Nursing influencers are everywhere. There was a time when the healthcare world listened almost exclusively to renowned medical professionals and read academic journals to stay abreast of industry trends. These days, it is also about what nurse influencers and bloggers have to say.
But should nurses follow blogs written by nurses and other medical professionals?
If they are fact-checked and credible, nursing blogs and influencers can be valuable tools for nurses who want to stay on the cutting edge of healthcare developments, trends, and research. Blogs written by nurses who are still doing the work can also offer the kind of practical perspective a textbook or journal cannot.
Why is research in nursing important?
The importance of nursing research lies in its potential to improve patient outcomes. The more nurses read and stay current on modern healthcare trends and developments, the more likely they are to deliver better care. So while it can be helpful for nurses to follow popular nurse influencers, it is also paramount that nursing professionals continue to read academic journals that provide evidence-based information on healthcare topics.
Ultimately, there is so much to read about in nursing. So where does one start?
How we picked these nursing blogs
Not every site that calls itself a nursing blog earns a spot in a nurse's limited reading time. Each blog below met the following standards:
- Each blog has real standing with a nursing audience. Some are written by licensed nurses and nurse educators, while others come from established nursing publications or resource hubs serving clinicians.
- The content serves a clear audience, whether that is nursing students, new graduates, specialty nurses, or nurses looking after their own well-being.
- The archive holds up. Most of these blogs publish regularly. A few post less often now but have back catalogs worth working through.
Nursing student and new grad blogs
Nursing school and the first year on the floor generate more questions than any textbook can answer. These 4 blogs exist to fill that gap.
1. Nurse Sarah
Nurse Sarah is a registered nurse (RN) and a well-known influencer who shares straightforward and lighthearted study tips for nursing students.
On her Instagram page, you can also find her breaking down everyday situations a nurse may encounter on the job. Titles like "How to Spot a Stroke" or "Top ECG Rhythm" are designed to help nursing students grasp complex medical diagnoses.
On her blog, you can find quizzes, NCLEX reviews, and a comprehensive list of nursing schools in all 50 U.S. states.
Nurse Sarah also offers career and education resources for new nurses looking to break into the healthcare industry. Browse Nurse Sarah's study guides and NCLEX reviews.
2. Straight A Nursing
Straight A Nursing is a creative platform led by Nurse Mo, a registered nurse and educator. She designed Straight A Nursing to help students study and prepare for nursing school exams.
Some call Nurse Mo a wizard because she can explain complex nursing topics such as anatomy, pharmacology, and medical-surgical nursing in a clear, straightforward way.
If you are a nursing student looking for tricks and tips to make it through the thick of nursing school, explore the Straight A Nursing study resources.
3. FRESHRN
FRESHRN is run by Kati Kleber, MSN, RN, a nurse educator who is passionate about helping recent nursing graduates find their footing.
Kleber provides blogs, courses, and podcasts for newly licensed nurses, and she speaks nationally to encourage new graduate nurses to fulfill their aspirations to become strong, competent clinicians. Her strength is breaking down complex nursing concepts into small, digestible bites.
Catch her latest posts and podcast episodes at FRESHRN's resources for new nurses.
4. The Nurse Speak
The Nurse Speak is led by Damion Jenkins, RN, MSN, and NCLEX prep expert. Jenkins describes himself as a creative executive optimist who strongly believes in the power nurses have to significantly improve the healthcare system.
The Nurse Speak offers an extensive range of resources to help nursing professionals sharpen their clinical skills and expertise.
From NCLEX prep and tutoring to educational blogs and podcasts, dive headfirst into The Nurse Speak's NCLEX prep and coaching.
Nurse wellness and mental health blogs
Nurses spend their shifts attending to everyone else. These 2 blogs turn that attention back toward the caregiver.
5. Yoga Nurse
Do yoga and nursing mix? Yes, absolutely. Just as a forward bend flows into an upward-facing dog, Yoga Nurse is a resource for nurses looking to keep their physical and emotional well-being in tip-top shape.
The Yoga Nurse blog was created by Annette Tersigni, an RN and medical yoga therapist. She writes about building a sustainable career for nurses drawn to a spiritual lifestyle and offers a yoga teacher training program designed specifically for nurses.
Aside from teacher training and workshops, the Yoga Nurse blog is filled with tips to help nurses stay healthy, happy, and limber on the job.
