Independence Day. One of my favorite holidays, for multiple reasons.

July 4th lands in the middle of summer and since summer is my favorite season, well- that is a no brainer. Yet more importantly, what Independence Day is all about is why it is so meaningful to me.

The two values I hold highest regard for in my life are freedom and fun. Any time a challenge comes up for me or I find myself disliking a particular situation, I have realized that my opportunity to be free has been jeopardized. Freedom is the chance to by myself; to live independently; to attain my desires.

As a nurse, how much freedom do you enjoy in your nursing career? Are you able to practice autonomy, making decisions that you know are best for your patients? Or does your job stifle you, making you feel like you have not accomplished your best when you leave work each day?

Freedom and fun, to me, go hand-in-hand.

When you feel like you have no say, is that fun? If you’re being told what to do all day, are you enjoying yourself? As nurses, we have the right to practice our autonomy in our nursing careers.

Which brings me to our model, Nursing from Within. The Nursing from Within steps include being present, letting go of what no longer serves you, focusing on and allowing appreciation, finding and becoming your authentic self and then loving you so that you can best care for your patients. It is about being free to have fun in your nursing role.

This July 4th, as you celebrate with family, friends, colleagues and neighbors- think about your nursing career and how independent you are. What can you give thanks for in your role? What shifts would you like to make? How can you practice having more fun being free?

As a special gift to you, I invite you to download my Kindle eBook, ‘Bring Back the ART of Nursing: Reconnect to the Nurse Within‘. I share a simple three step process that does not take much time and can help you get closer to that nursing freedom we all desire.

Happy July 4th!

I would love to hear from you. What freedoms are you enjoying in your nursing practice? How do you get to show up as your authentic self each day? What can you be thankful for in your nursing career today?