Nurses are often celebrated as heroes—resilient, tireless, and selfless. But behind the badge and the scrubs is a human being: someone who carries the emotional and physical weight of the work, often without being seen. In this personal and heartfelt presentation, Kent Soltys shares his own story of navigating the realities of burnout, compassion fatigue, and the moment that changed everything. Through reflection and lived experience, he offers an honest look at what it means to lose—and then rediscover—your purpose in the midst of a healthcare system that doesn’t always make space for the human behind the role. This is a story of resilience, of showing up even when it’s hard, and of remembering why we became nurses in the first place.

Continuing competencies:

• LPN: Professional Accountability and Responsibility, Professional and Ethical Practice

• RN/NP: Ethical Practice, Service to the Public, Professional Responsibility and Accountability

• CRPNA: Therapeutic Relationships, Advocacy and Professional Ethical Practice