Nursing Uncharted Ep 108 - Travel Nurses Forge a New Path

We all desire greater control of our nursing careers. To feel empowered, capable, and equipped to take on our daily challenges, we must boldly embrace new experiences. In this episode of Nursing Uncharted, we discuss the inspiring journeys of travel nurses stepping into the unknown. Join us as we sit down with incredible NICU travel nurses, Akila and Jazmine, who share their powerful stories of helping open a new maternal health hospital in Philadelphia. 

They share the cultural shifts of travel nursing, the fierce bonds formed in the trenches, and the need to advocate for our patients. How can we better support marginalized communities? How do we push for systemic change in our hospitals? Released in alignment with Black Maternal Health Awareness Week, this episode highlights the realities and disparities in Black maternal health. Listening will leave you optimistic and empowered to raise your voice, take charge of your practice, and make a lasting impact. 

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Key Topics Discussed 

• The Power of Travel Nursing: Embracing rapid-response assignments and taking control of your career path. 
• Overcoming Cultural and Professional Challenges: Navigating clashing hospital cultures, condescending attitudes, and the shift from dark, cramped units to bright, patient-centered spaces. 
• Fostering Teamwork and Solidarity: Building a supportive "family" among travel nurses when facing high-stress facility transitions. 
• Black Maternal Health Awareness: Personal stories highlighting the neglect and dismissal Black women frequently face in maternity and GYN care, and the urgent need for dedicated, accessible maternal health facilities. 
• Empowered Advocacy: The importance of speaking up for marginalized patients and defending supportive nursing leadership. 

Chapters 

• 00:00:00 - 00:02:10: Meet Akila and Jazmine: NICU Nurses Taking Charge 
• 00:02:10 - 00:08:13: The Philadelphia Assignment: Stepping Up for a New Hospital 
• 00:08:13 - 00:15:00: Navigating Unit Culture and Orientation Challenges 
• 00:15:00 - 00:20:01: The Great Transfer: Teamwork and Travel Nurse Solidarity 
• 00:20:01 - 00:27:36: Welcoming the First Patient and Celebrating Hands-On Leadership 
• 00:27:36 - 00:34:00: Advocating for Black Maternal Health and Breaking Barriers 
• 00:34:00 - 00:38:05: Speaking Truth to Power and Episode Wrap-Up 

 

Take greater control of your nursing journey today! If this conversation left you feeling empowered and optimistic, subscribe to Nursing Uncharted on your favorite podcast platform and share this episode with a fellow nurse to help spread awareness for Black maternal health. 

Transcript

00:00:00:02 - 00:00:21:05
Speaker 1
Hey guys. Welcome back to another episode of Nursing Uncharted. I'm your host and I'm giggling because I have just been so excited for this episode. I met these ladies a few months back, and I've been trying to get something together where we could talk about how we met each other and just really dive into the experience that we had.

00:00:21:05 - 00:00:39:03
Speaker 1
And I'm just, I just love you both so much and thank you so, so much for doing this with me. So I'll actually let you both, introduce yourselves if we want to start with Akila, you can go. Just tell me your name introduced. Like, how long you been a nurse for? And whatever fun you fun thing you want to say?

00:00:39:05 - 00:00:49:07
Speaker 2
Of course. My name is Akila. I've been a nurse for three and a half years now. I'm excited to be here, excited andJazmine and.

00:00:49:09 - 00:00:51:06
Speaker 1
Tell everyone a little bit about yourself.

00:00:51:08 - 00:01:07:14
Speaker 2
My name isJazmine and I've been a nurse for about six years. I've done you. I also do a little bit of pediatrics. I have double dabble in a little bit of O.R., but mostly pediatrics. And nicu, you and I'm excited to be here. Thank you for having us. And.

00:01:07:16 - 00:01:28:02
Speaker 1
Oh, of course. And thank you for being so patient. I know this is it's been a crazy season of work disruption. And you guys are always the first ones on on those. And I know that we've had to reschedule this a couple of times. So I'm glad we're finally here and we're getting together and we're doing that. So yes.

00:01:28:05 - 00:01:46:22
Speaker 1
So thank you. So I guess we can just kind of start by like how we how we met each other. I mean, I guess Akila and I have a different relationship because we actually met each other on a different assignment, but didn't realize that until we went through the ice breaker of this other, the assignment where we all work together.

00:01:46:22 - 00:01:52:22
Speaker 1
So that's that's kind of cool, I think, to know that it shows that travel nurses isn't much as we think, oh.

00:01:52:23 - 00:01:58:01
Speaker 2
Come on world, it's a small world. Yeah. Especially nicu it's very small. Yeah, yeah.

00:01:58:03 - 00:02:08:00
Speaker 1
It's kind of crazy how you just slip in, even if you don't know that person directly. There's always, like, one degree of separation and in nicu travel. It's. It's crazy.

00:02:08:00 - 00:02:10:22
Speaker 2
It's like I've seen her before. Yeah. Exactly.

00:02:10:22 - 00:02:31:06
Speaker 1
Yeah, yeah. So we all, we all work together for this. It was actually a really unique experience. It was the opening of a new hospital in, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which, you know, is kind of special to me because that's like where I'm from. And it was that quick, quick, rapid, like, get on there kind of thing. And I know you ladies love that.

00:02:31:06 - 00:02:51:07
Speaker 1
So I got to I got to get a little taste of how those work disruptions work. Even though this wasn't that that case. So this was a hospital that was opening a new facility. And they basically had to double double up on their on their staff. So I also think it's really special that we all went through Amman.

