In this episode of the Love n' Leary podcast, host Rebecca Love sits down with nurse leaders Dr. Lendra James and Dr. Danielle McCamey, co-founders of Nurses Shift Change, to talk about why nurses must “report for duty” in Washington, D.C. this Nurses Week. They break down the urgent threats facing healthcare—hospital closures, cuts to Medicare and Medicaid, loss of coverage for vulnerable communities, and risks to nursing’s status as a profession—and why nurses’ voices are essential in shaping policy.

Learn what to expect at the Report for Duty Rally and Hill Day, how advocacy connects to nursing’s Code of Ethics, and how joy, art, and community can fuel resistance and change. Tune in to get inspired, get informed, and get ready to show up.

>>Why Thousands of Nurses Are Marching on Capitol Hill May 7

Jump Ahead to Listen:

[00:01:22] Introducing the Report for Duty rally in DC
[00:01:51] Origin and mission of Nurses Shift Change
[00:02:20] Adding Hill Day meetings with lawmakers
[00:03:21] Why Washington, DC and engaging legislators
[00:04:01] History of nurses marching and advocacy in DC
[00:05:21] Why nurses must leverage their collective power now
[00:06:41] Healthcare in trouble and nurses on the front lines
[00:08:33] Joy and resistance: format and feel of the rally
[00:09:09] Core values: humanity, ethics, social justice, science
[00:11:55] How to get involved and where to find more information

Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn

Connect with Marion on social media:
Instagram: @marionleary
TikTok: @marionleary
Facebook: Marion Leary

In this episode of the Love n' Leary Podcast, hosts Marion Leary and Rebecca Love speak with nurses Dena Bushman and Rebekah Stewart about their difficult decision to resign from the United States Public Health Service. After years of leadership in public health and infectious disease response, both nurses share the ethical and moral conflicts they faced when deployments shifted toward immigration detention facilities. Through candid conversation, they discuss moral distress, nursing ethics, and the responsibility nurses carry when systems conflict with patient care. This episode explores advocacy, courage, and how nurses can use their voices to drive change in healthcare and beyond.

Jump Ahead to Listen:

[00:01:21] Nurses resign from U.S. Public Health Service
[00:01:42] Dena’s background and CDC / EIS path
[00:03:07] Becky’s ER, Ebola, and CDC career overview
[00:06:24] Becky’s ethical breaking point and decision to resign
[00:09:37] What the U.S. Public Health Service is
[00:11:58] Shift in deployments toward detention facilities
[00:13:20] Question about deaths and conditions in detention
[00:13:47] Becky’s 2019 Border Patrol deployment experience
[00:17:42] Dena rostered to ICE and Guantánamo, moral distress
[00:25:03] Dena on using your voice and next steps for nurses

Connect with Rebekah:

• LinkedIn: Rebekah Stewart
• Substack: @rebekahjstewart

Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn

Connect with Marion on social media:

• Instagram: @marionleary
• TikTok: @marionleary
• Facebook: Marion Leary

In this episode of the Love n' Leary Podcast, we sit down with emergency nurse and congressional candidate Nancy Mannion (PA-11). Nancy shares how bedside experiences, seeing the impact of lack of access to care and crushing medical debt, propelled her to run for Congress. She breaks down the nursing skills—communication, negotiation, and teamwork—that translate directly to policymaking, and talks candidly about imposter syndrome, becoming a public figure, and preparing for tough town hall questions. Nancy also offers practical encouragement for nurses considering political engagement at any level, from school boards to federal office, and explains why she believes America is in “critical condition” and needs a nurse to help heal it.

>>From the ER to Congress: Why This Nurse Is Running for Office | Opinion

Jump Ahead to Listen:

[00:01:00] Introducing guest: ER nurse Nancy Mannion, running for Congress
[00:02:09] What inspired Nancy to run for a congressional seat
[00:03:06] ER stories showing impact of poor access to healthcare
[00:04:37] Speaking at a local event leads to being asked to run
[00:06:09] Exploring how to run and finding Healing Politics
[00:07:45] Nursing skills Nancy will use in Congress
[00:11:50] Learning every word as a candidate is public
[00:14:29] Preparing for town halls and handling wide-ranging questions
[00:17:53] Advice to nurses thinking about speaking up or running for office
[00:21:33] How nurses can support Nancy’s campaign and get involved

Connect with Rebecca on LinkedIn
Connect with Marion on social media:
Instagram: @marionleary
TikTok: @marionleary
Facebook: Marion Leary