UP this week for our BOSTON listeners—a great encore with a delightful woman named Judith Stark Frost. Judith was a second grade school teacher for over 30 years. She loved teaching her kids how to read but even more than that she loved the humorous things they said. She wrote a very funny book called Priceless Proverbs From the Tongue of the Young. How about these: “A penny saved is…not much” and “He who marries for money…better be nice to his wife.” We all know how funny kids can be without even knowing it!

And later in the show RN Rita Batchley talks about her career as a labor and delivery nurse in a Southern California public sector hospital. Rita has written a book called Labor Pains, an inspirational book for all nurses about authentic power and finding your true purpose. A very interesting perspective on connecting with your “inner nurse,” health care reform and social change.This week in SAN FRANCISCO…the show you were expecting last week…but got men in polyester shorts instead. Some of you may have noticed that from time to time you can’t find us in our usual slot on Green 960 AM San Francisco. Well, it’s only temporary. Seems that basketball is occasionally more pressing than cutting edge health care discussions.

Larry Byrd and Magic Johnson back when the uniforms made basketball more interesting!

But never fear, because this week you WILL hear about Heart Health Month. We will talk about the American Heart Association’s GoRed Campaign with heart health expert Dr. Joanne Dames. Did you know that heart attacks are the leading killer of women? That’s shocking! Don’t miss it!You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Guests: Karen Coughlin and Linda Condon

Boston RNs Karen Coughlin and Linda Condon will talk about workplace violence as it relates to RNs and health care workers. Did you know nurses are on par with police officers and prison guards in to be victims of workplace violence and assault? Originally broadcast August 22, 2010.

You’ve gotta have heart…miles and miles and miles of heart…BUT it has to be HEALTHY. That’s right…February is Heart Health Month and we talk about the American Heart Association’s GoRed Campaign.Did you know that heart attacks are the leading killer of women? That’s shocking to most of us. Most people think it is breast cancer. We have with us this week heart health expert Dr. Joanne Dames. Dr. Dames is passionate in her quest to educate the public about cardiovascular disease as well as the benefits of bystander CPR and early defibrillation. Don’t miss this! It is lifesaving information.AND…we’re going to hear a repeat about a topic that is alarming. Boston RNs Karen Coughlin and Linda Condon will talk about workplace violence as it relates to RNs and health care workers. Did you know nurses are on par with police officers and prison guards as victims of workplace violence and assault?

Hats off to the Republican women in the legislature of state of Wyoming. They don’t call it the Suffrage State for nothing! Tune in!You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Guests: Cynthia and Alan Campbell with DeAnn McEwen

Casey and Dan talk with RN Cynthia Campbell and her husband Alan. Four years ago Cynthia got the devastating news that she had stage four cancer. If that wasn’t enough, when it came time for her insurance company, Blue Cross to pay for her life saving treatment–they canceled her policy. Cynthia and Alan were caught up in a nightmare that is all too common.
Cynthia is now healthy and she and Alan recently took part in a demonstration outside Blue Shield headquarters in San Francisco. They were joined by several hundred others including nurses from the California Nurses Association. Our friend RN DeAnn McEwen was with the Campbells as they successfully delayed a proposed a 59% proposed rate hike. The three of them join us in conversation.

Waking Up Is Hard To Do…you will love our guests this week. Gary, Keith, Rich and Doug a.k.a. The Laryngospasms, a group of practicing Certified Registered Anesthetists who create and perform medical parodies. These guys are so much fun and their music is a kick. Oh, and they’re really smart too. Join us for a conversation and some music as we chat with them. You can check them out at www.thespasms.com.

And Casey and Dan talk with RN Cynthia Campbell and her husband Alan. Four years ago Cynthia got the devastating news that she had stage four cancer. If that wasn’t enough, when it came time for her insurance company, Blue Shield to pay for her life saving treatment–they canceled her policy. Cynthia and Alan were caught up in a nightmare that is all too common.

Cynthia is now healthy and she and Alan recently took part in a demonstration outside Blue Shield headquarters in San Francisco. They were joined by several hundred others including nurses from the California Nurses Association. Our friend RN DeAnn McEwen was with the Campbells as they successfully delayed a proposed a 59% proposed rate hike. The three of them join us in conversation.And…the Square Needle Award goes to Ginny on the block! “Who?” you say? Tune in and find out.

Hey if you weren’t around for the Laryngospasms and our enlightening conversation with cancer survivor and now health care activist Cynthia Campbell…tune in for this show. Laugh, learn and listen as we treat you to a “Best of Nurse Talk.” Check it out!

Gary, Keith, Rich and Doug a.k.a. The Laryngospasms, a group of practicing Certified Registered Anesthetists who create and perform medical parodies. These guys are so much fun and their music is a kick. Oh, and they’re really smart too. Join us for a conversation and some music as we chat with them. You can check them out at www.thespasms.com.

