iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, waterfalls—and 20+ hours of daylight to experience it. I oohed and aahed all over Iceland. 🇮🇸

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

I kept trying to make Iceland familiar: the rocky coast reminded me of Maine, the lush green of Ireland, the arid volcanic areas of New Mexico and Arizona. But the truth is, I'd never seen a place like it.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Still savoring Iceland—not only the memories and relationships that deepened, but the new perspectives that came from seeing unfamiliar things and familiar things in completely new contexts. Over the next week, I'm going to unpack a few of the lessons I brought home. 🇮🇸

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

Taking a few minutes to read, listen to the rain dancing on the sunroom roof, and remembering why I must keep writing.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is disappear for a minute. Long pauses. Deep work. Salt air. Perspective. This weekend reminded me that clarity rarely comes from pushing harder. It comes from creating enough space to hear yourself again. 🌊 #DeepWork #Leadership #Reset #Growth

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

The celebration, the disappointment, the loyalty, the hope — all of it is part of what makes sports, teams, and community meaningful. Grateful for the memories, the perspective, and the amazing people I got to share it with. Game 2 awaits. Go Canes. ❤️🖤

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

And maybe most importantly — there is always another opportunity ahead. Another game. Another chance to regroup, reconnect, and rise again. There was something powerful about watching people experience both the highs and the hard moments together.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Sometimes the losses teach you just as much as the wins do — maybe even more. They remind you how much heart, grit, and belief it takes to keep showing up. One difficult game does not define the season. One setback does not erase the progress, the passion, or the purpose.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Yes, it was a hard loss for the Hurricanes — but there was also something deeply inspiring about witnessing it all in real time. It reminded me that even the best teams, the strongest people, and the most talented leaders can have hard days and still be thriving.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Last night reminded me why sports matter so much more than the scoreboard. Watching Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals with friends, surrounded by the energy, hope, disappointment, and resilience of the moment, was something I will never forget.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Remembering with gratitude today. May we continue creating systems and communities that support health, dignity, and belonging.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

As someone who works at the intersection of health, leadership, and systems, I’m continually reminded that caring well for people requires us to see the full context of their experiences, both visible and invisible.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Today, I’m reflecting on the individuals and families whose lives have been forever shaped by service and sacrifice. Memorial Day reminds us not only to honor those who died serving our country, but also to consider the lasting impact of service on health, identity, families, and communities.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

The kind of space that feels both grounding and expansive at the same time. And maybe the most meaningful part is the uninterrupted time. Real conversations. Laughter. Presence. The kind that reminds you how rare and special these moments are. These days are a gift. 🤍

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

There’s something about New Mexico—the vast skies, the quiet strength of the land, the way the light settles differently here that invites me to slow down and really see. Tucked inside my friend Marlyn’s home, I’ve found the coziest corner to write, think, create and work remotely.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

Austin ✔️ Albuquerque loading I am so excited I can hardly stand it!!

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

The questions, the stories, the connection. This work matters. Deeply. Also… Austin did not disappoint 🌅 A beautiful night on Lake Travis for dinner and a sunset. Thank you, Kenyatta Hazelwood, for an unforgettable invitation. #TraumaCon #NurseLeader #HealthEquity #SpeakerLife #AustinTexas

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 17/04/2026

25 years ago, I was working in the ER. This week—I returned in a different way. I had the honor of keynoting TraumaCon 2026 with the Society of Trauma Nurses and sharing: “In an Instant: How Nurses Shape Disability, Identity, and Outcomes.” The conversations after the talk? Powerful!!

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

Rainy-morning reminder 🌧️ Rest is not a reward we earn after doing everything — it’s part of how we stay well, creative, and grounded. This morning I’m leaning into it: still in bed, rain tapping the windows, reading, letting my body, heart, and mind catch up. No rushing. No productivity contest.

Image of a bed with a large window beside and rain visible outside. In front of the bed is it a small mahogany desk, with a chair and a lam, with a mirror on the wall beside it.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

What’s your one word for 2026? Save this. Reflect on it. Come back to it mid-year. Words matter—especially the ones we choose to live by. #HealthIsNotOptional #StillnessAndStrategy #OptimizingHealth #CreateYourLife

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

If you’re curious about how this philosophy shows up in my coaching and consulting work through Optimizing Health Collaborative, drop the word CREATE in the comments and I’ll share more. And now I want to hear from you 👇

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

Not doing more. Doing what’s aligned. Working smarter, not louder. ✨ Creation doesn’t have to be chaotic. ✨ It can be intentional. ✨ It can be sustaining.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

That may sound like a lot. But here’s the truth: these aren’t optional. This is my work. And it’s essential to my long-term health, purpose, and goals. So I’m choosing to create differently. That means practicing stillness. Honoring rest. Listening closely—so I know which actions actually matter.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

My One Word for 2026: CREATE. Create new research. Create offerings that truly serve through my coaching and consulting work. Create deeper relationships—personally and professionally. Create space to prioritize my own health. #OneWord2026 #CreateWithIntention #LeadershipWithHeart

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Yes!!!! And hopefully it includes a meet up with a policy walk and talk!