00:02:51:09 - 00:02:52:02
Speaker 1
Correct.

00:02:52:04 - 00:02:57:02
Speaker 2
Yeah yeah yeah yeah. Shout out to Andrew. Amen. Yeah. Right.

00:02:57:04 - 00:03:06:04
Speaker 1
Amen. Brought us brought us all together. So how did you know? I guess.Jazmine, I can start with you. How did you find out about this job? Or, like, how did you know? How did that work for you?

00:03:06:07 - 00:03:23:19
Speaker 2
So I'm. I am a recruiter. Very, like, best friend. So, like, she sent me all the jobs that she thinks that I would be interested in. And she knew that I was like taking a hiatus from like 13 week contract. So she was like, oh, this is perfect for you. Like, like, are you interested? I was like, yeah, of course.

00:03:24:00 - 00:03:41:00
Speaker 2
So I had originally the first time I saw the job, I wasn't able to do it. And then the job came open again for the actual opening, like getting the new hospital ready. So I was like, yeah, so meet me like, I'm available. I'm ready to go. And that's how I found out about the job. And I was like, submit.

00:03:41:02 - 00:03:44:11
Speaker 2
I got the job and yeah, yeah.

00:03:44:11 - 00:03:47:11
Speaker 1
And Akila, is it kind of the same, same for you.

00:03:47:13 - 00:04:10:00
Speaker 2
I think. Same story. My recruiter, he knew that I wanted at least three. The 33,000 to $3500 per assignment. Okay. And he submitted he should actually and also again, knowing that this there was a new facility opening, I was interested in seeing how this all would transpire. And it was a great experience.

00:04:10:04 - 00:04:28:00
Speaker 1
It really was. And it's kind of it's kind of crazy because I, I remember getting the phone call from my recruiter and I was at work and I'm like, okay, okay, final answer real quick. So like, I snuck away and I took the phone call. She's like, listen, like I basically already submitted you because this is like perfect.

00:04:28:00 - 00:04:41:08
Speaker 1
And I want you to do it. And I'm like, I want to go back to Pennsylvania. And then she like explained what it was and I'm like, okay, let's go. Because I forgot,Jazmine that this was open before because they were supposed to have.

00:04:41:08 - 00:04:43:04
Speaker 2
Oh yeah. For. Yeah.

00:04:43:08 - 00:04:56:00
Speaker 1
And yeah. And I couldn't do it. And I remember being like, darn it, darn it, I wish, I like, I wish I would have just done it because it would have been a good experience. So, you know, it's kind of it's kind of crazy how all of that works out. But this like was like.

00:04:56:00 - 00:05:01:07
Speaker 2
Fast, like growing up. Yes. I really enjoyed it. Yeah.

00:05:01:09 - 00:05:12:21
Speaker 1
Yeah. And I guess I, you know, a little bit more about yourself. Where both of you from originally?Jazmine we kind of talked about this a little bit, but you can tell everyone like where, where your home base is.

00:05:12:23 - 00:05:25:13
Speaker 2
So I'm from Louisiana, north Louisiana, and I do work in Bay area, California. So I'm super commuter, but I live in Louisiana and I just pick up contracts, whatever. But yeah.

00:05:25:15 - 00:05:27:18
Speaker 1
Yeah, I'm thinking where, where where's home?

00:05:27:18 - 00:05:39:05
Speaker 2
I forget. Yes, it's okay, I'm a Floridian now. I live in South Florida in the Fort Lauderdale area. So this is home for me. Vacation every day. We love that for you. Okay.

00:05:39:05 - 00:05:45:23
Speaker 1
I was literally as soon as I asked you that question, I'm like, I already know the answer now. I remember like, I was like.

00:05:46:01 - 00:05:50:23
Speaker 2
Where are you from? I'm like, yeah, no, I'm somewhere warm. Yeah.

00:05:51:01 - 00:05:58:08
Speaker 1
We're actually all somewhere warm, which is kind of nice because I'm in I'm in San Diego and we're all in different time zones right now, which I think is pretty cool.

00:05:58:10 - 00:06:10:10
Speaker 2
That is pretty cool. You know, you guys have the good weather and the beaches and I just have the weather, the weather and the so.

00:06:10:12 - 00:06:12:00
Speaker 2
Oh my gosh.

00:06:12:02 - 00:06:18:23
Speaker 1
So, so being being in Philadelphia, have either of you been to Pennsylvania or Philadelphia before?

00:06:19:01 - 00:06:34:14
Speaker 2
I have not personally, no. So actually I'm also a flight attendant. I guess that's a little special thing about me. I actually used to be based early in my career. I used to be based in Philly. I think I lived there from maybe about a month or two, so. Oh yeah, I don't.

00:06:34:16 - 00:07:00:10
Speaker 1
I didn't know that actually. I yeah. So even though I'm from Pennsylvania, people don't realize how big Pennsylvania is. Like it's very long. So, you know, I've always affiliated myself with Pittsburgh, grew up in Central and Philly. I've always like, don't hate me, but I've always been like, That's New Jersey. Like, that's why it's so it's so far away from like where I'm at.

00:07:00:10 - 00:07:21:22
Speaker 1
So I'm always like, oh yeah, that's Jersey. So this was my first time visiting. Well, I mean I think I went on a field trip in elementary school to go to Philly, but like, you know really as an adult experiencing Philly and it it's a different city. I mean it really, really is. So I it's nice, Akila, that you had been there before.