And Casey and Dan talk with RN Cynthia Campbell and her husband Alan. Four years ago Cynthia got the devastating news that she had stage four cancer. If that wasn’t enough, when it came time for her insurance company, Blue Shield to pay for her life saving treatment–they canceled her policy. Cynthia and Alan were caught up in a nightmare that is all too common.

Cynthia is now healthy and she and Alan recently took part in a demonstration outside Blue Shield headquarters in San Francisco. They were joined by several hundred others including nurses from the California Nurses Association. Our friend RN DeAnn McEwen was with the Campbells as they successfully delayed a proposed a 59% proposed rate hike. Since this show aired, Blue Shield backed off the proposal.And…the Square Needle Award goes to Ginny on the block! “Who?” you say? Tune in and find out.

Also check out Grit TV’ s The Nurses Station at http://grittv.org/tag/the-nurses-station.More GRITtvYou can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am Eastern or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM Pacific on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Even if it is old news by now Casey and Dan just had to say something about a “Sputnik” moment. Seems Casey is confused and doesn’t know we have already put a man on the moon.This week our good friend Donna Smith updates us on all things “Capitol Hill.” She talks about the real state of social security as well as other topics such as health care reform and what she and 180,000 of her closest friends at National Nurses United do every day to fight for patients rights and single payer health care.We also check in with her about the recent “Stand Up” campaign directed at President Obama. Stand Up features nurses asking the President to stand up for the needs of working people, stand up for social security benefits, stand up for health care for all, stand up for protection for workers. It’s always a pleasure and an education to have Donna with us.

The Associaton for Applied Humor

Later in the show we talk with Roberta Gold. Roberta is an RTC, recreational therapist by trade and a humorist by choice. Roberta visits with us about her own practice but really wants to shout out the glory of the upcoming AATH (Association of Applied and Therapeutic Humor) Conference in Orlando in April. It is a great conference…we went last year and all we did was laugh our way through it. Well, not all the way. Roberta also talks about the AATH Humor Academy. Yes you can graduate from a Humor Academy! Check it out…

And this just in–congratulations to everyone who took part in the Blue Shield protest in San Francisco Tuesday. Hundreds of people marched in front of Blue Shield headquarters this morning and managed to get a 60-day reprieve of a proposed 59% health insurance rate hike! Thank you all for your dedication.

You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime from our audio archive and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Guest: Donna Smith

This week our good friend Donna Smith updates us on all things “Capitol Hill.” She talks about the real state of social security as well as other topics such as health care reform and what she and 180,000 of her closest friends at National Nurses United do every day to fight for patients rights and single payer health care. We also check in with her about the recent “Stand Up” campaign directed at President Obama. Stand Up features nurses asking the President to stand up for the needs of working people, stand up for social security benefits, stand up for health care for all, stand up for protection for workers. It’s always a pleasure and an education to have Donna with us.

Guest: Lauri Hoagland

In our ongoing series featuring topics from National Nurse magazine, Casey and Dan talk with Nurse Practitioner Lauri Hoagland. Lauri is a Family Nurse Practitioner and Quality Liaison at Kaiser Napa, and serves on the California Nurses Association Board of Directors. Lauri talks about National Nurses United’s RNRN, the Registered Nurse Response Network and a program called Continuing Promise. Lauri was was deployed in Costa Rica through the program and with other nurses provided care to hundreds of patients a day. We could all use some good news and this program falls into that category.

But first a little housekeeping. Some of you may have noticed that from time to time you can’t find us in our usual slot on Green 960 AM San Francisco. Well it’s only temporary. Seems that basketball is more popular than little old Nurse Talk. How can this be? Is it that much fun to listen to a basketball game on the radio? Not getting it. BUT never fear you can always listen to the live stream online at www.green960.com, even when we are not on the air. You can listen to the show by going to our NurseTalkSite.com or iTunes too. So glad there are no basketball fans in Boston!We have a great show in store for you this week. Twirling babies, suntan beds in Russian prisons and quite literally a “train-wreck” start us off.

But lets get serious. In our ongoing series featuring topics from National Nurse Magazine, Casey and Dan talk with Nurse Practitioner Lauri Hoagland. Lauri is a Family Nurse Practitioner and Quality Liaison at Kaiser Napa, and serves on the California Nurses Association Board of Directors. Lauri talks about National Nurses United’s RNRN, the Registered Nurse Response Network and a program called Continuing Promise. Lauri was was deployed in Costa Rica through the program and with other nurses provided care to hundreds of patients a day. We could all use some good news and this program falls into that category.

Appearing in December’s National Nurse magazine, Brooke Casipit, Mandi Howard, Lauri Hoagland, and Tara Rynders share a rare moment of rest on board; the U.S.S. Iwo Jima, where RNRN volunteers lived and worked.

