Banter At The Bedside

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when healthcare workers are sick—but still come to work anyway?In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, Abby (NP), Kaleigh (RN), Cody (RN), and Dr. Jeff talk honestly about the past pressures to show up when you're sick, recovering, caring for a sick child, or simply exhausted. From working through COVID policies to navigating childcare challenges, staffing shortages, PTO limitations, and guilt about leaving teammates short-handed, they explore why calling out in healthcare is never a simple decision.They also share personal stories—from working with strep throat on a hospice hallway to coming back too early after concussion, parenting decisions around daycare illness, and how hospital culture around sickness changed after COVID.If you’ve ever wondered: Should I call out sick?  Am I letting my team down?  Why is this so complicated? This conversation is for you.Because the hospital never closes—but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t rest.🎙️ Join the Shift Talkers as they unpack the reality of working while sick in healthcare. These are our opinions only, they don't represent any entity. 

Send us Fan MailCardiogenic shock management doesn’t stop with recognizing preload, afterload, and contractility. The hardest decisions often come next: when to escalate care and when to activate advanced support.In Part 2 of this cardiogenic shock education series, Abby (NP) and Kaleigh (RN) continue their conversation with Dr. Michael to explore how clinicians decide when medical therapy isn’t enough—and what happens next.Together they discuss how to interpret clinical trajectory, when to escalate from vasopressors to inotropes, and how mechanical circulatory support devices fit into modern cardiogenic shock care. They also break down how cardiogenic shock teams help coordinate faster decisions and improve survival across health systems.If you work in the ICU, ED, cardiology, or critical care —or if you're learning advanced hemodynamic decision-making—this episode connects physiology to real bedside escalation strategies.This episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not represent medical advice.

Send us Fan MailCardiogenic shock remains a high-mortality emergency in critical care—but survival is improving as clinicians better understand shock physiology and adopt cardiogenic shock team models.In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, Abby and Kaleigh are joined by returning guest Dr. Michael for a practical bedside breakdown of cardiogenic shock recognition and management. Together they explain: How to differentiate cardiogenic vs distributive shock  Why preload, contractility, and afterload matter clinically  When to use diuretics, vasodilators, and inotropes  Dobutamine vs milrinone vs epinephrine  How cardiac power predicts outcomes  Why cardiogenic shock teams are improving survival nationwide  How hemodynamics translate into real treatment decisions This episode is designed for ICU nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, residents, fellows, and physicians working in emergency medicine, cardiology, and critical care.This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not provide medical advice.

Send us Fan MailIn healthcare, when a code ends and time of death is called, the room usually moves on fast. But what if we didn’t?In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, we sit down with a hospital chaplain to talk about “The Pause” — a simple 45-second moment of silence after a patient dies that helps teams honor the patient, recognize the effort of the staff, and begin processing what just happened.We talk about:• why healthcare teams scatter after codes• the emotional cost of never stopping• what chaplains actually do for staff• burnout, compassion fatigue, and stacked grief• how anyone on the team can start the pauseYou don’t have to be religious to benefit from it.You just have to be human.If you’ve ever walked out of a code and gone straight back to work like nothing happened — this episode is for you.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Banter at the Bedside, we dive into what it really means to be the “town healer” — the nurse, doctor, or healthcare worker everyone turns to for medical advice outside the hospital.From group chats and family texts to strangers at restaurants and TikTok DMs, we share real stories about the pressure of being “on” all the time, the awkward situations that come with it, and the fine line between helping and setting boundaries.Joined by a hospitalist and rising TikTok creator, we also explore how social media is changing the way patients seek medical advice — and what that means for healthcare professionals navigating ethics, liability, and burnout.But beneath the humor, this episode tackles a bigger question:Are healthcare workers becoming the system’s workaround for limited access to care?If you’ve ever been asked, “Hey, can I ask you a quick medical question?” — this one’s for you.Disclaimer: This episode is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. We do not represent any organization. Conversations in this episode reflect informal experiences and general education only and do not represent diagnosis, treatment, or prescribing advice.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Banter at the Bedside, Abby and Kaleigh kick off a new mini-series on patient advocacy — inspired by a listener question.As healthcare professionals who have also been patients themselves, they break down why so many people hesitate to speak up during medical visits and hospital stays. From feeling like you might be “difficult” to worrying that providers are too busy, Abby and Kaleigh tackle the biggest myths that keep patients from asking questions.They also share practical phrases patients and families can use to advocate for themselves, how nurses often act as allies in communication, and why asking questions can actually make care safer and clearer for everyone involved.Whether you’re navigating the healthcare system for the first time or supporting a loved one in the hospital, this episode offers simple ways to communicate with confidence.Because advocating for yourself isn’t being difficult — it’s being informed

