The Gritty Nurse cover art

The Gritty Nurse

The Gritty Nurse

By: Amie Archibald-Varley
Listen for free

About this listen

 The Gritty Nurse is back, and NO TOPIC is off-limits! Launching in September 2025 with host Amie Archibald Varley, this podcast is dedicated to amplifying the voices of nurses and others who work in healthcare to explore the most pressing issues they face. Join Amie as she continues to take a deep dive into powerful and often uncomfortable topics. Though shared experriences, storytelling and the discussions surrounding the intersection of power, we will navigate the challenges facing healthcare nationally and internationally--as of course--challenge the status quo. The show's core belief remains unwavering: that compassion is the through understanding diverse narratives and perspectives is KEY. Amie will continue to explore hot-button issues like mental health, social justice, women's health, and the daily challenges within the nursing profession. The Gritty Nurse is more than just a podcast—it's a community where nurses and healthcare workers can feel heard, empowered, and recognized as the community leaders they truly are. Change is HERE.2025 Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • The Maligning Manager: We Must Address Substance Use in Healthcare Workers Without Shame!

    The Maligning Manager: We Must Address Substance Use in Healthcare Workers Without Shame!
    Oct 9 2025

    In this crucial and eye-opening episode of the Gritty Nurse podcast with host Amie Archibald-Varley and guest host, Jordan Varley, they confront the hidden crisis of addiction within the healthcare industry. This is essential listening for nurses, physicians, social workers, and all healthcare professionals struggling with the stigma of substance abuse.

    I’ll never forget my first exposure to addiction in the workplace—it was the epitome of a toxic culture. My then-boss shared a disgusting story about a former director allegedly found drunk under a desk, treating a colleague’s pain as a vicious joke. I realized instantly that in this environment, no healthcare worker would ever feel safe coming forward. That betrayal of confidentiality and trust perfectly illustrated the profound stigma we're fighting.

    We delve into the alarming substance abuse statistics and share raw, personal stories that reveal the profound struggles faced by healthcare workers who are silently battling addiction. Our special guest, social worker Jordan, joins us to tear down the wall of shame and expose the systemic issues that often enable or worsen provider impairment. We address the pressures from leadership—the maligning manager or enabling system—that makes seeking addiction treatmentand achieving recovery so difficult.

    Tune in to understand why it’s crucial for every hospital and clinic to champion healthcare worker recovery and create a culture that genuinely dedicates itself to saving the healers. Please do not forget to LIKE and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Youtube!

    Keywords

    addiction, healthcare, nurses, stigma, workplace culture

    Takeaways

    • Addiction is a rising crisis in healthcare.
    • 10-15% of nurses struggle with substance abuse.
    • Registered nurses are 2.2 times more likely to die from overdose.
    • Stigma prevents healthcare workers from seeking help.
    • 43% of drug-related deaths involve workplace medications.
    • Physician suicide rates are high due to substance abuse.
    • Workplace culture contributes to addiction issues.
    • Healthcare workers face unique addiction challenges.
    • Support systems for addiction in healthcare are lacking.
    • Addressing stigma is crucial for solving addiction issues.

    Chapters

    • Introduction to Addiction in Healthcare
    • Statistics and Personal Stories
    • Stigma and Workplace Culture
    • Systemic Issues and Solutions

    Where to Listen / Watch

    * Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts

    https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782

    * Watch on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast

    Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!

    www.hospitalnews.com

    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
  • A $20M Wake-Up Call:The Landmark DonQuenick Joppy Case, Racism, Retaliation, and the Future of Nursing

