Nurse Jen Hamilton’s Viral TikTok Leads to $125K Donation to Follower-Chosen Charities
Jen Hamilton’s journey is one many nurses admire. Starting her career in the ER in 2012 and moving to labor and delivery in 2018, Jen remains board certified in both emergency nursing and inpatient obstetrics. Unlike many who have found fame online, Jen continues to work weekends at the bedside, supporting laboring families through some of life’s most vulnerable moments.
Family and Authenticity
Jen is not only a dedicated nurse but also a wife and mother, married to Brian since 2012 and raising two boys, Ellis and Luke. Her social media presence—now over 3 million followers strong—is built on sharing candid, real-life moments from both her professional and personal life. This authenticity has helped her connect with a vast community of nurses, mothers, and families nationwide.
Hot Mess Express: Supporting Moms in Need
Driven by her compassion, Jen founded “Hot Mess Express,” a non-profit that mobilizes moms to help other moms in crisis. Volunteers step in to do dishes, laundry, organizing—whatever is needed to give struggling families a fresh start. With more than 120 chapters across the country, Jen’s message of hope and practical support is spreading rapidly.
Viral TikTok: Compassion in the Face of Criticism
Jen’s compassion recently went viral after she posted a TikTok addressing the tension between the teachings of Jesus and the actions of some of his followers. In her own words, Jen shared, “Three weeks ago my world got turned upside down, I read from the Bible and highlighted the dichotomy between what Jesus teaches and the cruelty his followers are celebrating. Calling for people to have compassion for others even if they don't like you. In doing so, I angered those who felt called out. My nursing license was reported over and over. It became national news. But I didn't want to let them win.”
Instead of retreating, Jen launched the “Read the Red Word” shirt campaign, promising, “Literally every single penny of what I'm about to show you. It's gonna go towards charities that impact the least of these.” In just three weeks, she and her community raised $125,000 from the t-shirts all of which is being distributed to five charities nominated by her followers.
@_jen_hamilton_ Replying to @Gwen Montoya ♬ original sound - Jen Hamilton
@_jen_hamilton_ What has happened.
♬ original sound - Jen Hamilton
Giving Back: Five Charities Making a Difference
The funds are being distributed to:
- Blessings in a Backpack: Providing food on weekends for school-age children who might otherwise go hungry.
- Navajo Water Project: Bringing clean, running water to Navajo Nation families who currently have to haul water for miles.
- RAICES: Offering free and low-cost legal services and trauma-informed care to immigrants and refugees.
- Undies for Everyone: Supplying new underwear to children in poverty or crisis, restoring dignity and confidence.
- The Lionheart Foundation: Delivering evidence-based programming to empower incarcerated adults, at-risk youth, and adolescent parents, focusing on trauma recovery and self-worth.
From Viral Video to Real-World Impact—Support That Just Kept Growing
Jen’s message and actions sparked an outpouring of support in the comments. One follower wrote, “You continue to be on the right side of this and I will die on the hill defending you.” Another said, “The fact that you were reported to the board is insane.” Others chimed in with, “You are the only person who can read me the Bible. This atheist loves your heart,” and “In a world full of Karens, be a Gin Hamilton.” Another powerful comment read, “As an atheist, we need more religious people like you to speak out against the people twisting the Bible for hate. Bless you.”
Jen Hamilton’s story is a reminder to all of us in healthcare: our compassion can extend far beyond the bedside. By standing firm in her values and turning adversity into generosity, Jen has inspired a movement of kindness, empathy, and action—proving that a nurse’s impact can truly be limitless.
🤔 Nurses, what do you think? Let us know in the discussion forum below.
If you have a nursing news story that deserves to be heard, we want to amplify it to our massive community of millions of nurses! Get your story in front of Nurse.org Editors now - click here to fill out our quick submission form today!
