Nurse Blake is a well-known figure in the comedy world. He has recently set the stage on fire with his appearance at Netflix Is A Joke Fest 2024, sharing the spotlight with comedy legends like Chelsea Handler and Trevor Noah. This talented comedian, who once worked as a critical care nurse, has been captivating audiences with his hilarious and genuine performances.
Blakeâs Shock Advised Comedy Tour has been a resounding success thanks to his unique blend of humor and personal anecdotes. The Florida nativeâs journey to becoming a professional comedian â which began by posting viral social media content as a way of coping with the stress of his nursing job – has been marked by challenges and triumphs, including his experiences as a gay man and his efforts to overcome trauma. As a survivor of conversion therapy, Blake is now a proud advocate for the LGTBTQ+ community and was recently honored as a Disruptor for change on OUT Magazineâs coveted OUT100 list.
In addition to his successful comedy career, Blake has also made a significant impact on the nursing community. He is the founder of NurseCon at Sea, an annual conference that brings together thousands of nurses from around the world. This event provides a platform for nurses to connect, learn, and celebrate their profession while enjoying fun in the sun and entertainment from special performances by beloved queens from RuPaulâs Drag Race.
In this interview, Blake will discuss his recent appearance at Netflix Is A Joke Fest, the origins of NurseCon at Sea, and his experience as a comedian and a nurse. His insights and humor are sure to entertain and inspire our readers.
Can you share a bit more about your background and upbringing? What was your childhood like?
Blake: I grew up in Orlando, Florida, in a healthcare-oriented household. My dad was a respiratory therapist, and my mom worked as a medical sales rep, so healthcare was always part of our daily conversations. I remember them sharing stories from their work, and that sparked my initial interest in the medical field.
What inspired you to choose nursing as your career path?Â
Blake: To be honest, I never even considered another careerânursing was always it for me. I mean, why wouldnât I choose a job where I get to be around people, problem-solve, and wear glorified pajamas all day? Plus, where else can you say âI love helping peopleâ while simultaneously wondering if youâll have time to pee during your 12-hour shift? Nursing was a perfect match from the startâhealthcare stories were dinner table conversations in my house. So, I figured, why not jump in and create some stories of my own.
How did you go from nursing to comedy? What led to this pursuit of both careers?
Blake: I definitely didnât get into nursing to end up doing comedy. In nursing school, they taught me how to insert IVs, not how to tell jokes! But after one especially rough shift, I had a major panic attack and realized I was completely burnt out. I needed an outletâsome way to connect with others who were going through the same struggles. So, I started making videosâjust little skits that I thought only other nurses would find funny. To my surprise, those videos blew up, and I realized there were so many nurses out there who needed to laugh and feel seen. One thing led to another, and before I knew it, I was doing stand-up, combining my love for nursing and humor in a way I never imagined.Â
Tell us about your experience performing at Netflix Is A Joke Fest 2024. What was that like?
Blake: The Netflix Is A Joke Festival was incredible! Being included in the lineup with so many talented comedians, many of whom Iâve looked up to, was surreal. The energy was electric, and I had the chance to introduce nursing humor to a whole new audience. It was also validating for me as a comedianânot just a nurse who tells jokesâbecause it showed me that humor can bridge gaps and make people from all walks of life connect and laugh together. Plus, it was great to highlight the nursing profession at such a major comedy festival.
How are you feeling about resuming your Shock Advised Comedy Tour? Are you excited to get back on stage?
Blake: Iâm beyond excited to get back on stage! The Shock Advised Comedy Tour is like a reunion for me and the nursing community. I love seeing the laughter, energy, and camaraderie among the audience members. After taking some time to recharge, I feel more ready than ever. Itâs going to be a blast, and I canât wait to be back in theaters with hundreds of WILD nurses.
What can the audience expect from your upcoming shows? What can you tell us about the content and style of your comedy?
Blake: Expect a lot of laughs, stories you can relate to, and, of course, a bit of roasting! My comedy is all about the nursing worldâthe highs, the lows, and the hilarious in-betweens. I talk about the things that all nurses think but donât say, so thereâs a lot of âOMG, thatâs so true!â moments. Itâs a mix of stand-up, storytelling, and interactive segments where the audience becomes part of the show. I always say itâs the ultimate nurse night out, and I aim to deliver just that!
Let’s discuss NurseCon. How did you come up with the idea for this project? What was your inspiration?
Blake: NurseCon started because I wanted to create a space where nurses could come together, learn, and have fun. After attending traditional conferences and seeing how boring they could be, I thought, âWhy canât we mix education with entertainment?â Thatâs where the idea of NurseCon at Sea was bornâa nursing conference on a cruise ship! Itâs not just about getting continuing education hours; itâs about creating a memorable experience where nurses can recharge, network, and have an awesome time. Seeing the impact it has had on our community has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
What are your plans for after the Shock Advised Comedy Tour ends? Do you have any other projects or ventures in mind?
Blake: Iâve always got a few things cooking! After the tour, Iâm excited to focus more on expanding NurseCon, especially with our land-based events. I also want to dive into more content creation, possibly a new podcast where I can connect with nurses and healthcare professionals on a deeper level. Plus, Iâm always brainstorming new ways to blend comedy and nursing. I canât share too many details yet, but letâs just say Iâve got some ideas that I think the nursing community is really going to love!Â
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