In today’s physically distant Pandemic society, social media has certainly been a lifeline for many nurses. For all of its drawbacks, social media has the power to connect likeminded people on a grand scale, providing a vital—albeit, virtual—community; in this way, social media has definitely become a refuge for nurses while our IRL communities are temporarily on hold. Rising to the top of this community are voices of inspiration. Among these influencers, as they’re more commonly known, are a subset from the medical community—a growing number of ‘Nursefluencers.’ 

Whether you draw inspiration from the Been There, Done That crowd, (or perhaps, the more approachable Am There, Doing That crowd), there’s no question that influencers bring people together.  As much as we love our jobs, nursing is tough. Finding someone who you can relate to, get ideas from, or who makes you feel a little less cray at work can go a long way towards helping you stay the course.

In honor of Black History Month, we’re spotlighting 5 awesome Black Nursefluencers. We need Black voices in healthcare more than ever now; these nurses are all walking different paths and come from very different backgrounds, but collectively, their ideas, messages, and advice contributes to a more balanced and equitable viewpoint in the field. 

We honor them, we celebrate them, we follow them—and you should to!  

Kristina Way, MSN, AGPCNP @nurse.ninaluv808 

Based in NYC, Kristina is a nurse practitioner who uses her platform to talk about staying resilient, practicing self-care, and especially why “mental health is wealth.” Her account has a good balance of lifestyle tips and inspirational messages aimed at improving mental health within the Black community. She recently linked together with two other Black nurse practitioners to form a spin off account — @3shadesofnursing — that offers tips to “help the next generation of future nurses and healthcare providers.”

Nacole Riccaboni, APRN @nursenaacole 

Nacole is a popular blogger and youtube vlogger with a substantial social media following across many platforms—making her one of the more well-known Black Nursefluencers. She offers a wealth of career advice, promos on nursing gear, and book reviews in addition to nursing wisdom. In her own words: “I love being a nurse that do not misunderstand me — it is not my identity. We are complex, layered, multifaceted folks. You are more than your profession. Do not link your self worth do a certain job. Ever. Do what you love because it serves you, not because it is a label.”

Monica McLemore RN, PhD, FAAN @mclemoremr

Dr. McLemore is an associate professor in Reproductive Health at the University of California, San Francisco; however, her social media bio proclaims that she is a “nurse — scientist — geek — and wino.”  Dr. McLemore is a serious academic, with over 65 publications to date mainly focused on the intersections between science, nursing, and public health. In her own words, “If we center the most marginalized people, care improves for everyone.” McLemore’s current work at the Black Mamas Matter Alliance addresses the unacceptably high rates of maternal morbidity of black women. Yet, for all her professional prowess, her social media feeds provide a glimpse into her private life, as well: sprinkled between her takes on current events are a healthy dose of culinary adventures and cat pics. 

Nurse Vicky, RN, MN @nursebossessentials 

Nursing students — this is the account for you! Featuring bright colors, well-thought out graphics, and loaded with practical study tip advice, Nurse Vicky’s feed is a one-stop hub for “simplifying nursing school concepts.” In her linktree, she has tons of free guides: planners, webinars, study guides, and note-taking trainings abound! You come away from a scroll down her page feeling that she genuinely wants to empower nursing students to take control of their own learning. Her big take home message? “Whatever you are going through, there is something amazing awaiting you on the other side. You can turn that failure into success, just like me, if you implement the right strategies and try again.”

Sharrica Miller, PhD, RN @docmillernursecoach

Featured in the moving documentary, Still Waters Never Crash, Dr. Miller’s journey is one that starts in foster care and ends with a doctorate. Now the founder of her own nursing academy where she helps nurses to “level up and get unstuck,” Dr. Miller is a master at motivation, inspiration, and nursing chutzpah. She reminds us that we never have to settle, that there are always options, and that taking care of ourselves first and foremost is a non-negotiable. Her account is full of empowering quotes, as well as practical tips and strategies for those that want career changes but aren’t sure where to start. She also offers a range of workshops, eCourses, and 1:1 coaching sessions, too. 

Do you have a favorite Black nursefluencer? Shout them out so we can give them a follow, too!