As a nurse, you face many challenges every day. Patients who are in pain, families who are anxious and worried, doctors who give you difficult orders, no lunch break, no toilet breaks… the list goes on.
I’ve been lucky enough in my career as a Paramedic to work in close proximity to some incredible nurses, and I’ve seen first-hand the immense strength they possess in order to cope with such challenging situations.
As health care workers, we need all the help we can get to stay positive and productive in the midst of it all. It’s not easy to be able to walk into your patient’s room with a smile regardless of what you’ve just been through and to be the one they can rely on to make a difference in their situation.
That’s why affirmations can be so helpful.
Why Use Affirmations For Nurses?
Affirmations are powerful tools that can help overcome negative self-talk and negative thoughts by repeating a short, positive statement or affirmation phrase on a regular basis.
Repeating daily affirmations allows the brain to create new neural pathways, leading your brain to focus on positive thoughts and positive self-talk as a default, rather than going to the negative thoughts and feelings.
Affirmations have been shown to have profound effects on mental health and physical health, as well as being able to build resilience to cope in times of stress and tough situations, of which nurses face on a daily basis, and is why nursing burnout rates are so high.
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So today, let’s take a moment to recognize and honor the incredible work nurses do every day, because let’s face it, nurses are the ones who run the show and hold hospitals together – just ask anyone who works with them.
That’s why I’ve put together this collection of 140 affirmations for nurses and nursing students, designed to help you stay focused, motivated, and inspired during your shift, while also reminding you to take care of yourself, and to build your confidence.
Feel free to use these any time you need a reminder of how amazing you are and how hard you work.
Positive Affirmations For Nurses
Use these affirmations before or during your shift, if you’re having a tough time or are faced with difficult patients, anytime you feel your stress levels rise, or if you simply need a boost in a positive way:
1 – I am a great nurse.
2 – I provide excellent care to my patients.
3 – I listen to my patient’s concerns and give them my full attention.
4 – I show kindness and compassion to every patient.
5 – I choose to be kind, even when my patients are rude.
6 – I support my colleagues, and they appreciate me.
7 – I take care of myself first so I can take care of my patients.
8 – I rest when I can so I can perform at my best.
9 – I am focused on providing excellent care to every patient.
10 – I always look for opportunities to learn. There is always something new to learn.
11 – I am a confident nurse.
12 – I am an important and valued member of my patient’s medical team.
13 – The work I do is important.
14 – My patients will always remember how I made them feel.
15 – I am in control of my feelings
16 – My patients trust me to care for them.
17 – I am confident in my ability to advocate for my patients.
18 – The human body is incredible, I love learning more about it.
19 – I focus on the things that are within my control.
20 – Every day is different, I love the challenges each day presents.
21 – No two patients are the same. I listen to each unique patient and focus on patient outcomes first.
22 – I am constantly growing and learning as a nurse.
23 – I make a difference in the lives of my patients.
24 – My work brings me joy.
25 – Caring for others is my passion.
26 – Each day I make my patients smile.
27 – I am making a positive impact in the world through nursing.
28 – I am grateful to be a nurse.
29 – I seek out mentors who I trust and who are passionate teachers.
30 – Nursing is part of me, not all of me.
31 – I set healthy boundaries between my work and home life.
32 – I have a life outside of my nursing career, and I enjoy it.
33 – I balance work and play so I can live a well-rounded life.
34 – My patients are more than just their illness, I treat them as whole people and choose holistic nursing.
35 – I create positive relationships with my patients. I take the time to get to know them.
36 – I treat my patients the way I would want to be treated.
37 – I am a wonderful nurse, and a kind and compassionate person.
38 – I have everything I need to be a great nurse.
39 – I am grateful for the knowledge and experience I have.
40 – I trust my instincts and speak up when needed.
41 – Nurses are the glue that holds the healthcare profession together.
42 – It is okay to not have all the answers. I take time to find the answers my patients need.
43 – I work to improve myself so I can be a better nurse.
44 – I am constantly learning and evolving.
45 – My patients are my top priority. I always put their needs first.
46 – I have excellent clinical skills.
47 – I am a great critical thinker.
48 – I make the right decisions under pressure.
49 – I am a great problem solver.
50 – I find solutions to even the most difficult problems.
51 – There is always time to take a deep breath.
52 – I take care of my mental, physical, and emotional health.
53 – It is okay for me to take a break and remove myself from stressful situations.
54 – I am a strong nurse.
55 – I am capable of handling anything that comes my way.
56 – I stay calm under pressure.
57 – I have a positive outlook, even in the most difficult situations.
58 – I choose to see the good in people and situations.
59 – I am a calm presence for my patients, even in the most stressful situations.
60 – I am always looking for ways to improve.
61 – I am a strong voice for my patients.
62 – I enjoy learning new skills and I seek opportunities to grow.
63 – I am an advocate for my patients and their families.
64 – I am a compassionate nurse.
65 – Caring for others is the greatest reward.
66 – Nursing brings me joy, fulfillment, and pride.
67 – Taking care of others brings out the best in me.
68 – I have empathy and understanding for my patients.
69 – I am always willing to go the extra mile for my patients.
70 – I practice self-care so I can be the best nurse possible.
71 – My work gives me purpose and meaning in life.
72 – I am thankful that I get to do such meaningful work.
73 – Nursing is my superpower!
74 – I am making a difference in the world and that matters.
75 – I am proud to be a nurse.
Affirmations For Nursing Students
Nursing students are often faced with the challenge of balancing their studies with the demands of life. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and uncertain.
