nursetalksite.com » Coming Up on Nurse Talk

Patsy Cline. Sputnik. Beatnik. Boston. Compassion.

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:22:38 +0000

Ah…nothing sets the tone like a little music before all the talk. In radio they call that a “cold open”! Who knew? Here’s Casey and Dan…

“Of course that was the unmistakable voice of Patsy Cline the great country legend. That song came out in 1957 and like a good Cabernet—it just gets better with age. 1957…Dan…you weren’t even born then. I thought it might be fun to take a quick look at what was happening in 1957—here is what our crack research department found: The Space Age began by the launch of Sputnik I, interferon was discovered AND THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT HAPPENED…”beatnik” entered the vernacular as a description of the emerging “Beat Generation” counterculture movements.”

And so starts another episode of Nurse Talk.

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.

2nd Annual Marin Advocates for Children Heroes for Children Gala March 3, 2012. Cocktails, auctions and dinner benefit a great cause.

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.

AND take a sneak peek of our resident funny lady Lynn Ruth Miller‘s new segment,In My Day. It’s amazing she lived to tell about it!

You can listen every week 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 KNEW 960AM or live stream atwww.960knew.com. Check out the iHeartRadio app for free and live custom radio. 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.

And, remember, laughter is the best medicine!

Presidential Hopefuls. Nursing Master’s. Frying in Fresno. What’s So Funny?

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:15:23 +0000

Dan and Casey say they have really made an effort to stay away from the presidential primary but sometimes it’s hard. Roll clips of two presidential hopefuls with one having more hope than the other! We’re just sayin’—one of these men might need to look into “anger management.” Just sayin’. Check it out…on the show this week.

AND we talk with Rob Horgan. Rob is a recruiter for the University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions. “As nurses” Casey comments, “we just happen to think USF’s nursing program is among the best in the country.” Rob joins Casey and Dan in studio (true) to share about the Master of Nursing Program USF offers at their Santa Rosa, California campus. We just found out a few months ago they had a Santa Rosa, California campus. P.S. Rob, if you are out there, thanks for being such a good sport and boy, are you quick on your feet!

Check this out! We share a great video that is up on a site called ProtestINTheUSA.org. The video titled “A Nightmare On Wall Street” depicts an imagined encounter between a Wall Street banker and the victims of financial misdeed. Oh, the horror!

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.

Available now on Amazon

And later we’ll visit with one of our favorite people RN, MSN, Karyn Buxman. Karyn has been on the show before. You might remember her as a great nurse and public speaker—as well as a humorist who really does employ humor in the healing process. Her mission: To improve global health through laughter and help heal the humor-impaired! She’s here this week to talk about her new book “What’s So Funny About Diabetes.”

MYTH: Popping your knuckles will give you arthritis? True or False? The answer is planted somewhere in the text of this blog post. Find out!

And remember you can listen and laugh every week 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 KNEW 960AM or live stream at www.960knew.com. Check out the iHeartRadio app for free and live custom radio. You can alsodownload and listen to any show anytime here at NurseTalkSite.com or on iTunes. Like us on Facebook, and you can listen there too.

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Mary Ellen. South Chicago. Pizza Parlor. Multiple Sclerosis.

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 12:20:52 +0000

Well, this week we continue with our little walk down memory lane. We’ll hear from a caller named Mary Ellen who by the end of the call was not very happy with us. She recently sent us an email telling us her legs still hurt and we are crackpots!
For more where this came from check out our Comedy Pharm at nursetalksite.com.

And we share with you “Is Anybody Out There Laughing?” our campaign to change the world with laughter one person at a time. We’ll share the exciting response of a cashier in a pizza parlor when he is asked, “Is anyone in your place laughing right now?”

RNs from Chicago's landslide vote to join National Nurses United

And 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. The secret ballot election was conducted by the National Labor Relations Board. NNU will represent some 150 RNs at the hospital. “This is a victory for the nurses and the South Side of Chicago,” said one nurse.

Support Team Nurse Talk | Austyn's Allstars in the walk for a cure for MS.

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. Approximately 400,000 Americans have MS- Multiple Sclerosis, and every week about 200 people are diagnosed. Worldwide, MS affects about 2.5 million people.

We were recently prompted to inquire about Multiple Sclerosis when our Nurse Talk web producer Tonia McCallum’s 20-year-old niece Austyn was diagnosed. Nurse Talk is sponsoring her team for the 2012 Walk MS in Santa Rosa, Calif. funding research for a cure. You can donate to Team Nurse Talk | Austyn’s Allstars or join a walk or volunteer in your town this spring by contacting the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

And of course we’ve got the Golden Bed Pan Award—no hints on the winner but we do get a call from a female media mogul thanking us for the award. Hmmmm. There’s also the Phobia of the Week and some email questions.

