Are workplace tensions dragging down your patients' care?

You know the feeling: the passive-aggressive emails, the hallway whispers, the moments of silence when communication breaks down. In healthcare, these conflicts aren't just frustrating—they're dangerous.

On this powerful episode of The Gritty Nurse podcast, host Amy-Archibald Verli dives deep into the often-avoided topic of conflict in healthcare with special guest, Lena Morgan.

Lena, a former midwife, transitioned her career to become a leading expert in communication and conflict resolution. She sits down with Amy to introduce her groundbreaking framework: "Fight Languages."

In healthcare settings, unresolved tension doesn't just make for a bad day—it can directly impact patient care and lead to burnout among professionals. Lena shares her personal journey from the high-stakes environment of midwifery to developing her framework, driven by the need to give healthcare workers practical tools for better communication.

• Understanding "Fight Languages": Get an overview of Lena's system for categorizing different conflict styles and how identifying your own and others' styles is the first step toward resolution.

• The Critical Impact of Conflict: We discuss real-world examples of how unresolved professional disagreements, miscommunications, and personal clashes can create dangerous cracks in the delivery of care.

• A Path to Healthier Workplaces: Lena offers concrete strategies focused on empathy, validation, and active listening that healthcare professionals can use immediately to transform difficult conversations into constructive ones.

• Fostering Better Outcomes: The conversation emphasizes that learning to navigate conflict isn't just about feeling better; it's about improving patient safety and cultivating healthier, more sustainable work environments for everyone on the care team.

If you've ever felt stuck in a communication loop or wished you had a better way to address tension with a colleague, this episode will give you the language and the framework to move forward. Don't just survive conflict—learn how to "fight" it.

Please do not forget to LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE!

Tune in for essential strategies to improve your communication skills and transform your professional relationships!

Where to Listen / Watch

* Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782

* Watch on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast

Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!

www.hospitalnews.com

More About Lena

Lena Morgan is a retired midwife, communications expert, and author of The Fight Languages, a powerful communication system that helps people translate conflict and spark connection. Driven by a passion for advocacy and empowerment, she created The Overflow Effect, HealHer, and WOLFmother. All transformative programs designed to help people reclaim their power and voice in every stage of life. Lena partners with families, leaders, and organizations to foster stronger, more connected communities through better communication. Learn more at lenamorgan.com.

Connect with Lena

In this crucial and eye-opening episode of the Gritty Nurse podcast with host Amie Archibald-Varley and guest host, Jordan Varley, they confront the hidden crisis of addiction within the healthcare industry. This is essential listening for nurses, physicians, social workers, and all healthcare professionals struggling with the stigma of substance abuse.

I’ll never forget my first exposure to addiction in the workplace—it was the epitome of a toxic culture. My then-boss shared a disgusting story about a former director allegedly found drunk under a desk, treating a colleague’s pain as a vicious joke. I realized instantly that in this environment, no healthcare worker would ever feel safe coming forward. That betrayal of confidentiality and trust perfectly illustrated the profound stigma we're fighting.

We delve into the alarming substance abuse statistics and share raw, personal stories that reveal the profound struggles faced by healthcare workers who are silently battling addiction. Our special guest, social worker Jordan, joins us to tear down the wall of shame and expose the systemic issues that often enable or worsen provider impairment. We address the pressures from leadership—the maligning manager or enabling system—that makes seeking addiction treatmentand achieving recovery so difficult.

Tune in to understand why it’s crucial for every hospital and clinic to champion healthcare worker recovery and create a culture that genuinely dedicates itself to saving the healers. Please do not forget to LIKE and Subscribe on Apple Podcasts and Youtube!

Keywords

addiction, healthcare, nurses, stigma, workplace culture

Takeaways

• Addiction is a rising crisis in healthcare.
• 10-15% of nurses struggle with substance abuse.
• Registered nurses are 2.2 times more likely to die from overdose.
• Stigma prevents healthcare workers from seeking help.
• 43% of drug-related deaths involve workplace medications.
• Physician suicide rates are high due to substance abuse.
• Workplace culture contributes to addiction issues.
• Healthcare workers face unique addiction challenges.
• Support systems for addiction in healthcare are lacking.
• Addressing stigma is crucial for solving addiction issues.

Chapters

• Introduction to Addiction in Healthcare
• Statistics and Personal Stories
• Stigma and Workplace Culture
• Systemic Issues and Solutions

Where to Listen / Watch

* Listen on Apple Podcasts – : The Gritty Nurse Podcast on Apple Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-gritty-nurse/id1493290782

* Watch on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@thegrittynursepodcast

Thank you to Hospital News for being a collaborative partner with the Gritty Nurse!

www.hospitalnews.com