Lynn Ruth Miller

And grab your ear muffs…our friend and comedian Lynn Ruth Miller is in the house. We never know what Lynn Ruth is going to talk about and we never know how to get her back to Earth once she starts. Always funny and definitely inspirational.Square Needle, Phobia, email questions and some things in between.Do you know the difference between a viral and bacterial infection? Find out. Sounds easy doesn’t it? It may be, and it may not…

You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Guest: DeAnn McEwen

Our good friend RN DeAnn McEwen joins us. DeAnn is an ICU nurse at Long Beach Medical Center and a member of the CNA/NNU Council of Presidents. She shares with us her view of “Obamacare” and why it is not the bill those of us who wanted single payer health care for all would have chosen.

Why single payer? DeAnn says, “If an RN believes in the premise that all persons have the right to access basic health care, and to be treated with respect and dignity, then his or her behavior will be more likely to be congruent with this belief.” What’s next for health care? Listen and find out.

My Heavens! When the moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with mars then peace will guide the planets and love will see the stars! WELL NOT ANY MORE! Thanks to an overactive galactic phenom called “precession”…everything has changed.

Dan's New Sign

Well not everything…just our astrological signs. Dan shows up to the show a former Cancer and he claims he’s now a two-door full-throttle Scorpio. WHO ARE YOU NOW BABY?!

DeAnn McEwen, RN

Hey, we have a great show coming up. Our good friend RN DeAnn McEwen joins us. DeAnn is an ICU nurse at Long Beach Medical Center and a member of the CNA/NNU Council of Presidents. She shares with us her view of “Obamacare” and why it is not the bill those of us who wanted single payer health care for all would have chosen.

Why single payer? DeAnn says, “If an RN believes in the premise that all persons have the right to access basic health care, and to be treated with respect and dignity, then his or her behavior will be more likely to be congruent with this belief.” What’s next for health care? Listen and find out.AND it’s time to make someone out there laugh! Casey and Dan make random acts of kindness look better all the time. They reach out and touch some folks to see if they might share a laugh. Some do…..and some? Not so much.

And just to remind our friends and listeners out there…the 2011 uninsured death toll for California is 121 for the U.S. 1,287.

Guest: Barbara Tiller

Our nurses visit with Massachusetts RN Barbara Tiller. Barbara works at Tufts Medical Center and is chair of the Massachusetts Nurses Association’s local bargaining unit. Barbara will share with us some disturbing facts about two hospitals in her area, (Tufts and St. Vincent’s) that have become poster children for worst practices by hospital administrators to cut costs and boost profits by failing to provide appropriate nurse staffing. There have been over 800 unsafe staffing reports filed against one hospital alone.

Casey and Dan open the show by announcing the 2011 uninsured death tolls for California and the U.S…95 for the state and 800 and counting for the nation. Do read more about this on our blog.

AND in an attempt to share more medical knowledge with their listeners—Casey decides they should read from the Physicians Desk Reference…you know…like the Republicans read the Constitution the first day of the congressional session.Later in the show, our nurses visit with Massachusetts RN Barbara Tiller. Barbara works at Tufts Medical Center and is chair of the Massachusetts Nurses Association‘s local bargaining unit. Barbara will share with us some disturbing facts about two hospitals in her area, (Tufts and St. Vincents) that have become poster children for worst practices by hospital administrators to cut costs and boost profits by failing to provide appropriate nurse staffing. There have been over 800 unsafe staffing reports filed against one hospital alone.

A moving story by Linda and Tony Cole

And an inspiring conversation with Linda and Tony Cole who have written a book called Resurrecting Anthony: A True Story of Courage & Destination. They wrote the book about their son Anthony. When Anthony was 12 years old he was at school and out for recess when he said to a friend, “I have no pulse” and then collapsed on the playground. It took paramedics 13 tries to bring him back to life. Now 23, Anthony lives with a brain injury and Tony and Linda have written about it. You won’t want to miss the remarkable story of courage.

And of course the same old craziness from our hosts, Square Needle, Phobia of the Week and lots in between.You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Guest: Gwen Collins

Casey and Dan talk with Florida RN Gwen Collins.Gwen sits on the National Nurses Organizing Committee’s State Leadership Council. She is a tireless advocate for patients and nurses alike and is working hard in he hospital community and he community at large to introduce and pass RN Patient Ratio legislation. Don’t miss the upbeat chat about how we can all effect change.

Happy New Year to all and to all a good night? Well that doesn’t make too much sense now does it?

Sexy 1994 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme S Coupe’s significance becomes clear on the show this week.

What happened to Casey’s poor aunt Sylvia? Listen and find out. An old friend of Nurse Talk calls to check in…oh boy she never disappoints…who could it be?Casey and Dan chat about 2010 and Casey shares that if she could pick a song that reflects last year it would be “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Hmmm? Great show this week.Florida RN Gwen Collins checks in with us to talk about her efforts to protect her patients and how she is educating her community on the importance of RN-to-patient ratios. It’s not just a nursing issue. It is an issue that has an impact on all of us.

