Prescription for Admission: A Caregiver's Guide to Navigating Hospital Stays, Medical Advocacy and Better Experiences in Heal

Dr. Monique Nugent
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Are you struggling to care for your parents’ medical needs and find their hospital admissions end in more frustration than help? If you’re tired of managing hospital admissions alone. Dr. Nugent will guide you through each stage of a hospitalization so you can plan ahead and advocate for your parents to get the best care possible. Tune in to discover how to get the best possible care for your parents while navigating the hospital admission and discharge process. If you're ready to feel less overwhelmed during a hospitalization. Hit play on the most recent episode NOW.

  1. 5d ago

    #21 - Quick Tip: Hospitals, Meds, and Medication Formulary

    Ever been told to bring your own medication to the hospital—and wondered why? If you or a loved one is hospitalized, you might assume every medication is readily available. But hospital formularies—what medications are actually stocked—can create unexpected gaps, delays, or confusion. Understanding how this works can help you advocate effectively and avoid critical missed doses. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why certain medications aren’t available in every hospital formulary—and what that means for your careHow to properly bring and verify medication so it can be safely given during a hospital stayWhat mistakes to avoid that could delay treatment or create safety risks Listen now to learn how to navigate hospital formulary rules and ensure you or your loved one gets the right medication—without unnecessary delays. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

  2. Jul 16

    Episode 59: How A Cancer Survivor Went From Patient To Advocate By Helping Caregivers Navigate Hospitalization

    What if the hardest part of a cancer hospitalization isn’t just the treatment — but the waiting, uncertainty, isolation, and pressure placed on patients and caregivers? A cancer diagnosis changes everything, and hospitalization can create a completely different set of challenges for families. From planned admissions and infusion days to unexpected hospital stays, caregivers often find themselves trying to support their loved one while also managing their own stress, emotions, and exhaustion. In this episode of Prescription for Admission, Dr. Monique Nugent speaks with Joelle Kaufman, host of Kicking Cancer’s Ass Podcast, about the realities of navigating cancer hospitalization from both the patient and caregiver perspectives. Together, they discuss how families can prepare for hospital stays, communicate needs, create boundaries around visitors, and support each other through some of life’s most difficult moments. Listeners will learn: How to prepare for the waiting, uncertainty, and emotional challenges that come with cancer hospitalization.How caregivers can support their loved one while also protecting their own physical and emotional well-being.How to have difficult conversations about treatment decisions, quality of life, and honoring what matters most to the patient. Listen to this episode to discover practical ways to make cancer hospitalization feel less overwhelming and help patients and caregivers feel more supported, prepared, and connected. About Joelle Kauffman: Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

  3. Jul 15

    #20 - Quick Tip: How Smart Caregivers Avoid Discharge Prescription Delays With One Simple Pharmacy Shift

    Are you leaving the hospital without a clear plan for your discharge prescriptions and pharmacy access? If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to manage new medications after discharge, you’re not alone. The transition from hospital to home is one of the most common points where prescriptions get delayed, pharmacies create unexpected barriers, and critical doses are missed. This episode breaks down exactly how to stay ahead of those challenges and take control before you walk out the door. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to prevent discharge prescription delays by planning with your pharmacy ahead of timeWhy timing your prescriptions before discharge can eliminate stress and missed dosesThe simple pharmacy switch that ensures you always have access to medications when you need them most Tune in now to learn how to take control of your discharge prescriptions and pharmacy plan so you can leave the hospital confident, prepared, and stress-free. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

  4. Jul 1

    #19 - Quick Tip: How Smarter Specialist Appointment Planning Elevated Patient Advocacy for Every Hospital Caregiver

    Are you pushing for a specialist appointment in the hospital—only to feel frustrated when it doesn’t happen? As a hospital caregiver, you want to make the most of every moment and advocate strongly for your loved one. But when it comes to securing a specialist appointment during a hospital stay, what feels like proactive patient advocacy can sometimes slow down progress or miss the bigger picture. In this quick tip, you’ll learn how to think strategically about timing, understand what actually happens behind the scenes with specialist consultations, and why the outpatient setting is often where the real plan comes together. What you’ll walk away with: Clarity on when a specialist appointment in the hospital helps—and when it doesn’tA smarter patient advocacy approach that aligns with how hospital care actually worksConfidence in prioritizing discharge and outpatient follow-up for better long-term outcomes Tune in to learn how to make better decisions around specialist appointments and strengthen your patient advocacy as a hospital caregiver. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

