Nursing influencers are everywhere. Yes, there was a time when the healthcare world only listened to renowned medical professionals and read academic journals to stay abreast of industry trends. However, these days, it's all about what nurse influencers and bloggers have to say.
But should nurses follow blogs by nurses and other medical professionals? If they are fact-checked and credible, nurse blogs and influencers can be valuable tools for nurses who want to stay on the cutting edge of healthcare developments, trends, and research in nursing. Alternatively, friendly nursing blogs that use comedic tones to deliver timely healthcare news can keep a nurse's spirit high by lightening the mood.
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 and nursing blogs, 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 when it comes to nursing. So where does one start? From academic nursing journals and organizations to individual bloggers, below are 13 nursing blogs you should follow if you work in the healthcare sector:
1. Nurse Blake
Nurse Blake is a registered nurse (RN) and comedian who began his journey working in Level 1 trauma centers nationwide. In Blake's own words, "I've seen it all and found the humor in it!" He is considered one of the most popular travel nurse bloggers online, and his blog pays tribute to his ability to share his wild nursing experiences in a warm and engaging way. He has captured the hearts of other nurses worldwide, earning over 850,000 Instagram followers and one million Facebook followers.
Blake uses his platform to shed light on the ups and downs of working in the healthcare field, all while using a humorous but thoughtful tone. You can find Nurse Blake’s charismatic and uplifting blog here.
2. Nurse Sarah
Nurse Sarah is an RN and a famous 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 while 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 nursing blog, you can find quizzes, NCLEX reviews, and a comprehensive list of nursing schools in all 50 U.S. states.
Nurse Sarah also offers many career and education resources for new nurses looking to break into the healthcare industry. Check out Nurse Sarah’s insightful and friendly content here.
3. The Traveling Nurse
The Traveling Nurse aims to “make the world smaller by bringing pediatric care and healthcare access one kiddo at a time.” Its creator, K Chandler Rosemont, is a registered nurse who specializes in Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT), Pediatric Hematology Oncology, and Pediatric Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). With aspirations to bring sustainable pediatric care to rural communities, K Chandler has carried out her dream of traveling to Kenya, Costa Rica, and India. She shares her personal stories and wisdom on her blog. For any travel nurse who feels wanderlust in their soul, The Traveling Nurse is full of inspiration.
4. Yoga Nurse
Do yoga and nursing mix? Yes, absolutely! Just like a forward bend (Uttanasana) flows into an upward-facing dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana), Yoga Nurse is an invaluable resource for nurses looking to keep their physical and emotional well-being in tip-top shape. The Yoga Nurse Blog, created by Annette Tersigni, RN, has a mission to “create a sustainable career plan for spiritual lifestyle nurses” and has curated the first and only yoga teacher training that is tailored for nurses. Aside from teacher training and workshops, the Yoga Nurse blog is filled with tips for nurses to stay healthy, happy, and limber on the job.
5. The Labor Mama Blog
A self-proclaimed "one-stop-shop" for handy tips and resources for every layer of motherhood, The Labor Mamma blog is another excellent resource for L&D nurses. The woman behind the blog is Lo, a registered nurse and certified lactation consultant (CLC) who delivers a raw and insightful explanation of pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and "mamahood." Check out what Lo has in store for this year by heading to The Labor Mama Blog.
6. FRESHRN
FRESHRN is run by Kati Kleber, an MSN RN nurse educator whose passion is to help educate recent nursing grads. Kleber provides insightful blogs, courses, and podcasts for newly licensed nurses. Kelber also holds national speaking events to encourage new graduate nurses to fulfill their aspirations as strong and competent nurses. Fans say Kelber’s ability to break down complex nursing concepts into "small digestible bites'' is a highlight of the website’s refreshing content. Browse FRESHRN to catch her latest blogs, insights, and educational content.
7. 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 believes strongly in the "power that Nurses possess to significantly change the healthcare system for the better." The Nurse Speak offers an extensive orbit of resources to help nursing professionals enhance their clinical skills and expertise within the nursing field. From NCLEX prep and tutoring to educational nursing blogs and podcasts—dive gloves-first into the content of The Nurse Speak here.
