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What happens when nurses break free from traditional roles and reimagine their professional identity? Emily Knife, founder of Modern Nurse Fest and Heartbeat RN, is revolutionizing how nurses view their careers and personal wellbeing.
During our candid conversation, Emily challenges the fundamental narratives of nursing shortages and burnout. With 6.8 million licensed nurses in the US but only 1.2 million vacancies, she argues the problem isn't a lack of nurses—it's a lack of nurses willing to work in hospitals. This insight exposes how healthcare systems have failed to adapt to changing expectations and needs.
Emily's response to this disconnect is Modern Nurse Fest, a groundbreaking event series traveling across the US and internationally. Unlike traditional conferences, this festival creates space for nurses to discuss topics often considered taboo—entrepreneurship, cannabis therapeutics, psychedelics, and financial empowerment. The festival also welcomes CNAs and student nurses, fostering a pipeline of future professionals who see beyond hospital walls.
Perhaps most powerful is Emily's framework for personal transformation. She describes burnout as a "Jenga tower" of accumulated trauma that eventually collapses, and offers practical strategies for rebuilding. Through somatic nursing practices, conscious perception shifts, and community building, she demonstrates how nurses can reclaim their joy and purpose.
"Dear burnout nurses, this is my love letter to you," Emily shares. "Grow a set of balls and take a moment to be with yourself. Ask yourself what do I want—not what your husband, partner, hospital, professor, or parents want—what do YOU want?" This radical self-inquiry forms the foundation of her approach to professional renewal.
Ready to discover what's possible beyond traditional nursing? Join us for an episode that might just transform how you view your nursing identity and future. Visit nursesfornurses.org to learn more about Modern Nurse Fest and the free Heartbeat RN community waiting to support your journey.
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