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The Gritty Nurse

Amie Archibald-Varley
Nursing
Mental Health
Healthcare
Mindfulness
Burnout
Health Equity
Remote Nursing
Patient Safety
Self-Reflection
Nursing Careers
Nursing Seniority
Doctor Of Nursing Practice
Workplace Culture
Ghosting
Substance Abuse
Sonography
Nursing Education
Work-Life Balance
Anxiety
Relationships

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 d... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes216Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MedicineHealth & FitnessMental Health

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Artwork for The Gritty Nurse

Latest Episodes

Content note: this episode discusses workplace violence, suicidal ideation and psychological harm in a clinical/workplace setting.

This week, almost seven years to the day since I walked out of a role where I once hid under my desk to escape a lead... more

With a growing mental health crisis and a system bogged down by waitlists and rigid silos, a powerful paradigm shift is happening across Canada: the rise of nurse-led psychotherapy. In this educational episode, we sit down with Sheena Howard (BScN, M... more

How do we move from a healthcare system that only reacts to illness, to one that actively empowers patients?

In this episode of The Gritty Nurse Podcast, host Amie Archibald-Varley sits down with Mike Serbinis, the visionary CEO and founder of Leag... more

What happens when a nurse picks up a pen and refuses to stay quiet? She becomes Tilda Shalof — ICU nurse, bestselling author, patient advocate, and one of Canada's most powerful voices for the nursing profession.

In this episode of The Gritty Nurs... more

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Recent Guests

Mike Serbinis
CEO/Founder of League
League
Episode: From KOBO to Digital Health: Disrupting the Status Quo In Healthcare with Mike Serbinis
Tilda Shalof
Nurse, author, ICU nurse at Toronto General Hospital for 28+ years
Self / Nurse author
Episode: From the ICU to the Page: Nurse Author Tilda Shalof on Why Nurses Must Tell Their Stories
Cambria Nwosu
Registered nurse and legal nurse consultant
CJN Network / Sun Ink (co-founded with spouse)
Episode: What Nurses Don't Know About the Law Could Cost Them Everything w/ Dr. Cambria Nwsou DNP, RN, LNC
Mama Nurse Tina
Nurse with 17 years of experience, advocating for maternal health and online education
Mominerstina / bumptolatch
Episode: Let's Talk About Birth, Disparities, and Shifting the System: With Mama Nurse Tina!
Michelle Acorn
CEO of the Nurse Practitioners Association of Ontario
NPAO
Episode: Exposing The Barriers: Why Are Nurse Practitioners Not Practicing To Their Full Scope in Canada? Discussions with CEO of NPAO Dr. Michelle Acorn
Meg Lambrick
Registered nurse, freelance writer and health journalist
Nurse and health journalist
Episode: The Obedient Nurse: How the "Good Nurse" Myth Quietly Paves the Way for Authoritarianism— and learning Hope Is a Discipline
Dr. Danielle McCamey
Acute care nurse practitioner, founder/CEO/president of DNPs of Color, co-founder of Nurses Shift Change
DNPs of Color; Nurses Shift Change
Episode: Nursing Needs A Defibrillation: We Are The Shift, We Are The CHANGE with Dr. Danielle McCamey & Gloria Barrera
Gloria E. Barrera
Public health nurse leader, director of RN to BSN program, co-lead of Society of Latinx Nurses
Nurses Shift Change; Society of Latinx Nurses
Episode: Nursing Needs A Defibrillation: We Are The Shift, We Are The CHANGE with Dr. Danielle McCamey & Gloria Barrera
Sarah DiGregorio
Author of Taking Care: The Story of Nursing and Its Power to Change Our World
Author, Journalist
Episode: Taking Care: The Untold Story of The History of Nursing with Sarah DiGregorio

Host

Amie Archibald Varley
Host of The Gritty Nurse, focused on amplifying frontline nurse voices and healthcare issues.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 159 ratings
  • Misinformation based on Critical Race Theory

    Right off the get go in S6:E3, they spew misinformation: as nurses they should know there are genetic differences in immunity between different racial and ethnic groups. These differences are shaped by evolutionary pressures, such as historical exposure to pathogens, environmental conditions, and genetic drift. Black people, for example, have the sickle cell trait (HBB gene mutation), which provides resistance to malaria, and which has been a strong selective pressure in sub-Saharan Africa. The ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    mister proudfoot
    United Statesa year ago
  • Fantastic

    This is a FANTASTIC podcast and a breath of fresh air for me. I was recently introduced to this podcast after listening to Amie and Sara on Nurses Uncorked. Their education/experience and background is extremely impressive and I love how they talk about the real issues in our profession while making it engaging, real, and in a way that listeners can truly connect with. Keep it up ladies!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    EvidenceBasedNurse
    United States2 years ago
  • Honest, Direct!