00:07:21:22 - 00:07:34:08
Speaker 2
So it wasn't but not in the parks like you mentioned that adult. Well, I was an adult then, but just the latest experience. I didn't expect that from Philly, honestly. I just yeah, it was.

00:07:34:10 - 00:07:53:12
Speaker 1
And that's I think that's why I really wanted to like, have this episode as, like one one reason is that this was such a unique experience to be a part of. And then, you know, to the culture of like what we all experience when we were there and like touching base on that because I think, I think it's good to talk about it.

00:07:53:12 - 00:08:04:15
Speaker 1
And I think it's it was really different than what I was expecting, you know, and yeah, it was there were some moments that I'm like, what is going on here?

00:08:04:17 - 00:08:13:09
Speaker 2
Right. Well, we we made it, but we made it through and we did, we did.

00:08:13:09 - 00:08:45:06
Speaker 1
We did make it through. And I, you know, and I think that, you know, we can just kind of get, you know, kind of get into that a little bit like when we I mean, I can kind of share my, my same stance on it. You know, when we got there, even the people that worked at the hospital, it wasn't what I was expecting for this, you know, being in, you know, filled in the center of the city, Philadelphia, you know, I was expecting a little bit different of a culture for, for me, you know, and I was I was very surprised because that's not what it was.

00:08:45:06 - 00:08:49:23
Speaker 1
So I'm curious of how that how that felt for you guys when we, when we first got there.

00:08:50:00 - 00:09:07:19
Speaker 2
First of all, I mean, I was like, they didn't know we were coming. Number one. The number two, most of the nurses were pretty welcoming. Of course, there was some that were, you know, we kind of bumped heads a little bit. Like you mentioned the culture there. It was giving like New York vibes, like it was giving it up north.

00:09:07:21 - 00:09:35:08
Speaker 2
Yeah. It was no offense. I felt the same way. It was giving New York vibes like City Girl. Yeah, it really is. It was the same way, especially as somebody who has, like, southern hospitality from Louisiana. I was just like, oh, okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I agree it was it was different. It was different. But it what it was.

00:09:35:08 - 00:09:52:02
Speaker 1
And you know, I don't want to be you know, as we're, as we're talking andJazmine, this is when you and I kind of bonded a little bit because how they're how they're old unit because okay, let's just give a background. So this hospital the hospital felt very old to me. The unit felt very old, very closeted.

00:09:52:04 - 00:10:03:09
Speaker 2
Cuz, I mean, you either have the dungeon or you have the open sunlight. You know, you get a little light. This was the dungeon. It was definitely a dungeon. And a little bit.

00:10:03:11 - 00:10:08:05
Speaker 1
Yeah. And it was like split, like they had like two separate rooms.

00:10:08:07 - 00:10:09:16
Speaker 2
You separate them.

00:10:09:18 - 00:10:10:06
Speaker 1
Two separate.

00:10:10:06 - 00:10:11:09
Speaker 2
Dungeon. Yeah.

00:10:11:11 - 00:10:24:18
Speaker 1
And, you know, so it was like we were like, oh my gosh, this is so great that they're opening a new kind of, you know, like, oh, you know, what they were doing it for? Because it was going to be a nicer space for the patients and for the families.

00:10:24:22 - 00:10:25:20
Speaker 2
And.

00:10:25:22 - 00:10:30:16
Speaker 1
Yeah. And so like it was exciting, but just I couldn't believe that that's where they worked for.

00:10:30:16 - 00:10:34:06
Speaker 2
So all those years. Yes.

00:10:34:08 - 00:10:40:04
Speaker 1
What the nurses didn't want to change. And I'm like, you know what?

00:10:40:06 - 00:10:42:20
Speaker 2
I'm like that's like I'm.

00:10:42:22 - 00:10:54:05
Speaker 1
Yeah it was it was a little it was a little like baffling to me. But likeJazmine, you and I kind of bonded because, you know, and I hate to say I don't want to be negative because there were so, so, so many positive things about this.

00:10:54:07 - 00:10:54:17
Speaker 2
Right?

00:10:54:23 - 00:11:10:00
Speaker 1
To touch on the culture of it, like how we were spoken to was really surprising to me, really, really surprising. And I remember a conversation that you were having and we didn't get a real orientation like this was.

00:11:10:00 - 00:11:11:02
Speaker 2
No.

00:11:11:04 - 00:11:26:01
Speaker 1
Hit the ground, hit the ground running. We oriented at the new hospital, and then they're like, here you go, take an assignment. And you know, it's like, okay, good. But then they're giving us the stuff that it's like, why are we the ones doing your discharge supposed.

00:11:26:06 - 00:11:28:04
Speaker 2
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

00:11:28:04 - 00:11:29:23
Speaker 1
And like just how I was very.

00:11:29:23 - 00:11:33:07
Speaker 2
Much it was nice. Yeah. It was.

00:11:33:07 - 00:11:34:12
Speaker 1
Weird. It was.

00:11:34:14 - 00:11:57:16
Speaker 2
Unclear. I mean didn't, didn't you have the discharge. It was a discharge. And you were like asking for help and it was just kind of like whoever was supposed to be helping you was just, like, very touchy and not really wanting to really, like, jump in, you know, and then even with, like, our first day on the old unit, like on the, the, the, the power unit, you're supposed to be orienting us.

00:11:57:16 - 00:12:12:04
Speaker 2
But yeah, it wasn't actual orientation. It was kind of just like babysitting almost. And it was kind of like picking him in certain areas. And it was like, okay, well, we're actually nurses. We know how to jump in and hit the ground. So you can go back over there, like, what am I, you know?

