Trusting Yourself to Be Seen: A Journey from Nurse to Healer & Coach

Stepping into entrepreneurship is no small feat—especially when you come from a structured, high-achieving profession like nursing. It’s a journey of self-discovery, deep inner work, and, for many of us, a reckoning with visibility.

I recently had the honor of sitting down with Shawna Retkinger, a former nurse turned spiritual and quantum coach, for a conversation about her transition from the world of healthcare into coaching. Shawna’s journey is one that so many heart-centered healers can relate to—the desire to serve on a deeper level, the struggle of figuring out how to articulate what we do, and the tension between hustle and flow.

In this blog, we’re diving into her path from nursing to coaching, the challenges of visibility, the deep work required to fully step into her truth, and the ways she’s creating spaciousness in her business while thriving.

The Call to Do More: A Journey from Nursing to Coaching

For 17 years, Shawna worked as a nurse in specialties like mental health and hospice—spaces that require deep emotional holding and an ability to sit with life’s most raw, human experiences.

She always felt like she had to hide parts of herself within the profession, like she was an "infiltrator," hoping to change the system from the inside. But eventually, she realized that real impact wasn’t going to come from climbing the ladder in traditional healthcare.

“I don’t want to be an exec, and I don’t want to be in administration. And those are kind of the only ways to really have an impact and change on a grander level.”

Instead, she turned inward—doing deep work on herself, trusting herself more, and creating a career that allowed her to hold space for others in her own way.

Now? She integrates coaching, quantum healing, energy work, Akashic record readings, and more. What started as a personal journey of healing became a powerful business that allows her to serve from a place of alignment.

The Biggest Challenge? Figuring Out How to Talk About What You Do

One of the biggest challenges Shawna faced in this transition (one that SO many of us struggle with) was learning how to talk about what she does.

At first, the shift from being a nurse—where your role is clearly defined—to being an entrepreneur, where you’re crafting your own unique path, felt overwhelming.

“Figuring out what it is I actually do… that was a big one. And it still is. Who I was as a coach a year ago is very different than who I am as a coach today.”

Entrepreneurship is a constant evolution. What you offer changes. The way you describe your work changes. And that’s okay.

For many new entrepreneurs, especially those stepping out of a structured career path, the pressure to “have it all figured out” can be paralyzing. But Shawna’s journey is proof that clarity comes through action.

Some takeaways if you’re struggling with this:

1. It’s okay if your niche evolves—your business is a living, breathing thing.
2. Keep refining your language—talk to people, notice what resonates, and don’t be afraid to shift.
3. Trust the unfolding—clarity doesn’t come from overthinking. It comes from doing.

Facing Visibility Fears: The Deep Work Required to Be Seen

When I asked Shawna about the challenges she faced in being more visible, she shared something so many of us can relate to:

“My mind historically always tends to go to the why nots. Why this won’t work. Why this has to be hard for me. Why I’m not destined for success.”

Underneath those thoughts? Deep-seated stories of “I don’t matter” and “it’s not safe to be me.”

For Shawna, these fears became even more pronounced as she transitioned into entrepreneurship. Right when she committed to this path, important relationships in her life started falling away. Friendships ended. Boundaries were crossed. The universe was challenging her to ask:

1. Who am I when everything falls away?
2. What are the pillars of my life that are unwavering?

Going through these spirals of deep inner work was necessary for her growth. She had to sit with the discomfort, heal old wounds, and emerge with a new level of self-trust.

If you’re on this journey of stepping into visibility and facing old stories, know this:

1. Visibility is an inside job. It’s not just about showing up online—it’s about healing what’s blocking you.
2. Your nervous system needs to feel safe. Pushing through fear won’t work. Slowly expanding your comfort zone will.
3. This work is a process. Shawna didn’t wake up one day and suddenly feel safe being seen—it took intentional healing, small steps, and deep support.

The Shift from Hustle to Spaciousness in Business

Coming from nursing—especially travel nursing—Shawna was used to hustle culture. Work hard, burn out, repeat. So when she started her business, she unknowingly fell into the same pattern.

“I found myself over and over again, pushing, pushing, pushing, burning myself out, getting overwhelmed, frazzling my nervous system.”

It wasn’t until a retreat in October that she had a breakthrough. She realized:

1. She was trying to push her business off a cliff before it was ready.
2. She needed to stop forcing things to happen and start listening to what her business was asking of her.
3. She had to create spaciousness.

Now? She’s in a completely different place.

Her approach to business is about flow, trust, and deep nervous system regulation. Instead of forcing marketing strategies that don’t feel aligned, she lets inspiration lead. Instead of pushing through resistance, she takes space to recalibrate.

What’s Next? Owning Her Truth & Expanding Her Impact

Now that she’s grounded in her work and no longer letting fear dictate how she shows up, Shawna is expanding into new areas of impact.

1. She’s considering launching a group program to reach more people.
2. She’s feeling more confident in talking about her work without second-guessing.
3. She’s embracing the power of her unique magic—energy work, spiritual coaching, and intuitive guidance.

And most importantly? She’s no longer dimming her light.

“Now I get to share who I am. These parts of myself that I used to hide in public? They get to shine.”

Final Takeaways: If You’re Struggling with Visibility & Growth

If you’re in that in-between space of stepping into your next level but feeling the pull of old fears, Shawna’s story is proof that clarity, confidence, and visibility come through the work.

🔥 You don’t have to have it all figured out today.
🔥 You don’t have to push your business into growth—it will unfold when you’re ready.
🔥 You don’t have to fit into a box. Your business is yours to create, and you get to do it your way.

And if you’re craving support on this journey, Vibrant Visibility is open for enrollment until February 10th.

This is the container that supported Shawna in stepping into her fullest expression. If you’re feeling the nudge, trust it.

✨ Apply here to join the next round of Vibrant Visibility.

Your voice matters. Your work is needed. And when you learn to trust yourself? Everything shifts. 💛

XO,

Shawne