    A $20M Wake-Up Call:The Landmark DonQuenick Joppy Case, Racism, Retaliation, and the Future of Nursing
    Oct 2 2025
    In this eye-opening episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley and special guest Jerry Soucy unpack the landmark case of DonQuenick Yvonne Joppy, the ICU nurse who courageously challenged racial discrimination, wrongful termination, and retaliation in healthcare. Recently, a federal jury awarded $20 million to Joppy after finding that Aurora Medical Center (Colorado) had retaliated against her and discriminated against her because she spoke up. During her employment, she was wrongfully accused of causing a patient’s death (charges later dropped) and faced a hostile work environment, unequal workloads, disciplinary scrutiny, and barriers to promotion. In this conversation, Amie and Jerry: Trace the legal journey of Joppy’s case and the jury verdict Explore systemic racism and retaliation in nursing Expose how hospital culture perpetuates bullying and silencing Center the voices of nurses of color who often suffer in silence Propose strategies for advocacy, accountability, and cultural transformation in healthcare This is an essential listen for nurses, leaders, administrators, and all who believe in a just, equitable healthcare system. 🔍 Key Takeaways & Themes $20M verdict marks a turning point — Joppy’s win is a powerful statement that institutions can be held accountable and that speaking up matters. Systemic racism in healthcare is real — This case spotlights how discrimination is not isolated but woven into policy, discipline, and culture. Retaliation silences and damages — Nurses risk their careers when challenging injustice; legal protections must be stronger. Hospital culture enables harm — Toxic leadership, favoritism, and lack of oversight perpetuate harassment and inequality. Advocacy is a lifeline — Collective action, legal recourse, and peer support are vital for nurses of color. Leadership must evolve — Diversity, inclusion, and transparent accountability should no longer be optional. Training, education, and alliances matter — Nurses, managers, and boards need cultural competence, allyship, and courage to confront bias. Grassroots movements drive change — From unions to nursing networks, bottom-up pressure forces institutions to transform. Beyond patient care: moral injury & ethics — Discrimination and retaliation injure nurses’ spirit, agency, and integrity. Vision for a new nursing culture — One rooted in justice, mutual respect, courageous voices, and systemic repair. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Injustice 04:34 The Case of DonQuenick Joppy 12:57 The Role of Nursing Culture 15:56 The Patient That Needed to be Admitted Had Advanced Directives 19:14 The family wants to redirect care: EOL 20:27 Rapidly Evolving Situation 21:20 Making Something out of Nothing: Mean Girls of Nursing 22:55 Termination and Court Proceeding 23:47 Legal Proceedings and Outcomes 25:33 The Illusion of Quality in Healthcare: Magnet Hospitals and Daisy Awards 26:47 Racism and Bullying in Nursing 28:27 Profession Rotten to the Core 29:25 Legal Battles and the Fight for Justice 32:34 The Duality of Nursing: Care vs. Compliance 35:31 Rating Performance without nurses knowledge: The ESL 39:07 The Verdict: A Step Towards Accountability 41:15 The Ongoing Struggle Against Racism in Healthcare 42:47 Dealing with Racism in Nursing 48:00 The Future of Nursing: A Call for Change Resources https://www.denverpost.com/2022/05/04/donquenick-joppy-lawsuit-medical-center-aurora/ The recent verdict https://www.denverpost.com/2025/08/20/donquenick-joppy-verdict-hca-healthone/ Link to website with 7 short videos and source material regarding the case and context https://www.antiracismnursing.org/ Related links ANA racism in nursing https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/racism-in-nursing/ Magnet(tm) https://www.nursingworld.org/organizational-programs/magnet/ Daisy https://www.daisyfoundation.org/
    Show More Show Less
    56 mins
  • U.S. Healthcare Reform or Disaster? Breaking Down RFK Jr.’s “Big Beautiful Bill"

