Karen Higgins

Oh my, what a lively discussion! A recent Census Report shows the average male nurse earns almost $10,000 a year more than the average female nurse. Although 90% of registered nurses in America are women, they don’t think of male nurses as underdogs. But who better to discuss the topic than Shayne and Casey! Luckily we bring some sanity to the conversation with Boston RN and NNU Co-President, Karen Higgins.

Betty Sparks in Haiti during Earthquake Relief.

RN Betty Sparks joins us. RN Betty Sparks joins us. Betty is a nurse at Newton Wellesley Hospital and is trained to provide care and treatment in the wake of all types of disasters.

Betty, who was on the ground to help victims after Hurricane Katrina and in Haiti after the devastating earthquake, was working at the medical tent at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. She was there to respond and care for the victims when the bombs exploded. She is trained to do this and she has seen horrific scenes before, but this time it was different; she knew her son was at the finish line with a camera getting ready to photograph her daughter-in-law as she finished the race. Betty is with us to share what it was like to be at the horrific scene.

Image courtesy of Businesswire

Ahhhh, technology! It’s a very good thing, but when are we going too far? Should ROBOTS replace doctors and nurses? Can they diagnose and treat patients? Well it’s already happening in some hospitals. Get the good, the bad, and the ugly on this emerging trend when Casey and Shayne visit with National Nurses United RN Deborah Burger.

Also, Jean Ross, recaps on the importance of the Inclusive Prosperity Act and reports back on the SEA OF RED SCRUBS march.  

Rep. Keith Ellison and Jean Ross

You’ve heard us beating this drum for at least 18 months…The Robin Hood Tax makes so much sense it is hard to argue against it. But game on, as there are corporate interests (i.e. Wall Street) who have bought some “blinders” to help our elected officials to ignore it. Here’s how simple it is: a small tax (less than half of 1%) on speed trades—you know the million-trades-per-minute trades—could raise billions for healthcare, education, and infrastructure. It’s not hard, it works, eleven of the European Union Countries have adopted it, the U.S. used to have a transaction tax – and it worked – and lastly, before I have to take a breath, check out the facts at www.robinhoodtax.org.

Our guest, RN and Director of Government Relations for CNA, Bonnie Castillo will talk about a new bill, AB 975 that aims to press California non-profit hospitals to fulfill their charity care obligation in exchange for the substantial public financing they receive through their tax-exempt status. It  passed its first hurdle last Tuesday in the California Assembly Health Committee, overcoming opposition from California’s biggest hospital corporations and its allies. The bill won broad support in the committee hearing from nurse members of the California Nurses Association who attended the hearing in a sea of red scrubs.

The statistics regarding back injuries are frightening! Approximately 80% of adults are expected to experience back injuries in their lifetime with 10% re-injuring! When it comes to health care professionals, the facts get are even worse.

According to national statistics, six of the top 10 professions at greatest risk for back injury are nurse’s aides, licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, health aides, radiology technicians, and physical therapists. Healthcare industry workers sustain 4.5 times more overexertion injuries than any other type of worker.

Well, registered nurses from hospitals in Kansas City and St. Louis, members of National Nurses Organizing Committee (NNOC), with the help of their state legislators, recently introduced HB 856 - the Safe Lift Bill. Sounds like a no brainer right? Listen and find out how challenging it was to get this bill introduced. Trust us – this is important even if it isn’t a sexy topic. The next time you are in a hospital you want to make sure whoever is lifting or moving you doesn’t have a bad back. That could lead to – well – you may end up on the floor on top of a nurse!

Donna Smith last summer with National Nurses United’s Medicare for All bus tour.

This week one of our good friends returns to Nurse Talk to talk about her new project, Healthcare for All Colorado. None other than Donna Smith is with. Donna as most of our listeners know, worked for five years as National Nurses United Legislative Advocate based in D.C. She just returned to her home state of Colorado and now serves as the Executive Director of Healthcare for All Colorado.

Having (successfully) gone through two bouts of cancer, Donna has great advice on how to make your insurance company accountable–at least to some degree. In her new role she will do what she has done for many years, advocate and educate people about what can be done to access healthcare and to eventually change the current system to a nationwide universal healthcare system.

