We're listening to stories behind the strikes on this week's episode of #GirlsWithGoals.

Last week over 35,000 nurses and midwives took to picket lines across the country to highlight pressing issues facing their profession. Members of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation downed tools in the hopes of securing pay parity with other graduate-entry health professionals such as physiotherapists. The INMO are adamant that such increases are needed to tackle recruitment and retention problems in the health service. The initial strike, held on Wednesday of last week, affected 25,000 patients but the impact of this week's strikes now look set to double. This comes after a decision was made at the weekend to escalate action to include respite centres and those with intellectual disabilities. Over the weekend the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar,  said that 'technically' nurses and midwives had breached the public sector stability agreement. Speaking on RTÉ Radio's This Week's programme, Mr. Varadkar said that despite this breach the Government would not be stopping extra payments and he acknowledged the massive support that the nurses and midwives have received from the public. With no resolution in sight, further strike dates have now been added and a national rally to support nurses and midwives has also been organised for this coming weekend. On this week's episode of #GirlsWithGoals we're heading to the picket lines to talk to the nurses and midwives out striking (1.41), we'll also hear from Lorraine Monaghan the Industrial Relations Officer with the INMO (4.16) on the Government's legal threats and two young nurses join us in studio to share their stories (16.05). Click play below to listen: