Some nurses lead through skill. Others through compassion. And then there are nurses like Adama Chisley, who lead through transformation—becoming living proof that strength and softness can co-exist, that healing is both personal and communal, and that faith can carry you through chapters you never imagined you’d survive.
A mental health nurse practitioner, three-time boy mom, entrepreneur, content creator, and former COVID travel nurse, Adama represents what it means to evolve openly, honestly, and with a deep commitment to becoming the woman God always intended her to be.
Today, we step Inside The Lounge to honor her story.
Becoming Whole: A Woman Growing Without Apology
When asked who she is becoming, Adama answered with a clarity that only comes from surviving yourself:
“I am becoming a woman who finally gives herself permission to grow without guilt… I am learning to trust my own pace, honor my emotions, and step into the version of myself that God always knew I could be. I am becoming whole.”
This season of her life isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. It’s about softening without losing strength, slowing down without losing ambition, and allowing healing to unfold in its own time.
A Childhood Shaped by Mental Illness, and a Purpose Shaped by Compassion
Growing up around mental illness shaped her worldview in ways that would later fuel her calling.
“I know what it feels like to be misunderstood, overlooked, or labeled. My healing made me softer, but it also made me stronger.”
Because of that upbringing, she parents with tenderness, she practices with intention, and she advocates with a fire lit by lived experience.
Her compassion is not theoretical. It’s ancestral. It’s personal. It’s earned.
Peace as a Practice, Not a Destination
Like many nurses, Adama had to learn peace the hard way. Her rituals such as journaling, prayer, candles, silence, breathwork became her grounding.
“My peace comes from protecting my energy on purpose… I’m still learning, and not perfect by all means. But this is how I try to show up for myself.”
Sometimes peace looks like yoga. Sometimes it looks like boundaries. Sometimes it’s simply choosing herself.
The Moment Everything Shifted: Becoming a PMHNP
The road from CNA to nurse practitioner was paved with resilience, self-doubt, and faith. When the moment finally came to take her board exam, fear met its match.
“When I saw that I passed, I felt God. I felt every sacrifice, every late night, every doubt fall off me.”
Her husband’s public celebration of her journey—several months of fear turned into triumph captured what many never see: the silent battles nurses fight in the dark.
But she never fought alone.
Fueled by Faith, Family, and a Fire That Never Fades
Adama’s strength was forged long before her nursing roles. Being underestimated lit a fire in her that refused to dim, shaping her discipline, her resilience, and her determination to rise. Her faith grounded her when doubt tried to take root, and her husband stood beside her as both partner and encourager, helping her silence fear with purpose.
But nothing fuels her more than motherhood. Her three boys expanded her vision of what’s possible and deepened her sense of responsibility. They are the reason she pushes harder, leads with compassion, and advocates for a world where mental health is understood and accessible. She wants them to grow up knowing that strength can be gentle, purpose can be bold, and their mother fought relentlessly for both her peace and her calling.
Learning Balance One Day at a Time
Like so many nurses, Adama learned that you cannot give what you don’t have.
“I step away when I need to. I care for myself before I collapse. I heal while giving.”
Balance is not a finish line—it’s maintenance. And she is learning that maintenance matters.
Why Mental Health Chose Her
Psychiatric mental health wasn’t just a career choice. It was a calling born out of lived experience.
“I grew up in a community where mental illness meant nothing… I wanted to be part of the solution. I wanted to be someone’s hope.”
Adama Chisley, MSN, APRN, PMHNP-BC
Her mission is clear: make people feel seen, heard, understood, and supported.
What She Believes Nurses Can Do Better Than Anyone
One thing she stands firm on: nurses are the heart of healthcare.
“Nurses humanize pain. People feel safe with us.”
Her belief in the profession is unwavering—because she knows firsthand the emotional and spiritual power nurses carry.
A Message to Nurses Who Feel Afraid to Advance
Her words are simple, but powerful:
“You are capable. You are worthy. You are not behind… You don’t have to be fearless. You just have to move.”
Building Legacy Through Business, Style, and Family
Adama’s entrepreneurial path began with a simple desire: to create scrubs that made healthcare workers feel seen, stylish, and represented. What started as a vision for comfort and culture quickly became a source of pride for her family and a testament to her leadership and resilience. Through Chisley’s Scrub Boutique, she learned the value of consistency, service, and building something meaningful from the heart.
At the center of it all is her family. She and her husband navigate business and marriage through open communication and unwavering partnership. By choosing each other first, they’ve created a foundation strong enough to support their dreams, their businesses, and the legacy they’re building together—one rooted in love, purpose, and unity.
Lessons from COVID: Pain, Purpose & Psychological Impact
Travel nursing during COVID left a permanent imprint.
“That season broke parts of me, but it also revealed the strength that was already there.”
It deepened her commitment to mental health—for nurses and for the patients they carry.
Advocacy, Accountability, and the Fight for Vulnerable Populations
Her passion for mental health extends beyond the clinic walls.
“Vulnerable people deserve systems that don’t make them fight to survive.”
Advocacy begins with asking questions, taking control of your health, and using your voice—even when it shakes.
Her Most Transformative Lesson
“Healing is not linear. Sometimes healing looks like resting. Sometimes it looks like walking away.”
Her evolution is ongoing—but grounded.
Stepping Into Alignment and Leaving a Legacy of Liberation
Adama is entering a new chapter—one defined by confidence, clarity, and the courage to take up space without apology. She’s committed to expanding into the fullness of who she is and embracing the purpose she once dimmed.
Her vision for the future is rooted in impact. She wants women to believe in their healing, nurses to trust in their ability to rise, and her sons to remember a mother who fought fiercely for her peace and her calling. For Adama, legacy isn’t about accomplishments—it’s about freedom, growth, and showing others that transformation is always possible.
Empowerment, Community, and a Message for the Nurse Who Feels Unseen
For Adama, empowerment is not a concept, it’s a lifeline. She believes that “nurse empowerment means giving nurses a voice… creating spaces that support nurses emotionally, mentally, spiritually, and professionally.” That belief is exactly why community is so essential to her work and her mission. As she says, “Nurses need spaces where they can breathe… where they can be seen, heard, and supported.”
And to the nurse who may feel invisible, overwhelmed, or unsure of their next step, she offers a final reminder—one spoken with deep sincerity:
“You are not alone. You are needed. Your journey is not over.”
✨ Stay Connected with Adama & The Chisley Family Legacy
If her story inspired you, keep the journey going. Follow Adama and support her family-owned businesses! Each one built with purpose, passion, and community at the heart:
- Chisley’s Scrub Boutique – Where style meets representation in healthcare.
- Chisley Unique Flavor Seasoning – Bringing bold, unforgettable flavor to every kitchen.
- All About The Chisley’s – A family brand rooted in love, creativity, and ownership.
👉 Follow, shop, and support the Chisley family as they continue to build a legacy of excellence.
Join The Nurses Lounge of Central Arkansas
If Adama’s story reminds you that you are capable of rewriting your next chapter, you’re in the right place.
✨ Connect with a community that celebrates your growth.
✨ Access resources designed to elevate your career.
✨ Surround yourself with nurses who uplift, empower, and inspire.
Join The Nurses Lounge today at 👉 www.loungenurse.com
Nurses helping eachother fight burnout in healthcare
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