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Banter at the Bedside, we dive into one of the most relatable topics in healthcare: relationships.Healthcare workers spend 12+ hours together in high-stress environments, forming friendships that can feel deeper than most relationships outside the hospital. But what happens when those trauma-bonded friendships struggle to exist outside of work?We talk about:• Why hospital friendships form so quickly• The reality of trauma bonding in healthcare• Dating in healthcare – nurses, doctors, and coworkers• The challenges of relationships with people outside medicine• How night shift schedules affect friendships and family life• What happens when coworkers date… or break upFrom ICU trauma bonding to hospital gossip, night shift exhaustion, and navigating relationships both inside and outside medicine, this episode explores the unique social world of healthcare workers.Whether you’re a nurse, physician, APP, RT, pharmacist, or anyone working in healthcare, you’ve probably experienced the strange dynamic of being incredibly close to coworkers while struggling to maintain relationships outside the hospital.If you've ever trauma-bonded in a supply room at 3am, this episode is for you.

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when a patient becomes “the GI bleed in 12” instead of a person?In this deeply reflective episode of Banter at the Bedside, Abby and Kaleigh are joined by Dr. Armando (ICU + nephrology) and Amanda, a CICU nurse of nearly 20 years, to explore what it really means to humanize patients in critical care.From micro-communications and bedside manners to burnout, shame in medical training, and the ethical tension between biological survival and personhood, this conversation dives into the hard truths of modern healthcare.We discuss:How ICU culture can unintentionally dehumanize patientsWhy “treat them like family” isn’t always simpleHuman trafficking and suicide cases that changed usCompassion fatigue and protecting yourself emotionallyThe danger of reducing patients to “learning opportunities”Why small moments (saying a name correctly, closing a door, explaining a plan) matter more than we thinkTrigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of sex trafficking and suicide.Whether you're a nurse, physician, APP, healthcare student, or someone who has loved a patient through critical illness — this conversation is for you.Because every room number has a name.And every diagnosis belongs to a human.#BanterAtTheBedside #ICUNurse #CriticalCare #HumanizingHealthcare #CompassionFatigue #MedicalEthics #HealthcarePodcast

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Banter at the Bedside, we dive headfirst into the Reddit rabbit hole — specifically the infamous “Noctor” threads targeting NPs, PAs, and other advanced practice providers.From claims that APPs are “cheap labor” to debates about online education, research credibility, independent practice, and the Dunning-Kruger effect; we read the posts out loud and react in real time.With Abby (CICU NP), Kaleigh (ICU nurse), Cody (ICU nurse) and Michael (Physician) all at the table, this conversation goes deeper than internet drama. We talk about:Physician vs. APP training differencesThe reality of academic ICUsConfidence vs. competenceTeaching fellows vs. teaching APPsWhy online arguments hurt patient trustAnd whether “APP hate” is actually about insecurity, economics, or something else entirelyNo medical advice. Just real talk from people actually doing the work.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Banter at the Bedside, we’re back with another Reel vs. Real — this time diving into pharmacy TikTok with special guest Kyle, an ICU pharmacist and pharmacy content creator.We react to viral pharmacy and healthcare videos and unpack what social media gets right, what it oversimplifies, and what gets completely lost when complex clinical work is condensed into 60 seconds. From STAT colace calls and vancomycin debates to medication safety, burnout, and interprofessional dynamics, we talk honestly about the realities behind the reels.This isn’t a call-out episode, it’s a conversation about nuance, teamwork, and how healthcare professionals can show up online without tearing each other down.Whether you’re a pharmacist, nurse, APP, physician, student, or just curious about what really happens behind the scenes, this episode is for you.