For more information about Healthcare for All Colorado and National Nurses United visit: healthcareforallcolorado.org and nationalnursesunited.org.

California State Capitol Building, Sacramento

We have with us Stephanie Roberson the lead lobbyist for CNA working in the Governmental Relations department in Sacramento, Calif. Stephanie has been working with the nurses since 2007.

Donna Smith last summer with National Nurses United’s Medicare for All bus tour.

This week one of our good friends returns to Nurse Talk to talk about her new project, Healthcare for All Colorado. None other than Donna Smith is with. Donna as most of our listeners know, worked for five years as National Nurses United Legislative Advocate based in D.C. She just returned to her home state of Colorado and now serves as the Executive Director of Healthcare for All Colorado.

Having (successfully) gone through two bouts of cancer, Donna has great advice on how to make your insurance company accountable–at least to some degree. In her new role she will do what she has done for many years, advocate and educate people about what can be done to access healthcare and to eventually change the current system to a nationwide universal healthcare system.

For more information about Healthcare for All Colorado and National Nurses United visit: healthcareforallcolorado.org and nationalnursesunited.org.

RN Mary Fitzgerald of the New York State Nurses Association addresses the continued impact of Hurricane Sandy on health conditions. Photo by New York State Nurses Association on Facebook.

Donna Smith

One of our favorite people and one of the most energetic and fierce healthcare advocates on the planet, Donna Smith. Donna is a frequent guest on Nurse Talk and for good reason. Donna and her husband Larry were introduced to us in Michael Moore’s film SiCKO. In SiCKO, Larry and Donna tell their story of going from middle class to broke due to huge medical bills. Since then Donna has become a force to be reckoned with in her advocacy for healthcare for all.

Donna’s with us to clarify this Fiscal Cliff business and the implementation of Obamacare, Social Security and Medicare? And what’s in store for healthcare in 2013?

Ken talks with us about the recent announcement from the European Nations that 11 countries have signed on to a “financial transaction”tax, aka the Robin Hood Tax. The tax will raise billions of dollars by taxing financial transactions .50 per $100. Nurses in the U.S. have been on the leading edge of this concept and are making some headway here at home. Keep an open mind. If you listen to the simple details you might agree this is a very fair and doable measure.

Jeff Breslin

While the nation was watching Honey Boo Boo, the Governor of Michigan was pushing through a radical bill during a lame duck session. Governor Rick Snyder just signed the “right to work” law in the state of Michigan. A state that was built on the strength of labor unions. The state that worked with those unions and corporations to build a strong middle class. We discuss this sad day with Michigan RN and President of the Michigan Nurses Association, Jeff Breslin.

Donna Smith

One of our favorite people and one of the most energetic and fierce healthcare advocates on the planet, Donna Smith. Donna is a frequent guest on Nurse Talk and for good reason. Donna and her husband Larry were introduced to us in Michael Moore’s film SiCKO. In SiCKO, Larry and Donna tell their story of going from middle class to broke due to huge medical bills. Since then Donna has become a force to be reckoned with in her advocacy for healthcare for all.

Donna’s with us to clarify this Fiscal Cliff business and the implementation of Obamacare, Social Security and Medicare? And what’s in store for healthcare in 2013?

Those fighting the spread of fracking, nurses, doctors, nearby residents, and other environmental activists, are finding themselves at a severe disadvantage because they lack one critical thing: information. What every RN needs to know about fracking, and how they must fight back against the industry. We talk with Pennsylvania RN Patti Eakin.

This show was originally broadcast September 15, 2012.

Donna Smith

At the front of the fight on many of these issues was Donna Smith, NNU’s legislative and healthcare for all advocate. While Donna was literally marching on the streets for others she herself was once again diagnosed with cancer. After a bout with cancer in the mid 90′s that left Donna and her husband Larry broke — the cancer returned. Now it was her turn to fight once again for herself.