00:12:12:06 - 00:12:28:17
Speaker 1
Well, I know we kind of kicked him. We kind of kicked him out of our because we yeah, because we were on the other side and we're like, we're good. You can go. But I just I was really a moment I won't forget is when that girl was. She was just like talking to you about, like, something within the computer charting.

00:12:28:23 - 00:12:42:21
Speaker 1
And it was like she had no idea what she was talking about, but, like, so condescending. You and I was, like, sitting there on the edge of my chair, like, ready to be like, what? Are you talking to us this way? You know, it was like, so like just.

00:12:43:00 - 00:12:49:09
Speaker 2
That when you guys were on the other side, was that, like, baby? Okay. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:12:49:11 - 00:12:57:22
Speaker 1
Yeah. And it just it was crazy. So basically what happened to people listening in this situation? I guess it's because we know what we're talking about. But everyone's like, wait, what?

00:12:58:04 - 00:13:01:19
Speaker 2
No. Right. Yeah, yeah. You know me. I'm like that happens. Yeah.

00:13:01:20 - 00:13:25:17
Speaker 1
So yeah. Right. Because you were stuck on the other dungeon and we were so like basically we worked one week prior to this new hospital opening, and we worked at the old hospital. And then when the hospital, the new hospital opened, they split us and staff to be split between the two facilities during all the transfers of the babies.

00:13:25:17 - 00:13:48:03
Speaker 1
So the first week was basically like just any other travel assignment, right? Like, well, it should, it should have been. But you know, we were just, you know, on the unit doing the normal stuff. But then there were so many of us that some of the, some of the other travelers that were there were actually at the other hospital, like putting the new unit together.

00:13:48:05 - 00:14:15:20
Speaker 1
And it, it just it was like, yeah, it just it was it was kind of crazy. So I think like one of my, one of my most memorable times of that was just like it didn't feel like we were travelers. It felt like we were coming in there during like a workforce disruption or something along those lines where they were like mad that we were there, and I just couldn't understand it.

00:14:15:22 - 00:14:24:17
Speaker 2
I mean, after a while they kind of they started to. Yeah. Yeah. They went up to us. But in the beginning it was. Yeah.

00:14:24:18 - 00:14:26:19
Speaker 1
Yeah it was crazy.

00:14:26:21 - 00:14:29:23
Speaker 2
It was so basically yeah.

00:14:29:23 - 00:14:55:11
Speaker 1
We're we both I know that I was like I basically was one of the ones that worked in the old hospital the first, the first week entirely. And then we were I worked over at the other place, I think from day one, I think I actually transferred mid day over there, if I'm remembering correctly. It was like very odd because there we ran out of yeah, I was because I had the first transfer and then I didn't have any babies.

00:14:55:13 - 00:15:01:19
Speaker 1
And I went over there. Yeah. And I was like, this is so this is so crazy.

00:15:01:21 - 00:15:07:11
Speaker 2
But they, they honestly they did their thing. They brought the babies in I mean it was it's kind of impressive actually.

00:15:07:11 - 00:15:08:21
Speaker 1
It was very awe inspiring.

00:15:09:01 - 00:15:14:20
Speaker 2
Better than. Yeah yeah yeah yeah I expect it.

00:15:14:22 - 00:15:22:15
Speaker 1
Yeah I, I you're Akila you're you're definitely correct because it didn't feel like that was going to happen that way when we first because it felt.

00:15:22:17 - 00:15:38:00
Speaker 2
Like y'all didn't want to be at pinnacles. Yeah, I want to be a show. But they actually gave us enough time to prep the room, you know, get everything ready, read about the patient. Then I brought the baby in. Yeah, yeah.

00:15:38:00 - 00:15:51:12
Speaker 1
And the the system of it, the transfers, actually, I think went really smooth. It was. Yeah.Jazmine, were you at the at the oldest called the old hospital. During the transfer, where were you at? Transferred over to the new house.

00:15:51:13 - 00:16:12:14
Speaker 2
I was, I was at the old hospital until the transfer was done. So I didn't actually, like, get to involve myself, like transferring babies back and forth. So I wasn't part of it. And then afterwards, I went to the new hospital, like, once all the babies were there. But it was not, you know, it was it was it was a great experience, honestly.

00:16:12:14 - 00:16:37:06
Speaker 2
Like and I want to do it again. I, I know honestly I think we're ready to do another one. Yeah. Right. Right. And it's funny because like this experience, like when I heard like about the transfer of the hospitals, I was like, oh, I really want to be a part of that. Because the hospital I work at, we're currently building and we're set to open in a few years, so I'm going to be a part of that move.

00:16:37:06 - 00:16:48:18
Speaker 2
So having this experience at this hospital, I can be of help when my hospital, you know, can make that transition. So I think it just worked out, you know. And yeah, that's.

00:16:48:18 - 00:16:51:17
Speaker 1
A that's amazing. That's really exciting.

00:16:51:19 - 00:16:58:18
Speaker 2
Yeah we're coming. Come on.

00:16:58:19 - 00:17:16:13
Speaker 1
So we also we like you know all of us you know have a group chat now and from this assignment. And it was like if there's like 20 of us in this group chat and it's like so you could be like I got I got 2020. nicu nurses ready to go? Let's go.

