We are NurseStrong

NurseStrong is a purpose-driven apparel brand, community, and movement with a mission to empower nurses by nurturing a positive mindset, promoting self-care, and advocating for our voice.

We envision a world where nurses are empowered, happy, and fulfilled and ultimately where nurse burnout no longer exists.

Join us in this journey towards a stronger, happier, and more empowered nursing community.

 

Our Goal 

 Behind NurseStrong

 

Hi! I am Lei, I’m a nurse, a wife, a lover of life, people, and the relentless pursuit of passion. I am a fervent dreamer and goal getter. I thrive on the belief that in between goals is a thing called life, which should be lived, experienced and enjoyed.  

I am a proud immigrant, born and raised in the Philippines. I’ve hopped on a plane alone 5 years ago, left the comforts of my home at 26 years old with a heart full of uncertainty but also beaming with happiness because finally, I’m chasing greener pastures and living the dream of moving abroad and practicing my chosen career as a Nurse. 

It’ll be my 11th year this year as I've navigated a love and hate affair with this profession. I’ve explored various specialties, from Emergency Nursing to Medical Surgical, Sub-Acute Care Rehabilitation and lastly, where my heart truly belongs, Cardiovascular Stepdown. I am also certified in both Medical-Surgical and Progressive Care Nursing. 

For years now, I have passionately loved nursing—the joy of caring for people in their most vulnerable times and ultimately witnessing their recovery. It was a calling that filled my heart with purpose and fulfillment. Yet, there was a moment when I realized that the joy I once experienced had transformed into exhaustion, and the profession I loved had become a cause of anxiety. 

Long work hours, increased nurse-patient ratios, the perpetual rush during shifts, forgoing lunch and bathroom breaks to make sure that our patients receive the best care, and the mental and physical toll on our bodies—everything just became so overwhelming. The breaking point came, and I found myself very unhappy and exhausted.  

Yet, in the midst of this darkness, I found a source of strength and light - the best support system I could ever have, my rock, my partner in everything, my husband. It’s indeed true that having an unwavering support system that stands by you ensures that you will always find solace and strength. 

My husband became my pillar of strength, consistently uplifting and motivating me before each shift. He constantly sends me messages like "No matter what this day brings, you got this!" or the simple yet very powerful and impactful "NurseStrong!” His support extended beyond words—he encouraged me to prioritize self-care by staying hydrated during shifts, to always try to eat healthy, always take my breaks in a timely manner and ensuring we take walks, stay active and enjoy nature on my days off. Above all, he emphasized that in order to care for others, I must first care for myself. In moments of frustration after my shifts, he offered valuable advice, urging me to advocate for myself and my colleagues.  

Through this personal journey and the challenges of nursing opened my eyes to the urgent need to tackle and acknowledge burnout in Nursing. I then had a stark realization— that I wasn't navigating this struggle alone. Every nurse, no matter how dedicated, had their tipping point toward burnout. What once fueled our passion for nursing had, for many, turned into exhaustion and anxiety, and it was high time to put a stop to it.  

I understand and acknowledge that a lot of the challenges in our profession are not really within our control and may still persist—staffing ratios may not always be ideal, stress may still linger, and long hours may continue to test us. However, I also believe that to ultimately end burnout, we can start by looking at what we can do within ourselves. I firmly believe that there are a lot of things we can do within ourselves that can help us find that fulfillment and happiness within our profession. Moreover, although we don’t really have immediate control over those challenges in nursing, we, as nurses, have the power to influence meaningful and positive changes. 

All of that inspired the concept of the renewed NurseStrong, a purpose-driven apparel brand which my husband and I co-founded with a mission to empower nurses by nurturing a positive mindset, promoting self-care, and advocating for your voice. 

At NurseStrong, we want to be more than a lifestyle brand; we aim to be your support system, work confidant, and ally, much like my husband was for me throughout this nursing journey. Together, we are a force that transcends the challenges our job entails. Our mindset is stronger and positive, our commitment to self-care unwavering, and our voices will be heard as we advocate for ourselves, our colleagues, and our patients. 

We are NurseStrong—a collective of resilient, compassionate individuals dedicated to overcoming the adversities of our profession. I hope you’ll join me and the rest of NurseStrong team, let us stand together, support one another, and inspire positive change within ourselves, the nursing community and the healthcare industry as a whole.