You can listen every week 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 KNEW 960AM or live stream at www.960knew.com. Check out the iHeartRadio app for free and live custom radio. 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.

It’s all here on Nurse Talk where laughter is the best medicine.

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Honesty and Ethics. Heel. Toe. Blue Eyes.

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 12:50:26 +0000

“Welcome to Nurse Talk where laughter is the best medicine. I’m Casey Hobbs.”

“And I’m Dan Grady and we are two of the thousands of nurses on duty today.”

And so the show begins.

Laughter is the best medicine. Check out Nurse Talk's Comedy Pharm Funny(?) calls, stories, outtakes and bloopers

Let’s take a little walk down memory lane and listen to some old stories we told when Nurse Talk was first on the air. We think they are at least amusing—funny? Well, that is in the eyes of the beholder! Not sure any of you remember 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, or a souvenir from her latest trip to the Great Wall Of China, (where she, of course, most likely offended someone). Oh, we love our Maggie. You’ll hear she and Casey in the early days on this week’s show and you can check out more clips on our website at the Comedy Pharm.

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. It marks the 11th straight year—and the 12th time in 13 years—that nursing led all professions in the survey. Gallup says the only time nurses haven’t topped the list since they were included in 1999 was in 2001 after the 9/11 terror attacks, when firefighters were No. 1.

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.

“We hold that trust as a sacred bond with our patients and our communities. Patients and their families expect nurses to fight for them at the bedside, even when it conflicts with the profit motive of far too many hospital managers, insurance companies, and others in the healthcare industry who put the bottom line above patient interest,” said Higgins in an article about the survey on the NNU web site.

Author, Joann Spears

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. She writes, “One night, I was working on charts at the nurses’ station when I felt eyes bearing down on me. Looking up, I found the patient with the blue eyes looking down at me. I asked him what he wanted, a rhetorical question with no answer expected.” We’ll talk more with JoAnn about her post, Behind Blue Eyes | A Life Lesson from a Patient.

And Casey and Dan get a few email questions that are…well…both about feet. Ever have an in grown toenail or a heel that hurts so bad you want to cry? All I can say is God love the people who have enough nerve to send in their questions! Remember—the nurses cannot prescribe, diagnose or treat and you should always consult your physician! Now that is something we NEVER leave out of the program.

You can listen every week 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 KNEW 960AM or live stream at www.960knew.com. Check out the iHeartRadio app for free and live custom radio. 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.

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A Personal Account of Alzheimer’s. Donna Smith with a Look Back on 2011. Comedian Lynn Ruth Miller Unplugged and Out of Control. Hiatal Hernias.

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:16:55 +0000

Happy New Year from all of us at Nurse Talk…where laughter is the best medicine.

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. Not a surprise that for 1th straight year—and the 12th time in 13 years the Gallup Honesty and Ethics Survey again ranked nursing as the most honest and ethical profession by a wide margin.

Cheers to the nurses!

Barbara Taylor Vaughan with her daughter and caregiver, Melissa.

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. She hopes educating others will inspire them to volunteer to help ease the suffering of those with the disease, families and caregivers. Host Casey has also had first hand experience with Alzheimer’s and knows the heartbreak all too well. Her mother (who was an RN) died of Alzheimer’s in 2009.

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.

Lynn Ruth Miller

If there were a radio jail…we’d be in it! After comedian Lynn Ruth Miller gets together with Casey and Dan—there “is” no “is” left in “is”! Lynn Ruth makes some predictions for 2012 and that is where the mischief begins! For the record I did my best to intervene—as did our sound designer. The bleep button only goes so far.

Coming up in 2012—Nurse Talk Live…on stage! Yes, that is what we said. Cameras in the studio? Yes, that is what we said!

We want to hear from you—feedback, ideas about guests or topics. Pattie@nursetalksite.com. Check out our blog at or visit our Facebook page.

You can listen every week 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 KNEW 960AM or live stream at www.960knew.com. Check out the iHeartRadio app for free and live custom radio. 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.

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Happy New Year!

Pattie Lockard — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:29:51 +0000

Happy New Year. We wish you lots of laughter and renewal in 2012. We will do our best to contribute toward the tickling of your funny bone. Take on caring for yourselves as well as your patients. We liked a post by our Facebook friend, Nurses Interrupted with some ideas on how to make microchanges to help transform the workplace through transforming our relationships with one another:

Ask yourself this question before you go in for a shift: “When was the last time I put my hand on someone’s shoulder and told them thank you?” Its okay to nurse each other—it just takes a simple touch, making eye contact, a smile of reassurance—all those things take just a moment in time, but they have the power of changing your workplace…and your profession. You never know who might *really need* that reassuring human contact from a colleague…

On the show this week we replay of our interview with Dr. Connie Mariano who was nominated to the rank of Rear Admiral by President Bill Clinton and eventually served as the White House Physician for President Clinton and President George W. Bush. She has written a wonderful book called The White House Doctor, a riveting look into the personal lives of our presidents. 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!

