6 minute read
FROM PLAYTIME TO PROFESSION
These Dolls Take Nursing from Playtime to Profession
By Maggie Aime, MSN, RN
The Nurse Dolls are planting the seeds of interest and are on a mission to inspire the next generation of nurses, one imaginative play session at a time.
AS A NURSE EDUCATOR , Dr. Nicole M. Brown, DNP, RN, was no stranger to the curiosity and wonder of children. When her own kids asked if she was a doctor or a dentist, she realized there was a lack of engaging and fun products to explain nursing and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers to young minds. Thus, The Nurse Dolls was born — a business concept that would inspire and educate children about the incredible world of nursing.
Dr. Brown's journey began with a simple observation: despite living in Florida with multiple Walmarts and a Target within a 15-minute radius, she couldn't find nurse dolls on the shelves.
The only options available were Florence Nightingale dolls on Amazon, which didn't accurately represent the modern nursing profession. Determined to bridge this gap, Dr. Brown set out to teach children about nursing in a fun and engaging way.
ADVENTURES, LESSONS, AND DOLLS
The Nurse Dolls product line includes books, animated videos, and dolls, all designed to help children learn about careers in the nursing and STEM fields.
Dr. Brown authored two books under The Adventures of Nurse Nicole series: N is for Nurse, which takes children on an alphabetical journey through the art and science of nursing, and Wash Your Hands, which teaches the all-important skill of keeping those germs at bay.
She also released an animated DVD called "The Battle of the Germs," where Nurse Nicole and her sidekicks take on those pesky microbes trying to make everyone sick.
Dr. Brown knows that representation matters, so she created two multicultural dolls to join the Nurse Dolls squad. Meet Nurse Nicole and Nurse Linda, the 18-inch-tall role models designed to inspire and educate children about the nursing profession.
These dolls are decked out in the latest nursing fashion, complete with RN ID badges, white lab coats, scrubs, and even a pair of stylish Crocs. With their professional attire and accessories, these dolls embody the image of modern nurses.
THE VISION TAKES SHAPE
Dr. Brown's vision for The Nurse Dolls goes beyond simply creating products. She wants to address the projected nursing shortage by encouraging young people to consider nursing as a first career choice.
Having taught nursing for 10 years at a community college, she observed that many of her students were in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and even 60s, often pursuing nursing as a second, third, or fourth career. Dr. Brown wants to flip the script and get young people excited about nursing early on. She believes that by introducing children to the world of nursing at an early age, more young people will be motivated to enter the profession straight out of high school, filling the gap left by retiring nurses.
IT’S NOT JUST PLAYTIME; IT’S NURTURING FUTURE NURSES
The response to The Nurse Dolls has been nothing short of amazing! Dr. Brown has been spreading the love at school activities and product presentations, watching kids light up with curiosity and excitement.
When children play with The Nurse Dolls, they start to understand what it's like to work in healthcare. The dolls teach them about what nurses do, the tools they use, and how the body works — all in a fun and easy way that makes sense to them. It's not just playtime; it's a chance for children to imagine themselves as future nurses, drawn by their desire to learn.
Dr. Brown wants to flip the script and get young people excited about nursing early on. She believes that by introducing children to the world of nursing at an early age, more young people will be motivated to enter the profession straight out of high school, filling the gap left by retiring nurses.
Dr. Brown has even developed a curriculum that makes learning about medicine and nursing fun and engaging, with the goal of making children look forward to these educational moments.
But she hasn't forgotten about the parents — like her — who inspire and support these future healing hands. To celebrate the incredible work of nurses everywhere, she has created a line of snap-on nurse-related jewelry for moms and dads, including RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. These beautiful pieces serve as a tangible reminder of the vital role nurses play and the pride they take in their profession.
PERSEVERANCE + PASSION: THE DRIVING FORCES BEHIND THE NURSE DOLLS
Dr. Brown’s journey with The Nurse Dolls hasn’t been a walk in the park. Establishing and growing a business is never easy, and Dr. Brown has had to navigate through several challenges, including securing funding to making personal sacrifices.
But through it all, she never lost sight of her goal: to educate and encourage young minds to consider nursing as a career. And now, with her very own office, she has a home base to make her vision a reality. Plus, with the support of a marketing and advertising team, she is now able to focus on promoting The Nurse Dolls and expanding their reach.
CHANGING THE FACE OF NURSING ROLE MODELS
Dr. Brown's love for nursing and education shines through in every aspect of The Nurse Dolls. She reminds us that nurses are the unsung heroes of healthcare, there for us from the moment we take our first breath to our final goodbye. They're the ones holding our hands during shots, wiping our brows when we're sick, and making sure we're always looking our best in those stylish hospital gowns.
The Nurse Dolls are planting the seeds of interest and are on a mission to inspire the next generation of nurses, one imaginative play session at a time. Soon, we'll be seeing a lot more kids trading in their plastic kitchens for mini nursing stations, ready to save the world (or at least their stuffed animals) with a smile and a STAT!
THE NURSE DOLLS
WEBSITE: thenursedolls.com
INSTAGRAM: @thenursedolls
FACEBOOK: iamDrNicoleBrown
MAGGIE AIME, MSN, RN, is a freelance health and medical personal finance writer. She’s the owner of TheWriteRN.com. When she’s not writing, she can be found relishing a breathtaking sunrise, making memories with her children, or rekindling her love of the piano.