Deb Nault

We’ve got a visit with Deb Nault, RN, MS. Deb has more than 35 years of experience in women’s health care, including working as a certified nurse midwife in Michigan hospitals and as an adjunct faculty member at Michigan State University’s College of Nursing. She is currently director of nursing practice at the Michigan Nurses Association, the largest union for registered nurses in Michigan.

As is the case across the country—the stakes are high in Michigan this election cycle. Due to current Governor Rick Snyder’s slash and burn measures, working people in the state are standing up in support of Prop 2, an initiative that guarantees public and private workers the right to form unions and bargain collectively. Governor Snyder, like his conservative counterpart, Scott Walker in Wisconsin, continues to cut spending on the backs of the working middle class. That’s why the mighty Michigan Nurses Association has come out in support of Prop 2. For more information visit minurses.org.

In this show, a discussion on how they did that in Massachusetts. Originally aired June 23, 2102, you can listen to Massachusetts Nurses Association President RN Donna Kelly Williams talk about the Massachusetts State Legislature House & Senate versions of a health reform bill that would ban mandatory overtime. Donna and her street gang of nurses were on the state house steps to support their efforts. Some (non-nurses) may be asking… “Why should I care about this?” You don’t want a tired nurse—now do you? It’s time to take action in your state.

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!

Michael Lighty

Also—get ready for a little policy talk with California Nurses Association Director of Policy, Michael Lighty. Or—closer to the truth—get ready for some very disturbing facts and findings from a report that cites the huge profits hospitals are making by virtue of their non-profit status. Private not-for-profit hospitals, which dominate the California hospital landscape, rack up tax exemption benefits of close to $2 billion a year beyond what they return to communities in charity care, according to the report.

The study was just released by the Institute for Health and Socio-Economic Policy, the research arm of California Nurses Association and National Nurses United. You really won’t want to miss this conversation. You can read the report for yourself at www.calnurses.org.

It seems the California Hospital Association and United Healthcare West are pushing a proposal to allow all California hospitals to suspend compliance with the life-saving 2004 RN Patient Ratio law. Their excuse—California’s budget problems—even though the proposal would apply to private hospitals as well as public facilities, and despite the fact that California hospitals are making record profits—$4,463,827,667 in 2010 alone. Yes, that’s TRILLION. Learn more at nationalnursesunited.org.

from the Patient Advocate Desk—our friend and frequent guest RN and healthcare activist DeAnn McEwentalks about life-saving RN-Patient Ratios and what you need to know when you go to a hospital.

It seems the California Hospital Association and United Healthcare West are pushing a proposal to allow all California hospitals to suspend compliance with the life-saving 2004 RN Patient Ratio law. Their excuse—California’s budget problems—even though the proposal would apply to private hospitals as well as public facilities, and despite the fact that California hospitals are making record profits—$4,463,827,667 in 2010 alone. Yes, that’s TRILLION. Learn more at nationalnursesunited.org.

Volunteer Nurses and Donna by the Medicare For All Bus

Our good friend and D.C. Healthcare correspondent Donna Smith joins us from the road—on the National Nurses United Medicare For All bus tour. The bus pulled out of San Diego, CA last week with 22 stops along the way. The nurses are providing mobile blood pressure screenings, information about accessing health screenings and check-ups in their own towns and cities and about the Robin Hood Tax, (robinhoodtax.org). Good stuff peeps!!! Oh, and for anyone who thinks the Robin Hood Tax is a pipe dream…check out this article..13 European nations—led by Germany—are moving closer to signing onto this initiative.

Well, that’s really the sound of the nurses in Massachusetts working harder and faster—but not if the state legislature has anything to do with it.

Casey and Shayne visit with Massachusetts Nurses Association President RN Donna Kelly Williams about the Massachusetts State Legislature House & Senate versions of a health reform bill that would ban mandatory overtime. Donna and her street gang of nurses have literally been on the state house steps to support their efforts. Some may be asking…”Why should I care about this?” You don’t want a tired nurse—now do you?

• “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”

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.

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.

Check it out.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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 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.

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.

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!”

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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)

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.

