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Season 2 • Episode 53

Nurse News: VA ICU Nurse Alex Pretti Fatally Shot by Border Patrol, L&D Nurse Calls Out Unsafe Staffing, ‘Nurses SHIFT Change’ Petition, and 31K Kaiser Nurses Strike in CA & HI

Jan 27, 2026
14:04

Episode Description

Healthcare really said “no peace” again, so Club Nurse is clocking in to translate the chaos. This week, Colton covers the nurse news everyone’s talking about, from heartbreaking loss to major advocacy moves and strikes that could reshape staffing and patient safety. If you want the context without living on your For You page, this episode does the work for you.

This week’s stories:

  • Death of VA ICU nurse Alex Pretti: Honoring his life and the impact on the nursing community
  • L&D nurse Jen Hamilton calls out unsafe staffing: The one question every birthing patient should ask
  • Nurses launch national petition on immigration enforcement: Protecting healthcare spaces and public trust
  • 31,000 Kaiser nurses begin strike in CA & HI: Safe staffing, wages, and worker protections on the line

Heavy topics, real conversations, and the reminders nurses need right now.

>>Dedicated VA ICU Nurse Alex Pretti Dead After Clash with Border Patrol in Minneapolis

>>L&D Nurse Jen Hamilton Calls Out Unsafe Staffing: ‘Ask This Question Before You Deliver’

>>‘Nurses SHIFT Change’ Petition Raises Public Health Concerns About Immigration Enforcement

>>31,000 Kaiser Nurses and Healthcare Workers Strike Across California and Hawaii

Jump Ahead to Listen:
[01:05] Coping with a Heavy News Cycle
[03:06] Introducing the Case of VA ICU Nurse Alex Pretti
[04:05] Honoring Alex Pretti’s Life & Career
[05:20] Community Reaction & Where to Learn More
[06:18] The Question for Expecting Parents About Safe Staffing
[07:09] What AWHONN Safe Staffing Standards Mean
[08:06] Why Ratios Matter During Labor & Delivery
[09:23] Nurses’ Petition on Immigration & Public Health
[10:30] Key Reform Demands in the Petition
[11:12] How Nurses Can Take Action on the Petition

Connect with Colton on social media:
Instagram: @coltonalanlord, @club.nurse
TikTok: @nursecolton

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