The White House Doctor by Dr. Connie Mariano

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. Our San Francisco Bay area station is the same, but with new call letters: we broadcast on Sundays at 2PM PST on KNEW 960AM or live stream at www.960KNEW.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.

This Week: Bonus Podcast on Sutter California and Long Beach Memorial Walk-out and Best of Nurse Talk

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:53:20 +0000

This week we have a special bonus podcast with 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.

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. This in and of itself doesn’t seem too surprising…but Donna tells us the reasons all of it 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!”

From Our House to Yours | Happy Holidays from Nurse Talk | Coming up on the Show | Dec 17-18, 2011

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:27:29 +0000

We wish you a warm and peaceful holiday with loved ones and friends (and maybe a cruise if you were good).

Separated at birth? Nancy Reagan and our resident funny lady Lynn Ruth Miller pictured with the legendary Mr. T as Santa.

We can’t thank you enough for your support of Nurse Talk. We’ve had all kinds of fun and visited with some amazing people. We covered the Madison, Wisconsin rallies, talked with nurses while they marched on Wall Street, Main Street and every street in between.

We laughed our way through some of the more serious times with COMEDIAN Lynn Ruth Miller; RN, MSN and humorist Karyn Buxman; RN, MSN Hob Osterlund, creator of the Chuckle Channel; and the singing RN Anesthetists, The Laryngospasms.

And then there were our attempts to laugh with people not at them (sort of) in our random acts of laughter segment we call, “Is Anybody Out There Laughing?”

We are all so very grateful for our listeners, supporters and friends. Especially National Nurses United and the Massachusetts Nurses Association for their partnership and for being fearless advocates for all of us.

To our friends at Nurse Together, all of our great bloggers and Facebook fans and finally to all who make Nurse Talk happen, Casey Hobbs, June Miller, Dan Grady, our interns, and last but not least, Tonia McCallum who makes me look like I know what I’m doing!

ON THE SHOW this week, Dan got run over by a reindeer, so we are airing last week’s wildly popular show again. Who says there are no second chances? Listen to RN Jean Ross, co-president of National Nurses United, The Yoga Nurse, The Teen Doctor and our research on under-the-radar nurse behavior. Read more about this show here and look for all new shows in the new year…and a great line-up of topics and guests.

We leave you with a teaser from a holiday story on our blog by Nurse Talk contributor RN Bobbi McCarthy.

‘Twas the night before Christmas
and the nurse is at work.
Many a creature is stirring, including a jerk.
All the IV’s are hung by their poles with care
In hopes that 7am would soon be there…

Get the whole thing here. Its a kick!

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. Check out Green960 on the I Heart Radio app where you can listen to the radio on your smart phone at www.iheart.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.

Happy holidays and until next time remember, “laughter is the best medicine!”

Coming Up on Nurse Talk: Rally Britain! Learning to Speak Teen. Nurse Behavior Revealed. Yoga Nurse Heals.

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:30:47 +0000

The Show is jam-packed this week. There is something for everyone, so make time to join us!

We’ll talk with RN Jean Ross, co-president of National Nurses United. Jean is a frequent guest on Nurse Talk and she updates us on recent U.S. rallies organized by nurses to support nurse counterparts in Great Britain.

Strike Supporters in Orlando, Fla.

Last Wednesday, Nov. 30, 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.

Author Dr. Barbara Greenberg is on the show this week.

IT’S THE HOLIDAYS! Calling all parents of teens! You won’t want to miss our visit with 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 what to do when you are about to cancel Christmas. 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!

Casey and Dan do their part to promote transparency in health care with a little look at NURSING BY THE NUMBERS, a sneak peak at their report reveals 86% of nurses have had to leave a patient’s room quickly because they were about to laugh uncontrollably. But, there’s more. Listen to the show to learn what medical supply is an oft-used eating utensil. Well, according to our sources, 47% of you already know.

RN Annette Tersigni, The Yoga Nurse

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 says what we always say—that nurses need to take care of themselves. Nurses are often the last to realize the toll stress is taking on them and to take the time to do something about it. She has some great ideas on how the restorative principles of yoga can empower you to continue serving as the nurse hero that you are. You can find Annette on our blog at nursetalksite.com or by visiting our friends at nursetogether.com.

This week we roll out a new feature on Nurse Talk, THE GOLDEN BEDPAN AWARD! That’s right– EACH WEEK OUR GOLDEN BED BAN AWARD GOES TO A DESERVING PERSON OR ORGANIZATION THAT HAS SOME HOW PUT THEMSELVES IN THE NEWS OR OTHERWISE COME TO LIGHT FOR A CHARITABLE ACT OR CAUSE. This week’s GOLDEN BED PAN AWARD goes to U2 star Bono, for his leadership and commitment to fighting the global AIDS epidemic. Bravo for THE POWER OF TAKING A STAND!! Send your nominations to pattie@nursetalksite.com.

