Peace & Prosperity Podcast
In the Peace & Prosperity Podcast, Jason Phillips, licensed therapist and life coach, shares personal experiences that force you to think deeply about your values, beliefs, and behaviors to ensure you achieve peace, happiness, and success in your life.
Peace & Prosperity Podcast
Balancing Life and Work: A Nurse's Story with Isaac Steen - Episode #77
The Peace & Prosperity Podcast is a bi-weekly conversation with Jason Phillips, LCSW, licensed therapist and confidence expert in Raleigh, NC, discussing all things related to self-love and self-confidence, and how we can improve ourselves personally and professionally.
What does it take to thrive in the high-stakes world of nursing? Join Jason for an insightful conversation with his cousin Isaac, a registered nurse with 17 years of ICU experience. From community mental health to mastering MICU, neurotrauma, and surgical ICU, Isaac shares the pivotal moments that shaped his career, offering encouragement to those navigating healthcare challenges.
We also tackle workplace mental health, the power of a strong support system, and strategies for managing high-functioning anxiety. Tune in for practical insights, and don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe—let us know what topics you’d love to hear next!
To stay connected with Jason and learn about coaching, connect with Jason on social media:
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Visit Jason's website for a consultation:
Website -https://www.jasonlphillips.com
To book Jason to speak to your team or organization:
https://peaceprosperitycoaching.hbportal.co/public/660d8068c9d2d600253b215b/1-Inquiry
Welcome to another episode of the Peace and Prosperity Podcast. I got somebody special in here today. Y'all Got my real blood cousin Isaac.
Speaker 2:Sting what up cuz hey, what's up, man, Good seeing you Good seeing you. Happy Thanksgiving.
Speaker 1:Right, right, right. So, before we get into it, man, I'm excited to have you on the podcast for a number of reasons. One, you're the first family member on the podcast. But second, man, your story, what you've been able to accomplish, how you've been able to accomplish everything in your profession as a registered nurse, like, we're going to get into all of that, because my story, you know, I got a little background in health care, right, right, like, as far as like physical or medical health care, but you, you took it much further and beyond. So, man, just really happy to have you here. Thank you, I appreciate that.
Speaker 1:I appreciate it's good to be here introduce yourself, like let everybody know who you are.
Speaker 2:My name's Isaac. I am an RN. I've been in the healthcare field for about 17 years, started off right out of high school and just went into it and just never looked back. So as far as my resume go, I've been in ICU setting. I've been in the med-surg, setting All of the ICUs MICU, neurotrauma ICU, surgical ICU and I floated all over the hospital in different settings and it really just take a lot of joy and I take a lot of. Really, for me it's an honor to just be able to just take care of patients, because you just got to do what you love and I really enjoy what I do and being in healthcare has been very rewarding for me and managing patients, taking care of patients, have been very rewarding for me and I'm happy to do it and happy to keep doing it. And as long as I'm able to do it, I'm going to keep doing it. Yes, sir.
Speaker 1:Yes, sir, so let's get into it. So I know you are in now, but that's not where you started, correct? Where did you?
Speaker 2:start. I started in community mental health, working in group homes, and in group homes it's usually those who are born with a disability and it's more so a mental, mental disability, that we, that I, took care of and I did that with a number of years uh, because I actually we did it together yeah, right, right, that's all we, we did it together.
Speaker 1:You know, you got me a job there in 06, I believe I think it was 06, 2006. I worked there, man, and cause you were already working there, you told me to go up there and they hired me and I mean, that was a different experience, y'all.
Speaker 2:You know, working in healthcare, you know it's different as a therapist, but actually as a patient care technician or a home health aid, we were hands-on, we were hands-on, I think, yeah, we were hands-on and I feel like that's the best experience too you're able to get and further gain and for me, having that the physical and the emotional and just being there and having a sense of understanding of where I'm going with being able to assist these patients, it really helps out and it makes me understand because I can read a book and I can get the clinical portion of it and the knowledge and the book smart portion of it. But without that hands-on experience to physically be able to help a patient, then a lot of people they don't know it's more like they get the books and having that physical part of it it definitely makes a world of a difference.
Speaker 1:So you started at the home health aid or patient care technician. We were passing medications, we were cleaning, we were doing a lot of you know, direct care with with the patients. Now what led you to say I want to continue to work with people and help people, but in a different capacity.
Speaker 2:I just I wanted more, like I wanted more. I wanted to do more for people, even though I was doing the direct care with patients, which I'm still doing. But I feel like I wanted the knowledge. I wanted the knowledge. I wanted to help people on a different level, like I wanted to be able to have my own autonomy, and usually in the ICU, that's what you get and it was something that just kind of filled out for me. I mean, it was one of those things where I had the opportunity and I had to do so and that's what I did so.
