America's Got Talent, Nursing Version

What If Nursing Were a Stage?

What if nursing were a stage? Imagine stepping up to the mic as the spotlight hits you: “My name is Allen, and my talent is…”

As a new grad, that list of talents would have been short — mine sure was. But over the years, working alongside nurses young and old, men and women, good and not-so-good, I’ve learned this: every nurse has a talent. Some are obvious, some subtle, but none insignificant.

I think back to my early days in the emergency room. Once I settled into my regular weekend schedule, I found myself surrounded by the same crew — and they weren’t shy about calling themselves the “best of the best.” Looking back, I’d say they were right.

One of my coworkers had been an x-ray tech for years before becoming a nurse. Most of the time, he blended in with the rest of us, solid and reliable. But here was his gift: he could read films better than some of the ER doctors. That blew me away. To this day, if I get the chance to glance at an image, I take it — not just as practice, but because sometimes a second set of eyes can catch what was missed or can’t wait for the official read.

Then there was the calm of the calm — a walking book of nursing knowledge. He started at the very bottom and built his way up, etching every scenario, rhythm, and medication into memory. His talent wasn’t just knowledge; it was anticipation. I’ll never forget him saying, “You may not have the book knowledge of a doctor, but you have to know as much. If you’re in the room when a line is about to be placed or a procedure is starting, you can’t wait to be told what to do. Waiting kills people. You have to be ready before it’s asked for.”

That stuck with me. His gift was knowing what came next — what the patient would need, what the doctor would call for, and why it mattered. He was as sharp as any physician I worked with.

And then there was her — the firecracker. She had studied law, devoured books, and carried a streak of intensity that lit up every room. She could craft flawless notes in her sleep, correct your grammar on the spot, and leave you both humbled and sharpened in the same breath. Her talent was intellect on fire, and she didn’t hold it back.

These are just a few of the people who shaped me early on. Each of them had a unique talent, and each showed me the same truth: not every nurse can work everywhere, but every nurse can flourish somewhere.

What about you? If nursing were a stage, what would your “talent” be — the thing you bring that no one else can?