    Wow! Just happened to hear about this podcast while listening to CBC about your book release/podcast .

    Started listening today and loving the honesty of the conversations about nursing/ our healthcare system. I happened to start listening to the episode that dealt with the experience of Amie’s mom. It was really sad to know that she was treated so “poorly” (for lack of better word) & she had such an awful experience which has scarred her (I’m sure for a long time). Nurses & healthcare in general... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    24Conscious
    Canada2 years ago
  • Honest

    I discovered the Gritty Nurse Podcast this summer and love the show. Speaking honestly about nursing and the healthcare system is not something we, as nurses, have felt we can do. Keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    rudievalentine
    Canada4 years ago
  • Nursing Representation

    Thank you both for your frank discussion about nursing and the nursing crisis. Nursing needs more people like you who are out there speaking on behalf of the profession; saying the things that others are shying away from exposing such as the truth about nursing wages (which cap at the 8 yr mark), the truth about the “retention bonus” which wasn’t $5000 as the Gov is claiming it to be. Your voices are real and meaningful. Keep the discussion going. Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Movie****
    Canada4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the show's honesty, practical leadership insights, and candid discussions about nursing and healthcare inequities.
A strong pull for actionable takeaways and compassionate, community-driven framing of controversial issues.
Fans appreciate guests who bring policy, advocacy, and real-world nursing perspectives to complex topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From the ICU to the Page: Nurse Author Tilda Shalof on Why Nurses Must Tell Their Stories
Q: Could you share a time where you had an exercise in courage and what was really at stake?
She describes standing up to bullying and leading initiatives to improve the workplace, often facing resistance from management, but seeing personal and professional growth and ongoing mentorship as outcomes of courage.
From the ICU to the Page: Nurse Author Tilda Shalof on Why Nurses Must Tell Their Stories
Q: Did you choose nursing, or did nursing choose you?
Nilda explains that nursing chose her in a sense; it provided salvation and a long-term career, growing from a need for work to a deep professional identity.
The Obedient Nurse: How the "Good Nurse" Myth Quietly Paves the Way for Authoritarianism— and learning Hope Is a Discipline
Q: How can nurses be motivated and activated to address these systemic issues beyond individual action?
Meg emphasizes moving from solo actions to collective action, building community, mutual aid, and direct action, while recognizing constraints and the need to educate and empower through practical steps and solidarity.
The Power of The Pivot: Rediscovering Your Love For Nursing In Non-Traditional Nursing Careers
Q: How should a nurse approach the job search to find a remote or non-traditional role that truly fits?
Focus on discernment over mass applications, target roles that align with your strengths, network with people in those roles, seek internal referrals, and tailor resumes to each opportunity rather than applying broadly.
The Power of The Pivot: Rediscovering Your Love For Nursing In Non-Traditional Nursing Careers
Q: What are some transferable skills that can move a nurse from bedside to non-traditional roles?
The guest highlights core capabilities like project management, communication, attention to detail, and frontline problem solving as transferable, plus the importance of storytelling in interviews to connect clinical experience with new roles.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Gritty Nurse

What is The Gritty Nurse about and what kind of topics does it cover?

High-velocity conversations around nursing, healthcare systems, and policy with a blunt, reality-grounded lens. Episodes frequently spotlight nurse leadership, patient advocacy, health equity, burnout and mental health, and the intersection of care with policy, technology, and social justice. A consistent through-line is pushing for systemic change while centering the voices of frontline clinicians and care workers. Noteworthy is a willingness to tackle controversial topics, including race, gender, and systemic bias, in a way that's accessible to both practitioners and interested non-clinicians. The show often features nurses in leadership roles, clinicians navigating policy, and advocates shaping nursing culture, making it a strong fit for... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Gritty Nurse?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Gritty Nurse:

1. Straight A Nursing: Study for nursing school exams & NCLEX
2. White Coat, Black Art
3. The Mel Robbins Podcast
4. IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
5. Oprah's Super Soul

How many episodes of The Gritty Nurse are there?

The Gritty Nurse launched 7 years ago and published 216 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Gritty Nurse?

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What guests have appeared on The Gritty Nurse?

Recent guests on The Gritty Nurse include:

1. Mike Serbinis
2. Tilda Shalof
3. Cambria Nwosu
4. Mama Nurse Tina
5. Michelle Acorn
6. Meg Lambrick
7. Dr. Danielle McCamey
8. Gloria E. Barrera

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