Nurses Week: Real Talk on Well-Being, Burnout, and Thriving in Healthcare

As we celebrate Nurses Week (May 6-12), it’s the perfect time to acknowledge not just the incredible work nurses do, but also the challenges they face daily. Let’s face it – nursing isn’t getting any easier. The long shifts, emotional labor, and constant pressure can take a serious toll on even the most passionate healthcare professionals. But what if there’s a better way to navigate this challenging yet rewarding career during Nurses Week and beyond?

Celebrating Nurses Week: When Burnout Strikes

For this special Nurses Week edition of the Transforming Healthcare Coaching podcast, we’re tackling the reality behind the celebration. Emergency nurse and social media creator Colton Lord (one half of the Nurse Daddies duo) shares his refreshingly honest perspective on burnout and wellbeing during a time when nurses deserve more than just recognition—they need genuine support.

“I started [social media] as a way to step away from healthcare because I was feeling really just burnt out and really struggling in my career,” Colton reveals. What began as an escape from nursing ironically evolved into a platform centered around nursing – but with an important difference.

You Are More Than Your Scrubs

One of the most powerful insights from Colton’s journey is recognizing how easily healthcare professionals become defined solely by their professional titles.

“You invest so much time and energy into this thing for so long,” Colton explains. “You start to get to this point where you’re like, ‘Maybe I don’t know that much about who I actually am.'”

This identity crisis often fuels burnout as nurses struggle to maintain boundaries between their professional and personal lives.

Recognizing the Early Warning Signs

How do you know when burnout is creeping in? According to Colton, it’s the subtle shifts in your daily experience:

“It’s those subtle things… not just one day of having a bad day ’cause you didn’t sleep well. These are consistent behaviors of, ‘Today it was a lot harder to get out of bed’ or ‘I’ve noticed I had a lot less patience.'”

The danger lies in dismissing these early warning signs until they snowball into something more serious.

Setting Boundaries That Stick

When it comes to protecting your wellbeing in high-pressure environments, setting clear boundaries is essential. This might mean saying no to that extra shift, even when you feel guilty about it.

“Understanding that you don’t carry the burden of healthcare, the unit, or anybody else’s job – that’s not your burden to carry,” Colton emphasizes. “A lot of nurses struggle with having those people-pleasing tendencies.”

Learning to sit with the discomfort of setting boundaries gets easier with practice, especially when you remind yourself of the consequences of pushing too hard.

Beyond the Pizza Party: What Nurses Week Should Really Offer

When discussing Nurses Week celebrations, Colton questions the value of token gestures like pizza parties and hospital-branded water bottles. “It’s almost more offensive than if you just didn’t do anything,” he notes about some lackluster recognition efforts.

“What’s the goal in providing us with pizza?” Colton asks about typical Nurses Week gestures. “Did you think about what you want the nurses to feel?” True Nurses Week appreciation should focus on how each department can make nurses actually feel valued rather than just going through the motions.

Instead of superficial recognition during Nurses Week, nurses need meaningful support systems, communities that understand their challenges, and wellness programs that address their specific needs year-round.

The Power of Community

One thread that runs throughout our conversation is the vital importance of finding your people – fellow healthcare professionals who truly understand what you’re experiencing.

“Nobody understands like nobody else,” Colton says. “You can’t expect your partner who’s not in healthcare or your mom who has no idea what’s really going on to actually understand because they’re not there.”

Building these supportive connections, whether in person or online, creates a space where nurses can be vulnerable about their struggles without judgment.

Getting Back to Basics

For nurses at their breaking point, Colton’s advice centers on returning to fundamental self-care practices:

“It’s those things that on paper sound so simple that may not be as easy to implement if you don’t have a habit of doing it,” he explains. Physical movement, proper nutrition, and adequate rest form the foundation of resilience.

Most importantly, Colton emphasizes that it’s okay to change direction. “Don’t be afraid to veer off the path that you thought you were gonna go down,” he advises. “You sometimes just have to roll the dice and go do something else. And it’s okay.”

Remember: You’re Human First

Perhaps the most powerful reminder from our conversation is that before you’re a nurse, you’re a human being with needs, dreams, and a life outside of healthcare.

“We always say you’re human first before you’re anything else, before you’re a nurse,” Colton emphasizes. This simple yet profound perspective shift can transform how you approach your career and wellbeing.

The Bottom Line: Making Every Week Count, Not Just Nurses Week

Nursing is challenging, but you don’t have to sacrifice your wellbeing to be an excellent healthcare professional. While Nurses Week provides a moment to acknowledge the profession, true wellbeing requires year-round attention. By recognizing early warning signs, setting clear boundaries, building supportive communities, and remembering that you’re human first, you can create a sustainable career that brings fulfillment rather than depletion.

As Colton reminds us during this Nurses Week, “You’re human first before you’re anything else, before you’re a nurse.” This perspective shift can transform how you approach your career and wellbeing far beyond a single celebratory week.

Ready to make small, intentional steps toward the life you want? Book a discovery call to connect with a coach who understands your unique challenges.

Ready to transform your approach to nursing wellbeing this Nurses Week? Join our community of healthcare professionals making positive changes in their careers and lives.