Stigma and stereotypes can hold us back. In every part of our lives – work, family, hobbies, friendships – how we think others see us often shapes how we see ourselves, even when our capabilities far surpass what they or we believe. Nurses, in particular, face many external, stereotyped expectations. Many people have firmly held beliefs about who nurses are, what they do, where they work, their skills and weaknesses, and even what they wear. But nurses know better – nurses are widely skilled, deeply experienced, and are represented across every demographic and in many different settings. They experience the full range of human emotion, too; the strength and compassion they are known for, but also the vulnerabilities and challenges that go unspoken.

Samantha Roecker, RN has a “track record” (pun intended) of breaking many barriers and stereotypes and her success in competitive running combined with her experience as a nurse drove her to combine her passions to raise awareness and drive change for nurses. Frustrated by the lack of mental health resources for nurses, specifically those specifically addressing healthcare trauma and the pandemic, she knew more could be done. Inspired by British nurse and marathon record holder, Jessica Anderson, Sam embarked on a bold goal – breaking the Guinness World Record for fastest marathon run in a nurse’s uniform, and raise thousands of dollars to support nurse mental health, in partnership with The American Nurse's Foundation, Moxie Scrubs and the 26.2 Foundation.

At the 2022 Boston Marathon, she did just that. In this episode, we talk with Samantha about the impact stigma has on nurses’ ability to reach their full potential, what really defines a nurse, the power of mental health support, and the surprising overlap between nursing and competitive running.

Have questions for the SEE YOU NOW team? Feedback? Future episode ideas? Contact us at hello@seeyounowpodcast.com.

Guests

• Samantha Roecker, RN

Resources

• Sam Roecker - Elite Marathoner Who Will Run Boston in Scrubs
• Fastest marathon in a nurse's uniform (female) | Guinness World Records
• Jessica Anderson awarded fastest marathon wearing a nurse's uniform record title
• Nurse Runs the Boston Marathon in Scrubs For a Cause, Here's The Reason Why
• Jessica Anderson Guinness World Record Marathon - Nurse CNO Award
• #WhatNursesWear: Nurses of Twitter respond brilliantly to sexist Guinness World Records decision
• American Nurses Foundation's Well-Being Initiative
• Coronavirus | Well-Being Initiative | Mental Health | ANA
• Mental Health Awareness Month
• Healthy Nurse Healthy Nation
• At Boston Marathon, Philly nurse breaks record while wearing nursing scrubs (subscription trequired)
• www.instagram.com/samroecker
• Psych Congress Network: Reclaiming Nurses Week video series
• Passing the Baton: Nurses Jess Anderson and Sam Roecker