Casey talks with Boston RNs Karen Coughlin and Linda Condon about the epidemic of Workplace Violence. Both Karen and Linda speak from personal and professional experience on this topic as they have both been victims of workplace assault. They are now on the front lines (supported by Massachusetts Nurses Association) fighting for legislation that will broaden the laws for those who assault nurses and other healthcare workers on the job. There is progress being made and the Governor of Massachusetts, Duval Patrick, just signed an Assault Protection law. For more information about Workplace Violence and what you can do to fight it in your hospital go to http://www.massnurses.org.

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 earlier that are at extreme risk when another large earthquake hits. NOW PLEASE DO NOT PUT OFF THOSE SCHEDULED SURGERIES BECAUSE YOU ARE  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.

Barbara Williams talks about the importance of being and staying active in the fight for patients rights and the rights of RNs and other health-care workers. She may be retired from her job—but she is still very actively advocating for a “single payer” insurance option for all. Yet another RN who has been on the front lines and knows how broken the current system is. HOWEVER…that does not keep her from being optimistic about true health care reform. (Originally aired October 25, 2009)

Our good friend Donna Smith from the National Nurses United D.C. office checks in with us on all things Capitol Hill. Donna is always a wealth of information and stresses the importance of the upcoming elections. One that stands out for us is the re-election of California Senator Barbara Boxer. Senator Boxer has been an outstanding friend and advocate for nurses in California as well as across the country.

An encore presentation of Casey’s interview with De Ann McEwen about a recent H1N1 Swine Flu policy issued by California Nurses Association and National Nurses Organizing Committee. De Ann is an RN and serves on the Board of Directors of CNA/NNOC. The policy deals with the medical practice guidelines. A very interesting discussion.

Hosts Casey and Dan look back on some of the guests and issues they have had the opportunity to share with Nurse Talk listeners. From Boston to San Francisco and many places in between. The issues are front and center for the nurses and with the advent of a National Union they are more empowered than ever— by the national support of their RN sisters and brothers!

COMING UP ON NURSE TALK—QUEEN MEG dishes with Nurse Talk hosts Dan and Casey about her tireless efforts to convince the nurses she is for them not against them. BUT…the real excitement starts with a near “mini riot” between Queen Meg and her sister Queen Pain. Some how Queen Pain got a phone line into the Nurse Talk studio and caused some upset with big sis QM. The scoop? Seems the shoving started a long time ago!  Check it out.

RN-To-Patient Staffing Laws Reduce Patient Mortality. Casey Hobbs, RN host, has a conversation with RN Trande Phillips about a major new study led by one of the nations most eminent nurse researchers. The study verifies what nurses have long known:  California’s landmark RN-to-patient staffing law saves lives. Trande has over 38 years of experience as an RN and serves on the Board of Directors for the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United.(Originally aired May 9, 2010.)

Casey and Dan visit with the California Nurses Association’s Beth Kean about the recent ruling by a Superior Court judge that stopped the walk-out of over 12,000 UC Medical Center RNs. The RNs have been trying to call attention to the fact that UC Medical Centers (most notably U.C. Davis in Sacramento) have not been complying with the California RN-to-Patient Ratio law.

RN Casey Hobbs talks with CNA’s Beth Kean about the current campaign by CNA to force University of California Medical Centers to comply with RN to patient staffing ratios. Six months ago Registered Nurses filed a complaint with the Department of Public Health regarding sweeping and pervasive patient care problems at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento and state officials have yet to act. A recent strike  against UC Medical Centers by over 12,000 nurses was blocked by a superior court judge…Beth talks about what is next.

Find out what happens in the absence of scheduled guest “Queen Meg.” Who is Queen Meg? She just happens to be trying to buy her way into the California Governor’s office. BUT due to a scheduling conflict QM had to cancel and her sister steps in. Insanity ensues!

Casey visits with Minnesota RN Mary McGibbon. Minnesota nurses just voted to strike last Wednesday. Over 12,000 nurses make this the largest strike of its kind in U.S. history. PLEASE—it’s not the money and benefits they are fighting over. It is the ability to treat all patients with safety and good care as the number one priority. I say this because I am learning a lot about nurses being advocates for patients. I am not a nurse but I have been a patient, and (God forbid) will probably be one again. I am thrilled that someone has my best interest at heart. Honestly!

