Our Once-in-a-Lifetime Honor with the Chicago Fire for Nurse Appreciation Night

If there’s one thing nursing has taught me, it’s that community isn’t optional, it’s survival! And at the Chicago Fire FC x Nurse.org Nurse Appreciation Night, that sense of connection was everywhere — on the field, in the stands, and all the way up to our own suite at Soldier Field. 

I had the honor of attending on October 4th, 2025, and got to help celebrate THREE Chicago nurses who were nominated by the community: Jahnik Dismuke, Nallely Ruvalcaba, and Tahler Lechtenberg. All three were honored on the field during the pre-game ceremonies. Jahnik even got to participate in the coin toss with the captains (HOW COOL!!). 

After the game, Jahnik, Hannah, and I sat down and relived the whole night in a brand-new Nurse Converse podcast episode.

🎧Listen to the Nurse Converse podcast! 

But before you listen, let me take you behind the scenes of a night that reminded all of us what it means to be seen, celebrated, and supported as nurses.

Walking Onto Soldier Field

There are moments that stop you in your tracks — stepping onto the field at Soldier Field was one of those moments. 

We were invited down to join the Chicago Fire FC for the opening ceremony and coin toss, surrounded by thousands of fans and fellow nurses.

Try to picture this: nurses lined up on the turf, the stadium lights hitting just right, the announcer recognizing Chicago nurses over the speakers, and the crowd actually cheering for us.

I think every single one of us had a “Wait…is this real life?” moment. And honestly? We needed that.

Nurses are used to being behind the scenes, not center field, and that’s exactly why this night matters.

The Suite Life (Nurses Edition)

After the ceremony, we headed up to our exclusive Nurse.org suite, and the vibes were ELECTRIC!

Snacks. Laughter. Selfies. Story-sharing. No patients. No charting. No call lights. Just nurses celebrating nurses.

There’s something sacred about being in a room full of nurses who aren’t exhausted, running on caffeine, or hiding in a supply closet for a deep breath. We got to just be human — people who happen to be nurses, not nurses trying to survive another shift.

This night didn’t just honor our work, it reminded us that we’re part of something bigger.

Why Nurse Appreciation Events Matter

Let’s be real — nurses are used to pizza parties and “You’re appreciated!” emails during Nurses Week. Cute, but not connection.

Jahnik mentioned in our podcast episode, “I’ve never won a Daisy, but being honored was kind of a Daisy moment outside of the hospital for me.”

Hannah said how special it was for her: “I played soccer in nursing school, so this was such a cool full-circle moment for me.”

After the pandemic, burnout, staffing shortages, and emotional exhaustion became the norm. But so did something else: the hunger for community and recognition.

Events like this:

✅ Boost morale
✅ Strengthen nurse-to-nurse connection
✅ Highlight the importance of celebrating healthcare workers
✅ Remind us that appreciation should exist outside of Nurses Week

We didn’t just attend a soccer game, we felt SEEN.

The Podcast: Real Voices from the Night

To keep the conversation going, I sat down with Jahnik and Hannah for a special Nurse.org podcast episode where we shared:

🎙Our favorite moments from the night
🎙What it felt like to be honored on the field
🎙How community impacts nurse retention and well-being
🎙Why joy and connection are essential in nursing culture

It’s funny, raw, joyful, and full of heart — exactly what this night was.

A Huge Thank You

To Nurse.org and Chicago Fire FC, you didn’t just host an event. You created space. You fostered connection. You gave nurses room to feel proud. You reminded us that JOY belongs in this profession.

Also, a special thank-you to Fabletics Scrubs, Clove Shoes & Mel’s Crafty Corner for dressing our nurses and helping us look and feel our best on and off the floor.

More of this. More often. In every city.

If you’ve never been to a Nurse Appreciation Night, put it on your list ASAP. These events aren’t just “nice gestures,” they’re fuel, validation, and community in real time.

Join the Celebration: Find a Nurse Appreciation Night Near You!

Rally your coworkers. Bring your unit besties. Nominate someone who deserves the spotlight.

👉Find a Nurse Appreciation Night near you!

You deserve nights like this, and I want to see YOU on the field next.

🤔Nurses, what makes you feel seen and valued in your work? Share your thoughts in the discussion forum below!