CHEERS! with Avery Woods
Episode: independence + nursing | kennedy powers
Release Date: February 9, 2026
Host: Avery Woods
Guest: Kennedy Powers, RN & Content Creator
Episode Overview
In this heartfelt and insightful episode, host Avery Woods welcomes nursing graduate and content creator Kennedy Powers for an honest conversation about finding independence, navigating huge life changes, and balancing a newly minted nursing career with the demands of being an online influencer. Together, they discuss the realities of nursing school, the complexities of sharing personal milestones and struggles online, and the journey to finding happiness and confidence after major transitions. For anyone juggling career, identity, and self-discovery—especially in the public eye—this episode is a warm and encouraging listen.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Meeting & Professional Backgrounds
[03:55 - 06:15]
- Avery and Kennedy reminisce about meeting on a HydroJug trip, quickly connecting as Avery, a nurse and mentor figure, watched Kennedy’s online journey through nursing school.
- Growing as a “medical influencer” wasn’t really a thing when Avery started; now, Kennedy is part of a new wave shaping the space.
“Unless you’ve done it, nursing school is a different beast. It’s a 100% full-time job.” – Avery Woods [05:23]
2. Becoming a Nursing Content Creator
[06:15 - 07:52]
- Kennedy explains she wasn’t intending to become a public figure—she opened her TikTok on a whim during her first semester, posting a “get ready with me” for lab that unexpectedly resonated with fellow students.
- Social media became a lifeline for connection and creativity amidst the isolation of nursing school.
“You get so alone and secluded in nursing school… To talk to people and, like, so many other people are going through the same thing—like, that was really cool.” – Kennedy Powers [07:13]
3. Dealing with Negativity & Judgement
[08:26 - 12:41]
- Both Avery and Kennedy faced judgment from peers and nurses about sharing their lives online; assumptions about their competence or seriousness as nurses became commonplace.
- Despite side-eyes and snide comments, Kennedy credits her tight-knit friend group for unwavering support and chooses to ignore negativity.
“It is uncomfortable… And so I would say, you know, it wasn’t always directly towards me. There would be, like, comments made to my friends.” – Kennedy Powers [10:00]
- Both agree: being a rule-follower and hard worker, they prioritized putting their heads down over defending themselves.
4. Nursing School Realities
[12:41 - 15:26]
- The demanding nature of nursing school: grueling schedules, strict grading curves, and the relentless pace.
- Kennedy’s hardest class: ICU—brutal but rewarding thanks to a supportive teacher.
- Avery shares her experience in PICU, blending ICU and pediatrics knowledge.
5. Passing the Boards and Career Next Steps
[15:05 - 18:21]
- Kennedy officially passed her NCLEX and became an RN. She expresses relief and pride in the achievement.
- She loves women’s health and emergency medicine, surprising herself with a newfound appreciation for the fast-paced ER environment during her capstone.
6. Learning on the Job & Pandemic Realities
[16:22 - 19:17]
- Both discuss hands-on skills—like starting IVs—and the unusual challenges new nurses faced during COVID, including students training on vegetables during Zoom labs.
- Avery relates her role as a preceptor and the serious responsibility of guiding new nurses in critical skills.
7. Embracing Independence and Life Change
[18:21 - 21:08]
- Kennedy opens up about embracing singleness and independence after a big life change.
- Navigating public interest in her personal life is tricky—she feels pressure to share, but strives to maintain boundaries and protect her mental health.
“You just don’t win. There’s no winning. And it’s really hard to navigate.” – Kennedy Powers [19:17]
- Community support from online followers and friends made a difference, showing the power of women supporting women.
8. Reflecting on Regret, Growth, and Lessons Learned
[23:37 - 25:40]
- Kennedy wrestles with feelings about lost time but ultimately feels grateful for the personal growth and perspective gained.
- Both discuss how marrying young in certain states (Utah/Arizona culture) affects outlook on relationships and career foundations.
9. Juggling Nursing and Influencing: Hopes & Hurdles
[26:12 - 34:02]
- Kennedy plans to pursue both careers—applying to highly competitive new grad nurse residencies in California while continuing as a content creator.