Send us Fan MailThe hospital doesn’t close for snow.In this mini episode of Banter at the Bedside, we share real-time stories from working through a blizzard — including one nurse’s very first experience navigating extreme weather with absolutely zero preparation.From bald tires and no gloves, to hotel mishaps, frozen hands, and still somehow making it through the hospital doors — this episode is a reminder of what healthcare workers are asked to do when the rest of the world shuts down.We talk about:What no one teaches you about working through bad weatherThe real stories behind “just getting to work”How teams show up for each other when conditions are unsafeWhy it’s okay if the first time feels overwhelmingThis isn’t a how-to guide — it’s a real, honest conversation about resilience, learning the hard way, and why these stories deserve to be told.If you’ve ever worked through snow, hurricanes, or impossible conditions — this one’s for you.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Banter at the Bedside, we’re talking about codes — the first ones, the chaotic ones, the ones that still stick with you years later.From ICU to ER to floors and even elevators, we share real stories about what it’s actually like to run a code in different parts of the hospital. We talk about freezing during your first code, team dynamics in the room, why location matters more than people realize, and what happens after the room clears.An ER physician joins the conversation to break down how emergency department codes differ from ICU codes — what works, what doesn’t, and why some environments feel more controlled than others. We also get honest about coping, debriefing, dark humor, emotional walls, and why not every code leaves you the same.If you work in healthcare and have ever thought:“I didn’t know what I was doing during my first code”“That code stayed with me longer than I expected”“Why does this feel so different depending on where it happens?”This episode is for you.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Banter at the Bedside, the team dives into one of the most frustrating - and ethically complex - realities in healthcare: when patients or families refuse care.From refusing central lines but demanding dialysis, to being full code while declining life-saving interventions, we unpack the moments that leave nurses, APPs, and physicians stuck in impossible situations. Joined by an ICU physician and experienced bedside nurse, we talk autonomy, capacity, cherry-picking care, and how “one foot in, one foot out” medicine impacts outcomes — and providers.We also explore how COVID, social media, Google, and even AI have changed patient trust, why communication and presentation matter more than we think, and how healthcare workers balance respecting patient choice while still trying to do what’s medically sound.This is an honest, unfiltered conversation about patient rights, ethical gray zones, burnout, and what happens when refusing care puts everyone in limbo.Opinions are our own. This episode is for discussion, not medical advice.

Send us Fan MailIn this Consult & Calling episode of Banter at the Bedside, we sit down with longtime cardiac ICU nurse and co-host Kaleigh for a raw, honest conversation about what it really means to be “the strong one” at work and at home.With over 17 years in nursing and 15 in the CICU, Kaleigh reflects on how healthcare has shaped her identity, her boundaries, and her perspective on life. The conversation dives into the emotional and physical toll of bedside nursing, the invisible weight carried by working parents in healthcare, and the guilt that comes with leaving home to go and take care of others. Together, they talk about burnout, compartmentalization, empathy fatigue, motherhood in the hospital setting, and much more. This episode is a reminder that while healthcare workers are often seen as resilient and unshakable, they’re also human. Often navigating seasons of life, exhaustion, and growth just like everyone else.Whether you’re a nurse, APP, physician, parent, or simply someone trying to balance caring for others while caring for yourself, this episode is for you.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Banter at the Bedside, we talk about one of the most misunderstood parts of working in healthcare: how grief and dark humor often exist side by side.Healthcare providers meet people on the worst days of their lives — moments filled with loss, anger, shock, and heartbreak. In those spaces, laughter sometimes shows up too. Not because the pain isn’t real, but because humor can be a way to survive it.ICU teams and a palliative care physician share honest stories about death, end-of-life care, delivering devastating news, and the emotional weight of being the person in the room when everything changes. We explore why dark humor isn’t a lack of compassion, how grief comes out in unexpected ways, and why no one should have to carry these moments alone.This episode isn’t about being funny.It’s about being human — and the connections that carry us through the hardest parts of medicine.Content note: This episode discusses death, grief, and end-of-life experiences. This episode may be triggering for individuals. If it is, thats okay we will catch you next week. 

Send us Fan MailAre hospital superstitions real — or are they just how healthcare workers survive the chaos?In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, the team dives into hospital superstitions we all believe are real: the full moon shift, cursed rooms, black clouds, banned words like “quiet,” and why certain shoes, scrubs, or shirts get permanently retired after a bad night. What starts as humor turns into a deeper conversation about coping, trauma, intuition, and the unexplainable moments we witness at the bedside.From ICU night shifts to end-of-life care, the hosts explore whether these beliefs are confirmation bias, shared culture, or a way to make sense of loss when we’ve done everything right — and still lose. As always, this episode is for conversation and connection, not medical advice.

