How I Accidentally Manifested My Dream Nursing Career (Without Even Realizing It)
If you’re a new nurse, nursing student, or early in your career, chances are you’ve daydreamed about what your ideal nursing life might look like. You want a nursing career that feels fulfilling—not one that leaves you drained, burned out, or stuck on the hamster wheel of 12-hour shifts forever.
In today’s post, I want to share how I accidentally manifested my dream nursing career—before I even knew what manifestation was. Whether you’re spiritual, practical, or somewhere in between, I hope my story inspires you to believe in the possibility of building a life and career you love.
The Mindset Shift That Started It All
Back in high school, I ran cross country. It was new, uncomfortable, and mentally challenging. My internal dialogue during every run was overwhelmingly negative. “This is hard.” “I can’t do this.” “I should quit.” And often—I did quit.
Until something changed.
At my dad’s suggestion, I met with a hypnotist. After just one session and listening to the recording daily, I noticed something incredible: I stopped quitting races. My mindset had shifted. It was the first time I saw the true power of the mind in action.
That experience stayed with me—and years later, it became the foundation for how I unintentionally used manifestation techniques to build my dream nursing career.
Understanding Brain Waves and Visualization
As I dove deeper into personal development, I learned about the different brain wave states:
Beta: Our normal waking state—focused and alert
Alpha: A relaxed, reflective state—perfect for daydreaming and light meditation
Theta: A deep, creative, emotionally charged state—often accessed during sleep or hypnosis
Delta: Deep sleep or unconscious state
Manifestation happens in the alpha and theta states.
These are the states you enter when you're daydreaming, meditating, or simply doing something mindless like driving, running, or showering.
During these moments, your subconscious becomes more open—and that’s where the magic starts.
What My “Dream Nursing Career” Looks Like
Let me be clear: my dream career isn’t about luxury, a big salary, or fancy titles. It’s about balance. It’s about being present as a mom, working in a way that feels meaningful, and having time for the things that fill my cup—like distance running, reading, and family.
Right now, I work two days a week as a clinical instructor, and the rest of the week is split between running my coaching business and being with my kids. Some days I work uninterrupted; other days, I’m squeezing in work between school pickups and soccer games.
But overall? My life feels aligned. And for the first time in a long time, I feel truly fulfilled.
Burnout, Pandemic, and the Breaking Point
Before this shift, I was in nursing leadership for nearly four years. I stepped into an assistant nurse manager role shortly before the pandemic hit—and everything changed. My husband, an orthopedic PA and Air Force Reservist, was deployed for six months during COVID-19’s peak. I was working full-time, parenting two young kids, and barely keeping my head above water.
Later, I was promoted to nurse manager of a med-surg/behavioral health/COVID unit—and that’s when burnout hit hard. Long hours, constant calls, denied staffing requests, and a newborn at home—it all came to a head.
Every day I was calling my sister (a clinical counselor) on my commute home, trying to make sense of my unhappiness. I vented. I questioned everything. And I started to realize: I wasn’t aligned with my job anymore. I wasn’t the nurse or mom I wanted to be.
The Power of Daydreaming (Yes, Seriously)
What’s interesting is that while I was unraveling emotionally after work, I was daydreaming on the drive to work. I imagined:
Packing lunches in the morning
Dropping my kids off at school
Working from home in cozy clothes
Doing laundry on my breaks
Being present at school events and afterschool activities
These daydreams didn’t feel like pipe dreams. They felt real. I could feel the emotions that came with them—calm, fulfilled, energized. I was unintentionally tapping into those alpha and theta brain waves every single morning.
From Daydream to Action
Eventually, all those phone calls to my sister and all that daydreaming gave me something crucial: clarity.
I started exploring other careers—real estate, pharmaceutical sales, you name it. Nothing felt quite right… until I remembered a time in my life when I felt aligned: when I worked as a hospital nurse recruiter.
I discovered the world of travel nurse recruiting, applied for a remote role, and landed the job.
And guess what?
It was exactly what I had been visualizing.
My mornings were slow and peaceful. I packed lunches, saw my kids off to school, worked in my pajamas, exercised during my lunch hour, and was home when my kids got off the bus. I brought them to dance, soccer, and CCD, and I still had time for myself and my business.
Why Manifestation Works (And What It Isn’t)
Here’s what I’ve learned: manifestation isn’t just about thinking happy thoughts or making vision boards. It’s about clarity, belief, emotion, and action.
You don’t manifest by saying, “I want to win the lottery” and sitting back.
You manifest by:
Getting clear on what you actually want
Visualizing it daily (and feeling it!)
Matching the energy of the life you desire
Releasing doubt and limiting beliefs
Taking inspired, aligned action
And that’s exactly what I did—without realizing it.
A Detour That Was Meant to Be
Eventually, I left my travel nurse recruiter job. The role became too sales-driven, and I didn’t feel good about pushing nurses into contracts that weren’t right for them. It started to feel manipulative—and that’s just not how I operate.
So, for the first time ever, I quit a job without another one lined up. I took four months off. During that time, I explored, rested, created content, and started nurturing what is now my career coaching business for new nurses.
I also discovered a new love: clinical instructing. I took on a pediatrics rotation and found myself energized by teaching nursing students. One thing led to another, and I ended up as a clinical instructor at a different college—where I work just two days a week with flexible hours that support my family.
It’s so aligned. And I never would’ve found it if I hadn’t trusted the process and taken that leap.
What This Means for You
If you’re a nursing student, a new nurse, or someone just starting your career and feeling stuck—you can change your path. You are not obligated to stay in a role that drains you just because you worked hard to get there.
Start by getting crystal clear on what you actually want your life to look like.
Not just your job title—but your mornings. Your energy. Your responsibilities. Your time with family and friends. How you want to feel in your life and work.
Then start to visualize it. Feel those emotions. Get curious about what’s pulling at your heart. Talk it out. Write it down. Explore new options. And take small steps that align with the life you’re dreaming of.
Because it’s not just possible—it’s waiting for you.
Final Thoughts
Manifestation doesn’t mean wishful thinking. It’s about tuning into yourself, gaining clarity, believing it’s possible, and taking brave action.
Whether you're here for the mindset shifts, the career coaching, or just a little “woo”—I’m so glad you're here.
If this blog resonated with you, I’d love for you to:
Follow the podcast for more real talk on nursing careers and mindset
Share this post with a friend who’s feeling stuck or unsure in their nursing journey
Join my community where we help new nurses land their first job and build a life they love
Because you deserve a career that doesn’t just look good on paper—but feels good in your soul.
And as always—I’ve got one hand for me… and the other for you.
Until next time,
Caroline
PS. Want more on this topic? Listen to Life After Nursing School Podcast Episode 26