Fill your cup with a gift certificate to Starbuck's from Nurse Talk. Enter the Phobia of the Week Contest.

Don’t miss the Phobia of the Week, the first caller with the right answer WINS A $25 GIFT CERTIFICATE AT STARBUCK’S…who doesn’t need that? Last week’s winner was Judy Danly from Buffalo New York! Judy listens to Nurse Talk on Revolution Boston.

A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE California Nurses Association, National Nurses United and Massachusetts Nurses Association FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF NURSE TALK.

Coming Up on Nurse Talk This Week: Dan Raps. Casey Snacks. RN Deborah Burger Rocks. Research Ready. Bobbi’s Blog Cabin.

Nurse Talk — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 19:46:53 +0000

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. My what terrible “Black Friday” stories. No—please ma’am—pepper spray??? I try only to use weapons like that for cooking. Parking lot shootings? Is this a new thing or has shopping always been so dangerous? We now have to pack heat just to go to the mall….how sad. Well enough social commentary.

We now present you with what we think is a better way to start your holiday season, (or any day of the year…) a sample of pure unadulterated out-of-your-body—JOY. Watch it again, even if you’ve already seen it. Guaranteed to make you smile.

COMING UP this week on Nurse Talk…

Check it out…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. Stefanie has just introduced a new nursing and health research tool called PrecisionRN. A virtual medical library at your fingertips. PrecisionRN connects nurses to evidenced-based research by sending text messages about the latest nursing research with a the link to the article. Check it out at PrecisionRN.com.

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.

Author, Bobbi McCarthy

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. Bobbi also created the blog, Love Your Nursing Life, to facilitate nurses talking to nurses about their past, present and future desires for nursing and health care—as well as their frustrations—in hopes of warding off burn-out.

Hey don’t forget you can listen in the Boston area on station WWZN 1510AM every Saturday at 11 am EST or live stream at www.revolutionboston.com and in the San Francisco Bay area Sundays at 2PM PST on Green 960AM or live stream at www.green960.com. Check out Green960 on the I Heart Radio App where you can listen to the radio on your smart phone. www.iheart.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.

WE WANT YOUR FUNNY HOSPITAL OR MEDICAL STORIES. NURSE OR NON-NURSE, SEND THEM OUR WAY. pattielockard@yahoo.com or tonia@nursetalksite.com.

We Are Thankful for…and Coming Up on Nurse Talk Nov. 26-27, 2011

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:21:24 +0000

Off label use unparalleled for masking smells of any description.

Thankful for…the smell of rain in the desert. Vicks VapoRub. Waking up to find a snowy morning. Supportive shoes. Belly laughs. A trail to follow. Authenticity. Relationships that get better with time. Chocolate in any form! A starry, starry night. Crickets. Random kindness from a stranger. Love. Coffee. Movie trailers. The distant sound of a train passing by. Scrubs with a lot of pockets. Friends, listeners and sponsors who make this show happen.

Lynn Ruth Miller comes by to play.

All of us here at Nurse Talk wish you and your loved ones many reasons to be thankful this holiday season. Casey and Dan are off to grandmother’s house this week, so we are playing a Best of Nurse Talk to inspire and delight this weekend.

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. Remind you of your Thanksgiving table? 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. 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. 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!

Coming up next week….RN and Co-president of national Nurses United, Deborah Burger, an entrepreneurial project leads to PrecisionRN, and author RN Bobbi McCarthy chats with Casey and Dan from her “blog cabin” in Maine…

Remember, laughter is the best medicine!

GOLDEN BEDPAN AWARD. RN KAREN HIGGINS. FACTS ABOUT MEDICAL ERRORS. TEETH PAST THEIR PRIME.

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:32:16 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving. May you spend it beachside.

Oh dear it is almost Thanksgiving! We at Nurse Talk wish all of you a wonderful holiday with family and friends—and DO remember—laughter is the best medicine! Yes, of course we all love our families—but—we know too much about each other and that can lead to—well—o.k. fill in the blank. We say that with love and affection.

This week on the show we shake things up a bit. O.K. we got tired of the weird news and all of the sound effects…so now we are looking for a really good way to create a useful and fun first segment on our show. ANY ideas? Oh, we could tell you about all kinds of medical breakthroughs or bad things insurance companies do, and, while useful, not particularly stimulating or fun. This week we shared some good articles from our blog. If you have any ideas for our show—send them our way at casey@nursetalksite.com or 1-800-977-1863.