A great conversation with D.C.-based nurse practitioner and activist Sandra Falwell. Sandra has been in the profession for 40 years and shares some AMAZING stories about the “good ol days” or not so “good ol days” when she was once asked to give up her chair for a doctor. This was after a 14-hour shift, 27 patients and 4 codes. Tune in for her answer to his question aka…DEMAND. (Originally aired February 21, 2010.)

Join Casey and Dan for a conversation with Keith Merrit, one of the RNs at Cypress-Fairbanks Hospital in Houston who recently voted to remain members of National Nurses Organizing Committee-Texas, the state’s affiliate of National Nurses United, the national union and professional association for RNs.

RN-To-Patient Staffing Laws Reduce Patient Mortality. Casey Hobbs, RN host, has a conversation with RN Trande Phillips about a major new study led by one of the nations most eminent nurse researchers. The study verifies what nurses have long known:  California’s landmark RN-to-patient staffing law saves lives. Trande has over 38 years of experience as an RN and serves on the Board of Directors for the California Nurses Association and National Nurses United.

This week Casey and Dan talk with RN Laurie Bahr. Laurie has been an RN for 16 years and currently works in the Cardiac Surgical ICU at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. She sheds some light on current Pension Bargaining Efforts taking place in her state. It seems that hospitals are using the “economic downturn” to cut benefits that most RN’s have been paying into for years. Laurie is active in the Minnesota Nurses Association, the organization that works to protect patients and the nurses who serve them. (Originally aired March 21, 2010.)

An encore presentation of Casey’s interview with Kay McVay. Kay is a retired RN who shares her story about a not-so-blissful retirement. KAY RETIRED IN 1995, JUST SEVEN SHORT YEARS BEFORE HER HOSPITAL ESTABLISHED RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR NURSES. 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.” She served as a past president for California Nurses Association and continues to work with the organization as President Emeritus. (Originally aired February 7, 2010.)

Barbara Williams talks about the importance of being and staying active in the fight for patients rights and the rights of RNs and other health-care workers. She may be retired from her job, but she is still very actively advocating for a “single payer” insurance option for all. Yet another RN who has been on the front lines and knows how broken the current system is. HOWEVER, that does not keep her from being optimistic about true health care reform. (Originally aired October 25, 2009)

Nurse Talk hosts Casey Hobbs and Dan Grady talk with RN Patty Eakin from Temple University Medical Center about the current strike. This is a very important conversation that affects everybody in this country. It is not just about nurses and patients — it is about large corporations systematically dismantling labor unions and stripping away the voices of workers and communities. LAST WEDNESDAY nurses, healthcare professionals and technical employees at Temple University Hospital represented by the Pennsylvania of Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (http://www.pennanurses.org) began a strike. The picket line eventually grew to over 1200 for a noon-time rally. “If you want your constitutional rights, you need to go somewhere else,” Robert Birnbrauer, Human Resources, Temple University Hospital, DECLARED. At the height of the rally, all 1,200 put their hands across their mouths to protest the hospital’s proposed hospital gag order. HERE WITH US IS RN PATTY EAKIN, President of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals.

Continuing the RN Heroes Project series, co-hosts Casey and Dan talk with RN Tim Thomas. Tim is one of the nurses who went to Haiti as part of National Nurses United’s RN Response Network. Over 12,000 nurses volunteer to help. In an effort to acknowledge these selfless acts of service, the RN Response Network launched the RN Heroes Project. This interview is one of a series that will be featured in the coming months. (Previously aired February 28, 2010.)

The first of Nurse Talk’s RN Heroes Project…a conversation with Massachusetts RN Kathy Reardon. Kathy speaks with humility about her time and service in Haiti and shares some very moving comments about her experience.

This week Casey and Dan talk with RN Laurie Bahr. Laurie has been an RN for 16 years and currently works in the Cardiac Surgical ICU at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. She sheds some light on current Pension Bargaining Efforts taking place in her state. It seems that hospitals are using the “economic downturn” to cut benefits that most RN’s have been paying into for years. Laurie is active in the Minnesota Nurses Association, the organization that works to protect patients and the nurses who serve them.

