How Being Active Outside of The Bedside Has Helped My Career As A Nurse!

If you would have asked me 4 years ago when I started nursing if I foresaw myself being on the Dr.Oz Show, starting my own nursing blog, speaking in Washington DC at a Nursing Rally in front of hundreds of people, and engaging in all of the crazy nursey adventures that I have, I would have laughed at you! For those who know me personally, they know that I am a bit crazy, but this nursing journey has been absolutely amazing and unexpected! Not only has it given me an immense amount of joy, but it has totally helped me in my career as a nurse! Let me tell you why…

Nursing is a beautiful profession, but there is so much more to it than I think most people understand. It doesn’t have to be a job that you go to 3 days a week and then come home to. It can actually become a deep passion that continues outside of the bedside! Something that brings you happiness and joy both in AND outside of the hospital. I always was turned off by cliques and exclusivity. I never wanted to be a part of something that others felt they couldn’t be a part of. I wanted to make something for myself, and be able to invite others into it. So my brain began to meander…

Why I Started Blogging….

In 2013 when I became a nurse, I realized that there was a lot of negativity within my workplace. A lot of pointing fingers and lack of support towards nurses. I hated that so much! I was never a huge writer, but I always had a strong opinion! I decided to step out of my comfort zone and start a blog about loving and supporting each other as nurses. I wanted to be a positive voice for this profession and be able to talk about what I felt was truly important! That blog, over the course of a few years, has turned into what Yourheartismine is today!

This blog is my baby! It is my pride and joy! It is not this giant, dominating presence in the nursing world, but it is a breath of fresh air when people come across it! When companies, strangers, nursing students, or even just any person reads from it, they all talk about how much they love it, how inspired they are, and how thankful they are for me being a positive voice! People want to be a part of something “good!” THIS makes me love my job as a nurse a lot more. I feel like I am contributing to this profession and getting my message across to other nurses about how important our attitudes and minds are! My blog gives me something to look forward to on my days off, and makes me feel like I am positively contributing to the profession that I love in my own unique way!

Dancing With Dr.Oz

In 2015, I got to appear on the Dr.Oz Show! I stepped out of my comfort zone and submitted a video on why I should be Dr.Oz’s show nurse! It was received well from the producers and I got a call back asking me to come to NYC! I was beside myself! Appearing on the Dr.Oz show gave me the strength and courage to take my blog and “presence” in the nursing world to another level. I wanted my message heard and to help this profession and the nurses in it! Nurses are my passion! I was so intimidated by WordPress and everything that went into making a WordPress.com blog a WordPress.org blog! The second one just helps kicks things up a notch! I’m still not perfect at it, but I’m able to blog and share with you guys! I successfully transferred my blog and took off! I don’t know jack squat about technology, but I learn as I go! If I can do it, anyone can! YHIM had a lot more interaction after that! ( I also attended WordPress Meetups in my area and that helped me a lot! Yes, they exist!)

Getting Involved With Legislation and Being CHANGE!

Through my blog, I was given the opportunity to contribute to the group Show Me Your Stethoscope! I’ve been able to do live videos with that group, blog, and even speak in Washington DC at their Safe Staffing Rally! I have met some AMAZING people and nurses through that group, and the friendships I made with cool, like-minded nurses all over the word are still going strong! It’s really neat to see what can happen when you step out of your comfort zone and “just go for it!” SMYS has become a huge part of who I am as a nurse, and my mission to help promote Safe Staffing in the legislative world! It’s empowering and so cool to be a small part of a big change!

Some other cool adventures and perks that have come with being active outside of the nursing world are the companies that began to reach out to want to work with me! It has opened new opportunity with my profession in so many different ways! From speaking at conferences and nursing schools, podcast interviews, to getting to rep fun scrubs and products, to being able to make a little income on the side! THIS is FUN for me. Blogging was something I did for years. I started because it was a passion. It still is my passion, but it has slowly turned into a small business. I NEVER saw that coming, 4 years ago. I never started blogging for income, I started because it was my passion!

Find Your Place Outside Of The Bedside

Today, I continue to blog because its a passion of mine. It helps keep me accountable on the floor, and makes me go the extra mile in the work place. I want the nurses I work with and the people around me to know that I’m here to work and to have a good attitude. Blogging may not be for you, and thats okay. There are other ways to get involved outside of this profession!

There are many nursing organizations that you can plug yourself into! Being active on social media is very helpful! There are surprisingly some random opportunities that can pop up for really anyone! Networking is a great way to get involved and connect outside of the hospital! A great way to do that is to attend nursing conferences! You can google nursing conferences this year, and see if there is one near you! There are so many cool people that you meet, and you become easily inspired by these other driven folks! I really encourage you to get active outside of the bedside!

“It is Now a Part of my Nursing Story” 

There is nothing wrong with being a nurse and going home at the end of the day! Many of you have children and families, and all of this sounds like a giant stress! That’s totally okay! Not for you, and no big deal! But if you were like me and feel you have a passion and a desire to do something more, live out your dreams, or to create and be something that you’ve always wanted to, just start it up now! Set your goals, make a plan, act it out, and believe in yourself!

YHIM and everything that has come along with it is now a part of my nursing story! When I walk into work, it is a part of me! It helps me in my care, and helps me when I leave! It has completely changed my life for the better, and it all started with me stepping out of my comfort zone, following my passion, and going for it! It has given my career more purpose and passion! I’m not this uber successful nurse entrepreneur, but I am very happy. And to me, happiness is everything! Nursing doesn’t just have to be at the bedside if you don’t want it to be. Don’t ever say that you can’t. The possibilities are endless.

 Be courages and be BOLD!

Your Heart Is Mine,

Kelsey