664 – Improving Patient Care Through Empathy and Addressing Workplace Abuse

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Welcome to another episode of the Legal Nurse Podcast with your host, Pat Iyer. Today, we’re diving into a crucial and all-too-common workplace issue: abusive work environments in healthcare, and the pivotal role empathy, or the lack thereof, plays in patient care and professional interactions. Joining Pat is Nia Renee, a trauma-informed leadership speaker and certified narcissistic abuse recovery coach, who brings both personal and professional expertise to this conversation. Nia’s journey as a six-time brain surgery survivor gives her profound insight into what compassionate care truly means, and just how much it’s often missing, not just in patient-provider relationships, but also among colleagues in the healthcare setting.

In this candid discussion, Pat and Nia explore the impacts of workplace incivility, apathy, and bullying, shining a light on the power dynamics between nurses, physicians, and hospital leadership. Nia shares her personal experiences with medical gaslighting and highlights the emotional toll that comes from lacking empathy, whether you’re a patient or a team member. Together, they unpack real-life examples, define terms like medical gaslighting, and discuss the ripple effects of an unsupportive or hostile environment on both staff well-being and patient safety.

The episode wraps up with actionable strategies for recognizing and addressing workplace abuse, setting boundaries, documentation, and utilizing support systems. Whether you’re working in clinical practice, consulting with attorneys, or managing teams, this conversation is filled with practical advice and empowering takeaways to help you navigate and improve the culture of your own healthcare workplace. Tune in as Pat and Nia provide the tools and understanding you need to foster empathy, resilience, and professional respect in even the most challenging environments.

What you’ll learn in this episode on Improving Patient Care Through Empathy and Addressing Workplace Abuse

Here are five questions that this episode of the Podcast answers:

1. What does empathy in the workplace truly mean, and why is it so critical in healthcare environments?
2. How does the lack of empathy from healthcare providers impact patients both emotionally and physically?
3. What are some signs and symptoms of bullying behavior in healthcare settings, and how can you distinguish between bullying and simple apathy?
4. How do power dynamics between physicians and nurses contribute to persistent bullying and communication problems?
5. What actionable strategies can nurses and legal nurse consultants use to handle abusive or hostile work environments and protect themselves?

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Your Presenter for Improving Patient Care Through Empathy and Addressing Workplace Abuse

Pat Iyer

Pat Iyer is a seasoned legal nurse consultant and business coach renowned for her expertise in guiding new legal nurse consultants to successfully break into the field. As the host of the Legal Nurse Podcast, Pat addresses critical challenges that legal nurse consultants face, such as difficulty in landing clients and lack of response from attorneys. Through her insightful episodes, she emphasizes the importance of effectively communicating one’s value to potential clients. With a wealth of experience, Pat has empowered countless consultants to overcome these hurdles and thrive in their careers.

Connect with Pat Iyer by email at patiyer@legalnusebusiness.com

Nia Renee

Coach Nia Renee is a trauma-informed leadership speaker and certified narcissistic abuse recovery coach who bridges corporate training with personal healing.

Through her work with How to Love a Battered Woman, LLC, Coach Nia Renee leads powerful workshops and consultations that help companies build empathy-driven, psychologically safe workplaces. She draws from lived experience, navigating medical trauma, narcissistic abuse, and corporate adversity, to show leaders how unhealed trauma shows up in performance, retention, and team dynamics.

Connect with Nia Renee by email at niarenee@howtoloveabatteredwoman.com