When it comes to the power of nurses, Angel Toney, BSN, RN, is the real deala critical care force fueled by compassion, community, and the drive to pay it forward. As an ICU nurse at Luminis Health Doctors Community Medical Center, Toney’s superpower isn’t just handling high-stakes moments but weaving humanity into every heartbeat of her day.
Her journey into nursing was born from personal heartache.
When my father was sick and going through a challenging hospital stay, the nurses went above and beyond. They answered my questions, eased my fears, and offered comfort during a very uncertain time, she says. Their compassion left such a mark that Toney made it her mission to do the same for others: I see my work as paying it forwardproviding the same patient-centered, compassionate care that meant so much to me.
And it’s not just the patients who feel Toney’s impactit’s everyone around her.
Nurses have to be tough, but people might not realize that we’re also human, Toneyl shares. On the days that are hardest to leave behind, Toney turns to her spirituality, finding strength in her faith to recharge and come back even stronger.
If you ask Toney about her most powerful nursing moment, she’ll take you back to the height of the pandemica time when technology couldn’t fix everything, but teamwork could.
Our greatest asset wasn’t technology or equipmentit was each other. I like to call it the human resource. Healthcare is a team sport, and our unity and shared purpose got us through it, she says.
Power Moves, Big and Small
It’s not always heroic rescues that change livessometimes, it’s the simple power of listening. While mentoring a new nurse, Toney noticed she wasn’t connecting with the information. Instead of charging ahead, she paused.
Together, we created a more structured learning plan that suited her style. That small shift helped her gain confidenceand reminded me how a little empathy and adaptability can go a long way.
Toney’s secret weapon? A mindset rooted in one word: together.
By building trust and collaboration among team members, we create an environment where everyone contributes their strengths and ideas. That kind of teamwork doesn’t just improve efficiencyit leads to better outcomes and more compassionate, patient-centered care, she says.
Sometimes, being a great nurse starts simply by listening more deeply. Toney recalls a patient who seemed physically fine but remained in distress. After listening carefully, she uncovered the real issueemotional pain from being excluded from major family decisions. Compassionate care starts with asking the right questions and making space for the patient’s voice to be heard, she says. It’s a lesson she carries with her every day.
Off-Duty, Still On-Point
When Toney’s not delivering life-changing care, she’s tackling new adventureslike learning how to jet ski on vacation. It reminded me how much I love learning new things, even if they’re outside my comfort zone, she says. That same curiosity keeps her energized in nursing, always eager to master new skills and support her team.
Starting every shift with the affirmation I have a purpose keeps Toney grounded, even on the toughest days.
And yes, outside the hospital, her nursing instincts are always on: Whether it’s checking in on how someone’s feeling or making sure my family is safe, I lead with care and compassion. It’s just part of who I am, wherever I go.
The Power of Nurses, According to Toney
Toneyl believes nurses sit in one of the best seats to serve humanitywith skill, with heart, and with gratitude. Her hope for the future? A nursing community that stays connected across all specialties, always lifting each other higher.
When we support and uplift each other, we elevate the entire profession and the care we give, she says.
From the ICU to jet-ski adventures, Angel Toney reminds us that real power isn’t in doing it aloneit’s in doing it together.
This Nurses Week, let’s honor the incredible power of nurses! Springer Publishing is celebrating by offering 20% off your purchaseand giving back, with 5% donated to the American Nurses Foundation to support nurses nationwide. Join us in making a difference.
- ChatGPT in Geriatric Nursing Education: Risks and Opportunities - May 12, 2026
- How AI Helps Nurses Cut Through Administrative Burden and Focus on Patient Care - December 31, 2025
- Back by Popular Demand: A Day in the Life: NICU Nurse - December 12, 2025