The Invisible Rules That Hold Nurses Back

 Have you ever stopped to notice how many “rules” you carry around in your own head?

I’m not talking about hospital policies or unit protocols. I’m talking about the invisible rules you’ve created for yourself — the ones that quietly dictate how you show up, what you say, and what you hold back.

Recently, I caught myself following one of those rules without even realizing it.
Someone had posted on social media, and I wanted to respond. But before I typed a word, my brain started spinning:

What if I break their rules? What if I say something the wrong way? What if I upset them without meaning to?

That “rule” — don’t break other people’s rules, even if you don’t know what they are — stopped me cold.

I felt small. Powerless. Constricted.
That’s Level 1 energy at work: the voice of fear and hopelessness.

But here’s the truth: when I finally posted my comment anyway, nothing bad happened. In fact, people responded positively. My invisible rule had been holding me back for no reason.

How This Shows Up in Nursing

If you’re like me you know this feeling. You’re a great nurse — reliable, competent, compassionate. But too often, you keep yourself quiet in the background because of the “rules” in your head:

• Don’t speak up unless you’re 100% sure you’re right.

• Don’t question authority — it’ll make waves.

• Don’t ask for help — it means you’re weak.

• Don’t make it about you — your job is to care for others.

Sound familiar?

These rules might feel protective, but really they’re just energy drains. They keep you stuck in lower levels of energy — fear, guilt, frustration — instead of stepping into the higher levels where you can lead with confidence, compassion, and vision.

The Cost of Following Invisible Rules

When you let invisible rules run the show:

• You hold back your voice.

• You avoid asking for what you need.

• You play small, even when you’re capable of more.

And just like me in that moment on social media, you miss the chance to be heard, respected, and valued.

A Different Way Forward

The first step is awareness. Start asking yourself:

• What invisible rules am I following?

• Who actually made these rules?

• Do they still serve me — or are they keeping me stuck?

When you see these rules clearly, you can choose differently. That’s the power of energy leadership: shifting from fear-based energy to possibility-based energy.

Your Next Step

If you’re ready to stop letting invisible rules hold you back, I created something just for you.

👉 Watch my free on-demand masterclass: Stop Waiting. Start Leading.

Inside, you’ll learn:

• The hidden rules that keep nurses silent — and how to break free.

• Why empowered nurses focus on compassion, potential, and belief to amplify their voice.

• How the 7 levels of energy affect the way you show up, and how to shift into higher levels.

You don’t have to keep waiting for permission.
Your voice matters. Your leadership matters.
It’s time to step forward.