10 Famous People You Might Not Realize Have a Nursing Background

When most people imagine a nurse, they see someone in scrubs at the bedside, providing expert, compassionate care. And while that image is absolutely true, it’s also only part of the picture. Nursing is a dynamic profession that attracts people with wide-ranging passions and talents. 

Several well-known figures from entertainment, sports, literature, and even history have roots in nursing. Whether they practiced before their rise to fame, returned to the profession later in life, or carried their nursing education into unexpected places, each reflects the versatility and heart of nursing. 

Here are ten famous people you might not know are also connected to nursing. 

Olympian. Viral TikTok personality. Podcaster. Body positivity advocate. Ilona Maher does it all — and she does it with a nursing degree. While her athletic career brought her international attention, her nursing education reflects a commitment to science, health, and care. Maher represents a modern nursing graduate whose skills extend well beyond traditional roles. 

Alana Thompson grew up in the spotlight through Toddlers & Tiaras and Here Comes Honey Boo Boo. Today, she’s carving out a very different path: pursuing a nursing education. She is currently in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at Regis University in Colorado and is a Patient Care Technician in a pediatric hospital.  

Jennifer Stone is best known for her role as Harper Finkle on Disney Channel’s Wizards of Waverly Place. After stepping away from acting, she shifted her focus to healthcare and pursued nursing. Today, she serves as an emergency room nurse in Burbank, California, using her skills to support patients and families during some of their most challenging moments. 

Before becoming a familiar face on Jon & Kate Plus 8, Kate Gosselin built her career as a registered nurse in labor and delivery. Long before cameras captured her life with eight children, she spent her days caring for mothers and newborns in the hospital setting. In 2021, she returned to nursing and now works as a pediatric home health RN in North Carolina. 

Naomi Judd was a Grammy Award–winning country music singer and half of the legendary duo The Judds. Before her music career, she worked as an intensive care unit (ICU) nurse, caring for critically ill patients. Her experience as a nurse shaped her lifelong advocacy for compassion and mental health awareness.  

Known for Little Women and other literary classics, Louisa May Alcott also served as a nurse during the Civil War. She cared for wounded Union soldiers, an experience that influenced her writing and deepened her passion for social advocacy. Her service is a reminder of nursing’s long, meaningful place in American history. 

Amaya Espinal gained public attention as a contestant on Love Island. Outside of television, she worked professionally as a dental nurse, supporting patient care in clinical settings. 

Bonnie Hunt is an actress, writer, and director known for films such as Jumanji and Cheaper by the Dozen. Before entering entertainment, she worked as an oncology nurse, caring for patients undergoing cancer treatment.  

Walt Whitman, the celebrated author of Leaves of Grass, spent years volunteering as a nurse during the Civil War. He cared for wounded soldiers, wrote letters home for them, and documented the human side of war. Nursing shaped both his poetry and his lifelong devotion to themes of healing and humanity. 

Before becoming a radio icon, Robin Quivers worked as a registered nurse and served in the U.S. Air Force, where she advanced to the rank of captain. After her military service, she returned to Maryland to continue nursing while studying broadcasting. She later stepped into radio full time and went on to become the longtime cohost of The Howard Stern Show, earning acclaim for her sharp insight and unmistakable laugh.  

Across these different lives and careers, one thing stands out: nursing is a profession strengthened by diversity in passion and perspective. Whether caring for patients at the bedside, advocating for mental health, or writing beloved literature, nurses bring knowledge, compassion, and strength wherever they go. 

For students considering nursing — or those already on their way — this list is a reminder that your future can take many forms. Nursing can be the beginning of your journey, the destination, or a foundation for incredible things in between. 

We’d love to help you find the right path. Learn more about how to begin, and discover the program that best fits your goals.