Author Susan Shapiro Barash with Her Daughters, Jennie and Elizabeth

And later, we talk with author Susan Shapiro Barash. Susan is the author of the best seller, Toxic Friends: The Antidote for Women Stuck in Complicated Friendships. She has written a new book called, You’re Grounded Forever…But First, Let’s Go Shopping: The Challenges Mothers Face with Their Daughters and Ten Timely Solutions. Are we raising monsters? Why do mothers feel like they need to be friends with their daughters? Get the answers and check out Susan’s book at www.nursetalksite.com.Join us for all the fun.You can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Health care is a right not a privilege. 2011 Uninsured Death Toll in CA: 63 | in US: 533. Remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Hunting from a recliner? No, it’s not Sarah Palin but it’s a great story. Tune in as Casey and Dan talk about this and much more.Joining us is Minnesota RN Jean Ross. Jean is one of three co-presidents for National Nurses United and has been an RN for over 30 years. Checking in about national issues from single payer healthcare to the proposed Medicaid and Social Security cuts. With over 160k members National Nurses United is a powerful political force on the national political scene.

And later…we host an incredible woman, Dr. Yvonne S. Thornton, author of the best selling book, The Ditchdigger’s Daughters. Dr. Thornton has just finished her second book, Something to Prove, A daughter’s legacy to fulfill a father’s legacy. When she was a little girl her father had a dream that all five of his daughters would be doctors. He knew that would not happen if they stayed in the housing projects so he moved the family to a different state and the rest of the story you won’t believe! Oh, how about five doctors in the family? Try four and one nurse. This is a story that you will hear and be clear that anything is possible!

Plus, the usual shenanigans and a lot in between. Happy holidays and thank you all for being our friends and supporters!

Guest: Jean Ross

Joining us is Minnesota RN Jean Ross. Jean is one of three co-presidents for National Nurses United and has been an RN for over 30 years. Checking in about national issues from single payer health care to the proposed Medicaid and Social Security cuts. With over 160k members National Nurses United is a powerful political force on the national political scene.

Guest: Mary Michelucci

This show was originally broadcast August 29, 2010 but it was so good, we’re going to play it again. Casey and Dan visit with Mary Michelucci, an RN from San Francisco’s St. Luke’s Hospital. The hospital has been under fire for discriminatory hiring practices. This is yet another issue that has plagued the hospital since Sutter Health took it over.

This show was originally broadcast August 29, 2010 but it was so good, we’re going to play it again. Dan’s back from Disneyland and updates us on the new and improved “It’s a Small World” ride. Anyone who has ever been to Disneyland knows just how annoying this ride was. Get ready—Danny boy says it’s even worse now—but hey, don’t tell your kids.Casey and Dan visit with an RN from San Francisco’s St. Luke’s Hospital. The hospital has been under fire for discriminatory hiring practices. This is yet another issue that has plagued the hospital since Sutter Health took it over.

Later in the show we visit with RN consultant and inspirational speaker Terri Tate. Terri introduces a very sensitive topic known as “lateral violence,” or nurse-on-nurse violence. Its a very sensitive topic and this is an interesting and important conversation you won’t want to miss. Join us!

Terri Tate in an interview for BlogHer on Humor and Healing

Happy Holidays to you and yours…Remember you can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com.

You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Until next time remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Guest: Karen Higgins

Casey and Dan have a great conversation with our friend RN Karen Higgins about the recommendations that came from the President’s Debt Reduction Panel. What Karen has to say is shocking, at the very least, and should make all of us stand up and take note. We are NOT in the business of spreading fear but we do want to shine the light on the continued assaults on the working class in our country. If you are a nurse—can you imagine working in the ICU or any other department in a hospital when you are 69 or 70? Think of what it takes to get through your shift now—when you are still physically strong—add a few years and who’s lifting who?

“Oh my there is so much happening in the news these days Dan,” says Casey. Dan responds with “lets see if we can RAP IT ALL UP Casey.” Well, you have to check it out..they do indeed RAP IT UP.

Obamacare, don’t you dare,touch my junk, its not fair,pat downs, radiation,don’t ask…don’t tell,debt panels, medicare,social security go to hell,unemployment, that’s OKbut don’t take my tax cuts away,people, people where does it go?the republicans got it…JUST SAY NO!

But, on to the real stuff. Casey and Dan have a great conversation with our friend RN Karen Higgins about the recommendations that came from the President’s Debt Reduction Panel. What Karen has to say is shocking, at the very least, and should make all of us stand up and take note. We are NOT in the business of spreading fear but we do want to shine the light on the continued assaults on the working class in our country. If you are a nurse—can you imagine working in the ICU or any other department in a hospital when you are 69 or 70? Think of what it takes to get through your shift now—when you are still physically strong—add a few years and who’s lifting who?

Brace yourselves! Karyn Buxman is in the house. Karyn is an RN, MSN, and publisher of the Journal of Nursing Jocularity, a humor magazine for RNs. She is also the current president of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor conference. If you are allergic to laughter…don’t say we didn’t warn you!Coming up in the next several weeks all new interviews, a new segment by our friend and funny lady Lynn Ruth Miller and of course we continue to thank you our listeners and supporters. Have a very happy holiday season!

Guest: Mary McGibbon

On Nurse Talk this week an encore of Casey’s visit with Minnesota RN Mary McGibbon talking about Minnesota’s nurses strike, the largest strike of its kind in U.S. history. It was all about the ability to treat all patients with safety and good care as the number one priority.

To Our Listeners, Supporters, Friends and Families…..We wish to thank you all for listening, laughing, and helping us make this dream a reality. Happy Holidays!

Thanks making our hamming it up possible.

Coming Up on Nurse Talk this week, the best of the best, an encore of Casey’s visit with Minnesota RN Mary McGibbon talking about Minnesota’s nurses strike, the largest strike of its kind in U.S. history. It was all about the ability to treat all patients with safety and good care as the number one priority.

AND GENTLEMEN START YOUR ENGINES because we have an absolutely-must-listen interview about prostate cancer on the show. Casey talks with Dr. Arthur L. Burnett and Norman S. Morris. They have co-written a book called Prostate Cancer Survivors Speak Their Minds with advice on options, treatments and aftereffects. Dr. Burnett is Director of Male Consultation Clinics for Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and Norman S. Morris is an Emmy-award winning journalist and a prostate cancer survivor.In the coming weeks, Casey and Dan visit with our friend Marsha Podd, aka the Baby Whisperer, and Comedian Lynn Ruth Miller starts her new segment called “In My Day”, oh you won’t want to miss it…I’d describe it for you, but suffice it to say…hearing it firsthand is much better.

Lynn Ruth Miller

Watch for Nurse Talk listener parties in your location…Remember you can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too. Until next time remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Guests: DeAnn McEwen and Martha Kuhl

RNs DeAnn McEwen and Martha Kuhl talk about the tragic murder of RN Cynthia Palomata. Cynthia was murdered by a patient while she was on duty. Unfortunately workplace violence is on the rise in hospitals and other health care facilities.

Casey and Dan talk about Dan’s bout with the “brown recluse” family in his garage. Funny lady Lynn Ruth Miller stops by the studio and gives tips on how to get through the holidays—starting with how to avoid getting arrested while going through security at the airport.

BurGranny – Portrait – 1/2 from Joan Tilouine on Vimeo.

Cynthia B. Palomata

On a more serious note RNs DeAnn McEwen and Martha Kuhl talk about the tragic murder of RN Cynthia Palomata. Cynthia was murdered by a patient while she was on duty. Unfortunately workplace violence is on the rise in hospitals and other health care facilities. This tragedy has brought about the critical need for workplace policies and legislation that will prevent and protect workers from ever having to be victimized by this growing epidemic.A trust account has been set up for Cynthia’s family.Cynthia B. Palomata Trust FundRedwood Credit UnionSan Rafael Branch209 3rd Street San Rafael, CA 94901-3546(415) 457-4612Routing #321177586Account #356859

Don’t forget, you can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

Guest: Kathy Carder

Casey and Dan talk to RN Kathy Carder about earthquake safety (or the lack thereof) in hospitals. Kathy resides in Venice, California and is a nursing practice representative for Cal Nurses.

Encore, Encore! For this week’s show we are rewinding a show originally broadcast in August because it was so “moving”…There’s a whole lotta shakin’ going on! Casey and Dan talk to RN Kathy Carder about earthquake safety (or the lack thereof) in hospitals. Kathy resides in Venice, California and is a nursing practice representative for Cal Nurses. She explains that there are literally hundreds of California hospitals that were built in the 1950s (and some before that) that are at extreme risk when another large earthquake hits. NOW, PLEASE DO NOT PUT OFF THOSE SCHEDULED SURGERIES BECAUSE YOU ARE NOW MORE AFRAID OF AN EARTHQUAKE WHILE YOU ARE IN THE HOSPITAL…do listen to what Kathy has to say and then take action by calling your local representatives to help hospitals see the light.AND she’s back! Our friend Dr. Nieca Goldberg, the author of the best selling book, The Complete Guide To Women’s Health. The good doctor has some great advice on what you should do before taking you vacation. YES—we’re talking to you. Dr. Goldberg says you would be shocked to find out how people suffer from a lapse of common sense prior to and during their vacations when it comes to their health and well being. Check it out it’s really good advice as you embark on holiday trips.