8. Straight A Nursing
Straight A Nursing is a creative platform led by Nurse Mo, a registered nurse and educator. Nurse Mo designed Straight A Nursing to help students study and prepare for nursing school exams. Some call Nurse Mo a wizard because he can explain complicated nursing topics, such as anatomy, pharmacology, and medical-surgical nursing–among other issues—in a clear and straightforward way. Hence, if you are a nursing student looking for tricks and tips to make it through the thick of nursing school, check out all that Straight A Nursing offers here.
9. The Nerdy Nurse
The Nerdy Nurse dug its roots in aspiring nurses' hearts in 2010. Thanks to the owner and founder Brittney Wilson, BSN, RN, The Nerdy Nurse is a user-friendly website that provides everything from nursing blogs, product guides, study tips, career resources, and pretty much everything under the sun for individuals on their nursing journey.
The Nerdy Nurse also has a knack for keeping new and seasoned nurses updated on the latest digital innovations and trends in healthcare. In other words, head over to The Nerdy Nurse if you are a nurse who wants to stay on the cutting edge of healthcare.
10. AJN Off the Charts
AJN Off the Charts is literally “off the charts” for providing relevant and engaging posts by nurses for nurses. It is the official blog of the American Journal of Nursing (AJN) and has won various awards for its content. From nursing narratives and perspectives to history and research, AJN Off the Charts strives to publish a broad spectrum of articles that can help provide insights for nurses at any point in their careers.
AJN is one of America's oldest nursing journals, providing concise and timely articles related to the human experience and healthcare. AJN Off the Charts also encourages aspiring nurse authors to submit their own stories. Alongside a large selection of academic articles, you can find all that AJN Off the Charts offers here.
11. Scrubs Mag
Scrubs Mag is all about fashion, lifestyle, and nursing, a refreshing change from the usual nurse content. Thus, any nurse who wants to kick back and sink their nursing shoes into the latest trends, fun nursing news, and wild nursing stories should go ahead and take a moment to browse these articles. Who knows, Scrubs Mag may even become your favorite way to unwind after a long day on your feet—you certainly deserve it!
12. 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 Emotionally Naked Blog features articles that aim to bring awareness and improve the care and outcomes for people at risk for suicide.
Rogers publishes articles from real individuals who have either experienced depression themselves or cared for someone with a mental health disorder. Blog titles range from "A Perfect Life Is Made up of Imperfect Days" to "Depression Has Many Faces: What Are the Signs." Ultimately, The Emotionally Naked Blog can be an eye-opening blog for both individuals dealing with mental health disorders and psychiatric nurses who want more insight into the minds of their patients.
13. Nursa
Ah, perhaps this is "to toot one's own horn," but since you've stopped by, we at Nursa have much to say about healthcare! From breaking news updates and healthcare trends to comprehensive salary guides for RNs, LPNs, and CNAs, Nursa is also revolutionizing how nurses find and fill per diem nursing shifts.
For nurses searching for per diem work, Nursa provides insightful blogs on nursing specialties, licensing, and all-encompassing ultimate state guides. You can browse through the list of extensive blog topics or start searching for PRN jobs in your local area by downloading Nursa today.
Nurse Blogs: Soup for a Nurse's Soul
Nursing blogs help nurses stay sharp and alert in their areas of expertise by incorporating ideas into their clinical practice. Informal nursing blogs can motivate nurses to seek out community and empathy, while nursing journals can inform nurses about advancements, new frameworks, and research. By the same token, funny nursing blogs, a.k.a. hilarious Nurse Blake memes, may be just what a nurse needs at the end of the day.
Read our article about the ban on noncompetes, which frees up healthcare professionals to take control of their careers and ultimately, destinies.
Ultimately, nurse blogs created by nurse writers and influencers, as well as easy-to-digest academic journals, can be great tools for helping nurses stay informed, well-read, and adept in their clinical skills. As Dr. Suess once said, "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 fabulous clinical skills to work? Sign up with Nursa, pick up a nearby per diem shift, and make an impact today.