  5. Jun 25

    Episode 56: How Caregiving in Dementia and Elder Care Changes When You Replace Apology With Leadership

    Are you constantly saying sorry while navigating caregiving for a loved one with dementia, even when you’re just asking for help? If you’ve ever felt guilty walking into a hospital, unsure if your concerns are “serious enough,” or found yourself minimizing real safety issues with an apology, this episode speaks directly to you. Caregiving is already complex—layering guilt and self-doubt on top of it makes it even harder to get the support you actually need. In this episode, you’ll discover: How letting go of unnecessary apologies can help you advocate more effectively in caregiving situationsWhy behavioral and mental health changes in dementia are valid reasons to seek immediate supportHow to use hospital resources (like case managers and social workers) to create safer, sustainable care plans If you want to feel more confident, supported, and clear in your caregiving journey with dementia, this episode will show you how to move forward without guilt. Listen now to start replacing apology with clarity, confidence, and the support you deserve. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

  6. Jun 23

    #18 - Quick Tip: Does Your Care Team Miss Delirium During Hospitalization & Call It Dementia? Fix This Now

    Have you noticed your loved one suddenly becoming confused during a hospitalization and been told it’s just dementia? If you’re navigating a hospital stay with someone you care about, understanding the difference between delirium and dementia could completely change how quickly they get the care they need. Sudden confusion isn’t something to brush off, it’s often a medical emergency hiding in plain sight. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to quickly recognize delirium vs dementia during hospitalizationThe most common medical triggers behind sudden confusionWhat to ask your care team to ensure there’s a clear plan to treat delirium Listen now to learn how to spot delirium early and advocate for the right care during hospitalization. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

  7. Jun 16

    #17 - Quick Tip: How Hospital-Associated Cognitive Decline Impacts Brain Health & Triggers Delirium in Older Adults

    Are hospital stays quietly causing long-term damage to brain health in older adults? If you’ve ever noticed a loved one seem more confused, forgetful, or “not quite the same” after a hospital stay, you’re not imagining it. Hospital-associated cognitive decline is more common than people realize, and it’s often misunderstood or mistaken for dementia or delirium in older adults. In this episode, you’ll discover: How to recognize the early signs of hospital-associated cognitive decline and distinguish it from delirium and dementiaPractical, hospital-tested strategies to protect brain health during and after a hospital stayWhat to ask healthcare providers to reduce risk and support a stronger cognitive recovery Tune in now to learn how to safeguard brain health and help your loved ones recover stronger after hospitalization. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

  8. Jun 11

    Episode 53: How To Navigate Stroke Recovery as a Caregiver By Working With the Right Stroke Team

    Are you prepared to recognize a stroke and step into the caregiver role within minutes? When a stroke strikes, everything changes instantly, and many caregivers are left trying to make critical decisions without a clear roadmap. This episode breaks down exactly what happens inside the hospital, who’s involved in the stroke team, and how you can better navigate recovery from day one. You’ll walk away knowing: How to quickly identify stroke symptoms using BE FAST so you can act without hesitationWhat each member of the stroke team does, and how they directly impact recovery outcomesHow to confidently step into the caregiver role and plan for a safer, smoother transition home Listen now to understand stroke care from the inside out, so you can respond faster, advocate better, and support recovery with clarity. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

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Are you struggling to care for your parents’ medical needs and find their hospital admissions end in more frustration than help? If you’re tired of managing hospital admissions alone. Dr. Nugent will guide you through each stage of a hospitalization so you can plan ahead and advocate for your parents to get the best care possible. Tune in to discover how to get the best possible care for your parents while navigating the hospital admission and discharge process. If you're ready to feel less overwhelmed during a hospitalization. Hit play on the most recent episode NOW.

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