Restoring the heart of healthcare begins with nurses, the foundation of our system. Their empowerment and advocacy are not only essential for patient well-being, but also for driving the reform our healthcare system so urgently needs.

Burnout: The New Norm in Healthcare

Burnout is no longer the exception in healthcare; it has become the norm. Nurses, healers, and frontline professionals are carrying the heavy weight of a system that too often drains more than it restores. The emotional and physical toll is immense, leaving many exhausted, disheartened, and questioning their future in the profession.

Yet, even in the midst of these challenges, we stand at a turning point. Change is not only possible, it is necessary. And nurses are the ones who can lead the way.

A Personal Journey to Bold Leadership

In my upcoming chapter, Restoring the Heart of Healthcare: From Burnout to Bold Leadership, featured in the collaborative book Being the One, I reflect on how my 35+ years in clinical nursing shaped my mission to spark meaningful change.

Through those years, I saw firsthand the toll of stress, compassion fatigue, and systemic strain. But I also discovered the incredible impact of integrative practices, which are simple, restorative techniques that bring resilience, balance, and healing. These practices not only supported patients but also empowered nurses to show up with renewed clarity and strength.

That discovery fueled my mission: to empower nurses and healthcare teams to lead change not from the outside looking in, but from within the very system they serve.

Why Change Must Begin with Nurses

Reform in healthcare cannot come from policies or mandates alone. It must rise from within the system, and no group is better positioned to create that ripple effect than nurses.

Nurses are:

• The largest body of healthcare professionals
  

• The constant presence at the bedside
  

• The trusted advocates for patients and families
  

Their voices, when empowered, become a powerful force for system-wide change. But to step fully into that role, nurses need tools that restore their own energy, well-being, and leadership capacity. Advocacy begins with self-empowerment.

“Change in healthcare begins with empowered nurses.”

The I-S.T.E.P.™ Method

This mission led me to create the Integrative Supportive Therapy Engagement Program or  I-S.T.E.P.™ Method, an integrative strategy designed specifically for frontline professionals. It’s not about adding more to an already overwhelming schedule. It’s about simple, powerful steps that can be practiced in five minutes or less.

The I-S.T.E.P.™ Method helps nurses and healthcare leaders:

• Reclaim balance and energy in the midst of chaos
  

• Lead with resilience and clarity, even under pressure
  

• Step boldly into empowered leadership roles
  

These small, intentional practices can transform individual well-being and ignite a cultural shift from burnout to boldness.

3 Practical Tips Nurses Can Use Today

Even the smallest actions can spark renewal. Here are three ways nurses can reclaim calm, clarity, and empowerment immediately:

1. One-Minute Breathing Reset
   Pause, close your eyes, and take three slow breaths. Inhale for 4 counts, hold for 2, exhale for 6. This simple practice lowers stress and resets your nervous system.
   

2. Aromatherapy for Energy or Calm
   Keep a small roller of lavender (for relaxation) or peppermint (for focus) in your pocket. A quick inhale can help shift your energy in seconds.
   

3. Gentle Movement Break
   Roll your shoulders, stretch your neck, or stand and sway side-to-side for one minute. These micro-movements release tension and boost circulation, even during a busy shift.
   

Tip: Try one of these practices during your next break or between patient care tasks, you’ll be surprised at how quickly balance can return.

Why This Matters Now

If nurses rise into their role as advocates not only for patients, but also for themselves and their profession, the ripple effect will reshape healthcare. Empowered nurses inspire healthier teams, create stronger workplaces, and lead to a renewed system that truly restores rather than drains.

This is how we begin restoring the heart of healthcare: by equipping nurses with the tools, resilience, and confidence to step into their full leadership potential.

Moving Forward Together

The future of healthcare depends on bold, empowered leadership, and nurses are at the center of that transformation.

I invite you to explore the I-S.T.E.P.™ Method, engage with integrative practices, and join me in creating a culture where well-being, empowerment, and advocacy drive system reform. Review my chapter, "Restoring the Heart of Healthcare," in the book Being the One.