Don’t forget, you can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

Guest: Donna Smith

Casey and Dan rap with Donna Smith about the midterm elections. What now? What later? What is the future of health care reform and what can we do to keep the drum beating for single payer health-care? It looks as if it will happen state by state not on a national level.

Casey and Dan rap with Donna Smith about the midterm elections. What now? What later? What is the future of health care reform and what can we do to keep the drum beating for single payer health-care? It looks as if it will happen state by state not on a national level. We at Nurse Talk support health care for all as a right not a privilege.

AND please listen to Whiz Kid Cameron Harris. Cameron has been on Nurse Talk before and he is an amazing guy. When he was 8 he was diagnosed with Type I Diabetes. Fast forward 8 years and here he is with his own national podcast show called In Range. Cameron shares tips about how to manage the disease, and not let it manage you. You can find Cameron’s podcast empire at www.harwoodpodcast.com.What ever happened to Haiti? That’s what we want to know. In the coming weeks we’ll have an update. What happened to the billions of dollars in pledges? The hundreds of thousands of volunteers? Answer: Not sure…but we will find the people who can tell us. Stay tuned.The holidays are coming up…you will be with friends and family…don’t forget to add laughter to the recipes!

RN Rita Batchley talks about her career as a labor and delivery nurse in a southern California public sector hospital. Rita has also written a book called Labor Pains, an inspirational book for all nurses about authentic power and finding your true purpose. A very interesting perspective on connecting with your “inner nurse,” health care reform and social change.

Casey and Dan talk with a delightful woman named Judith Stark Frost, a second grade school teacher for over 30 years. Judith’s very funny book Priceless Proverbs From the Tongue of the Young, shows how funny kids can be without even knowing it!

Later in the show RN Rita Batchley talks about her career as a labor and delivery nurse in a southern California public sector hospital, and her new book, Labor Pains.

Guest: Queen Meg

Nurse Talk : November 3, 2010 : CNA/MNA Segment Queen Meg Farewell TourSunday, October 31, 2010 10:00 AMCount down to election 2010! And Casey and Dan catch up with Queen Meg in her big ol’ bus—traveling up and down the roads of the great state of California. Queen Meg (as many of you know) has a wicked platform that includes abolishing the Department of Education, enforced “vacation” time for citizens…as in “pink slips” (and that’s not the kind you wear), no new taxes (for the wealthy), no capital gains, or weight gains—and no hiring of undocumented workers…PLEEEEEZE!  The polls show Jerry Brown running 10 points ahead of Ms. Whitman, so here’s hoping she gets her campaign “pink slip!”

Hey Macarena, Macarena, Macarena…well this very tune causes a big disruption in the studio this week and our hosts are not amused…you might not be either…Coming Up…Count down to election 2010! And Casey and Dan catch up with Queen Meg in her big ol’ bus—traveling up and down the roads of the great state of California. Queen Meg (as many of you know) has a wicked platform that includes abolishing the Department of Education, enforced “vacation” time for citizens…as in “pink slips” (and that’s not the kind you wear), no new taxes (for the wealthy), no capital gains, or weight gains—and no hiring of undocumented workers…PLEEEEEZE!The polls show Jerry Brown running 10 points ahead of Ms. Whitman, so here’s hoping she gets her campaign “pink slip!”Then, Casey and Dan have some fun with guest Ellen Kagan. Ellen, who lives in beautiful Cape Cod, is a woman of many talents, including her latest endeavor, Ellen In Medicaland, a book that she is just finishing up. The book and blog, http://www.elleninmedicaland.blogspot.com, are great reads and tell the story of an unbelievable trail of medical mishaps.

Ellen Kagan author of Ellen in Medicaland

Ellen herself was once improperly diagnosed with terminal cancer. The diagnosis came from a very high profile teaching hospital that she names. Her advice to everyone who gets ill and counts on their medical professionals to properly treat you…”make sure you have an advocate with you, make sure you get second opinions, make sure you ask questions and get answers.” Please understand she is not bashing the medical profession—she is simply giving an account of what happened to her and uses it as a word of caution to others.AND coming up in the next few weeks, our wiz kid Cameron Harris with his podcast series, In Range, tips on how to live a healthy life with Type 1 diabetes, a heartbreaking conversation about gay teen suicide and how families can find help, National Nurses United growing and fighting for patient safety across the country and much more…Don’t forget you can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream atwww.green960.com.A big thank you to CNA, NNU and MNA for their support of Nurse Talk.You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes.Until next time remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Guest: Andrew McGuire

This week we host Andrew McGuire. Andrew is the creator of the California One Care Campaign. The campaign is simple, single payer health care for all Californians. This discussion takes us back to the good old days when many of us thought nationwide single payer health care was a possibility. You won’t want to miss this discussion. This segment was originally aired September 19, 2010.