Karen Higgins, RN

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 the 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. Dr. Southwick strongly believes in empowering nurses to help alleviate this tragic trend. This, Dr. Southwick’s fifth and forthcoming book, presents a clear and comprehensive blueprint for reversing the negative healthcare outcomes that result from preventable medical errors. Very interesting.

AND NOW—drum roll please—it’s time for a new feature on Nurse Talk! Out with the old and in with the new—-it’s time for THE GOLDEN BEDPAN AWARD! That’s right—EACH WEEK OUR GOLDEN BEDBAN AWARD GOES TO A DESERVING PERSON OR ORGANIZATION THAT HAS SOMEHOW PUT THEMSELVES IN THE NEWS OR OTHERWISE COME TO LIGHT FOR A CHARITABLE ACT OR CAUSE. THIS WEEK’S GOLDEN BEDPAN AWARD GOES TO…LISTEN THIS WEEKEND AND FIND OUT.

If you know someone who should receive an award for their generosity or contribution please let us know. 1.800.977-1863 or email pattielockard@yahoo.com with the subject line: GOLDEN BEDPAN AWARD.

And, remember, laughter is the best medicine.

Nurses Impact G20 Summit…and Coming Up on Nurse Talk This Week: NNU Takes Texas and Check in to Hotel Hennepin | Best of Nurse Talk Show 239

Nurse Talk — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:59:17 +0000

Nurses led the fight at last week’s G20 Summit protests in Cannes, France at several events and at simultaneous rallies in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Los Angeles, garnering national and international press coverage. Did you see this? Three-minute video: Nurses from around the globe at the G20 Summit show how to heal the world’s economy with a financial transaction tax.

“Protests matter. Pressure matters,” concluded John Nichols of The Nation, writing about the shifting sands in the White House, and noting NNU’s role and the erupting support for an FTT that now includes billionaire Bill Gates and the Pope. “The nurses aren’t just making noise. It looks like they’re changing the debate, altering the policies of the most powerful players in Washington–and perhaps the world.”

On with the show. When the cats are away…the best of Nurse Talk must play!

Coming up this week Casey and Dan visit with Texas RN Monica Sanchez about the union vote that recently occurred in Texas and made history as the first of its kind. Texas RNs in five cities voted to join National Nurses United. They will now join thousands of other bedside nurses across the country who are fighting for patient rights and better conditions for RNs.

Janet Izzo

Also with us is Janet Izzo. Janet is a Minneapolis RN who has written a book called Hotel Hennepin (named after the Hennepin County, Minnesota Hospital where Janet works). In the newly released book Janet chronicles her career working in a large county hospital as a staff and charge nurse on the obstetrics unit. The stories are poignant, sad, hysterically funny and all amazingly true!

And, we have a winner in our “Dan’s Thing” contest where we challenged listeners to follow the clues and guess, “What’s Dan’s Thing?” It’s fun and funny.

Get your tickets to Menopause the Musical in Concert. Menopause is on tour and coming to a city near you. Nurses and their friends receive 10% off with code “SG” (or “SUPER” for Santa Cruz shows).

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.

Until next time remember “laughter is the best medicine!

Must Have Mobile App. Nov. 3 Day of Action. Presidential Candidate Pop Quiz. 15 Minutes. Fall Flu Fashion Show.

Pattie Lockard — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:18:26 +0000

I think we made a mistake. You know how sometimes when you gain a few extra pounds you feel like you have to let the seams out of your clothes? Well, this week on Nurse Talk we had so many topics we wanted to share we got a little carried away and packed the show to the point of bursting our time clock!

Mobile App

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. 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.

Presidential Pop Quiz

Suffice it to say we have some—well, interesting candidates running for president! Tune-in to see which one gets our vote!

15 Minutes

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.

Their days were full of early morning runs on perfect powder and slicing through the stellar crystals to the envy of holiday skiers. 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. You can learn more about Kim at kimkircher.com.

Fall Flu Fashion Show

AND LAST…strut your stuff because its time for Nurse Talk’s second annual Fall Flu Fashion Show. That’s right wait until you see the new strains for this year…and, some of the old ones are back for an encore—such as H1N1! Oh, she will sweep you off your feet this year and she’ll be a show stopper all over the world! Listen for more of the madness.

Check out University of San Francisco’s Master’s of Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader – starting May 2012. ADN/RN and BSN/RN Entry Option. Informational meeting coming up on November 9th.

Remember, laughter is the best medicine.

Sue Sylvester. Occupy. Occupy. USF Masters the Master’s. Donna Donna. Laughter and Menopause.

Nurse Talk — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 07:23:19 +0000

NNU Midwest Director and RN Jan Rodolfo appeared on Keith Olbermann’s show on Monday, October 24 to talk about the Occupy Chicago arrests on Sunday. If you missed it, here’s the clip.

Coming up on the show this week…

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.

