“To do what nobody else will do, in a way that nobody else can do, in spite of all we go through…that is what it is to be a nurse.” – Rawsi Williams, RN
There is no denying nurses have it tough. Long hours, hectic schedules, and the mental, physical, and emotional stress of caring for others around the clock are all par for the course. Add battling a pandemic for the last few years to that and it’s no wonder that nurses are burned out, exhausted, and in need of a good cheering up!
While there is no substitute for providing adequate support to nurses and addressing the underlying systemic and structural contributors to nurse burnout and stress, having some uplifting resources to turn to could help them get through tough days and challenging times. If you would like to learn more about our advice on nursing retention strategies, we invite to read our blog post.
If you are a nurse, we’ve curated some inspirational content and helpful resources that will bring a smile to your face, make you laugh out loud, or even bring a sentimental tear to your eye. We hope they will help you get through your stressful days. And if you’re not a nurse, why not share this article full of words of encouragement for nurses with someone you know to cheer them up and lift their spirits?
Nursing Inspiration on Social Media
Social media can be a great way to relieve stress – if you follow the right people! Why not add some nursing motivational quotes and inspiration to your daily scroll to decompress during your breaks or as a little positive distraction after a long day on the floor? Many healthcare professionals share words of encouragement for nurses on social media platforms, as well as other amusing, informative, and relatable content geared towards their fellow nurses.
@wholelifenurse, run by Kelsey Rowell, RN, provides nurses with everything they need “to unapologetically have less stress, more money, and a career you love”. Her Instagram feed is full of inspirational quotes for nurses and great for nurses who need some motivation to improve their work life and mental health.
If you are looking for a mix of entertaining content along with words of encouragement for nurses, you’ll love @shesinscrubs run by Sarah Warren, ADN RN. For a bit of humor after a hard day, look no further than @nurse.blake whose funny Reels are sure to get you chuckling – it’s funny because it’s true!
@psych.nurse.school is our pick for psychiatric nurses and nursing students. Run by Rachel, MSN, PMHNP, this account provides the inspiration and entertainment you need to get through long, stressful days. Through a series of reels, lists, and stories, Rachel shares information about various mental health conditions and working environments in the psych field. Her account is a helpful guide for aspiring psych nurses, while also keeping things relatively lighthearted.
Nursing students, we didn’t forget about you! Nurse Haskins regularly posts motivational quotes for nursing students so you’ll be sure to get a pep talk and a dopamine boost by following her.
Take a scroll through these Instagram accounts for inspirational quotes for nurses and do check out their websites for more encouragement for nurses too!
TED Talks for nurses
Nurses are a true inspiration to all of us, and some of them have even gone on to give TED Talks. Kick back and relax while listening to some powerful words of encouragement for nurses during your downtime with these TED talks for nurses and inspirational nursing stories.
Stress has become a considerable public health concern, but recent research has shown that it is only bad for you if you allow it to be. Psychologist Kelly McGonigal’s Ted Talk How to Make Stress Your Friend comes highly recommended for nurses. In this 14-minute talk, she encourages people to see stress as a beneficial emotion and highlights an often overlooked method for reducing stress: reaching out to others.
In A Tribute to Nurses, Carolyn Jones “shares personal stories of unwavering dedication in this celebration of the everyday heroes who work at the front lines of health care.” Her admiration for her chemotherapy nurse during her battle with breast cancer gave her the desire to celebrate the work that nurses do, and she spent five years doing just this. She has traveled across America interviewing, photographing, and filming nurses working on the frontline and her inspirational quotes for nurses are just the mood-lifter you will need if you’ve had a rough day.
Dr. Elaine C. Meyer, co-founder and director of the Institute for Professionalism and Ethical Practice at Boston Children’s Hospital and Associate Professor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School gave an inspirational TEDx talk On Being Present, Not Perfect. In this talk, she shares her personal and professional experiences within the healthcare sector and the importance of having genuine and emotional conversations with patients. Her speech is a great inspiration for nurses and emphasizes the valuable role they play in their patients’ lives.
Inspirational Creators to Follow
Inspiration comes from many places. These are some of our favorite creators for nurses!
Donna Cardillo, MA, RN, CSP, FAAN, also known as “The Inspiration Nurse” has a website that is truly a one-stop-shop for nursing inspiration and motivation. Nurses can find everything from career development resources, a curated list of essential websites for nurses, and of course, words of encouragement for nurses in her blog section.
Interested in learning how to turn your nursing salary into generational wealth and retire early? Naseema McElroy, RN FNP is a great inspiration for nurses! As someone who both paid off almost $1 million in debt and built her net worth to over $800,000, she shares both her struggles and strategies for building wealth as a nurse as well as tips to create your own financial success.
If podcasts are your go-to during your breaks, while doing chores, or on your commute, the Nursing Uncensored podcast hosted by Adrianne Behning RN provides uncensored content for nurses about life in the profession. Your Next Shift by Elizabeth Scala has over 100 episodes for you to binge listen about inspirational nursing stories and is a popular choice among nurses. NurseSpeak is another highly rated podcast to listen to real-life nursing stories – and even submit your own!
We hope these resources provide encouragement for nurses who are already working on the frontline, and inspiration to become a nurse for those who are still working towards that goal!
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