00:17:16:15 - 00:17:39:11
Speaker 2
Getting ready. You know. Oh my gosh this this assignment really just like brought everybody together. And like we had like we just like we were a family. Like yeah we still keep in contact to this day. You know the group chat. And it's just like that experience, just the travel nurses, they really stuck together. We really stuck together and we bonded.

00:17:39:12 - 00:17:45:06
Speaker 2
It was like college home about it and if you will. But we bonded you know. Well it was it was.

00:17:45:07 - 00:18:00:07
Speaker 1
We we had to we didn't have any other choice, you know and and I like, you know, Akila, I give you a lot of credit because you did say from the beginning you said there were some that were not welcoming, but a lot of them warmed up. And there were some really, really amazing nurses, like the one that actually.

00:18:00:07 - 00:18:00:17
Speaker 2
Worked.

00:18:00:19 - 00:18:18:21
Speaker 1
With me. She ended up she was she was so nice. And she she saw the good in this and you know, and was was helpful. But you know I it is it. We we did have to work as a team and I don't think that we would have gotten through it. I don't think I would have gotten through it without you girls because this.

00:18:18:23 - 00:18:19:08
Speaker 2
Was.

00:18:19:10 - 00:18:35:06
Speaker 1
It was hard and we worked. So we worked for days, you know, and it was like back to back to back to back to like I was tired, you know, and I lived in a city I never was in before. I probably didn't pick the best part of the city to live in because I didn't write situations.

00:18:35:06 - 00:18:57:00
Speaker 2
But Albany. Yeah, yeah. Oh yeah. Yeah. And I remember the old facility was supposedly in an area that wasn't, you know, space. Yeah. You had to watch your back, even the parking garage and then the new facility. I mean, it was beautiful. I felt comfortable going outside for lunch, walking to the nearby restaurant, the gas station. You didn't feel safe?

00:18:57:00 - 00:19:11:18
Speaker 2
Don't know. I'm saying, like, right. Like I agree with you. Yeah. Like, the newer facility was just like, it's my it's it's nice. The little rock interior like the size, you know, even if it was beautiful, beautiful. It was.

00:19:11:20 - 00:19:22:09
Speaker 1
It was. But what I didn't what didn't make sense to me was that they said that that hospital was in a really rough neighborhood. And I didn't see it.

00:19:22:11 - 00:19:25:03
Speaker 2
Right. I didn't either. Well.

00:19:25:05 - 00:19:25:20
Speaker 1
Yes.

00:19:26:00 - 00:19:38:13
Speaker 2
Yeah, that was no worry. I mean, yes, you were like a block over or something. But everybody, when I told them they were saying that it was in a really rough neighborhood and I'm like, oh, I don't know, I it.

00:19:38:15 - 00:19:41:12
Speaker 1
I mean, I walked to the gas station a couple of times.

00:19:41:13 - 00:19:42:12
Speaker 2
Yeah. Like.

00:19:42:14 - 00:19:46:04
Speaker 1
I think I wanted, like I was really addicted to my nerd clusters at that time.

00:19:46:05 - 00:20:01:21
Speaker 2
So I watch every day. Yeah. Well, then I tell you something about the old man. Cause, you know, the watch outside the. Oh, yeah. You come, ma'am. You. No no no no no no. Oh my gosh. Yeah.

00:20:01:23 - 00:20:24:00
Speaker 1
So like going back to like the, the teamwork thing I think like, you know we can talk about the old facility but at the, at the new one I just remember, you know, I want to hear your most memorable moment, even if it's good or bad. But, like, I'll just start with mine. And it was, I admitted, the very first admission into the new unit and I could not believe it.

00:20:24:02 - 00:20:48:08
Speaker 1
And there was like no pride, no photos, like or like nothing to document that this baby. And I guess, you know, hold up. We're going to we're going to pause here because I, we didn't talk about what this hospital was. So this hospital was not just there shutting down an old facility. And opening up a new one. This was a hospital system seeing the need for more directed services towards women and family.

00:20:48:11 - 00:21:10:01
Speaker 1
So this was a specific facility for maternal health and also, you know, mainly focused on maternity, NICU and then had other sources for like families. So this was a very specific type of facility that I never even really knew existed. I mean, in thinking about it, it's like, oh yeah, there are women's hospitals, but like, this just felt a little different than that.

00:21:10:01 - 00:21:22:15
Speaker 1
You know, I, I think that that really played like I just felt like there was such an opportunity to, like, show. I don't like. I don't want to say.

00:21:22:17 - 00:21:23:19
Speaker 2
Some terrible word.

00:21:23:21 - 00:21:45:18
Speaker 1
But just like, why was there not anything celebrating this huge accomplishment for a city that needed this? And I was so like and like the staff, I was like, why is there a staff nurse not admitting the first baby where the photographers of the hospital where is like the, you know, marketing team of the hospital? Why is this not a big deal?

00:21:45:22 - 00:21:47:01
Speaker 2
And that was the point.

00:21:47:05 - 00:21:56:18
Speaker 1
I was so surprised. So that's my most memorable moment. But, husband, what is what is something that you remember most good or bad?

00:21:56:20 - 00:22:21:02
Speaker 2
Okay, so honestly, one of I would say aside from like the patient care and everything and then like the mood setting at the hospital, you know, like getting the rooms ready, the, I found the manager. I really, I really kind of, like, took to her. And it was so cute because we, like, got her birthday cake. And then we meet and got on the computer and print it out like a happy birthday, like, fine or whatever.

