In this episode, the Gritty Nurses talk about the concerning increase in cyberattacks on hospitals in recent years. Ascension, one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the nation, was hit by a ransomware attack in May 2024 (right around nurses week). Affected were no less than 12 states, over a period of 36 days. Cyber attacks have increased by 128% from 2022-2023. They discuss safety issues when EMR charting is down, how we can better prepare, how much we should rely on paper charting. Technology can be a double edged sword.

Resources:

https://www.npr.org/2024/06/19/nx-s1-5010219/ascension-hospital-ransomware-attack-care-lapses

https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/05/23/1253011397/how-the-ascension-cyberattack-is-disrupting-care-at-hospitals

https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/ascension-cyberattack-impact-ehr-pharmacy-ambulance-diversion/719139/

https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/tracking-ascension-healthcare-cyberattack-impact/716327/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada! Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing! With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP, is dedicated to helping you every step of the way.

Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one. Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected. Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/ https://www.grittynurse.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

In this episode, the Gritty Nurses talk about a new medical school at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) with their founding dean, Dr. Teresa Chan! They discuss their bold new training model, what sets them apart from other medical schools, student racial inequities, bullying and advocacy!

Dr. Teresa Chan is a Canadian emergency physician and medical educator. On July 15, 2023 she became the Founding Dean of the Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) School of Medicine.

​She is currently a practicing emergency physician and clinician educator at William Osler Health System in Ontario, Canada. She has formerly served as the Assistant Dean of Faculty Development and Associate Dean of Continuing Professional Development within the Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University.

Dr. Chan is also the founder and editor-in-chief of the medical education website, CanadiEM.org, which provides resources for medical learners and educators in Canada and around the world.

She is a well-known figure in the medical education community and has received numerous awards for her contributions to the field.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, TMU School of Medicine!

In summer 2025, Toronto Metropolitan University’s new School of Medicine will officially open its doors and begin shaping a new generation of doctors. Through a bold new approach to medical education, we will train future-ready doctors who are dedicated to delivering primary care to those who need it most. Our doctors will come from our communities and work with our communities to improve health and wellbeing. They will disrupt and drive change within the healthcare system for the benefit of our communities all across Canada. And they will advance our shared vision to build a healthier, more equitable world. The TMU School of Medicine will welcome its first cohort of residents in summer 2025 across 17 residency programs, including seven in family medicine and ten in generalist specialties. MD students will follow in September 2025, pending successful preliminary accreditation by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools. Visit torontomu.ca/school-of-medicine to learn more.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP, is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

Have you heard that all nurses aren't made the same? That some are Registered Nurses and others are Registered Practical Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses? Did you know that even within nursing, we create categories of who is "really" a nurse? Let's cut the bullshi*t, shall we? In this episode, the Gritty Nurses talk about registered practical nurses (RPNs) with none other than Dianne Martin, CEO of WeRPN. We discuss what RPNs can do, common misconceptions, and raising awareness and improving working conditions, and her hopes and aspirations for RPNs. After all, if nurse is in your title, you're a nurse.

Dianne Martin has been a nurse since 1979. She graduated first as an RPN and then in 1998, she graduated as an RN with a diploma in nursing and is dually registered as both an RN and RPN. Currently she works as an RPN in the role of Chief Executive Officer of WeRPN where she has been recognized for her work to build bridges of greater understanding and respect among the categories of nurses in Ontario. Dianne has experience working in several Ontario hospitals predominantly in the field of Perinatal Care. She has held several leadership positions including professional practice coordinator in an Ontario hospital and senior policy analyst with the Nursing Policy and Innovation Branch of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (formerly The Nursing Secretariat).

In 2016, Dianne received the Premier’s Award which recognizes college graduates whose achievements have made a difference in the province of Ontario. She is the daughter of a nurse, mother to a nurse, and she holds all those who care for others in the highest regard.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, healthcareproviders.ca!

Attention, hospital employees, retirees and HR in Canada!

Picture this: a benefit plan designed for casual and part-time hospital employees and retirees who aren’t covered by their hospital’s group health plan. Introducing Healthcare Providers Group Insurance Plan – a friendly partner dedicated to your health and wellbeing!

With affordable plan premiums and an exceptional support team, Healthcare Providers, also known as HCP, is dedicated to helping you every step of the way. Enrolling is easy, and you’ll have access to a wide range of health and basic dental benefits from day one.

Already have coverage through your spouse? HCP still has your back! For less than $32 a month, the Signature Package, which includes Life, Long-Term Disability, Accidental Death, Disease & Dismemberment, provides valuable income protection and peace of mind for the unexpected.

Take charge of your health and financial security today. Visit healthcareproviders.ca to learn more!

Order our Book, The Wisdom Of Nurses! Leave us a review on Amazon!

https://www.harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/

https://www.grittynurse.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@grittynursepodcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grittynurse

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gritty.nurse.podcast/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/GrittyNurse

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grittynurse

Follow WeRPN- Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario

https://www.werpn.com/

X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/we_rpn

Facebook @wearepracticalnurses: https://www.facebook.com/wearepracticalnurses/

Instagram @we_rpn: http://instagram.com/we_rpn