Nurse News: $6.5 Billion Healthcare Fraud Takedown, an EMT Hero at the Knicks Parade & More

Nurse News: $6.5 Billion Healthcare Fraud Takedown, an EMT Hero at the Knicks Parade & More

In this episode, Colton covers the U.S. Department of Justice's largest-ever healthcare fraud takedown, with 455 defendants and $6.5 billion in alleged fraud spanning home health, hospice, wound care, and telehealth. He also digs into a Love Island USA moment that had social media talking after a nursing grad mixed up visual acuity scores on camera, the story of EMT Simone Kelly going viral for saving a life at the Knicks parade, and a Nevada nurse practitioner charged in a $906 million skin graft fraud scheme that funded her Ferrari, Bulgari necklace, and Hawaii home. The biggest data drop of the episode: Nurse.org's 2026 patient ratio poll of over 600 nurses. The median worst-ever ratio in acute care was 16 to 1. In long-term care, it was 46 to 1 — with some nurses reporting worst-ever ratios of 80 to 120 patients. Jump Ahead:  00:21 — Welcome back and intro to this week's nurse news segment 00:50 — Story 1: DOJ charges 455 in largest healthcare fraud takedown in history 02:00 — Which settings and clinicians are under scrutiny 03:00 — The amniotic wound allograft scheme and hospice fraud cases 04:15 — What nurses need to sit with about their signatures and documentation 05:30 — Story 2: Love Island's Kenzie Annis and the visual acuity mix-up 07:00 — Colton's take: we all make mistakes, girl 08:11 — Story 3: EMT Simone Kelly saves a life at the Knicks parade 09:30 — Why EMTs and paramedics are unsung heroes 10:15 — Why you might want to carry Narcan on you 11:00 — Story 4: Nurse.org's 2026 patient ratio poll — 600+ nurses share their worst 12:00 — Acute care median: 16 to 1. Long-term care median: 46 to 1 13:00 — Long-term care nurses reporting 60, 80, even 120 patients per nurse 13:45 — The Joint Commission is paying attention 14:30 — Story 5: Nevada NP Marziel Yuki indicted in $906M skin graft fraud 15:30 — The Ferrari, the Bulgari, the Hawaii home, the Philippines beach resort 16:30 — Why skin substitute fraud is a growing federal enforcement focus 17:15 — Closing message: be honest, have morals 17:45 — Sign-off Each story comes with Colton's honest take on what it means for nurses on the ground. For full articles and updates, visit nurse.org/news. Listen to the full episode at nurse.org/clubnurse.

Nurse News: ANA Sues Department of Education, Fake Nurses Convicted, and a 19-Year-Old CNA's Tragic Death

Host Colton Lord is back with another nurse news segment of the Club Nurse Podcast, breaking down five of the biggest stories in nursing this week. In this episode, Colton covers the American Nurses Association's lawsuit against the Department of Education over the new $100,000 federal loan cap for nursing graduate students, a King County conviction that exposed a fake nurse staffing scheme placing unlicensed workers in long-term care facilities, the tragic death of a 19-year-old CNA who collapsed on shift at Children's of Alabama, California's hard-won safe staffing ratios for psychiatric nurses after 27 years of waiting, and a story that proves AI still can't replace human eyes — a nurse anesthetist diverted fentanyl for months while AI monitoring software missed every red flag. Jump Ahead 00:33 — Welcome back and intro to this week's nurse news segment 00:50 — Story 1: ANA and 9 nursing groups sue the Department of Education over the $100,000 federal loan cap 03:30 — Why the professional degree designation matters for funding 05:00 — Story 2: King County jury convicts the boss behind a fake nurse staffing scheme 07:42 — Story 3: 19-year-old CNA Joquia Renee Morgan dies one hour after collapsing on shift 09:30 — Why nurses need permission to take care of themselves at work 10:30 — Story 4: California's psychiatric nurses win safe staffing ratios after 27 years 12:30 — The cost, the delay, and what nurses are still pushing for 13:30 — Story 5: AI fails to catch a nurse anesthetist diverting fentanyl for 4 months 15:30 — Why AI still needs humans in healthcare 16:30 — Closing thanks and where to find more Each story comes with Colton's honest take on what it means for nurses on the ground and why staying informed matters. Whether you're at the bedside or working in a non-clinical role, these are the stories shaping nursing right now. For full articles and updates, visit nurse.org/news. Listen to the full episode at nurse.org/clubnurse. nurse news, Club Nurse Podcast, ANA lawsuit, federal loan cap nursing, fake nurses, CNA death, safe staffing, psychiatric nurse ratios, drug diversion, AI healthcare, Colton Lord, nursing news 2026, healthcare policy, nurse workforce, nurse advocacy

