ANA Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® Spotlight: Nickia Jackson, MSN, RN
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Nurse turns her self-care crisis into a self-care coaching career
As a self-care coach, #healthynurse Nickia Jackson, MSN, RN, sees her nurse clients constantly put off their own self-care. Recognizing it in herself is the reason she initially got into coaching.
Struggling With Self-Care
Nickia’s nursing career spans more than 25 years. She worked as a critical care nurse for more than a decade before transitioning into patient safety. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she found herself back in critical care nursing after being away from it for 10 years. The weight of the pandemic and the stress of the job hit her hard. She felt trapped and found herself depressed and burned out, but she suppressed how she felt to care for her family and patients.
“I was trying to keep everything and everyone else afloat,” Nickia says. “Ultimately, I was the one who was drowning because I wasn’t taking care of my own needs.”
Stepping Away and Stepping Up
Nickia eventually asked for help, stepped away from nursing for a bit, and realized that pushing your feelings down to push through does not make you strong. She enrolled in the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to gain a better understanding of whole health. The program discussed finding what nourishes you on and off your plate.
“I learned about physical health, but also the emotional, mental, and social elements that make us whole,” Nickia says. “I found myself in a transformative phase, looking at my health in a new way and understanding that until I am good to myself, I can’t be good to anyone else.”
Nickia also realized that she can’t be the only one who feels this way, especially within the health care profession. “There are so many nurses who feel the burden of having to do all the things and be everything for everyone,” Nickia says. “And their needs are left on the back burner.”
Transition to Coaching
The Institute for Integrative Nutrition offers programs for coaching, but Nickia says that was not why she enrolled.
“I was focused on my own self-care,” she says. “But as I applied what I learned to my own life, I saw how much of an impact it had. I realize now that I was my first client. It sparked something within me. I thought, if I can do this for myself, I can also help others.”
Nickia coached her friends and family on their health and started seeing more clients in the health care field. While she gained her footing as a coach, Nickia returned to her work in patient safety at an academic medical center.
“I came back from leave and saw the impact of the stress and the health care environment with fresh eyes,” Nickia says. “I had a renewed perspective, and it all just felt heavy.”
Becoming a Beacon for Others
Nickia’s colleagues noticed her lightness and new outlook. She shared her own story and started drawing more health care professionals to her coaching.
“Self-care is not just about massages and manicures,” Nickia says. “It’s making sure that you are doing whatever the thing is that allows you to live well and thrive both in and outside the work environment.”
Nickia took a leap in January 2025 and is now coaching full-time. But she sees a strong connection between her prior experience and what she does now. “Research shows that when well-being is not a top priority, it affects patient outcomes and patient safety,” she says. “It has an impact, not just on patients, but also your team and staff.”
Nickia also presents to groups and holds workshops. She shares her story and provides guidance on topics such as “Thriving in Nursing” and “Reframing Self-Talk to Help Master Your Inner Critic.”
Continuing Her Journey of Self-Care
Now that she’s working from home and dedicated to her business, Nickia’s own self-care is vital. She says part of her journey has been realizing she’ll never truly arrive or feel like she has it all figured out.
“The human experience will always involve a rollercoaster of emotions and feeling stretched too thin,” Nickia says. “That’s why, for me, having a few core practices as part of my daily routine is critical.”
Nickia works hard to be consistent and intentional about her self-care, knowing that even a few minutes of self-care is better than no minutes. Her daily practices include:
- Breathwork: Nickia pauses for a moment before a presentation, meeting, or whenever things feel hectic. Taking a few deep breaths calms her nervous system.
- Gratitude: The first thing Nickia does each morning is say 'thank you' — a simple act that has transformed her life from the inside out. Embracing the power of gratitude, she keeps a daily journal that has shifted her perspective and fueled her personal transformation. Inspired by her journey, Nickia is creating a daily journal to share with others. She wants to help them experience the same life-changing power of gratitude and intentional reflection.
- Mindfulness meditation: Nickia is deeply committed to the power of mindfulness and makes meditation a daily practice. Her passion for holistic well-being has led her to pursue certification as a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) facilitator through Brown University. This furthers her mission to help others reclaim their peace and vitality.
- Yoga: Yoga is a practice that Nickia stays consistent with, even if it's just for 10 minutes a day.
“Self-care looks different for everyone, and that’s okay,” Nickia says. “It's about discovering what truly nourishes you. And then, incorporating those practices into your life in a way that feels realistic and sustainable. Your well-being is worth the effort. The journey to find what works for you is one of the most incredible acts of self-love you can make.”
Nickia Jackson, MSN, RN, is the founder and self-care coach at Holistic Health Coaching with Nickia, RN, LLC.
Are you a #healthynurse who consistently finds time for self-care? Share your stories with us in our discussion.
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Blog #healthynurse Spotlight
05/06/2025 1:04pm CDT
The #healthynurse Spotlight is a shout out to nurses who are making changes in their lives to improve their health and wellness. You can too! Read their stories for inspiration here.
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