This week’s show is an encore presentation originally aired September 19, 2010 featuring Andrew McGuire and Deborah Burger.Andrew is the creator of the California OneCare Campaign. The campaign is simple, single payer health care for all Californians. This discussion takes us back to the good old days when many of us thought nationwide single payer health care was a possibility. You won’t want to miss this discussion.Dan and Casey try to figure out if they want to join the TEA PARTY or simply have one. It might have to be the latter because there’s enough confusion to go around. Dan thinks its an all-girls club and Casey thinks they’re “too radical!” Now that’s a twist…RN Deborah Burger, one of the three National Nurses United co-presidents joins us. She will enlighten us about all kinds of issues that affect all of us…not just nurses and health care workers. On that note, what ever happened to “health care reform?”More to come…..next week we shall visit Queen Meg as she travels the state of California on her last ditch (we certainly don’t wish that on her) effort to win the governor’s seat. Oh if there is an election god….we’ll pay to pray if we have to!

Also in the coming weeks we will have a panel discussion about gay teen suicide and what resources are available to help teens and their parents. And we’ll talk with Cameron Harris our wiz kid from “In Range.” Cameron has type one diabetes and rather than sit back and let it have him–he took it on as a challenge to be shared with others—he created a podcast network and his show “In Range” gives helpful information and advice to others with type one diabetes. Check it out.

Don’t forget you can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com.You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes.

Until next time remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Guest: Donna Smith

There is always interesting news from our friend Donna Smith. Donna brings some reality to all the myth we hear coming out of D.C. She chats with Casey and Dan about her campaign work in Nevada, the new components of the health care bill that are being rolled out, the need for SINGLE PAYER health care now more that ever, and what’s at stake in the upcoming elections.

Eisenhower, Nixon, Ferraro, Clinton, Palin, Angle, O’Donnell……we’ll hear from all of them on the show coming up…really! Oh dear lord…if you don’t believe in evolution this might just make you change your mind! Evolution, as in the caliber of our candidates running for higher office. Oh, a moment of silence for us all…please.SKELETONS are popping out of gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman’s closet in a HILARIOUSLY HAUNTED LATIN-STYLE MUSIC VIDEO written and directed by Oakland recording artist/activist COLETTE WASHIGNTON as a special presentation for the California Nurses Association. Watch this video and pass it along!BUT hey there is always interesting news from our friend Donna Smith. Donna brings some reality to all the myth we hear coming out of D.C. She chats with Casey and Dan about her campaign work in Nevada, the new components of the health care bill that are being rolled out, the need for SINGLE PAYER health care now more that ever, and what’s at stake in the upcoming elections.

AND we’ll check in with nursing student Laura Ricci. Laura will graduate this December from University of San Francisco. She talks about what her challenges have been and how much she loves her chosen profession. What’s next for her? Finding a job.And of course the usual noise, news, Square Needle, email questions, Phobia of the Week and anything in between…Hello to all our listeners in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com.

You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com oron iTunes.

Until next time remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

Guest: Linda Carter

This week we visit with RN Linda Carter. Linda works in Augusta, Georgia for the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center. It seems the hospital has an 8 million dollar shortfall so they are not replacing much needed RN positions and increasing work hours for the RN staff. Without mandated safe nurse-to-patient ratios, this practice will not only continue where its already been implemented, but other medical centers will follow. This cannot happen! Recent studies have shown what nurses have already known–that nurse patient ratios save lives!

Casey and Dan continue the discussion about California gubernatorial investor—oh sorry—candidate, Meg Whitman and the legendary country singer Slim Whitman. The facts are in and they are indeed sixth cousins.When reached for comment Whitman (Slim) had this to say, “Pray for me. I’ve tried to keep this a secret for many years. I’m just glad I’m 89 and off the circuit. If not, this news would have killed my career.” Ms. Whitman could not be reached for comment.AND ON TO something of greater importance. This week we visit with RN Linda Carter. Linda works in Augusta, Georgia for the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center. It seems the hospital has an 8 million dollar shortfall so they are not replacing much needed RN positions and increasing work hours for the RN staff.

This formula is unfortunately, the “practice” in many hospitals around the country. Without mandated safe nurse patient ratios, this practice will not only continue where its already been implemented, but other medical centers will follow. This cannot happen! Recent studies have shown what nurses have already known–that nurse patient ratios save lives. Listen to Linda–its a great conversation.And of course we feel like a little laughter so Casey and Dan do “Is Anybody Out There Laughing?” Find out—some people are—and some people aren’t.Guess the Phobia of the Week and hang with us while we read some email questions and hear some phone calls. Plus, a call from an old (and we mean old) friend.You can listen…to Nurse Talk in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com.

You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes.

Until next time remember “laughter is the best medicine!”