Speaker 1:The reason, one of the reasons why I wanted to have you on is because you have a unique journey from you know, as far as your career in healthcare. I feel like people who are listening, who may be at the either the nurse's assistant stage, the patient care technician stage. They may aspire to become a registered nurse too, but may feel like, well, I'm too old or it's a lot of schooling. Where do I find the time? Like, did you run into any of those obstacles or how did that work for you?
Speaker 2:I did. One was finding the time. That was like another hurdle, because we all have our lives that we have to live. We have kids we have to do, we have bills we have to pay and we have a job we have to work, and that was a real struggle for me. So I had to literally make time for this and I told myself, like I have to make time, I feel like if you focus on what you want to do in life and you really focus hard and you follow your dream, you'll get there. You will get there. So it was a struggle. It definitely was a struggle. Making the time was a struggle. Getting into the program, I mean to schooling, making time for school, that will that's another thing, I mean.
Speaker 2:I mean you just have to just keep going at it. Don't give up. Follow your dreams. If you want to do something, don't give up. If you're an age age is a number I've been in school with people who are in their 50s who want to go to school for nursing, and they followed their dreams. If you have a passion for the healthcare profession and you want to do this, do it Like it's there. It's your calling. If your passion is there, I was like the dream and everything will follow.
Speaker 1:Like, just you know, do it. So yeah, let me put some context around it, because we're the same age 38. You've been at RM for how long I've been in RM? For about four years. Four years so when we were home health aides or patient care techs, we were making $8 and $8 and 35 cents. So you know like we can laugh at it now, but your check wasn't really good unless you worked doubles or sometimes triples and you definitely wanted to work a holiday. We're coming off a holiday now. We like now we try to, you know, not work a holiday or black ops. No, no, no, no. Back then we were trying to work a holiday so we can get the triple time or the double time, so that we can have a decent check. So when you think about putting in that work, so you cause you worked all the way through through school, right, did you take off or how did that? How did that look for you?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I worked all the way through school. They, they said that you were not supposed to work or you're supposed to decrease your hours, but there was no way. I mean, because the nursing program is very, very demanding. It's demanding of you and I can see why they tell you not to work or pretty much decrease your hours. But it was a struggle to kind of get through there and like, like, like you said, like when there was ever a shift that was like a holiday, I wanted to pick up those shifts for the holidays because I needed the extra cash, because I had to pay for school and I had to pay for food, like it was. I mean, it was a struggle, like it really was a struggle financially. I didn't have it. That's why I worked and it I struggled all the way through financially for nursing school.
Speaker 1:Man, because you went to nursing school. We're from Michigan, you still live in Michigan, but you went to school the first time was it in Ohio. Where were you at? Because I remember you had a commute.
Speaker 2:So yeah, the first school it was in Moreau. It was probably maybe 30 minutes okay from ohio, maybe a little bit less, maybe 20 or so, and it was a nice commute. I would commute from flint all the way to morrow to go to school because I lived in grand, grand, blank, right, okay, so you and so it was. It was a nice little drive, but that's that determination, like I, I, that's something I wanted, that I was passionate about, but it definitely was a commute.
Speaker 1:Man, do you remember any times where you were like before you either got into nursing school or during nursing school, where you wanted to give up?
Speaker 2:Yes, it was. I think it's been times where I didn't have any money. I was broke, I didn't have any money. I wanted to just stop and be like, nope, I don't want to do it. I just wanted to just work so I can pay for things.
Speaker 2:But I found a way that you know, I was taking, like cash loans out to buy food and put gas in my vehicles to get back and forth to school, and I knew there was a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow. So I felt like if I just keep going at it, eventually I'll reach that pot of gold, man. So you was broke, broke, I was broke broke, I didn't have. When I tell you I was broke, my account was like in a negative and I was taking loans out to cover that balance in my account until my next paycheck, which was a small paycheck because I couldn't really work much because I had to go to school Monday through Friday almost, and so it was a struggle, just kind of like putting food on the table and you know gas and you know paying bills.
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Speaker 2:No, I didn't tell anybody, because one I guess I felt that I was ashamed to really tell people that financially I didn't have it, because being a man, you're supposed to be able to help and provide and do things on your own and stand on your own two feet. And now I look back at it, I wish I would have said a little bit more. But I have family, my dad. He probably would have helped out, but I wanted to do it on my own. I wanted to be like, okay, you can do this, you can do this. And so I just pushed forward and I look for other financial opportunities to be able to pay the bills that needed to be paid.