“Nursing was like the best balance for me… It’s so fulfilling. That’s why I fell in love with it more—I get outside my own head.” – Kennedy Powers [27:07]
- Avery details the harsh pay disparity between nursing and influencing, validating Kennedy’s choice to do both and the struggle for healthcare workers to make a living wage.
- Both have faced online judgment for being influencers who “don’t work as nurses”—but insist their love for nursing is real and deep.
10. Privacy, Policy, and Online Sharing Boundaries
[41:07 - 42:54]
- Kennedy is naturally private; she plans to focus her content on general nursing life, routines, and before/after shift self-care, while strictly protecting patient and hospital information.
- Both discuss the importance of respecting professional boundaries and hospital social media policies.
“It’s a lot more than just a regular desk job… it’s people’s lives.” – Kennedy Powers [42:24]
11. Day-to-Day in SoCal: New Routines and Joy
[38:00 - 41:09]
- Kennedy is settling into her new apartment in a lively neighborhood, making new friends, finding joy in small things like decorating, and getting into Pilates.
- She shares about her day-to-day content creation process and the freedom she now feels having more time.
12. Relationships, Roommates, and Cultivating Confidence
[54:16 - 59:03]
- Kennedy lives with friend Lucy, finds healing in independence and rooming with someone supportive.
- She’s newly dating, enjoying the freedom to discover what she wants—and shares how California’s slower dating culture is helping her savor her independence.
- On confidence: “I’m proud that I got myself here… making hard decisions for myself.” [58:33]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the pressure to share online:
“There was a lot of pressure to share, but I was like, okay, I guess I have control over how I or what I share, and so I can do my best to protect my privacy and my peace…”
— Kennedy Powers [19:36] -
On the online backlash from nursing peers:
“I get so many comments—‘well you’re gonna have to suck it up and just do a med-surg job’…My name is on every application out there.”
— Kennedy Powers [31:44] -
The realities of being a nurse-influencer:
“When I compared my nursing paycheck to what my management team said I should be making…damn, the world is so backwards.”
— Avery Woods [33:13] -
Balancing self-care as a nurse:
“I feel like a lot of the videos that I loved to make…were my morning routine before shift and my wind-down routine after shift.”
— Avery Woods [42:54] -
On confidence after big changes:
“If I can go through everything I went through last year, like, I got it…making hard decisions that I know are hard, but good, because I was making them for myself…”
— Kennedy Powers [58:09]
Important Timestamps & Highlights
- 03:55 — Avery and Kennedy connect over shared experiences as nurse creators
- 05:22 — “Nursing school is a whole different beast”
- 08:26 — Facing negativity and peer judgment online
- 13:47 — Mental toll of strict nursing grading
- 15:07 — Kennedy passes NCLEX and becomes an RN
- 16:22 — On learning practical nursing skills during COVID
- 19:17 — Navigating public breakups and privacy online
- 26:26 — Deciding between nursing and influencing careers
- 31:57 — Harsh pay disparity between nursing and influencing
- 38:00 — Kennedy’s day-to-day life in SoCal, making new friends
- 41:07 — Handling social media boundaries as a nurse
- 54:23 — Embracing singlehood and new friendships after major change
- 58:09 — On cultivating confidence after adversity
- 59:08 — Looking ahead: travel, hobbies, and finding fulfillment in nursing
Tone and Language
The conversation balances candor, warmth, and solidarity. Both Avery and Kennedy are open about their vulnerabilities, share real behind-the-scenes struggles, and root for each other’s success with a sense of mentorship and camaraderie.
Summary Takeaways
This episode gives a raw and encouraging look at the unique pressures faced by young professionals juggling demanding careers, building a public persona, and finding their way forward after life-altering changes. Kennedy’s transparency about her journey—from nursing school and public scrutiny to self-assurance, independence, and cultivating true friendships—will resonate deeply with anyone in a similar season of growth. Avery’s guidance and shared wisdom add richness to the conversation, making this a supportive listen for nurses, creators, and anyone at a crossroads.
Where to Find Kennedy
- Instagram/TikTok: @kennedygpowers [64:14]
- YouTube: Kennedy G Powers (with plans to post more soon!)