This week Casey and Dan talk with Boston RN Karen Higgins. Karen is also one of National Nurses United co-presidents and is past president of Massachusetts Nurses Association. Karen talks about the importance of local and national activism and organizing. As components of the new health care reform bill are rolled out hospitals are making cuts and greater demands on RNs in order to continue to increase profits.

Boston RN Karen Higgins joins Casey and Dan to discuss the continuing need for single payer health care in our country, urgency regarding nurse-patient ratios and other important issues that affect all of us.

Karen is past president of Massachusetts Nurses Association and one of three co-presidents for National Nurses United.

We also get some great advice about taking care of your parents or other elderly loved ones from Kira Reginato, president of Living Ideas for Elders and host of her own radio show on KSRO, The Elder Care Show in Santa Rosa, California.

Guest: Deborah Burger

This week Casey and Dan visit with RN Deborah Burger. Deborah is one of three NNU co-presidents and speaks on behalf of over 150k members. The discussion includes the importance of the upcoming election, national organizing, issues and much more.

Are Slim Whitman (the country singer) and Meg Whitman related? Well you might think that’s just a spoof or not true. You would be wrong. This week Nurse Talk invested $110.00 to hire a “family tree” consultant to follow the Whitman roots. It turns out indeed the Whitmans are sixth cousins. Neither has acknowledged being related but then again we don’t think anyone except us really even gave it a second thought. Stay with us as this story develops.

We have a great show this week, RN Deborah Burger is with us talking about everything from politics to national issues that impact all of our lives. Deborah is one of three co-presidents of National Nurses United. She has been a nurse for 37 years and an advocate for thousands. We always love to have her with us.Also Dr. Allan Bernstein shares with us information about the importance of early Alzheimer’s studies and treatment.And of course the usual Casey and Dan talking amongst themselves.

Just a reminder to check out Cal One Care, the campaign for single payer healthcare for all Californians. We can do this! www.calonecare.orgYou can listen…to Nurse Talk every Sunday at 2PM PST on Green 960AM in the San Francisco Bay area or live stream at www.green960.com. Coming to you in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am and live stream at www.wwzn.com.

You can also download and listen anytime at www.NurseTalkSite.com andwww.TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes.

Until next time remember “laughter is the best medicine!”
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Guest: Andrew McGuire

This week we host Andrew McGuire. Andrew is the creator of the California One Care  Campaign. The campaign is simple, single payer healthcare for all Californians. This discussion takes us back to the good old days when many of us thought nationwide single payer healthcare was a possibility. You won’t want to miss this discussion.

Its back to school! We have no idea why we started with that because it has nothing to do with  he show coming up but it does fit in with the season. Hey…we do have a great show coming up.

This week we host Andrew McGuire. Andrew is the creator of the California One Care Campaign. The campaign is simple, single payer health care for all Californians. This discussion takes us back to the good old days when many of us thought nationwide single payer health care was a possibility. You won’t want to miss this discussion.Dan and Casey try to figure out if they want to join the TEA PARTY or simply have one. It might have to be the latter because there’s enough confusion to go around. Dan thinks its an all girls club and Casey thinks they’re “too radical!” Now that’s a twist…RN Deborah Burger, one of the three National Nurses United co-presidents joins us. She will enlighten us about all kinds of issues that affect all of us…not just the nurses and health care workers. On that note, what ever happened to “health care reform?”Casey tells Dan to unpack his luggage. He thought he was actually going to Boston next week…rather than just broadcasting there. Hope they’re ready for us.Lots of new shows throughout the coming season. If you would like to join us in our studio for a live taping of the show on October 16th..please email us at pattie@nursetalksite.com or call 415-515-8318. We only have space for ten–so hurry scurry. I guarantee you it will be entertaining. Hot cross buns and coffee!You can listen…to Nurse Talk every Sunday at 2PM PST on Green 960AM in the San Francisco Bay area or live stream at green960.com. Coming to you in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 AM EST and live stream at wwzn.com.

You can also download and listen anytime at NurseTalkSite.com and www.TheRadioFactory.com or on iTunes.

Until next time remember “laughter is the best medicine!”
Listen to this show

Guest: Kay McVay

Casey Hobbs, RN, Host of Nurse Talk, will talk with Kay McVay. Kay is a retired RN who shares her story about a not-so-blissfyl retirement. Kay was the type of nurse who once insisted on riding along in the ambulance with a patient with a heart condition to make sure he got the care he needed. “I’m going to make sure this patient gets to the hospital and they treat him–not turn him away.” Kay retired in 1995 just seven short years before her hospital established retirement benefits for nurses. She served as a past president for California Nurses Association and continues to work with the organization as President Emeritus. (This segment originally aired February 7, 2010)

Guest: Mary Michelucci

Casey and Dan visit with Mary Michelucci from San Francisco’s St. Lukes Hospital. The hospital has recently been under fire for discriminatory hiring practices. This is yet another issue that has plagued the hospital since Sutter Health took it over.