Speaker: Teresa Taylor, Forensic Nurse Examiner
What was going on in your life and career that made you want to join NLCA?
Teresa Taylor: When I joined NLCA, I was a trauma program manager at a hospital I had worked at for 23 years. I'd known for several months at least, that I needed to move on to a new job. I didn't know what that was going to be, but I knew that there was more out there for me. I knew that there was a way that I could be impactful to the world, to Others lives in a way. That added to mine and didn't take away from mine. I knew that I could fill my own cup while Helping others. And I was just waiting. To Have the right thing come along. Um, I think that Um, I was in that state for a variety of reasons. One of them was definitely I was actively uh working through grief of the loss of my best friend and little brother Doug to suicide. And also with the changing landscape of healthcare and my organization, Uh, in the position I was in. It didn't allow me to live into my values, um, and And then I was numb. I was feeling numb, just doing the best I could to show up as best as I could, uh, to lead my team. Um, For the good of our community and our patients. Um, but it was a challenge, and it was taking a lot out of me to show up like that. As I had not heard of nurse life coaching before, and I think within a few weeks of hearing about it and looking into it, I signed up for the next cohort, um, not knowing. How I would use it, or exactly how that would fit in to What was next for me, but I just felt That it was a good fit. I I felt called um and pulled towards. Nurse life coaching. Um, as a way To connect. With people Um, Without having To sacrifice my values and authenticity.
How did you do with balancing your life and the coursework?
Teresa Taylor: Balance can be hard Um At times,
Teresa Taylor: I've done OK with balancing my life and the coursework. I, at first, was so excited to dive into the materials to learn, um, and, and really the content. I, I love, I loved it. Um, and so it wasn't difficult to balance even though I did have a lot going on and a lot of changes in my life at the time. Uh, however, I will say as time went on, and I ran into some parts of the coursework that, uh, maybe I was avoiding or or were more challenging for me for one reason or another, and, um, It became not as easy to balance those things. However, I will say that um the community within the academy has been very helpful uh to lean on and, and to see that I'm the only one having those challenges, um. And other challenges, and The support from that group, um, And just being OK with that and, and providing self-compassion and compassion to each other and encouragement, um. That just because it doesn't look exactly maybe like you thought it was going to look or your progress hasn't been exactly where you would have liked it to be, that doesn't mean that you're not doing it right or And that it wasn't meant to be, or any of those things. It just is, and that's OK. Um, uh. It It has been In and of itself, the challenges of balancing all of this, um, has been A lesson. And continues to be.
What do you see in your future as a nurse life coach?
Teresa Taylor: I don't know what my future looks like as a nurse's life coach. However, I do know that it will impact every part of my life moving forward, that it impacts me as a mom, as a daughter, as a friend, as a nurse, uh, as a wife. I will carry this with me, and it will absolutely impact. My connection, how I'm able to hold space with others. The ability to Listen And ask Impactful questions. And just be with other people. No matter how That shows up no matter what career I have, what career path is, um, it will be Part of that Being a nurse life coach means No matter what job I have or don't have, I will be affecting People positively.
How have you grown personally?
Teresa Taylor: Since being a part of this program, I, I don't think that I can even know all the ways that I have grown personally. And there have been several parts of the coursework that challenged me to examine uh parts of myself that I didn't know existed. Um, and and challenge those parts, uh, just kind of really dive in and more deeply understand myself, um, and what's going on behind the scenes there. Uh Additionally, In coaching. I have gained more confidence and Uh, quiet confidence, a different kind of knowing. Um, That I don't have to have the answers, the ability to Listen. And Be fully present. Without judgment. And to see the impact. That those things have on people. has been huge for me and, and that has been an area of self-growth. Mm. To realize that. You don't have to have the answers. I don't have to fix. To make a difference for someone. I think has, has been one of the biggest things for me.
What would you say to a nurse considering joining Nurse Life Coach Academy?
Teresa Taylor: I would say that nurse life coaching is not for everyone. It is. Um, Not for everyone at every time in their life. I would say to know that the coursework in nurse life coach Academy is A different kind of work than what you might be used to. It's a different kind of Intensity, the nursing school. Um, It's diving into yourself a little bit more, a lot of it, and that's not easy. And I would say to nurses considering joining Nurse Life Coach Academy. To try to listen to your heart. And Really listen. Maybe you Try to have a nurse life coach. Yeah for yourself a little. Uh, that might help you sort out whether it's the right time for you or this is the right path for you. That might help you. Just understand a little bit more what this looks like. And I hope that you can Um, move forward with this decision. With intention and with confidence that Um, you're doing what's right for you. At this moment in your life.