Meet the Nurse Turning Songs & Storytelling Into YouTube Health Lessons for Kids (With Emari Etta-Tawo)

We spotlight the nurse and mom behind the viral children’s character Nurse Dolly. Georgia nurse Emari Etta-Tawo created the YouTube series Mini Med School to help kids feel less afraid of doctor visits through songs, storytelling, stuffed animals, and playful medical lessons. We discuss how Nurse Dolly is making health education fun and accessible for families, why representation in healthcare matters, and how one nurse’s creativity is inspiring the next generation of caregivers. Plus, hear how parents and fellow nurses are responding to the show’s trusted, educational approach to teaching kids about hygiene, anatomy, wellness, and confidence in healthcare settings. Tune in to learn how Nurse Dolly is turning nursing knowledge into singalongs, smiles, and meaningful impact for children everywhere.

Nurse Builds AI Patient Advocacy App Inspired By Her Own Misdiagnosed Brain Condition (with Rachel Dumas)

Nurse, patient, and founder Rachell Dumas joins host Colton Lord on the Club Nurse Podcast to share how her own near-death experience inspired HEARD, an AI-powered app helping patients advocate for themselves. Rachell has a background in trauma, neuro ICU, and COVID care, and traveled to New York City during the height of the pandemic. After nine pregnancy losses, two brain surgeries, and being dismissed in the ER while showing stroke symptoms, she built HEARD to give patients the tools she had as a nurse: research, real-time guidance, and a way to escalate care when something is wrong. In this episode, Rachell and Colton dig into why misdiagnosis kills 250,000 patients a year, how AI can both help and harm in healthcare, and why nurses are some of the best innovators in the country. She also opens up about the trauma of COVID, the power of therapy, and why every nurse should trust their instincts. If you're a nurse with an idea, a patient who feels unheard, or someone curious about where AI and healthcare meet, this conversation is for you. Learn more at myherdapp.com. Listen to the full episode at nurse.org/clubnurse. Connect with Colton on social media: Instagram: @coltonalanlord [https://www.instagram.com/coltonalanlord/], @club.nurse [https://www.instagram.com/club.nurse] TikTok: @nursecolton [https://www.tiktok.com/@nursecolton]

Nurse News: Nurses Week 2026 – FREE Stuff, Red Landmarks & a Reminder of Your Worth!

Happy Nurses Week! In this special Nurses Week 2026 episode, host Colton Lord celebrates the 5.7 million nurses across the country and unpacks why this year carries extra weight, with Congress officially declaring 2026 the "Year of the Power of Nurses" and the American Nurses Association marking its 130th anniversary. Colton breaks down everything happening this week, from the 200+ iconic landmarks worldwide lighting up red (including One World Trade Center and Boston's Zakim Bridge) to the ANA's nationwide hospital tour. He also rounds up all the freebies and deals nurses should be cashing in on, including Chipotle's giveaway of 100,000 free entree gift cards, daily prize drops at nurse.org, and exclusive discounts from brands like Lululemon, Figs, Carhartt, and Clove. But beyond the free burritos and red lights, Colton closes with a heartfelt reminder: your worth as a nurse isn't measured by the rocks, cup of noodles, or empty Ziploc bags some hospitals hand out. Whether you're at the bedside or have pivoted away from it, your impact is real, your care is remembered, and it's always okay to prioritize yourself. Plus, a sneak peek at upcoming guest episodes you won't want to miss. Tune in, soak up the appreciation, and go get your freebies, bestie. You deserve it. Connect with Colton on social media: Instagram: @coltonalanlord [https://www.instagram.com/coltonalanlord/], @club.nurse [https://www.instagram.com/club.nurse] TikTok: @nursecolton [https://www.tiktok.com/@nursecolton]