    U.S. Healthcare Reform or Disaster? Breaking Down RFK Jr.’s “Big Beautiful Bill"
    Sep 25 2025
    In this hard-hitting episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast with Amie Archibald-Varley, we dive deep into the controversial healthcare proposal dubbed the “Big Beautiful Bill”—a sweeping plan backed by RFK Jr. that claims to overhaul the US healthcare system. But what’s really behind this policy? And who stands to lose the most? Joined by Dr. Kaveh Hoda, gastroenterologist, podcaster, and advocate, we explore: The background and political motivations behind RFK Jr.’s healthcare agenda The devastating consequences of Medicaid cuts on low-income Americans, seniors, and people with disabilities How privatization and deregulation threaten the core of public healthcare Why Canadian listeners should view this as a cautionary tale—what’s happening in the US could be a warning sign for Canada’s own healthcare system 💡 From rising inequity to the erosion of public trust, this episode is a must-listen for healthcare workers, policymakers, and citizens on both sides of the border. If you value accessible, fair public healthcare or are curious about how U.S. health policy debates can inform what's happening (or could happen) in Canada, this episode is essential listening. Let us know your thoughts: share, review, and talk back. 👉 Don’t forget to follow, subscribe, and leave a review to support the show! 📢 Listen now and stay informed. Your healthcare depends on it. Listen on Apple Podcasts – The Gritty Nurse Podcast: The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube – The Gritty Nurse Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast #RFKJr #BigBeautifulBill #USHealthcare #MedicaidCuts #HealthcarePolicy #HealthEquity #GrittyNursePodcast #DrKavehHoda #CanadianHealthcare #HealthcareAdvocacy #PublicHealth #NursingPodcast #USPolitics About House of Pod by Dr. Kaveh Hoda House of Pod is hosted by Kaveh MD: a science‑/medical‐adjacent podcast that often combines deep health policy discussions with critical commentary. Apple Podcasts+2Metacast: podcast app with transcripts+2 You can listen to House of Pod on Apple Podcasts: The House of Pod on Apple Apple Podcasts+1 Also available through other platforms such as Acast, SoundCloud, Castbox, etc. Dr. Kaveh Hoda Social Media X: https://x.com/thehouseofpod Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kavehmd.bsky.social IG: https://www.instagram.com/thehouseofpod/ Email: hopquestions@gmail.com Takeaways Healthcare is inherently political and affects everyone. The 'Big Beautiful Bill' poses significant risks to Medicaid. Cuts to healthcare will disproportionately affect low-income individuals. Communication is crucial in addressing healthcare issues. Community engagement is essential for effective healthcare advocacy. Misinformation in healthcare is a growing concern. Compassionate conversations can bridge political divides. Healthcare professionals must hold politicians accountable. The future of healthcare requires inclusive dialogue. Canada should learn from the U.S. healthcare challenges. Keywords healthcare, politics, Medicaid, big beautiful bill, Kaveh Hoda, The Gritty Nurse, healthcare access, socioeconomic factors, misinformation, community engagement Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Healthcare Politics 07:44 The Big Beautiful Bill: Overview and Implications 15:20 Understanding the Impact on Healthcare Access 19:28 Patriotism vs Nationalism 22:45 Moderate Voices in a Polarized Landscape 26:40 The Role of Healthcare Professionals 29:43 Combating Misinformation in Healthcare 32:47 Accountability in Politics 35:23 The Cautionary Tale for Canada Resources https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/07/03/opinion/domestic-policy-bill-in-charts.html https://www.statista.com/chart/34728/public-view-of-trumps-tax-and-domestic-policy-bill/?srsltid=AfmBOorbA8KxFjHm8B1cLgFP9FrR8yzICKMGrwzJxRbwiuPzkAa8I6H6 https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1 https://globalnews.ca/news/11273459/trump-big-beautiful-bill-details-explained/ https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/07/big-beautiful-bill-trump-deaths/683385/ https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/big-beautiful-bill-trump-america-great-power-medicaid-rcna216034 https://theconversation.com/how-the-big-beautiful-bill-will-deepen-the-racial-wealth-gap-a-law-scholar-explains-how-it-reduces-poor-families-ability-to-afford-food-and-health-care-260680
    Show More Show Less
    38 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.