As a nurse, a leader, or even a student in healthcare, it’s easy to find yourself swept along by the current of others’ expectations. Often, this path feels safe, validated, and predictable. But what happens when we allow those expectations to steer us away from our own values, passions, and aspirations? Today, we’re diving into the concept of the path of least resistance and exploring how intentionally challenging this path can transform your career and life.
The Story Behind the Path of Least Resistance
When I was a nursing student at the University of Minnesota, I was surrounded by brilliant, driven classmates. We were an ambitious cohort, each of us pursuing a second career through an accelerated master’s program. It was a pressure cooker of excellence, with peers voicing clear, admirable career goals: becoming flight nurses, midwives, professors, or public health experts.
Then it was my turn. I stood there, nervous but proud, and said, "I’m interested in the business side of healthcare. I want to study healthcare as a system and figure out how to help shift it." My peers responded with a collective, curious huh. It wasn’t judgmental, but it was clear I’d veered off the expected script.
I remember loving that moment because it represented the type of thinking I wanted to encourage in others. I liked standing apart. But, fast forward 14 months, and my career trajectory told a different story.
How I Got Pulled Off My Path
By the end of my program, I had set aside my original interest in systems change and embraced a more conventional goal: working in the emergency department. My reasoning at the time seemed solid. The ED was fast-paced, exciting, and intense—the type of environment where "the best of the best" thrived. These paths felt worthy, challenging, and highly respected among my peers. Choosing the ED aligned with the momentum of the group. I didn’t realize then how much that groupthink was influencing me.
Don’t get me wrong—working as an ER nurse was an incredible experience. It gave me a unique lens on the intersection of healthcare’s broken systems and humanity’s rawest moments. Yet looking back, I realize my decision was more about going with the flow than owning my vision.
This is the core of what I call the path of least resistance. It’s not about choosing the easiest route; it’s about choosing the path that creates the least friction with others’ expectations.
Challenging Social Narratives in Healthcare
The concept of social narratives helps explain why we often choose the path of least resistance. These narratives—stories about what success should look like—are ingrained in us from a young age. In healthcare, these stories might say that “real nurses work at the bedside,” or that “leaders should have a traditional administrative background.”
These narratives shape our expectations, both for ourselves and for others. They can be valuable, giving us direction and community. But they can also limit our vision. When we unquestioningly follow these narratives, we reinforce the status quo—and miss opportunities to create change.
As healthcare professionals, challenging these narratives is vital. It’s not just about making personal breakthroughs; it’s about laying the groundwork for systemic transformation. Shifting the collective belief about what’s possible in our field can drive meaningful change across organizations, communities, and beyond.
Choosing the Path of Resistance
Breaking free from the path of least resistance isn’t easy. It requires courage, discomfort, and a willingness to disappoint others. I experienced this firsthand when I decided to move to the Netherlands, leaving behind my life, my career, and relationships in the U.S. That decision went against nearly every expectation others had for me—but it aligned with the vision I had for myself.
Was it uncomfortable? Absolutely. Did it lead to resistance? Of course. But it was also one of the most transformative decisions I’ve ever made. It reminded me of the power of choosing your own path—a path that might inspire others to reimagine what’s possible for themselves.
Where Are You Choosing the Path of Least Resistance?
So here’s my challenge for you: Where in your life might you be defaulting to the path of least resistance? Is it in your career? Your relationships? Your daily routines?
Ask yourself:
Are my goals truly mine, or are they shaped by others’ expectations?
Am I heading where I actually want to go, or am I letting others decide for me?
What small steps can I take this week to create a little more resistance and align with my authentic vision?
The beauty of healthcare is that there are always opportunities to pivot. Whether you’re a nurse exploring new specialties or a leader redefining your role, it’s never too late to shift course. The key is to bring awareness to where you’re limiting your vision—and then to start pushing back.
Why This Matters
Choosing the path of resistance isn’t just about personal growth; it’s about becoming a changemaker. When you challenge expectations in your own life, you set an example for others. You show them that it’s possible to reimagine what’s normal, what’s expected, and what’s achievable.
And in healthcare, where burnout, conformity, and tradition often dominate, this kind of leadership is desperately needed. By pushing against the status quo, we can create a system that values innovation, authenticity, and sustainability—for ourselves, our teams, and our patients.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re feeling stuck or unsure about your direction, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
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Changing the system starts with thinking differently about the system. The more you immerse yourself in these ideas, learn the language of systems, and strengthen those habits like a muscle, the more effective you’ll be as a changemaker. And the more you’ll enjoy your career!
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