Part 9: Standing Tall

Nursing requires more than skill. It requires presence.
Not just being there, but showing up with conviction, with posture, with pride.

Because in a world that often misunderstands, undervalues, or overlooks nurses, it takes courage to stand tall.

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Posture Isn’t Just Physical, It’s Internal

Standing tall is more than straight shoulders.
It’s the quiet decision to own your place in the room.
To introduce yourself with confidence.
To speak up even when you’re the only one doing so.
To resist shrinking in environments that dismiss or diminish you.

One nurse said to me,
“When I walk into a room, I remind myself; I’m not just allowed to be here. I’m needed.”

That’s what standing tall means. You don’t wait for permission.
You carry your value, visibly and unapologetically.

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Why This Matters

We often tell patients to advocate for themselves.
But as nurses, we must learn to advocate for ourselves too, not through defensiveness, but through presence.
When you walk tall, others take notice. They listen differently. They treat you differently.

This is how we shift culture. One nurse. One posture. One interaction at a time.

A Gentle Reminder

👉 You are not “just” anything. Your presence holds power.
👉 Confidence isn’t arrogance, it’s clarity about your worth.
👉 How you carry yourself teaches others how to carry you, too.

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💡 Reflection Prompt

Think of a moment this week where you felt unsure, small, or invisible.

• How would that moment have changed if you stood taller literally or figuratively?
• What part of your identity as a nurse do you need to reclaim with pride?
• What does “standing tall” look like for you in your context?

Write it down. Reflect on what makes you shrink, and what helps you rise.