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.

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!

Happy holidays to you all. We are rewinding one of our best this week while 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?

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.

And later Casey laments that the summer is passing before her very own eyes and she hasn’t done half (if any) of what she wanted to do. One of her secret wishes is to have Dan give her a surfing lesson! Yes, that’s right, a surfing lesson. The trouble starts here!!

New York Times best-selling author Steve Berry joins us to talk about his philanthropic passion of history and his fascinating new book The Jefferson Key. Not only is this author of #1 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. He and his wife, Elizabeth, founded History Matters in 2010, a nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding the preservation of the fragile reminders of our nation’s heritage. This is a great story–all of it!

In the coming weeks…one of our favorite guests…RN Marsha Podd, aka The Baby Whisperer…and author of Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich.

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.

Don’t forget, “laughter is the best medicine!”

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.

Our Nurse Talk laughter survey checks out hair salons to see who is laughing and who ISNT! Oh this is fun! After this little experiment…we think people might be a little too serious on the job!

Michigan RN Katie Oppenheim talks about significant 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.

You remember the Soup Nazi don’t you?

Casey and Dan share some nurse fashion don’ts! High-waters. Yes or No? Wearing a size 12 when you need an 18? Perfectly acceptable or absolutely not? Stains on scrubs. No big deal or yes, BIG deal?

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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!”

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!”

Coming up on the Show…What happens in Vegas doesn’t necessarily stay in Vegas...A volunteer extraordinaire visits the studio… What’s happening to our Main Streets?…An anonymous email question leads the nurses to believe they may have a celebrity on the other end of the cyber-line.

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!

RN, BSN Susan Dean

And Kaiser RN, BSN Susan Dean joins us in the studio. Susan is not only an amazing nurse but she is an extraordinary volunteer. 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).

And stick around for an anonymous email question from someone who doesn’t like the show but has nowhere else to turn for medical advice!

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!

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

COMING Up…our friend and Capitol Hill correspondent Donna Smith (legislative organizer for National Nurses United) talks about “Who’s Your Doctor’s Daddy?” Healthcare giants buying up hospitals is not new…but they’re also buying up the doctors. Now this in and of itself doesn’t seem to surprising…but Donna tells us the reasons all of this is disturbing, confusing and something everyone should know about. 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.

RN, MBA Patricia Raya and Corine Mogenis

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. 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. Corine steps up with vital information during her conversation with Casey and Dan.

Plus all the other craziness…news, Square Needle Award, Phobia of the Week, and email questions. What’s the difference between a head cold and a chest cold? It may seem obvious but…Listen 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 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!”

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.

COMING UP…Yikes…Dan is away so comedian Lynn Ruth Miller sits in with nurse Casey and from there…we’re not sure what happens!

These days it seems like everything can be a musical, Menopause The Musical, Rocker Chics The Musical, Book Of Morman The Musical, Foreclosure The Musical. Well look out because here comes Assisted Living The Musical. That’s right and we talk to the creators of the show Rick Compton and Betsy Bennett. Assisted Living is the show that asks the question…the question…what was the question? Rick and Betsy opened the show this week in San Francisco. Check it out at www.assistedlivingthemusical.com.

Why are nurses marching on Wall Street? Isn’t that a bit far from a hospital?

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.

And later in the show we visit with Wayne Cooke. Wayne has written a book called On The Far Side Of The Curve. Wayne is eight years away from his diagnosis and just returned from a trip to Hong Kong to see his new grandson. It’s good to be alive! Listen while Wayne gives a very down to earth account of his journey.

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!”

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

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