Your Coach Charlene

What a wonderful day it has been. Thank you to all those who paused to say Happy Birthday. Special shout out for those who shared photos and such beautiful words-I am so grateful for each of you.

As I reflect on this milestone, I find myself thinking less about the years and more about the lives I've been blessed to touch, the lessons I've learned, and God's faithfulness throughout the journey.

One of the greatest gifts I've given myself this past year was taking ownership of my health and well-being. I feel healthier, stronger, and more energized than I have in a very long time.

This season has taught me the value of slowing down long enough to hear my own heart again.

I have embraced a season of soul rest.

A season of being more intentional.

More present.

More aligned.

More aware of what truly matters.

And perhaps that's why this birthday feels different.

I'm still growing.

I'm still learning.

I'm still dreaming.

I'm still becoming.

In honor of my 60th birthday, I am excited to introduce Heart Whispers: A Wellness Sanctuary. Anyone who knows me, I stay pregnant with dreams, visions, and ideas, so.............

If my spoken word, poetic expressions, reflections, podcasts, or messages have ever encouraged you, then Heart Whispers is for you.

For years, I have shared words intended to heal, uplift, and awaken something within.

Now those words have a home.

Never stop dreaming.

It's not too late.

You are not too old.

The desires placed in your heart still matter.

At 60, I am still saying yes to new beginnings.

I would like to introduce you to the new app that I have created, The Heart Whisper app.

Maybe it's your turn too. ❤️

Join us: https://www.facebook.com/donandcharlene/posts/pfbid02u2pK66BQVhYCQGTZxY4Escq568ytNs283c2gYYCWzEqATphw67UZodez22Eq7ZTDl

30 minutes to renew, refresh and connect with Coach Charlene. Tomorrow June 4th 8:30am PT / 11:30am ET. The Nursing Way.com

❤️

We just wrapped up the NCANN Spring Brunch at the beautiful Bridges Golf Club—what a stunning space and an even more powerful room.

I had the honor of speaking on:
“Sustaining the Flame: Protecting Your Purpose in the Sacred Work of Caring.”

Here are a few reflections we shared together:

1. Your flame matters

That flame represents your passion… your purpose… your why.

This work can either fuel it—or slowly burn it out.
The key is learning how to tend to it, not sacrifice it.
2. You are worthy too

We give so much care, compassion, and love to others…
but we must learn to extend that same care inward.
Your well-being is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

3. When you exchange your WHY for your WHAT

The work becomes tasks instead of purpose…
and survival replaces meaning.
That’s where burnout begins—not just in doing too much,
but in losing connection to yourself while doing it.
4. You can come back to yourself

We practiced the W.H.Y. Reset™:

* Witness what’s happening within
* Honor what you need
* Yield to one aligned action

A simple but powerful way to return to yourself—even in the middle of the work.

5. Release what no longer serves you

We took a moment to reflect, surrender, and let go
releasing the “leaves of the past” we’ve been carrying…and making space for new possibilities, new energy, and renewed purpose.

What a special time connecting, reflecting, and pouring into such a mighty group of NICU nurses and leaders.

Thank you for allowing me to remind you that your well-being matters, and to choose not to abandon yourself in the process of caring for others.

Never exchange your why… for your what.

“Just a Nurse…” ❤️

But we know the truth…

You are the calm in chaos.

The voice when others cannot speak.

The presence that holds it all together when everything feels like it’s falling apart.

As we prepare to celebrate Nurses Week (May 6–12) and honor the theme “The Power of Nurses,” I wanted to offer something more than recognition…
I wanted to offer restoration, reflection, and realignment.

My book, When the Moment Chooses You, is not just a read—it’s an experience for individuals and teams.

✨ A space to pause and breathe
✨ A moment to reconnect to your “why”
✨ And powerful end-of-chapter questions designed to spark:

Real conversations

Honest reflection

In-the-moment breakthroughs

Because transformation doesn’t come from information alone…

It happens when we create space to feel, reflect, and choose differently.

To those who have already reached out to purchase copies for your teams—
thank you.

Thank you for choosing to pour back into those who have been pouring out.
Thank you for being leaders who don’t just manage… but ignite transformation.

If you’re looking for a meaningful Nurses Week gift that goes beyond the surface—this is it.
📚 Available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/0aPFim9o
✍🏽 If you want signed copies with a personalized message be sure to email me at [email protected]
for that and bulk orders

And to every nurse…

Although these are the official dates we celebrate…
we know this truth—every single day, you show up.

You have held it together for everyone else…
sometimes at your own expense.

Just know this:
The lives you touch will never forget you.
And now…
it’s time to remember you. 💫

“Today, I came full circle. I shared with nurse leaders from Sacramento Sierra Nurse Leaders ACNL Chapter that you don’t die when your heart stops beating—you die when your heartbeats have no meaning- one of the quotes that made me return back to my Why!

In the depths of 2010 burnout, I couldn’t have imagined the ‘why’—but today, I saw it. Sharing my raw story of resilience, inspiring other leaders to care for themselves first, made every challenge worth it.

For such a time as this, we rise. Our Wellbeing matters! Transformation from the inside out!

I want to Thank our moderator Theresa Pak for asking me to collaborate with them. Also my co-panelist and new friend

Laura Holford RN MSN OCN CNL . Also fir all the wonderful nurse leaders thst came and put there whole heart into their work-we need you(so take care of yourself)

What really touched me deeply, is others that were not nurses in the room and how the message resonated with them and all the love I received afterwards!!!

There is something that lights me up deeply…
being able to pour into others, to speak life, and to remind people of the power they carry within.

And this moment? This one is special. 💜

I’m honored to be speaking at
NCANN’s Annual Spring Brunch 🌸

“Sustaining the Flame: Protecting Your Purpose in the Sacred Work of Caring”

Because let’s be real…
In the sacred work of caring—especially in the NICU—it’s easy to give so much of yourself that you forget to protect the very flame within you.

This experience is about coming back to that flame.
Reigniting it.
Protecting it.
Honoring it.

🗓 Wednesday, April 22, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 The Bridges Golf Club, San Ramon, CA

To all my Neonatal Intensive Care nurses and leaders—this is for YOU.

Come be poured into.
Come reconnect with your purpose.
Come sit in a space where you are cared for too.

And when you’re there… make sure you come by and say hi 👋🏽
I would truly love to connect with you.

Let’s sustain the flame—together.
Register with QR Code on flyer