National Nurses United nurse volunteer provides first aid to a protester at #Occupy LA, one of several cities where NNU has set-up stations around the country.

RN Maria Fehlig, a Las Vegas nurse calls in and gives us an on-location report from NYC Occupy. By the way…she says she sees no “hippies” there and in fact a lot of people don’t even know what a “hippie” is. Very interesting times we are living in. Spoken like a true “old person!”

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.

Hey, this is great information for anyone who has been thinking about going back to get their advanced degree. Nobody does it better than USF…and we found out they have regional campuses in Santa Rosa, San Ramon, Sacramento and San Jose. Check the program out at http://www.usfca.edu/nursing/msn/.

Nurse Talk pulled some strings and is offering a 10% discount for nurses to see…Menopause The Musical, In Concert on the California leg of the tour.

Hey, can we talk? If you haven’t yet seen the mega hit Menopause The Musical—then pack your coolers and grab 10 friends or a 100 and—go see one of the just announced Menopause The Musical concerts. Really!

The hit show has been seen by Millions (with a capital M) and there is a reason. It’s just pure fun and God knows we can always use that. Use the code SG (use code “super” for the Santa Cruz shows) to get your tickets at www.menopauseinconcert.com/tickets-shows/

You can advertise with us. Email Pattie Lockard, pattie@nursetalksite.com to reserve your space on air or online.

Check out our website, play with us on Facebook and call every once in while! Our message line is 800-977-1863.

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.

Priceless Proverbs and Inspiration for Your Inner Nurse | Best of Nurse Talk | Show 307

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 04:40:39 +0000

This week on the show…we rewind. Hey you know you don’t listen every week (but you wish you could) so here’s your chance to catch something you might have missed. Enjoy our show.

Casey and Dan talk with a delightful woman named Judith Stark Frost. Judith was a second grade school teacher for 30 years. She loved teaching her kids how to read but even more than that she loved the humorous things they said. She wrote a very funny book called Priceless Proverbs From the Tongue of the Young. How about these: “A penny saved is…not much” and “He who marries for money…better be nice to his wife.” We all know how funny kids can be without even knowing it!

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

And of course all the tricks…some funny…some….well, questionable.

A warm welcome to our new sponsor, University of San Francisco’s Santa Rosa Campus. Check out their Master’s of Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader – starting May 2012. ADN/RN and BSN/RN Entry Option.

And of course as always a big shout out to our great partners at National Nurses United, theCalifornia Nurses Association and the Massachusetts Nurses Association and YOU all of our listeners, without you nothing happens.

Watch our blog for a special Nurse Talk discount to the runaway hit Menopause the Musical in Concert coming to a venue near you.

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.

A Train Without Pity. Friction In Studio. Sex Addiction. And Down Hill From There! | Show 425

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:59:23 +0000

Greetings to our friends and loyal listeners in the Boston area and San Francisco Bay! A shout out to our online listeners nationwide too.

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. For information about Occupy go to www.adbusters.org/campaigns/occupywallstreet or learn about how nurses are taking action at www.nursetalksite.com/Nov3. In the carefully chosen words of Vice President Joe Biden, “In the minds of the vast majority of the American – the middle class is being screwed.”

Author George N. Collins joins us on the show

And author and sex addiction therapist George N. Collins is with us. What we think we know about sex addiction is …well…not particularly helpful or accurate. 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. Mr. Collins founded Compulsion Solutions, an outpatient counseling service specifically for sufferers of compulsion addictions. 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.

ADVERTISE to our active and engaged audience. Email to reserve your spot on the air or online: pattie@nursetalksite.com.

And, remember, laughter is the best medicine.

Kathryn Kuhlman. Walmart Greeter. Tragedy at Sutter Hospital. Whiz Kid Cameron Harris. HP Printers | Show 424

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:20:03 +0000

If any of you remember the late great televangelist Katheryn Kuhlman then your just about as old as we are! We couldn’t help ourselves so we open the show with some words of wisdom from Ms. Kuhlman.

And we check in on what is happening at Sutter Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland, California. As many of you know, over 23000 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. We’ll have an update on this unfortunate tragedy.

Meg Whitman is back! That’s right it’s our old friend Meg Whitman, former CEO of e-Bay, unsuccessful candidate for California Governor and now CEO for Hewlett Packard. You won’t believe what she’s up to now! She has an offer for the nurses and you’ll have to listen to the show to find out what it is.

Meg Whitman is not only HP CEO, but a distant relative of the great Slim Whitman. She's blessed with the Whitman forehead, but can she sing?

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. Cameron himself was diagnosed with the decease when he was 8. Listen and you’ll understand why we call him a whiz kid. For more information about In Range visit www.harwoodpodcasts.com.

Welcome Anna Maria College, our newest advertiser, providing degree programs for working nurses. Check it 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 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.