00:22:21:02 - 00:22:47:19
Speaker 2
And I gave it to her. And that was just like something because, like, even though we were there, like helping them, it was kind of an eye situation between the staff and the manager and everything like that. But the manager was there at the hospital getting her hands dirty in there, getting everything set up. And I admired that because being from the South, you know, like the hospital systems, you know, they're kind of iffy and like, you know, the managers really are kind of like hands off.

00:22:47:19 - 00:23:04:11
Speaker 2
So seeing a manager being that hands on, you know, even just in, in spite of everything that was going on, it, it really like warmed my heart. So that was like something that was like very memorable. And then it was her her birthday and it was a milestone birthday and we were like, oh, well, you should be here.

00:23:04:11 - 00:23:12:18
Speaker 2
We should celebrate. So, you know, like that was that was something that like really stuck with me, you know, aside from like everything else. But yeah, I.

00:23:12:18 - 00:23:22:23
Speaker 1
Forgot about that. But like, and you know and yes, I don't want to be negative, but like the fact that we were the ones that got her something and acknowledged her her 30th birthday.

00:23:23:00 - 00:23:23:14
Speaker 2
Yeah.

00:23:23:16 - 00:23:42:10
Speaker 1
Yeah. Which was like a huge, huge deal. And, you know, it was. Yeah. Yeah. And I think it just showed the group of travelers and going back to that teamwork that we had and just, you know, I think that travelers sometimes have a bad reputation that like we just go in there, put our heads down, don't really care, and we're there for me and that's it.

00:23:42:14 - 00:23:46:15
Speaker 1
And I think that this is a really good story to show that, like, we do care and we don't.

00:23:46:16 - 00:23:46:21
Speaker 2
Care.

00:23:47:02 - 00:24:07:08
Speaker 1
About care about I mean, we care obviously care about the patients, but we care about the other people, too. And seeing a young manager sacrificed so much to make that hospital open smoothly is I'm so happy you said that, because that was something that was really amazing to see.

00:24:07:08 - 00:24:19:04
Speaker 2
Yeah. It was. I want to thank you for bringing it up as yes, shout out to her. Yes, yes, I love her. She was amazing. Well, do you ever see me with. Yeah. They have a gym. They have a gym. It's hard to.

00:24:19:04 - 00:24:21:03
Speaker 1
Find her and send her this episode.

00:24:21:05 - 00:24:28:05
Speaker 2
Right. I feel like remember us?

00:24:28:07 - 00:24:32:10
Speaker 1
Akila, what's something that really has stuck with you through this experience?

00:24:32:12 - 00:24:56:10
Speaker 2
We've stuck with me is just seeing, like, more mothers be more involved, with bonding with their babies and a new facility. Moms actually like breastfeeding and privacy. I mean, it just was a great. To me, that's most memorable because at the previous facility, I didn't see that much and it felt dark. It wasn't welcoming. This new facility opened up doors for the moms, the babies.

00:24:56:12 - 00:25:00:23
Speaker 2
I mean, just the whole nicu experience. It turned it around for sure.

00:25:01:01 - 00:25:23:03
Speaker 1
I love that, I love that you highlighted that because I think that is like the big push for these new nicus opening is having these private rooms or semi-private rooms to allow for bonding, because you know, that that unit did was not the ideal setup for bonding. With with your baby because it was just you were like sardine together.

00:25:23:03 - 00:25:47:13
Speaker 1
It was it was crazy. So I love that because I this is is this I love having these conversations because we all remember something differently, right? We all we all saw different aspects of what this what this hospital did. And I really think, you know, we have to be careful not to mention what the hospital system was, but like, I want to give that hospital system kudos for seeing the need of what their patient population needed.

00:25:47:18 - 00:26:01:21
Speaker 1
And, you know, in the stance to really provide available care to women, especially that don't have the means for that care. And like having a quick office in the hospital is like right there.

00:26:01:22 - 00:26:08:11
Speaker 2
I think the right kind of wish I had never seen that. I have my children. Sorry. No, not.

00:26:08:13 - 00:26:34:00
Speaker 1
Exactly like any anybody like, think about how difficult it is for anybody to get hooked up with which it is paperwork. People don't know what they're doing. It's a huge process. And like, you know, and like, I was from central PA, like very low and I wouldn't I don't want to say low income, but there were a lot of people that were from low income.

00:26:34:00 - 00:26:49:20
Speaker 1
And, you know, they didn't have the means. And so I did have a lot of experience with families needing to be set up with whic. And just like hearing that, I think on day one when we were there at the hospital, I was like, I had the chills. And I was.

00:26:49:22 - 00:26:50:17
Speaker 2
So.

00:26:50:19 - 00:26:59:11
Speaker 1
So excited for these these women that probably don't get the care because it's too difficult and they don't know how to get there.

00:26:59:13 - 00:27:05:15
Speaker 2
Right? Yeah, for sure. It was a one stop shop for sure. What was even.

00:27:05:19 - 00:27:36:10
Speaker 1
Like their little like triage, like E.R., you know, it was a very, very different set up for a hospital. But just like such an amazing, such an amazing thing, and I do I do think that it's also special to mention, you know, we're obviously, you know, in Center City Philadelphia and I think, you know, and please correct me if I ever speak or don't say something correctly, but I do really want to bring highlight to what maternal health looks like in general, especially for black maternal health.

00:27:36:15 - 00:28:06:02
Speaker 1
Like that is something that is hugely not neglected. Maybe that's the wrong word, but like it, there are facts that show that the mortality rate is is higher than any other race, ethnicity, anything. And, you know, just this hospital doing that for that basically is the patient population of that area is is huge is really huge. Everything else hits on that.