Speaker 1:Man, that's a good point. You know, as men, we go through stuff and we don't let people know. We don't like to let people know. We need that support. What kept you going? Like was there a person, or like inspiration, like what kept you going? I mean you were going through a lot.
Speaker 2:Well, yeah, it was. You know, god, among other things, you know that that was one. God, among other things, you know that was one and I had my dad and my family and Minerva, which is my long-term girlfriend. She definitely was there for me through all of it, through the difficult times, through the struggles, through the emotional stress. She was there to kind of help, support and yeah, she did a lot for me and I'm really appreciative of that and that kept me moving. That kept me on my feet.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I know many. She's wonderful and having a partner there for you makes the world of difference Real quick. Let's talk about some of the emotional challenges that you may have went through during that time where you were in school and how having that support helped you.
Speaker 2:So being in school it's always stressful because they put a lot on you, especially in nursing school, because nursing school you're pretty much managing people's lives.
Speaker 2:So having to take home with you and you having all this stress and you also dealing with the stressors at home, like I said, you have your bills you have to pay, you have food you have to put on the table, and all of that in one is just to me it was a lot to handle. It was to the point where I'm like something has to give. But knowing that I had Minerva in my corner, it definitely helped out a lot Because even though I didn't have much and she was working to help out as much as she could, it definitely helped me come a long way from where I was to where I am now. She was the kind of like the rock to kind of lean on, to kind of help move me through the difficult times and the challenges, especially in nursing school. And I feel bad because she's seen the stress that I was under and she know the 12 hours that I was in the basement and.
Speaker 2:I was almost isolated in a corner, but I had to do it because I had to study and then I'll come out and I was tired and it was always, and it was things that would happen around the house if something would break or something would flood and I would have to fix it. So that's another stressor added on top of what I was already going through. But she kind of made way and she kind of did the lead work for me when I needed the things to get done and it helped out a lot. So having that support system and having that emotional support person that's there for you, it helps out a lot, man.
Speaker 1:I'm so glad you mentioned that. Like one of my friends from college, he always talked about how he needs some support going through school and working. And he was dead serious and you know, being married Carol's an excellent support. Like having that support man.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, Helps a lot.
Speaker 1:Definitely. So I want to fast forward. So you go through. You know the grueling nursing program, but then there were challenges throughout the nursing program, right?
Speaker 2:oh yeah, oh yeah, definitely, oh yeah like talk, to just pick one of the challenges outside of the financial challenges, but like in the program that you had to get over or hurdle through, I think one of which are it's to me, I feel like, if, oh, it's so to me, I feel like, if, oh, it's so many, but one that I would have to say would probably be my classmates, and that's one you're like classmate. What do you mean classmates? Well, I'm the.
Speaker 2:I was the type of guy in nursing school that if I got a subject that I had to work on with a group and we had a deadline to complete it, I wanted to be the one to just get that subject out of the way. I would do my research, I would write up my I'll find my articles I would write up my paper and I would have my portion of it done. The problem I had the hurdle I had with it is trying to find the. My teammates who were with me on this project complete theirs within a reasonable time so that we can put it all together and view it before the deadline.
Speaker 2:Well, that didn't happen until where it was maybe like a day before the deadline, and I felt, though I was one of the people who was completing their project on top of mine's as well, so I was doing other people work. So that was one hurdle. It was like working with people when you wanted something done. It's you know the old saying if you want something done, do it yourself.
Speaker 2:But, then I feel like if I'm doing it for them, then I'm giving them that good grade. But I look at it you have to do what you have to do in order to pass, and that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to get past it. So that was a hurdle and obstacle I had to overcome, and you know. I made, do what needed to be done, and it was tough, yeah, so you.
Speaker 1:So let's fast forward. So then you graduate nursing school and now you get a chance to start working in the field. Yes, but during that time. So you graduate nursing school and now you get a chance to work in the field, but during this time COVID hits. Yes, so you become a brand new nurse right in the like. Did you, did you start in the hospital right at COVID, like, how did that work? What did it look like?
Speaker 2:during COVID I did. It was one of those things where I thought do I want to do? I even want to be a nurse at this point? Is this this?
Speaker 1:something.
Speaker 2:I want to do. And I started right in the hospital. I was already in the ICU unit working before I was even a nurse working as a nurse tech, so I already had the experience and I already knew the layout. So when I got into, when I finished nursing, before I even took my boards, I was a registered nurse.
