PTO, Guilt, and Patient Care: The Truth About Missing Work in Healthcare

The Patients We Never Forget: Healthcare Stories That Changed Us Forever

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526729/fan_mail/new] Some patients never leave you. Some coworkers, mentors, and moments quietly change the way you practice medicine forever. In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, the Shift Talkers share the stories that shaped them as healthcare workers — from unforgettable patients and life-changing preceptors to heartbreaking COVID moments, difficult lessons, and the small acts of kindness that still stay with them years later. We talk about: *  The patients who changed how we practice forever  *  Lessons from mentors, teachers, and preceptors  *  Compassion fatigue and finding meaning again  *  ICU stories that still stick with us  *  Human connection in healthcare  *  The “hidden curriculum” of medicine  *  Why healthcare workers carry these moments for life  This episode is emotional, reflective, funny at times, and deeply human...a reminder that behind every healthcare worker is a collection of stories they never truly forget.

How to Advocate for Yourself in Healthcare - Not Feeling Heard

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526729/fan_mail/new] Have you ever left a doctor’s appointment or hospital stay feeling unheard, brushed off, or dismissed? In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, Abby, Kaleigh, and Amanda have an honest conversation about what happens when patients, families, and even healthcare workers feel ignored or misunderstood. From being told “it’s just anxiety” to struggling to get answers for a loved one, the team breaks down why these moments happen, how they impact trust, and practical ways patients can advocate for themselves without escalating conflict. The conversation also explores compassion fatigue, communication breakdowns, medical jargon, patient advocacy, and the reality that healthcare workers can feel dismissed too. Whether you’re a patient, family member, nurse, provider, or someone navigating the healthcare system, this episode offers real stories, practical communication tips, and reassurance that your concerns deserve to be heard. Topics discussed: *  Feeling dismissed in healthcare  *  Patient advocacy tips  *  How to communicate concerns to providers  *  “It’s just anxiety” experiences  *  Healthcare communication breakdowns  *  Medical gaslighting discussions  *  ICU and hospital stories  *  Compassion fatigue in healthcare  *  Nurse and provider perspectives  *  How to escalate concerns appropriately  🎙️ Listen, follow, and share your story with us at Banter at the Bedside.

Compassion Fatigue in Healthcare: Burnout, Trauma & Losing Your Spark

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526729/fan_mail/new] What happens when caring for others starts to quietly wear you down? In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, the Shift Talkers sit down again with trauma and emergency medicine chaplain Linda Moore to talk about compassion fatigue in healthcare — what it is, how it differs from burnout, and why so many healthcare workers are feeling emotionally exhausted after years of repeated trauma exposure.  The conversation dives into the emotional weight healthcare workers carry, the cases that stay with us, the physical signs we ignore, and the importance of checking in on coworkers before they lose their “spark.” The team also discusses boundaries, mindfulness, wellness culture in hospitals, and why organizational support matters just as much as self-care.  From ICU stories and difficult patient outcomes to dark humor and honest reflection, this episode is a raw and relatable conversation about surviving healthcare without losing yourself in it. If you’ve ever felt emotionally numb, exhausted, irritable, disconnected, or like you’re just “running on empty,” this episode is for you.

Reel vs. Real Nursing: Reacting to Healthcare TikToks, ICU Humor & What Crosses the Line

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526729/fan_mail/new] In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, Abby, Kaleigh, and Amanda react to healthcare TikToks, nursing memes, and viral medical reels — and the conversation quickly turns into a deeper discussion about ICU culture, dark humor in healthcare, burnout, social media, patient care, and the moments that make nurses say, “wait… was that about me?”  From hilarious charge nurse assignment chaos to questionable nursing TikToks that completely miss the mark, the team breaks down what healthcare workers relate to online, why medical humor exists, and where the line is between coping and crossing into disrespect. They also talk about Nurses Week, difficult patient assignments, safety events, social media in medicine, and why healthcare workers use humor to survive emotionally heavy jobs.  If you’ve ever doom-scrolled nurse TikTok after a shift, laughed at something only healthcare workers would understand, or wondered whether medical social media actually helps burnout — this episode is for you. These are our opinions only and do not represent any entity. This is not medical advice.

Building a Mobile Healthcare Practice in Rural North Carolina | Consult & Calling with Dr. Ivy DNP

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2526729/fan_mail/new] What happens when healthcare stops waiting for patients to come to the clinic — and starts meeting them where they are? In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, Abby (NP) and Kaleigh (RN) sit down with Dr. Ivy Bagley, family nurse practitioner, psychiatric nurse practitioner, and lactation consultant, to talk about building a mobile healthcare practice serving rural North Carolina. From driving hours between patients to integrating primary care, mental health, and lactation support into one care model, Dr. Ivy shares what it really takes to create healthcare access in underserved communities. The conversation dives into rural healthcare barriers, starting a private practice, balancing mission with business realities, mental health access, postpartum care, and the freedom — and responsibility — of becoming your own boss in medicine. This episode is part of our Consult & Calling series, where we explore the many different paths healthcare professionals take throughout their careers.