Growing Out of the Superhero You Thought You Had To Be

Daybook December 10

New educators often begin by trying not to appear weak—
watching everything, controlling everything, performing authority.

But real authority grows not from perfection or control,
but from touchstone, presence, and the courage to teach with authenticity.

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Establishing authority as a nurse educator is never simple.

In the beginning, I believed I had to look strong, flawless, and unshakeable—
a kind of “educator superhero.”

I watched everything sharply like Wonder Woman,
catching every detail before it could become a mistake.

I completed each task without error,
persistent and rigid like Javert from Les Misérables,
holding tightly to duty and control
as if the role itself were a costume I needed to wear.

Responsibility made me resemble Wonder Woman,
and fear made me resemble Javert.
These were small shields I created to survive a role that felt far bigger than me—
shields that eventually became habitual.

But as time passed,
as experience deepened,
and as my own touchstone took shape,

I learned something essential:
True authority does not come from appearance, performance, or flawless control.
It grows quietly from words, actions, presence, and care.

I also learned this:
Authority is not maintained by teaching to protect my reputation
or by controlling learners to keep order.

When I recognized this truth,
I naturally stepped out of the superhero costume.

And for the first time,
I stepped fully into the work of a real nurse educator—
guiding learners with authenticity, not armor.

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One Line for Nurses and Nursing Learners Today:
Authority is not something you wear; it is something that grows within you.