But, if you take a few moments each day to reiterate positive affirmations, it will help to ground you and keep things in perspective.
These affirmation phrases are focused on building the confidence of nursing students:
76 – I am an excellent nursing student.
77 – I enjoy learning new things.
78 – I listen to those who have experience and understand not everything can be learned from a textbook.
79 – I am confident in asking questions when I want to know more.
80 – I am confident in asking for help when I need to.
81 – I am excited for this chapter of my life.
82 – I am grateful to be a nursing student.
83 – I work hard and enjoy watching my skills grow.
84 – I understand that everyone has different learning styles and I adapt to find what works best for me.
85 – I set healthy boundaries between my school life and home life.
86 – I have excellent time management skills.
87 – I create a study schedule that works for me and I stick to it.
88 – I am constantly learning and evolving.
89 – I seek out mentors who are passionate teachers.
90 – I take care of my health so I can perform my best.
91 – I make time for things I enjoy outside of school.
92 – I am a fast learner..
93 – I am always looking for ways to improve.
94 – I am excited for the opportunities that await me after graduation.
95 – I trust in myself and my ability to succeed.
96 – My work makes a difference in the lives of others.
97 – I am worthy of success and recognition.
98 – I take pride in all my accomplishments, big or small.
99 – I am proud of what I have achieved so far.
100 – I am becoming a great nurse and I am excited for the future!
Affirmations For Self-Care For Nurses
Nurses are notorious for being the kindest and most compassionate people, always giving to others.
But, it is so important to remember to practice self-care and fill your own cup as well.
Self-care can look different for everyone, but here are some affirmations that can help remind you of the importance of taking time for yourself:
101 – I am kind to myself.
102- I take care of my mental, physical, and emotional health.
103 – I make time for things that bring me joy and relaxation.
104 – I practice healthy self-care habits daily.
105 – I prioritize my own needs before meeting the needs of others.
106 – I seek out activities that restore and energize me.
107 – I am mindful of my thoughts and reactions to stressful situations.
108 – I create a healthy work-life balance.
109 – I give myself permission to rest and recharge.
110 – I make time for meaningful conversations with friends and family.
111 – I nourish my body with healthy foods and exercise.
112 – I take time to recognize my achievements and successes.
113 – I am gentle and understanding with myself when I make mistakes.
114 – I will not compare myself to others but instead focus on being the best version of me that I can be.
115 – I appreciate and recognize the beauty in life.
116 – I am grateful for all that I have.
117 – I make an effort to take care of myself both inside and out.
118 – I can handle anything that comes my way.
119 – I choose to create a life that I am proud of and love.
120 – I am enough, exactly as I am.
Affirmations For Building Confidence In Nursing
While your nurse will always appear confident and in control of any situation, there are times when confidence can be hard to muster up.
These affirmations can help nurses to bolster their confidence, no matter the situation:
121 – I have the confidence to handle any situation that comes my way.
122 – I trust my decisions and use my best judgment with every patient.
123 – I believe in myself and my abilities as a nurse.
124 – I am proud of the work that I do as a nurse.
125 – I stay positive even in challenging situations.
126 – I have the courage to make tough decisions when necessary.
127 – My experience and knowledge allow me to provide excellent care for my patients.
128 – I value my opinions and seek out the opinions of others.
129 – I am confident in my ability to take care of my patients.
130 – I have faith in myself and know that I can handle anything that comes my way.
131 – I seek out knowledge and learning opportunities to better myself as a nurse.
132 – I accept feedback with an open mind and use it to become a better nurse.
133 – I am comfortable speaking up for my patients and advocating for their needs.
134 – I trust my instincts when making decisions about patient care.
135 – I am confident in providing the best care possible to each of my patients.
136 – I believe that I am capable of anything if I put in the effort.
137 – I know that failure is part of growth, so I accept it without fear.
138 – Each day, I strive to become a more experienced, confident nurse.
139 – No matter what happens, my confidence in myself never wavers.
140- Nurturing my self-confidence is an important part of my journey as a nurse.
How To Use Affirmations For Nurses
When it comes to using affirmations, the key is repetition and consistency. The more you use your affirmations, the more they will become a part of your daily thought process.
Start by writing them down on paper or in a journal and read them out loud each day. You can also record them onto your phone or computer so you can listen to them throughout your day.
You may also want to consider making a poster or vision board of your affirmations and placing it in an area where you will see it often. This is a great way to make sure they stay on your mind.
Another great idea is to choose an affirmation that resonates with you, and find a way to keep it on you during your shift. You might want to write it on a card and keep it in a pocket of your scrubs, or add a little sticker to the back of your fob watch, or even find a way to attach it to your stethoscope.
This way you’ll not only have access to it any time you need, but you’ll also see it during your shift and be reminded to repeat your affirmation throughout the day.
Finally, be sure to focus on how these affirmations make you feel. When you pause to acknowledge and appreciate the positive effect they have on your mindset, it will help them sink in even further.
No matter how you use affirmations, give yourself time to meditate on them and allow yourself to be present with their effects. The more you practice this, the more confident and empowered you will feel.
Final Thoughts
Having a strong sense of self-confidence is an essential part of being a successful nurse.
Affirmations are a powerful tool that can help you to cultivate the confidence you need to excel in your role and provide excellent patient care, while also reminding yourself that you are human, it is okay to not feel on top of things all the time, and that you’re not alone.
By consistently repeating your affirmations each day, you will become more aware of how capable you are and boost your self-confidence in the process.
So take a few moments each day to focus on your affirmations and be proud of yourself for taking this important step towards becoming a more confident, successful nurse!