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Yes!!!! And hopefully it includes a meet up with a policy walk and talk!

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Here’s to remembering. Here’s to the brave “what if we…” And here’s to 2026.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

More details coming very soon. In the meantime, check out my post from yesterday for my first offering for individuals who are ready to discover (or rediscover) what they are made to create — and the contributions they are uniquely equipped to make.

michellescotton.com

Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, APRN

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Since then, I’ve been working behind the scenes on my website 2.0 and new offerings focused on optimizing health, creativity, and leadership. The new website reveal is coming soon—but until then, you can still connect with me right here or through michellescotton.com.

michellescotton.com

Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, APRN

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

This is the power of coaching and consulting. ✨ Powerful conversations that help us remember ✨ Support to do it well ✨ Space to see the broader vision of how it fits into our lives In October 2025, I founded my coaching and consulting business, Optimizing Health Collaborative, PLLC.

michellescotton.com

Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, APRN

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

And just like that, I remembered. This moment at the Dolphin Research Center in Marathon, Florida wasn’t just a bucket-list experience. It was a reminder of what becomes possible when someone helps you pause, reflect, and say yes to what you actually want.

michellescotton.com

Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, APRN

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

Last day of 2025. A remembering. 🐬 I had always wanted to swim with and kiss a dolphin. And somehow… I forgot. Not because it didn’t matter. But because life gets full. Responsibilities pile up. Dreams get quiet. Then a friend made a simple invitation — a “what if we…”

Female with brown hair kissing Summer thr dolphin on her nose.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

It’s about remembering what’s already there. ✨ Limited space ✨ This will fill quickly ✨ Launching in January If you’d like more information, DM me your email and I’ll make sure you’re the first to know. 🌿

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

Creativity didn’t make my life easier. It made it truer. This January, I’m launching Optimizing Creativity Collaborative—a small, guided virtual experience. We’ll meet on Zoom every other week for 12 weeks to reflect, process, and reconnect—together. This is not about doing more.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

I committed to the full 12-week journey. Four years later, I cannot overstate the transformation it sparked in my life. Morning Pages remain a steady anchor. Artist Dates still matter. And my belief in the power of creativity—as a way of living, leading, and listening to myself—has only deepened.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 30/12/2025

✨ Optimizing Creativity Collaborative ✨ A guided creative and leadership journey through The Artist’s Way Four years ago, I pulled The Artist’s Way off a shelf at my favorite bookstore—Buxton Village Books. I didn’t have a plan. I just felt something in me asking for space.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Just space to rest, reflect, and breathe. That kind of quiet matters to me—and I’m making room for more of it. What about you? What’s one good thing you want to carry forward into 2026?

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

Instead of asking what needs to change, I’m asking something softer—and more powerful: What is one positive experience I want to intentionally replicate in 2026? For me, it’s taking time just for me. A slow getaway. No caretaking. No accommodating. No managing anyone else’s needs.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 29/12/2025

This week I am in Buxton, on Hatteras Island, North Carolina—a place that invites me to slow all the way down. As the year closes, I’m taking time to reflect on what’s been, thoughtfully plan for what’s ahead, and get quiet enough to hear myself again.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

Sunday ritual: Local bookstore. Writing. One beautiful home design book to slow my mind. Today it was The Principles of Pretty Rooms—and suddenly I was dreaming up the living room of my future beach house 🌊 What inspires or relaxes you? And can you give yourself a few minutes of it today?

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

I’m grateful to my colleagues and collaborators who made this work possible. 📄 www.pcori.org/sites/defaul... How might you or your organization incorporate person-centered approaches in research and care? Let me know if you would like to discuss

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

People with IDD and their families have historically been excluded from many areas of health research. This roadmap is a step toward changing that — ensuring that voices of people with lived experience are central in the research process.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 04/09/2025

Thrilled to share that I co-authored “A Roadmap for Accelerating Research in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities using PCORnet” with an incredible group of experts from across the US. And I’ll be able to share another update on this work soon!!! 📄 www.pcori.org/sites/defaul...

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

4 years ago today, I shared this image of Hatteras OBX and wrote: “No rain, no rainbows. Cloudy days always close and lead to sun-filled tomorrows. So I will continue to practice sitting in the present with all it includes… so I can see tomorrow even more clearly and fully alive.” 💜 Still true.

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 04/06/2025

Please join us next Tuesday to hear our PCORI project finding and learn from incredible North Carolina and National Disability Advocates about advancing health research with the IDD community. It is free and open to everyone. Register here duke.is/7/nr6b

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Michelle Scotton Franklin, PhD, RN, PMHNP, FNP @michellescotton.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

It’s a beautiful, quiet night on campus. And this view of the #dukechapel never grows old. #foreverduke

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