My Favorite Inspirational Quotes to Salute the Warrior Nurses

Being a nurse can be a very rewarding job, but it can also be extremely stressful. Even though you know you are having a positive impact on other people’s lives, the job itself can sometimes feel quite thankless. Nurses are the backbone of our entire healthcare system. Without dedicated, caring, and well-trained nurses, we know that our entire system would fall apart. As the current health crisis continues on, it is clear that motivating our nurses—who save our lives and help keep our communities safe—is something that remains very important. There are many different stages involved in becoming a nurse. Not only do nurses need to complete nursing school, but they also need to continue their education, learn basic life support, learn advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), and learn many other systems.

To even just make it to your first day on the job is something that is truly an accomplishment. Truly, becoming a doctor or a nurse is a lot of hard work. During challenging times such as these, it can help to draw inspiration from a few different places. In this article, we will discuss ten of our favorite inspirational quotes for nurses. If you know any nurses that are currently on the front lines, be sure to share these valuable bits of inspiration with them.

1. “Wise and human management of the patient is the best safeguard against infection.”—Florence Nightingale
   
   Of course, this list could not be complete without a quote or two from Florence Nightingale, one of the most important figures in the history of nursing. One of the reasons Florence had such a remarkable impact on the industry was her ability to recognize the human element of being a nurse. As a nurse, you aren’t just protecting bodies—you are protecting souls.
2. “It is not how much we do; it is how much love we put into the doing.”—Mother Teresa
   
   Mother Teresa is a beloved Catholic Saint, who committed her life to helping those in need. With love, empathy, and a commitment to care for others, she was able to touch countless lives. Every day, our beloved nurses are able to capture these same values, and, around the world, they continue to have an immeasurably positive impact.
3. “Where there is love there is life.”—Mahatma Gandhi

This is yet another quote—articulated simply, yet powerfully—that helps demonstrate the connection between loving service and continued life. No matter what a person might be suffering from, we know that love can empower them to keep fighting for survival.

4. “They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”—Maya Angelou
   
   Maya Angelou, a universally appreciated American poet and activist, offers these words of wisdom for any nurse who feels their job is a bit thankless. Perhaps the patients you are working with might not always seem appreciative, but by continuing to work hard and provide dignified care, you can have a positive impact on their lives for many years to come.
5. “A nurse dispenses comfort, compassion, and caring without even a prescription.”—Val Saintsbury
   
   This is one of the most well-known inspirational quotes for nurses and will almost always make an appearance in lists such as this one. The quote clearly describes how nurses provide so much more than medical care; they provide a sense of value and comfort that is truly priceless.
6. “I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse.”—Florence Nightingale
   
   In times of great uncertainty, it can be easy to want to give up, to retreat, or to assume that things are hopeless. But, as we have all quickly come to realize, our nurses are currently more important than ever. Nurses don’t make excuses, they don’t back out, and they don’t abandon their commitment to providing the care their patients need. Plenty of professionals can say they aspire to do these things, but—as we have seen—our nurses actually follow through.
7. “To do what nobody else will do, a way that nobody else can do in spite of all we go through; that is to be a nurse.”—Rawsi Williams
   
   As any nurse will tell, the job isn’t always pretty—nurses see and work with people in their most vulnerable states of being, which can sometimes result in less-than-perfect situations. But, despite this, our caring nurses still go on. They know that they play a critical role in our society because they are willing and able to do what nobody else can.
8. “The Character of the nurse is as important as the knowledge she possesses.” —Carolyn Jarvis

The field of nursing is one where the character is not a luxury: it is an absolute necessity. In challenging times such as these, a nurse is not only going to need to know how to save a life, but they are going to need enough grit and enough character to continue marching onward.

9. “Save one life, you’re a hero. Save 100 lives, you’re a nurse.”—Author Unknown
   
   We’ve all seen movies where the hero’s great quest is to save the life of someone in need. But what about the people, on the frontlines, that are saving lives and delivering quality care every day? That’s what a true hero looks like.
10. “Nurses are the heart of healthcare.”—Donna Wilk Cardillo
    
    The year 2020 has tested the tenacity of our healthcare industry and everyone involved has been stepping up to the plate and coming through. But, as we are sure that many others agree, there is still no denying the simple fact that nurses truly are at the heart of it all. Our nurses make such a big difference and, for that, we are eternally grateful.

If there is anybody in this world that can use a little hope and inspiration, it’s our nurses who are putting their own lives at risk in order to keep us safe and healthy. The next time you see a nurse, be sure to thank them and let them know that you are sincerely appreciative of all they are willing to do.