In the modern service industry, particularly in healthcare, the heaviest burden often isn’t the physical exhaustion of a long shift, but the silent, constant pressure to manage one’s feelings. Nurses are expected to be more than just medical practitioners; they are comforters, listeners, and the primary guardians of a patient’s sense of safety. However, the warm smiles and gentle voices we encounter in the corridors don’t always reflect the person’s internal reality. A nurse might be feeling overwhelmed, heartbroken, or bone-tired, yet they must “put on a show” to maintain professional standards. This delicate balancing act is known as Emotional Labor.