Nurses Strike. The Comfort Garden. A Drunk Swedish Moose. A Fake Bomb Threat | Show 423

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:56:55 +0000

Casey and Dan are just two of the thousands of Nurses on Duty each week.

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.

Nurses attend a candlelight vigil at Sutter Alta Bates Summit Medical Center

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.

Author and RN Laurie Barkin

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. Named after the hidden garden tucked under a brick methadone outpatient clinic the book talks about how Barkin struggled in her role as a psychiatric nurse as she listened to hundreds of tales from the trauma unit. In the book she shares her journey working in a system that often times does not have a place to treat psychiatric patients on a long-term basis.

Against the backdrop of patients who have survived motor vehicle accidents, falls, fires, fists, bullets, and knives, The Comfort Garden explores what happens to professional caregivers when exposure to tragedy becomes routine. Barkin has emerged as a passionate voice advocating care for the caregiver and labor rights .

Check out our blog. Did you catch our post, Behind Blue Eyes? Nurse Talk contributor and retired nurse Joann Spears writes about a life lesson she received from a patient about never underestimating the power of choice. Are you interested in becoming a Nurse Talk contributor? Email us and tell us your story.

More on that drunk Swedish moose and fake bomb threat…on the show. Listen and find out.

ADVERTISE TO ACTIVE AND ENGAGED NURSES. Email to reserve your spot on the air or online: pattie@nursetalksite.com.

The Importance of Nurse Activism | Support for California Nurses Strike

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 07:56:44 +0000

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.

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

Bats In Austin. Bats In D.C. Bats In The Studio. | Show 422

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:10:09 +0000

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.

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 Salute to Nurses | Thank You, Thank You Very Much

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 08:23:40 +0000

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.

Buh Bye Summer, Mass Says, “Hello Elizabeth Warren,” Plus Nurse Advocates | Coming Up on Show 421

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 11:09:44 +0000

It’s amazing but Labor Day is right around the corner and that means summer vacation is but a distant memory. And speaking of summer vacations, Dan returns from Maui more exhausted than when he left. We thought he was going to relax and do some surfing—drink some beer and maybe go to a few luaus. Not exactly.

Massachusetts Nurses Association president, RN Donna Kelly Williams

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 talk with Greg Batte who has started a nurse advocacy organization called—surprise— Nurse Advocate Organization. Listen to the show to find out more and check out our Resources page at nursetalksite.com.

Lots of good things in the coming weeks and a few surprises! Webcams are coming to the studio and we will be broadcasting some shows live. This means Nurse Talk crew makeovers for all of us! Hair and make up? Lord, there isn’t enough in the county to cover us all!!! Sorry Dan. And we will be doing some broadcasts on location so stay tuned. We are coming out of the studio and into your neighborhoods!

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.

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.”

Coming Up on Nurse Talk | August 27-28, 2011 | Show 420

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 20:17:11 +0000

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, “laughter is the best medicine.”

Casey Gets Surfing Lessons? RN Deborah Burger, NY Times Best Selling Author Steve Berry…and Lots of Mischief in Between | Show 419

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 11:38:15 +0000

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.

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

Michigan RN Katie Oppenheim Segment | Show 418

Nurse Talk — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:03:10 +0000

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

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

Michigan Nurses Speak Up and Nurse Fashion Don’ts | Show 418

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 16:49:15 +0000

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?

Support Nurse Talk and Get Noticed

Are you looking for a great and affordable way to promote your business or event? Well, look no further. Nurse Talk reaches 1000′s of listeners a month in two major urban markets, San Francisco and Boston. For $500-700 you get 13 weeks of :30 second spots plus an on-air 5- minute interview about your business or event. We can also mix and match with our website advertising too! Come on! Join the fun and get your message out there. Inventory is limited so hop on it! Email:pattielockard@yahoo.com

Nurses: We Fight Because We Have To and A Friend of Oprah’s is a Friend of Ours | Rewind Show 311

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 20:50:26 +0000

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.”

Ratio Fight in Vegas, Volunteerism, Main Street and More | Show 417

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 12:20:56 +0000

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!

Popcorn Ceilings. Who’s Your Doctor’s Daddy? Great Medical Tips. Thelma Hobbs. | Show 416

Nurse Talk — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:48:11 +0000

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

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

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:50:53 +0000

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.

WALL Street. ASSISTED LIVING The Musical. SURVIVING Cancer. SLEEPING With Mites | Show 414

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 19:58:46 +0000

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!”

You Have to Hear it Again: Rewind Worst Practices by Hospital Administrators | Best of Nurse Talk | Show 313

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:39:27 +0000

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!”

Naughty Politician Lane, Fair Taxes plus Karyn on AIDS and Wilda on Alzheimer’s | Show 413

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:49:51 +0000

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 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.”