Confused and disillusioned about health care reform? Well, join the rest of us. Our go-to expert CNA/NNU’s Donna Smith visits with Casey and Dan and doesn’t hold out much hope for anything resembling a single-payer or a public option. Yes, there is some good that will come out of this but Donna urges all of us to call our Congress and Senate members and let them know we still want a single-payer or Medicare buy-in system.

Casey and Dan talk with two Florida-based RNs who share their experiences in a state where RNs have not had the “voice” or the collective power to fight for patients rights, better work conditions and better laws. Things are changing and RNs Gwen Collins and Ansie Blot share about their involvement in new workplace campaigns.

A very touching and insightful conversation with RN Tim Thomas, just returned from Haiti where he volunteered on the U.S.S. Comfort. Tim talks about his experience and how he would go back in a minute. He is full of gratitude for the extraordinary opportunity to serve such appreciative people. Tim was among the first of thousands of RNs who will be going to Haiti over the next months and years. The RN Response Network and National Nurses United are heading up this important task.

This week we welcome D.C.-based nurse practitioner and activist Sandra Falwell. This is a great conversation, as Sandra has been in the profession for 40 years and shares some AMAZING stories about the “good ol days” or not so “good ol days” when she was once asked to give up her chair for a doctor. This was after a 14 hour shift, 27 patients and 4 codes. Tune in for her answer to his question aka, DEMAND.

Casey talks with Nurse Practioner, Kevin Barrett. Kevin has a Master of Science in Nursing and for the last eight years, has hosted a cable access TV show called AIDS. It is an interactive program that allows the community to ask nurses questions that deal with prevention, treatment and care of sexually transmitted diseases. KEVIN WORKS AT CHICAGO’S COOK COUNTY HOSPITAL AND RECENTLY ATTENDED THE UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE ON SHAPING GLOBAL HIV AND AIDS WORKPLACE POLICIES. HE HAS MORE THAN A DECADE OF EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH persons with HIV/AIDS.

Casey Hobbs RN Host of Nurse Talk with 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 BLISS FULL 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 7 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.

CNA’s Donna Smith To The Rescue. Hey is it safe to say we are all completely confused, annoyed and depressed about the state of the healthcare reform bill? It seems like nothing short of disaster–so we have called on our friend Donna Smith who always tells it like it is.

Michael Lighty, the Director of Public Policy for the California Nurses Association, joins Casey to speak about healthcare reform and advocating for single-payer bills state-by-state. He has over twenty years of experience in political, community and union organizing. He has spoken throughout the country on healthcare reform, financing and delivery issues. He is currently coordinating the national policy and organizing for CNA/NNOC’s healthcare reform program.

Nurse Talk speaks with RN Carole Rodgers. Carole works at the Alameda County Medical Center and has recently been active in the fight to keep San Leandro Hospital open. The hospital is now run by Sutter Health Group who is trying to close it. Closing facilities that serve the “underserved” is a pattern that is practiced by Sutter. Carole was a postgraduate fellow at George Washington University; she has a Master’s Degree in Public Health and a B.S. in Community Health.

CNA/NNOC’s Donna Smith sets the record straight about current healthcare reform and talks about the advent of the new “Super Union” National Nurses United. Donna (as many of you know) works in the D.C. office and is a fierce advocate for single payer healthcare legislation and other critical issues that face RNs and patients in our country. She and her family were featured in Michael Moore’s movie, Sicko. Nurse Talk Host Casey Hobbs catches up with Donna in a bowling alley in Chicago where she and a group of single payer loyalists are raising money for the cause. Always informed and passionate about the issues–Donna tells it like it is.