00:28:06:02 - 00:28:08:11
Speaker 1
You know, like how you guys feel about that.

00:28:08:13 - 00:28:35:17
Speaker 2
Yeah, I can say like personally everything you said was absolutely correct. It's it's a neglect in that that patient population. And I know myself I don't have children, but you know, I've had my share of black gyn issues. And I remember just last year, you know, having to have surgery regarding that and me not being heard, my feelings are not being validated, my pain not being taken seriously.

00:28:35:19 - 00:29:00:03
Speaker 2
And then one thing led to the other, you know, and that is the same with in the maternity world. You know, I've had friends that have had babies and their experiences and having to change OBS two and three times within a pregnancy within a nine month period, that is unacceptable because nobody believes them. Nobody wants to take their concerns seriously.

00:29:00:03 - 00:29:17:07
Speaker 2
You know. Yeah. And it's very unfortunate. And like like you said, like you give kudos kudos to this hospital for seeing that need and and providing that care and, and it was just so special. I think it just kind of lined up perfectly. You know, for. Yeah.

00:29:17:09 - 00:29:44:09
Speaker 1
And I remember you sorry. I got like a little emotional because like I'm really proud of you for sharing sharing that. But like I remember telling me about that and it's like even though that's not maternal, this is still like women and family is what they were focused on. So all of you, I mean, you know, neglect, ignored symptoms, you know, it's just that I, you know, it just it gave me the chills of how like, personal that that was to you.

00:29:44:09 - 00:29:51:11
Speaker 1
And I thank you for being vulnerable and sharing that because that that really I like hold it back because I was like, I'm not crying.

00:29:51:13 - 00:30:12:22
Speaker 2
Yeah. Like you're like, you know how many women are out there like scared to have C-sections because they feel forced to, you know, it's not I just I just seen an article the other day about a woman in the middle of labor being somebody from the hospital, like court ordered her and told her to cover up and wheeled a laptop in there.

00:30:13:01 - 00:30:32:17
Speaker 2
And she had a hearing, a court hearing to make her get a C-section. When she was a doula. Everything. Oh, wow. And she didn't see the need for it. But I, you know, I don't know the full story, but I don't think it was, you know, that imminent. But it couldn't have been, you know, like. No, but it's just so it's just so sad.

00:30:32:17 - 00:30:52:17
Speaker 1
It's just it is and, you know, it's with this I think it's really special too, because this episode is going to it lined up. I don't know how this happened. It was the universe, you know, speaking to us. But there is a black maternal Health Awareness week and that is when this episode is going to drop. So I do think that's really, really special.

00:30:52:17 - 00:31:14:11
Speaker 1
And I think it's really important for everyone to know this. I, I've had personal conversations with you outside of this, with both of you outside of this podcast, because this was an eye opening experience for me. I was sheltered my entire life. I was ignorant in a way, because I didn't I didn't know, and I remember I was like sitting there with like, you know, you guys and like a couple other people.

00:31:14:16 - 00:31:28:19
Speaker 1
And someone said something and I was just like, And they're like, no, we don't mean that in a bad way. It's like, we're so proud of you. And because, you know, in full story, I was the I think I was the only blond haired, white, blue eyed girl there.

00:31:28:19 - 00:31:38:01
Speaker 2
To be completely honest, I think you were. And you were a blue eyed girl. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

00:31:38:03 - 00:32:01:17
Speaker 1
So this was, you know, this was a huge growth, personal growth experience for me. And I'm just I'm just so, so, so grateful for it because I learned a lot about it. And, you know, I do sometimes hear chatter people people are like, oh, how can that be? How can that really be? How reality is? Why are black women neglected in, you know, maternal health and Gyn services?

00:32:01:20 - 00:32:06:09
Speaker 1
Is that really real? And it is.

00:32:06:11 - 00:32:07:14
Speaker 2
Timing. It is.

00:32:07:16 - 00:32:13:06
Speaker 1
Yeah, yeah. Akila, what are your like what are your feelings on on that.

00:32:13:09 - 00:32:34:11
Speaker 2
Well, personally, when I gave birth, I felt the baby coming and the nurse tried to, like, just like, basically ignore it and say, oh, that's normal. And Lord, behold, the baby was out before the doctor can put her gloves on. Oh. So I have been ignored. I do know how it feels. So. Yeah. Yeah.

00:32:34:12 - 00:32:53:17
Speaker 1
I'm sorry I'm so I'm like for both of you, you know I, I'm sorry that both of you had personal experiences. I didn't intend for this to come out in this episode. And I really appreciate you both sharing your stories. But the need there needs to be awareness and we need to take it seriously. And we are health care professionals, all of us, you know, everyone listening.

00:32:53:17 - 00:33:08:10
Speaker 1
And we have to be aware that things like this happen and it's still happening. And I am proud that there are hospital systems out there that I can keep my faith in, that are noticing this and making the changes that need to be for sure.

00:33:08:10 - 00:33:23:06
Speaker 2
And I remain. Yeah, right. And I admire all the black women who are trying to get into into those positions to, you know, bridge that gap and, you know, minimize this, this situation. So.

00:33:23:08 - 00:33:44:21
Speaker 1
Yeah, because it's hard. I mean, even even for me, I didn't know how to approach this and like, you know, the the right way. But it needs to be said and it's, it's an uncomfortable space for anyone and especially like black like you said, black women taking that leap of faith and being like, you know what? This is so important to me that I'm willing to put myself out there to fight for what's right.

