Nurse Blake, a nursing rock star, turned his conversion therapy trauma into comedy

 
"Since I was young, my parents always steered me toward healthcare. There was never another option for me. Luckily, as I got older and more comfortable in who I am, I found my own reason to get into healthcare: helping the LGBTQ community. I wanted to be a voice and provider for this community because I didn't have one growing up." 

"While I studied to become a nurse, I was experiencing a whole new realm of anxiety and mental-health issues. So, I started creating funny videos on TikTok to feel relief, and the response was incredible. I realized that I could build a community of people who have shared struggles by making them laugh. I became "Nurse Blake" on TikTok, and my community has now reached 900,000 followers." 

"My followers love that my conversion therapy didn't work. Honestly, my parents should get a refund." 

 Read more about Nurse Blake at:

I Was Sent to Conversion Therapy As a Teen and Still Have Trauma - Business Insider

https://www.instagram.com/nurse.blake/

Nurse Blake · But Did You Die? Comedy Tour · Tik Tok Nurse Comedy – Nurse Blake LLC

Nurse Blake - YouTube

Meet a Champion of Nursing Diversity: Blake Lynch, AKA Nurse Blake - Minority Nurse

Cheers!

Donna

Three cancer diagnoses, including loss of an eye, didn't stop Gerardo Cantu-Hernandez from becoming a nurse. Support from South Texas College was key to his success!

 

At just 23 years old, South Texas College associate degree in nursing graduate Gerardo Cantu-Hernandez has faced more battles than many will in a lifetime.

Born with cancer caused by a rare mutation that led to the loss of his eye at age 4 and re-diagnosed twice as a teen and young adult, he was once told he would never become a nurse. But at STC, he found a community that believed in him, empowered him and helped him reclaim his dreams.

“STC saw strength where others only saw struggle. While another institution told me I couldn’t be a nurse, STC gave me a chance and helped me believe in myself,” he said. “STC helped me realize that only I have the power to define my future.”

A San Juan native, Cantu-Hernandez was inspired to pursue a career in the medical field after frequent hospital visits throughout his childhood due to his own health challenges, where he discovered that nursing offered a world of possibilities.

“The first time I was diagnosed, I was very young,” he said. “But the second time, I was 14 and was fortunate to be surrounded by amazing oncology nurses. One of them was a travel nurse and she opened my eyes to the fact that nursing isn’t limited to just one place, there are opportunities to travel the world and help all kinds of people.”

When he was rediagnosed with cancer, this time in his right knee, he endured another surgery, one that required replacing bone with metal rods. He faced intense physical therapy and had to relearn how to walk, but through it all, his spirit never wavered.

“Losing my eye at such a young age was, of course, a struggle, but over the years I adapted, and it was the same the second time around,” he shared. “As I started physical therapy and regained strength in my leg, I became fully capable again. I never wanted to use my condition as an excuse or believe I couldn’t make something of myself. I’m just as capable as anybody else.”

 Read more at:

https://news.southtexascollege.edu/dont-let-anyone-write-your-storystc-nursing-graduate-defies-the-odds-after-three-cancer-diagnoses/

Cheers!

Donna

In honor of Nurses Week, Jennifer Hudson welcomed Andrea Dalzell, "The Seated Nurse"!

Sponsored by FIGS | In honor of Nurses Week, Jennifer Hudson welcomes Andrea Dalzell - also known as “The Seated Nurse” - a trailblazing RN redefining what’s possible in healthcare. After 76 rejections, Andrea rose to lead oncology nursing at New York Cancer and Blood Specialists, showing up every day with skill, heart, and unstoppable spirit. To honor her incredible journey, FIGS teamed up with Jennifer to surprise Andrea with three years' worth of FIGS and a donation to DNPs of Color, the organization of her choice. #FIGSPartner

View the episode at:

How ‘The Seated Nurse’ Beat the Odds in Health Care | JenniferHudsonShow.com

Watch on YouTube: 

How ‘The Seated Nurse’ Beat the Odds in Health Care

Learn more about Andrea Dalzell at:

https://www.theseatednurse.com/

Cheers!

Donna

Boston Marathon bombing survivor, now a double amputee, completes doctorate in nursing program. Meet Dr. Jessica Kensky and her service dog "Rescue"!

BOSTON - From tragedy to triumph. After losing a leg in the Boston Marathon bombings, Jessica Kensky proudly walked the graduation stage Friday with her service dog, Rescue, in hand.

It took eight years for Kensky to earn her doctorate in nursing from the MGH Institute of Health Professions, so yes, you can now call her Dr. Kensky.

"It's nice to feel like I'm getting back to things that were a part of me and a part of the trajectory that I was on before I was hurt," she told WBZ-TV at her graduation ceremony.

She and her husband, Patrick Downes, both lost a leg after the 2013 blasts. After months of surgeries, rehab and setbacks, Kensky made the difficult decision to amputate her remaining leg. She found the courage to keep going through her supporters and passion in caring for patients.

"She's worked her tail off," Downes said. "I still picture her sitting in her wheelchair at Walter Reed Skyping into her classes."  

Read more at:

Boston Marathon bombing survivor Jessica Kensky earns doctorate in nursing - CBS Boston

Cheers!

Donna