Nurses — Stop Waiting for Permission

[Sarah Nolan-Bell]

For over 35 years, I worked in healthcare — first as a nurse, then as a leadership coach. From the outside, my career looked successful: promotions, raises, recognition. But under the surface, the truth was harder to admit — I had built a career on people-pleasing.

Like many nurses, I thrived on meeting expectations and proving myself. Yet the cost was high: burnout, disconnection from my family, and a constant emptiness that no external praise could fill.

The turning point came one evening when I arrived home after another business trip. My son, only five years old at the time, asked me to play with him. I was exhausted and had nothing left to give. In that moment, I realized if I didn't change, I'd miss the most important parts of my life.

That wake-up call eventually led me to coaching. And over time, I discovered something life-changing: I didn't need external approval to define my worth. When I started trusting my instincts and honoring my own values, I found the freedom, confidence, and joy I'd been missing.

Now I believe this with every fiber of my being:
👉 When nurses stop waiting for external approval and start trusting their instincts, they unleash their true power to lead and inspire.

I'd love to hear from you:

Have you ever realized you were holding back because you were waiting for permission?

Was there a moment when you chose to trust your instincts instead?

How did it change you, your patients, or your team?

Your stories matter — they remind us all that we already have what it takes.