00:33:44:21 - 00:33:48:12
Speaker 1
So I like how you said that. Akila, that was great.

00:33:48:14 - 00:34:09:06
Speaker 2
Thank you. And we appreciate you. And we appreciate because you know, you're an ally. We love it. You love it. It's the truth. And, I mean, it's nice to have someone on the other side seeing the problem as well. And and trying to do something about it, you know, and magnified meaning in. Right.

00:34:09:08 - 00:34:16:10
Speaker 1
Well thank you girls I appreciate you saying that. And you know I don't want to say too much but I'll never forget my last, my last.

00:34:16:10 - 00:34:20:04
Speaker 2
Day when doctors asked me if we were.

00:34:20:04 - 00:34:22:10
Speaker 1
Staying. Were you both there.

00:34:22:12 - 00:34:27:07
Speaker 2
Did you guys think I was hoping. What happened.

00:34:27:09 - 00:34:38:20
Speaker 1
Oh I the doctors are in there is our it was our very last day and the doctors are in there like we heard you were staying. And I was like, no, no, we're all leaving.

00:34:38:22 - 00:34:43:02
Speaker 2
And I was ready and they were okay and left.

00:34:43:04 - 00:34:55:08
Speaker 1
They were like, they're like, wait, why? And I said, do you want the truth or do you want me to tell you a nice answer? And they wanted the truth. And I told them everything. And I turned around.

00:34:55:14 - 00:34:57:20
Speaker 2
And there's like six.

00:34:57:20 - 00:34:58:18
Speaker 1
Of you guys.

00:34:58:20 - 00:34:59:04
Speaker 2
Yeah.

00:34:59:06 - 00:35:01:21
Speaker 1
Like being like, yes.

00:35:01:23 - 00:35:24:11
Speaker 2
We're out there telling them, oh, yeah, that I pass. I'm just, I'm, I'm sitting at my computer and I'm like, looked over because I'm seeing and like she's like just going at it just like talking and telling them everything. I'm like, she's in there telling them off. Yeah. Like and that's all I think about. And she's going to let you know I'm out.

00:35:24:13 - 00:35:26:12
Speaker 2
I love it to you.

00:35:26:18 - 00:35:39:18
Speaker 1
And you know, it came to be like I, I didn't just go off on people like they asked me a question and I tell them the truth. And something that really bothered me was that how the manager was talked to and treated by staff? It was.

00:35:39:18 - 00:35:40:07
Speaker 2
Oh, God.

00:35:40:07 - 00:35:43:01
Speaker 1
Probably one of the most disgusting things to.

00:35:43:01 - 00:35:44:17
Speaker 2
See. And I yeah.

00:35:44:19 - 00:36:02:14
Speaker 1
I've never seen such disrespect. And for that girl to just stand and take it and almost have to, like, bear that burden on her shoulders alone was like, I was like, you know what? Nope. She doesn't deserve it. I'm going to tell the doctors this is how it's going to be. And then it was coming off the the I was got report, I thinkJazmine from your friend.

00:36:02:14 - 00:36:06:17
Speaker 1
And she told me like what was said to her and I was mad.

00:36:06:19 - 00:36:11:03
Speaker 2
Yeah, I know it. Girl had to go home and cry and she didn't know that.

00:36:11:05 - 00:36:24:00
Speaker 1
She cried that morning. And I'm like, this is awful. Yeah. So side note, side note. But like, you know, I did, you know, I, I think I think I get it. That's how I got in the group chat.

00:36:24:02 - 00:36:35:19
Speaker 2
You know, I'm writing that. That's in my hands invited to a group chat we would talk with and I. Oh my gosh.

00:36:35:21 - 00:36:56:21
Speaker 1
Well girls this this has been great. Thank you. Thank you again honestly for like, being so vulnerable sharing your personal stories with this. I am so beyond grateful that we had this experience together. And I hope that more hospitals continue to do this and, you know, see where the need really is and put that focus and put those funds where they should be.

00:36:56:23 - 00:37:01:12
Speaker 2
Where they should be. And man, yes.

00:37:01:14 - 00:37:07:21
Speaker 1
Yeah. So is there anything else you guys want to get off your chest or you know, is I think we covered a lot.

00:37:07:23 - 00:37:11:15
Speaker 2
We did we did have more. Now I'm good.

00:37:11:15 - 00:37:23:03
Speaker 1
Yeah. Well you know side note you know happy belated birthdayJazmine. Enjoy your upcoming upcoming trip. Akila. Good luck in school. You know, good luck with your math there.

00:37:23:05 - 00:37:23:19
Speaker 2
Yeah.

00:37:23:21 - 00:37:33:12
Speaker 1
I tough it out, honey. You you guys got it. You both deserve some time off, so. Yeah. Thank you. So, so, so much. This episode is going to be on.

00:37:33:14 - 00:37:36:19
Speaker 2
Keep doing what you're doing. Beautiful. Thank you again.

00:37:36:21 - 00:37:43:11
Speaker 1
Thank you. Thank you.

00:37:43:13 - 00:37:56:14
Speaker 1
Thank you for tuning in to Nursing Uncharted. You can learn more about this episode and our show on our website at AMN. Health care.com. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend and subscribe to our show on your favorite podcast platform.

00:37:56:16 - 00:37:57:07
Speaker 2
You can also.

00:37:57:07 - 00:38:05:23
Speaker 1
Find show updates and nursing opportunities on our Instagram at AMA nurse. Special thanks to Aman Healthcare for making this show possible.