1000 RNs on a Mission in DC and Go Army?

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 09:22:36 +0000

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 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.”

Heal America/Tax Wall Street Bonus Podcast and A Walk Down Memory Lane | Show 211

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:59:35 +0000

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.

Public Employees Heroes or Villains? and Veteran Nurse Acts Out | Show 411

Nurse Talk — Thu, 26 May 2011 06:34:09 +0000

Wow…I’m glad we decided not to go Camping last weekend! As in Harold Camping…the genius who predicted or calculated it was Judgment Day. Something went terribly wrong. Thank God! Mr. Camping now says he might have been one number off in his calculations. I had no idea Judgment Day was a calculation! If there’s anybody out there that remembers Professor Irwin Corey…I think we found his brother!

This week Casey and Dan open the interview archives and share a very recent segment featuring RN Dennis Kosuth. We spoke to Dennis a few weeks ago about the vilification of public sector workers in recent months. Remember not too long ago school teachers, fire fighters, police and nurses were considered heroes. Now these professionals are being blamed for financial failures at the state and national levels. Listen as Dennis shares with us what is happening in his hospital and others around the county because of these financial and professional attacks. It is indeed an issue that has or will impact us all. The assault on the middle class is alive and well.

And later in the show RN Alison Whittaker joins Casey and Dan. Alison has been a nurse for over 20 years and currently lives and works in the Bay Area. She has written and performs her one-woman play called Vital Signs.

The play is a gutsy, truthful, painfully funny account of nursing—particularly in a hospital setting. Alison plays 20 characters including co-workers, patients, family members, etc. Casey, Dan and Alison have great fun talking about Vital Signs and all the funny things that happen when you are a nurse. Alison appears inVital Signs on Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 7:30 pm at The Marsh San Francisco. For tickets call 415-282-3055.

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

Remember “laughter is the best medicine.”

The Real McCoys, American Idol, Dad, Angels and Dogs, Boston and Sore Feet | Show 410

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 18 May 2011 07:51:58 +0000

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!

Bonus Podcast | Assault on the Public Sector and Best of Nurse Talk | Show 403

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 11 May 2011 20:09:01 +0000

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!

The State of Maine’s Health Care and Humor Helps in Chemo | Show 409

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 04 May 2011 19:04:10 +0000

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.

The Nation’s Worst Governors and Wake Up! About Sleep Apnea | Show 408

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 22:00:31 +0000

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 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.”

Bonus Podcast | Billing Fraud Hurts plus RN Jean Ross and Dr. Yvonne Thornton | Show 311 Best Of Nurse Talk

Pattie Lockard — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 08:27:01 +0000

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!

Life After Death and We’ll Show You An Emergency Gov. Snyder | Show 407

Nurse Talk — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 09:38:47 +0000

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…

Retaliation, Travel Nursing and “Home Remedies” | Show 405

Pattie Lockard — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 01:06:20 +0000

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!”

The Nurses Station and The Hero Nurse | Show 404

Pattie Lockard — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 06:57:33 +0000

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!

The Baby Whisperer Is In the House and News from Wisconsin | Show 403

Pattie Lockard — Sat, 12 Mar 2011 00:47:47 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Solidarity in Madison and Veterans Benefit Scandal | Show 402

Pattie Lockard — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 01:02:21 +0000

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

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

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

Inspiration and Perspiration | Show 307BO

Pattie Lockard — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 06:13:50 +0000

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

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

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

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

GoRed and Tackling Workplace Violence | Show 401

Pattie Lockard — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 01:39:15 +0000

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

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

Singing Anesthetists and Real Nurse DENIED Insurance Protests | Show 319

Pattie Lockard — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 16:39:42 +0000

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

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

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

Speaking Truth to Power Works and These Singing Nurses are Funny | Show 319

Pattie Lockard — Sat, 12 Feb 2011 01:12:18 +0000

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

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

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

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

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

Capitol Hill and Applied Humor | Show 318

Pattie Lockard — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 21:52:08 +0000

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

The Associaton for Applied Humor

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

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

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

Keeping the Promise | Show 317

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 09:03:46 +0000

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

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

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

Lynn Ruth Miller

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

Obamacare | Show 314

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:07:02 +0000

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

Dan's New Sign

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

DeAnn McEwen, RN

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

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

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

Worst Practices by Hospital Administrators | Show 313

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 08:59:14 +0000

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

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

A moving story by Linda and Tony Cole

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

Gwen Collins on Nurse-to-Patient Ratios and Susan Shapiro Barash, Best-Selling Author | Show 312

Pattie Lockard — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 13:44:11 +0000

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

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

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

Author Susan Shapiro Barash with Her Daughters, Jennie and Elizabeth

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

National Nurses United on Politics and Dr. Yvonne S. Thornton, author | Show 311

Pattie Lockard — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 21:56:49 +0000

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

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

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