Coming up on the Nurse Talk podcast this week is RN Jean Ross. Jean works at Fairview Hospital in Edina, Minn. and is Secretary Treasurer of the United American Nurses Executive Council and now one of three co-presidents of the just  formed RN SuperUnion-National Nurses United. Nurse Talk host Casey Hobbs talks with Jean on the eve of the historic “super union” conference in Phoenix. Jean shares some history about her work with the United American Nurses and about how the new National Nurses United was formed and what it hopes to accomplish. The new union represents over 150,000 RN members. “There will never be a more ‘perfect’ union’, says Casey

This week in our RN segment we visit with Karen Higgins, RN, President of the Massachusetts Nurses Association. Karen has worked at Boston Medical Center for the past 35 years and has seen and experienced radical changes in the healthcare industry. She shares with us her point of view about healthcare reform and the current Massachusetts system that is being touted as a model for a national system. Karen is also one of the co-presidents of the new 150,000-member National Nurses United, the largest RN union and professional association in U.S. history.

Casey Hobbs RN Co-Host of Nurse Talk has a casual and informative visit with Cokie Giles. Cokie talks about the importance of organizing and the progress that has been made in her great state of Maine particularly since joining with CNA/NNOC. Cokie graduated with a BSN from University of Maine in 1978. She has worked as a staff nurse for 31 years, the last 13 years in the endoscopy department at Eastern Maine Medical Center. She has her national certification in gastroenterology nursing. Cokie has been a member of the Maine State Nursing Association for 20 years, and has been a steward for the last seven years. She acted as treasurer of Unit 1 for four years and was elected president of MSNA in 2009 and sits on the Board of Directors of the CNA.

Patty is the President of the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals. As an emergency room nurse at Philadelphia’s Temple University, Patty has direct experience caring for thousands of uninsured patients who would have no place to go if they could not be treated in the ER. Patty spends also spends a great deal of her time advocating for safety and quality healthcare for patients. She credits the California Nurses Association for their 12-year fight to establish requirements for safe nurse-to-patient staffing ratios.

Nurse Talk takes a few minutes to acknowledge a Health Care Reform Hero Rose Ann DeMoro, CNA/NNOC Executive Director and one of the Modern Healthcare Magazine’s 100 most influential people in health care for the past five years running.

REMEMBER MICHAEL MOORE’S MOVIE SICKO? Well, Donna Smith, whose family was featured in the movie will be with us and she is a power house! Donna took adversity and turned it into a passion to make insurance available to EVERYONE! She has a great story…you won’t want to miss her.

Barbara will talk about the importance of being and staying active in the fight for patients’ rights and the rights of RNs and other health care workers. She may be retired from her job–but she is still very actively advocating for a “single payer” insurance option for all. Yet another RN who has been on the front lines and knows how broken the current system is. HOWEVER, that does not keep her from being optimistic about true health care reform.

Casey interviews RN Kim Kutcher. Kim lives and works in Orange County and has been fighting her insurance company, Blue Cross, for 2 years. She needs back surgery to correct a critical injury (most likely work-related) and has been denied time after time by her insurance company. This unfortunately is an all too common story.

Casey talks with DeAnn McEwen about a recent H1N1 Swine Flu policy issued by California Nurses Association and National Nurses Organizing Committee. DeAnn is an RN and serves on the Board of Directors of CNA/NNOC. The policy deals with the medical practice guidelines. A very interesting discussion.

Casey shares clips from conversations from the California Nurses Association Conference. The conference brought in over 1,200 RNs from all over the world.

Casey welcomes Linda Silas, RN, and president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions. We’ll talk to Linda about health care in Canada and dispel some of the myths that we have all become familiar with during the U.S. health care reform debate.

Casey shares a conversation she had with Angela Gorman, an RN from Wales who started a foundation, Life for African Mothers, to save the lives of Sub-Saharan African women dying after giving birth from easily preventable conditions. Angela talks about how and why she started the foundation that now supplies medication costing less than 50 cents per dose, but was simply not available until her vow to make it happen.

This show features a great interview with an RN from Austin, Texas that shares a story you won’t want to miss. It involves two RNs in Kermit, Texas that have been brought up on serious charges and face 10-15 years in prison. FOR WHAT YOU ASK? The answer–for advocating for their patients by informing the Texas Medical Board of a doctor’s unsafe practices.

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.

A critical discussion with the California Nurses Association’s Jan Rodolfo about the Critical Gaps in Swine Flu H1N1 Preparedness and Growing RN Infections. You won’t want to miss this.