Send us Fan MailHow much does working in healthcare change you over time?In this episode of Banter at the Bedside, hosts are joined with seasoned ICU staff to reflect on the “then vs now”. Speaking on the moments that shape healthcare professionals—from early career expectations to the reality of growth, leadership, burnout, confidence, and finding your voice.This conversation explores how perspectives shift with experience, how identity evolves inside medicine, and what it means to look back on who you were while honoring who you’ve become. Whether you’re early in your healthcare career or years into practice, this episode offers honest reflection, validation, and encouragement for every stage of the journey. Whether you’re a nurse, APP, physician, or student, this episode offers reassurance that growth isn’t linear—and that change is part of the process. It also shows that no matter how many things change... somethings will always stay the same

Send us Fan MailIn this festive (and slightly chaotic) episode of Banter at the Bedside, Abby, Hass, Kaitlyn, and Kaleigh dive into what the holidays really look like for healthcare workers. From Christmas shifts in the CICU to wild Med-Onc float stories, smuggled Budweisers, unit potlucks, Mariah Carey debates, and the Great Hawaiian Slider Shortage of 2023—this one has everything.If you’ve ever worked a holiday shift, cried in a supply closet, catered Thanksgiving for your unit, or scratched off a lottery ticket with a patient (lol), this episode is for you. Or if you've ever wondered how your nurse or doctor is doing while working- you can finally answer that question. Grab a cookie from the potluck table and join us as we talk holiday chaos, healthcare culture, and why this season hits different when you’re wearing scrubs.

Send us Fan MailHow a passion for physiology shaped a career in the most unforgiving corners of medicine—that’s where this episode of Banter at the Bedside begins. Host Abby puts co-host Hass in the hot seat for a deep, honest conversation about his path into medicine. Hass shares how his love for physiology influenced his journey through training, the challenges he faced, and the mentors who helped him find community and belonging.Together, Abby and Hass explore identity in medicine, teamwork in healthcare, and the unspoken pressures clinicians navigate. They discuss the impact of COVID-19 on pulmonary and critical care medicine, the cultural experiences that shaped Hass’s perspective, and the wellness strategies that keep clinicians grounded.This episode offers valuable insights for anyone in—or considering—a career in medicine, from finding mentorship to building resilience in high-stakes environments. And of course… Abby closes things out by asking the questions Hass dreads the most.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the Shift Talkers dive into the messy overlap of social media and working in healthcare. From viral TikTok trends to nurses getting fired over one risky post, the crew breaks down the real-life consequences of posting while in scrubs. They share personal stories, talk about the pressure to stay "professional" online, and get honest about how easy it is to cross a line without even realizing it. They also touch on the bigger picture — staffing issues, burnout, and what it really means to protect your job (and your license) in the digital age. If you've ever wondered how social media can impact healthcare workers, nursing or physician careers, or workplace culture. In that case, this episode is your reality check!

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Banter at the Bedside, the hosts scratch the surface of what it’s really like to work in healthcare — from post-COVID challenges and shifting patient expectations to the emotional toll of the job. They discuss the impact of media, the importance of teamwork, and the need for stronger communication and training for the next generation of healthcare workers. This candid discussion kicks off an ongoing conversation about the current state of healthcare, the realities of medicine, and the shared hope for its future.

Send us Fan MailIn this laugh-out-loud episode, the Shift Talkers dive into one of the most universal yet unspoken parts of healthcare — poop (or as we call it, “Code Brown”). From code brown emergencies to unforgettable GI mishaps, the team shares hilarious, honest stories that every healthcare worker — and anyone who’s ever been human — can relate to. Between bowel regimens, bedside disasters, and a personal “near-death” constipation saga, they explore how humor, humility, and teamwork help preserve both patient dignity and professional sanity.

Send us Fan MailIn this inaugural episode of 'Banter at the Bedside', hosts Abby, Kaitlyn, Kaleigh, and Hass introduce their podcast, emphasizing the importance of healthy disagreement in healthcare. They discuss their goals of fostering a community where diverse perspectives are welcomed and explored. The hosts share their backgrounds and the unique dynamics they bring to the conversation, highlighting the significance of collaboration among healthcare professionals. The episode outlines the podcast's recurring themes, including debriefs, real versus real discussions, and spotlights on various healthcare paths, inviting listeners to engage in meaningful dialogue.