Jacquelyn Bhones, better known as The Transformalist Nurse Jackie, is not your average nurse—and she never planned to be. With over two decades of nursing experience spanning the ER, ICU, surgery, and hospice care, Nurse Jackie has seen humanity at its most vulnerable. Her clinical background is only part of her story. What truly sets her apart is how she transformed pain into purpose and now helps others do the same through her work as a speaker, author, entrepreneur, and founder of The Alternate Path Wellness and Transformation Center.
Her journey took a profound turn during her time in hospice care, where she listened to final regrets and began to question why so many wait until the end of life to really start living. That wake-up call sparked her mission: to help others reclaim their vitality, confidence, and wholeness—before it’s too late.
In her book Being Average at Best, Nurse Jackie boldly reminds us that being average doesn’t mean being without value—it means there’s room to grow, evolve, and emerge into something extraordinary. In this interview, she opens up about the power of transformation, the courage to reinvent yourself, and the beauty of living life on purpose.
Fancy: You’ve witnessed some of life’s most vulnerable moments in your nursing career, especially in hospice care. How did those experiences shape your mission and the founding of The Alternate Path Wellness and Transformation Center?
Nurse Jackie: Those moments in hospice care changed me forever. Sitting with people in their final days, holding their hands, hearing their regrets—it made me realize how many of us wait too long to live truly. I wasn’t just witnessing death—I was witnessing what people wished they had done differently. That lit a fire in me. It shifted my entire mission. I didn’t just want to help people in sickness—I wanted to help them reclaim their health, confidence, and joy before it was too late. That’s what inspired me to start The Alternate Path Wellness and Transformation Center. I wanted to create a space where people could heal from the inside out, combining natural therapies, body transformation, and emotional wellness. Hospice taught me that our time is precious. Now, I help people make the most of it, starting today.
Fancy: You often say that “transformation is a living, breathing journey.” What does that look like in practice for the clients who come through your center’s doors?
Nurse Jackie: When I say, “transformation is a living, breathing journey,” I mean it’s not a one-time fix or a quick body sculpting session—it’s an ongoing process of becoming. At my center, it starts with meeting each client exactly where they are, without judgment. We talk about their goals, yes—but we also dig into their habits, emotions, stress levels, even what they believe about themselves. Some come in thinking they just want to lose weight or tighten their body, but they end up discovering confidence, healing old wounds, or finding energy they haven’t felt in years. We use tools like fat-freezing, wood therapy, IV hydration, and natural detoxes—but the real magic happens when the inner and outer work align. That’s transformation—it evolves, it grows, and it breathes with you as you change.
Fancy: Your career has evolved from bedside nursing to entrepreneurship, authorship, and public speaking. What advice do you have for others, especially women in healthcare, looking to reinvent themselves or step into their purpose?
Nurse Jackie: My biggest advice is this: don’t wait for permission to evolve. As women in healthcare, we’re so used to showing up for everyone else that we often put our own dreams on the back burner. But your purpose doesn’t have to look like what you started with—it can grow, shift, and completely transform. For me, going from bedside nursing to entrepreneurship, authorship, and public speaking wasn’t a straight path. It started with burnout, reflection, and a deep desire to make a different kind of impact. I had to unlearn the idea that my worth was tied solely to a title or a position. What I discovered is that the skills we develop in healthcare, such as compassion, resilience, and problem-solving, are
powerful beyond the hospital walls. So, if you feel called to do more, start exploring. Take a class, write that book, launch that side hustle. You don’t need to have it all figured out—you just need to start. Trust that the version of you you’re becoming is worth the risk. Reinventing yourself isn’t about becoming someone new—it’s about remembering who you’ve always been, underneath the scrubs.
Fancy: You speak with such passion about legacy and impact. When you think about the mark you’re leaving on the world, what do you hope people will remember most about Nurse Jackie, The Transformalist?
Nurse Jackie: In Average at Best, the message I most wanted readers to walk away with is that your worth isn’t defined by society’s highlight reel or unrealistic expectations—it’s defined by your ability to show up, grow, and live with purpose, even in the messiest seasons of life. I wrote it as a love letter to every woman who’s ever felt overlooked, not enough, or like she was falling behind. Because I’ve been her, that message ties directly into the work I do today. At The Alternate Path Wellness and Transformation Center, I help people shed more than just physical weight—I help them release the emotional and mental baggage that tells them they must be perfect to be powerful. Whether it’s through body sculpting, wellness coaching, or just sitting with someone during a consultation, my goal is the same: to help them realize they’re already enough, and transformation begins from that place—not in chasing someone else’s version of success. Being “average” by the world’s standards doesn’t mean you’re lacking—it means you have room to grow, evolve, and create something extraordinary. And that’s exactly what I help my clients do every day.
Fancy: How would you describe your swagher? What makes Nurse Jackie, Nurse Jackie unique?
Answer: My swagher? It’s rooted in authenticity, resilience, and a deep sense of purpose. I’m not trying to be perfect—I’m trying to be real. What makes Nurse Jackie unique is that I’ve lived through the pain, the pressure, and the expectations, and I’ve turned it all into power. I bring the grit of a trauma nurse, the heart of a hospice nurse, and the boldness of an entrepreneur—all rolled into one. I don’t just talk about transformation—I am transformation. From running away at 16 to becoming a nurse, business owner, author, and speaker, I’ve walked the path I now guide others through. My swagher comes from knowing who I am, what I’ve overcome, and how I show up for others. Whether I’m helping a client contour their body or speak life back into their soul, I do it with intention, empathy, and truth. I don’t follow trends—I create lanes. And I do it with heels on, scrubs off, and my head held high. That’s Nurse Jackie. That’s The Transformalist.
Fancy: How can our readers connect with you?
Nurse Jackie: Readers can connect with me in a few powerful ways!
You can follow me on Instagram @TheTransformalist_nursejackie for daily inspiration, wellness tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at life inside The Alternate Path Wellness and Transformation Center. Facebook and LinkedIn at Jacquelyn Bhones
Visit my website at Thealternatepath.net to learn more about the services I offer, upcoming events, and hands-on training opportunities for wellness and med spa professionals.
For speaking engagements, podcast interviews, or collaborations, you can email me directly at thealternatepath@icloud.com or jackieb@greaterelevationsllc.com
Text or leave voicemail at 832-296-7709
And if you’re ready to start your own transformation journey—inside and out—book a consultation with me. Whether it’s your body, your business, or your mindset, I’m here to help you elevate every part of your life.
Let’s connect—you don’t have to do this journey alone.
