Nursing From Within: An Interview With Elizabeth Scala

Nursing from Within: A Fresh Alternative to Putting Out Fires and Self-Care Workarounds by Elizabeth Scala is equal parts self-reflective memoir and critical industry analysis. Her lauded debut book introduces a series of problems that are facing modern American nursing and explores solutions to these problems that nurses can implement. From Scala’s point of view, nurses have an obligation to take self-care beyond its common definition and use positive thought to impact not just their psyche but also their field.

In response to the positive feedback we heard from nurses who had read Nursing from Within, we sat down with Scala to discuss her book. The following is a transcription of our conversation.

Scala: Nursing from Within was inspired by my own journey from hell to health coupled with the challenges that my fellow nurses and nursing students are experiencing on a daily basis. I had a very topsy-turvy start to my nursing career — one that was filled with my own poor health, major stress, and emotional collapse. I lost myself in the fast-paced nursing career, and I see so many other nurses disconnected with why they went into nursing in the first place.

The book is about being present with your authentic self. It is about doing the inner work and allowing for some perspective shifts that will then help us truly enjoy our nursing careers and external environments.

Scala: We have over 3 million nurses in the United States alone. Sometimes when we get into a large group like this, we lose some of our own identity. We may hear of a colleague going back to school and think, “I should do something like that.” We may see a co-worker getting a specialty certification and feel pressured to do the same. As nurses, we learn in groups and speak the same language. If a nurse calls you on the phone and shares a story of an awful shift, you can certainly relate.

That being said, it can be easy to lose our sense of self and our own identity when we are at risk of being lost in this collective group. I encourage nursing students to remain true to themselves and their values. Keep doing the introspective study to uncover your heart’s desires, and continue to touch base with your beliefs and vision for your life.

Scala: There are three things I would suggest: Get support, do what you enjoy, and value yourself from within.

What’s the No. 1 response we give when someone asks how we are doing? “I’m fine” — even if we are not. What usually happens at work or school when someone asks you if you need help? “No, I don’t need help. I’m fine.”

Why do we think that we are supermen and superwomen trying to do it all? If you are having trouble balancing it all, ask for (and accept) help.

When I say, “Do what you enjoy,” I mean make a list of all that has to get done and start with the things you enjoy first. The one reason we feel that we don’t have enough time is because we are busy procrastinating around the things we don’t want to do. I always say, “Follow your energy.” Do what you are called to first. Then you will have time in the day for all of the things you actually want to get done.

Finally, value yourself from within. I’ve wasted a lot of time and energy looking for admiration, respect, and appreciation from others. Guess what? Until you value yourself from the inside out, you’ll never feel as though you have enough time for it all. You’ll be too busy trying to please others when the person you owe the most to is yourself.

Scala: The final thing I will say is this: There are a lot of things in health care that are beyond our control. When we let something that we have no control over stress us out, we run the risk of frustration, anger, and disappointment.

What is the one thing that you are guaranteed to have control over for the rest of your life? Your thoughts. Our thoughts are our most powerful asset. They can make or break our day.

If you do one thing to improve, shift, or change the course of your entire nursing career, I encourage you to get hold of your thoughts. Do the inner work so that you can enjoy the external environments.