6. The Emotionally Naked Blog
Aside from its catchy name, The Emotionally Naked Blog draws readers in and cuts right to the point when exploring the often misunderstood world of mental health. Started by Anne Moss Rogers, a mental health education expert, the blog features articles that aim to build awareness and improve care for people at risk of suicide.
Rogers publishes pieces from people who have experienced depression themselves or cared for someone with a mental health condition. Titles range from "A Perfect Life Is Made up of Imperfect Days" to "Depression Has Many Faces: What Are the Signs?"
The result is a useful read for psychiatric nurses seeking deeper insight into their patients and for nurses carrying something heavy of their own after a hard rotation. Read more at The Emotionally Naked Blog.
If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988.
Nursing lifestyle and everyday practice blogs
Not every read has to be clinical theory. These 2 blogs cover the working life around the job, from practical floor advice to what to wear.
7. For the Nurse
For the Nurse is a resource hub built around the practical side of the job. Coverage spans 4 areas: clinical tips for hospital and field practice, career guidance on promotions and specialty changes, healthcare news and industry trends, and self-care for people working in high-stress jobs.
The clinical tips are the draw, since they read like advice from a colleague rather than a policy manual. Browse the archive at For the Nurse for practical guidance on the day-to-day of nursing.
8. Scrubs Mag
Scrubs Mag covers fashion, lifestyle, and nursing, a refreshing change from the usual clinical content.
Any nurse who wants to sink their teeth into the latest trends, fun nursing news, and wild nursing stories should take a moment to browse the Scrubs Mag archives. It may even become your favorite way to unwind after a long day on your feet. You certainly deserve it.
Nursing research and career blogs
Evidence and career strategy round out a nurse's reading list. These 3 sources cover both.
9. Off the Charts
Off the Charts earns its name with relevant, engaging posts by nurses for nurses. It is the official blog of the American Journal of Nursing (AJN) and has won multiple awards for its content.
From nursing narratives and perspectives to history and research, AJN Off the Charts publishes a broad spectrum of articles for nurses at any point in their careers.
AJN is one of America's oldest nursing journals, providing concise, timely articles on the human experience and healthcare. The blog also encourages aspiring nurse authors to submit their own stories. Read the latest at AJN Off the Charts.
10. The Nerdy Nurse
The Nerdy Nurse put down roots in aspiring nurses' hearts in 2010. Thanks to owner and founder Brittney Wilson, BSN, RN, it is a user-friendly site covering blogs, product guides, study tips, and career resources for people at every stage of their nursing journey.
The Nerdy Nurse also has a knack for keeping both new and seasoned nurses up to date on the latest digital innovations in healthcare.
Visit The Nerdy Nurse's technology and career guides to stay on the cutting edge.
11. Nursa
Perhaps this is tooting one's own horn, but since you have stopped by, we at Nursa have plenty to say about healthcare. From breaking news updates and healthcare trends to comprehensive nurse salary guides, Nursa is also changing how nurses find per diem nursing shifts.
For clinicians searching for per diem work as independent contractors, the Nursa blog covers nursing specialties, licensing requirements, and state-by-state guides. Browse the full library of topics or start searching for PRN jobs in your area.
Labor and delivery nursing blog
Nurses in a defined specialty often want to hear from someone doing the same job. This next blog comes from a nurse who has spent her career in labor and delivery.
12. The Labor Mama
A self-proclaimed one-stop shop for handy tips and resources for every layer of motherhood, The Labor Mama is an excellent resource for labor and delivery nurses.
The woman behind the blog is Lo, a registered nurse and certified lactation counselor (CLC) who offers a raw and insightful explanation of pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period, and mamahood.
See what she has in store this year at The Labor Mama's pregnancy and postpartum guides.
Nursing blogs are soup for a nurse's soul
Nursing blogs help nurses stay sharp in their areas of expertise by bringing new ideas into clinical practice. Informal blogs can motivate nurses to seek out community and empathy, while nursing journals inform nurses about advancements, new frameworks, and research.
Whichever sources make it onto the reading list, the habit is what pays off. Reading widely keeps nurses informed, connected, and confident in their clinical skills. As Dr. Seuss once wrote, "The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."
Are you a nurse looking to put your clinical skills to work? Sign up with Nursa, pick up a nearby per diem shift, and make an impact today.
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