Speaker 2:So, I didn't even take an exam. They just gave me a license to practice nursing and that's what I did. So I hit the ground running and it was an experience I won't forget. It was especially dealing with the unknown and COVID at the time COVID-19 at the time was unknown.
Speaker 1:So you were in the thick of it In Michigan, which was one of the states that they got hit the hardest. Oh yeah, like I I still hear about it today where y'all were getting burnt out. Like I was talking to a friend of mine. She said you know when you would get home, you burn your clothes, not burn your clothes. Take off your clothes, uh, leave them at the door. Were you doing any of that?
Speaker 2:for for me uh yes, I was I was. I have a detached garage, so what I would do is I would I would get take off all the clothes, all the way to my underwear and it was cold at that time.
Speaker 1:Right, I would go from.
Speaker 2:I would go from my garage to my house, directly into the shower, the shower up, and all my items I had with me, from a cell phone to wallet, I would spray that down with disinfect spray, because it was like I said, it was the unknown, we didn't know. So, yeah we, we did some extreme things just to be, uh, protected and then.
Speaker 1:But you also went into like travel nursing kind of pretty soon too, didn't you? I did, I did, I.
Speaker 2:December of 2020 is when I actually did the travel. Nursing it was. I had the opportunity, it was one of those lucrative opportunities and I decided to take it man.
Speaker 1:So this is where you figured out, like you know, what it was worth it is, that when it clicked, or when was it for you when you said this is it was worth it all the stress and anxiety?
Speaker 2:I think it clicked right. It clicked when I got that first travel page it wasn't 8, 35 an hour, no more that's right, it wasn't 8 $8.35 an hour. It definitely clicked and like. I said if you do what you love, it comes naturally, so for me. I love what I was doing, so it came naturally. So, financially, the money, the compensation came naturally to me and so it was really good. The travel nurse was really good to me and I, you know, I met new friends, I got experience to travel. Everything was good.
Speaker 1:Nursing was good, so speak to. I know we have some people listening man like that, are like struggling, they want more for themselves. They've been in the field for a while, Like you've been in the field for a while but they're not sure how to take that next step. What would you say to that person?
Speaker 2:Just keep going. Don't stop. If there's resources available, I would utilize those resources. Don't give up. Keep going. Utilize those resources. If you keep pushing at it, eventually something will fall in place, and it will. I mean me. I used every single resource that I could find possible to accomplish what I accomplished and it helped out a lot, even if it's from a family member or a loved one who's willing to help you take that next step. And if your heart is in there in nursing, you'll definitely get it.
Speaker 1:So use those resources there in nursing, you'll definitely get it, so use those resources. So, before we wrap up, I want to ask you to break this down real quick Resume. I want you to break down from where you started, at Home Lifestyles, we can say you don't have to give all the details of where you work, but just the titles up to where you are now.
Speaker 2:Right. So I started off Home Lifestyles, which is group homework. I went from group homework, which is a personal care attendant or assistant, to a home health aide working at a home care service. I went from home care service to doing a private duty. I did a private duty for a number of years and in between there I still was a little undecisive. I did a little dental assisting on the side, but it was still with patient care, never giving up my home healthcare work because I worked multiple jobs. From there I went into a nursing assistant program, I went into an LPN program and I went into an RN program. Now I am an RN, so I never dropped the ball. I kept it rolling.
Speaker 1:And throughout that time you graduated. We are fellow graduates from a university of Michigan yes, so I mean it was a lot. Graduates from uh university of michigan yes, that's right. So I mean it was a lot. It was a lot. We could be all all day, man, cuz, man, I love you cuz. I love you too, cuz, and really appreciate you, man taking the time out. We don't get a chance to talk much because you always at work, but that's why I had to have you on and definitely will have you back y'all.
Speaker 1:if you need a nurse, I don't know, isaac is busy but, I'm trying to talk to him about, you know, carving some time out for some consultations or something of that nature. So just feel free to stay close to the page and I'll put all this information in the show notes. Thank y'all, be blessed. Thanks, guys. Thank you all for listening to another episode of the Peace and Prosperity podcast.
Speaker 1:Again, if you are feeling like, hey, I'm experiencing high functioning anxiety, don't beat yourself up about it. It is OK. We all experience anxiety from time to time, and I gave you a couple of things that you can do on your own, and I gave you a couple of things that you can do on your own, but don't hesitate to reach out to a professional to better manage what you're going through. Ok, and lastly, make sure, if you have not like share, subscribe to the podcast and send this out to a friend, and if you want to hear certain episodes or have certain conversations, let me know. You can shoot me a DM or just leave a review and I will definitely follow up. All right, y'all be blessed, peace.