How's Your Balance?

I'm fortunate to be here with someone I have the pleasure of working with every day, who has mastered the art of balancing her work with her personal life. Her name is Brooklyn Roush, and she has been with Liberty Hospital for five years. She is a nurse manager, overseeing the clinical nursing resource pool. She is married and she and her husband share a five-year-old son.

REGENIA: Brooklyn, I'd like to welcome you to our podcast today, and I'd like for you to just tell us a little bit about yourself. What brought you into nursing? What brought you into leadership and how do you think you are accomplishing a work-life balance?

BROOKLYN: Work-life balance is an ever-changing thing, and healthcare is ever-changing. It ebbs and flows all the time. I'm always learning ways to balance it, but I enjoy sharing what I do to help others find balance in their own lives. I have definitely improved my own work-life balance, but I have a long way to go, and I am constantly learning about it.

REGENIA: I remember one of our first conversations. We talked about how many hours you worked this week, how and when you see your family and if you ever take any downtime. You've done so much work since then trying to find that balance. Can you walk us through some of the trials and tribulations you experienced while finding that little bit of balance?

BROOKLYN: I was working with a team that I knew, but it was my first time leading them. When that happens, I think you need to invest time in getting to know your staff, even though it takes away from your family time. It's really important. Having a supportive leader who recognizes the importance of this, as well as a great leadership team, has been crucial. If I need help, I know I can rely on one of them.

REGENIA: That really is helpful. With the team we work with, everyone is ready to jump in and help the other. We know that health care is often incredibly busy. Sometimes, our volume drops down, and it's not quite as busy.

We're able to take some downtime to really fill our souls again outside of work. And I'm one of those who gets so fulfilled from the work that I do. I get to talk with the patients who entrust their lives to us and with the nurses who provide them care.

When I talk to the nurses, I just feel so much energy because the work they do is remarkable. I am always astonished by the work that happens within a hospital. And it's not only nursing; it's all of the different professions that come together and make a really tough time for a patient better—or as good as it could possibly be.

And our leadership team does that for each other as well. I'm on the other side of the work-life balance struggle because my children are grown, and I don't have little ones in the house. You do, however, have a little guy in your house. What kind of conversations do you have with him when you come in late from work or you're getting ready to go to work?

BROOKLYN: Although we're talking about work-life balance, I recently heard the term work-life integration. I liked it because when we think of balance, it's on a scale. Scales tip, and you know it needs to be a certain percentage or weight.

You often have work-life integration, so it's not necessarily having these hard-to-find lines. But how do you infuse it together to make it work? So, my son knows what I do at the hospital. As much as I contribute to my job, healthcare in general, our patients, and our team, it contributes just as much to me. It gives me a whole new perspective on life. And I enjoy the job that I do.

My son knows that Mommy gets to go to work. It's not something I have to do. I get to take care of people. We say hi to the hospital when we drive by. He knows what I do there. And he asks, hey, Mommy, who did you take care of today? It creates a meaning behind that. Then, when I look at my calendar, I try to be proactive. So, if I need to do some check-ins with night shift staff, I need to come in on the night shift. I try to be proactive in that.

So it's just about finding that balance. So, you know, Dad is going to put you down tonight, but Mommy will take you to the park after school tomorrow. We're going to have so much fun and have a picnic. It's just balancing it out as much as you can.

REGENIA: Sometimes, I would like to go on a picnic after work because it sounds like so much fun. Let's learn more about you, professionally speaking. What took you into nursing? What made you go into nursing, and what has kept you there? And then branching out from clinical care, patient care, and to leadership where you're able now to take care of the staff who are taking care of the patients. Can you walk us through that progression of your career?

BROOKLYN: I became a nurse because when I was about five, my mom had a significant injury that led to her being disabled. So, I was at the hospital a lot. I very much remember there were two nurses, both named Laurie, who worked in the pain clinic. And when my mom had frequent appointments there, they would dress me up in gloves and a stethoscope and call me Dr. Brooke. They just made an unpleasant time in my life much more enjoyable. Even when my mom was hospitalized, they would visit and take me out for smoothies. They were just remarkable.

I will never forget their impact on our family during that time, specifically me, who was young and didn't understand a lot. That was a moment when I was like, you know what? I want to do that. I want to care for people like that.  When my son was born, he had some health issues, and I experienced things from a different perspective. I'm his only advocate, and I was probably sometimes the patient that all the nurses didn't love to have because you see what vulnerability is like.

And that drove me to be a better nurse, to communicate things in a way that ensures that everybody understands that your patient's not just your patient. You have their family. But I've always come back to it being always worth it. It is very meaningful and something that I've always enjoyed despite the hard times.

REGENIA: Healthcare, in general, can be really challenging. There's this emotionality that happens, and you go home, and you're emotionally drained, and you can't put your finger on why, but it's just that constant pouring out to those in our care. When patients come into the hospital and become our patients, I frequently do trainings and teachings that seek to remember the person and the patient and the more we can get to know that person, the more relaxed they can be.

In a hospital where I have worked previously, we had a patient who was just sad. He was quiet and didn't have a lot to talk about. The staff called and asked if they would mind rounding with this person today. So, I went in later in the day, introduced myself, and said I wanted to ensure his care was exceptional. I wanted to make sure that's happening.

He said, yeah, yeah, yeah. Everything's been great. And I said, if you weren't a patient today in our hospital, what would you, the person, be doing instead? And he goes, I would be with my golden retriever dogs. Do you know that I breed golden retrievers, and I miss them? I want to get out of here to get back to what I'm doing.

He came to life talking about his golden retrievers and the business around that, how he trains them, and how he loves playing with them. The staff slowly started coming in because they heard this robust conversation coming out of the room. And it wasn't anything magical. It wasn't anything special that I did. Beyond asking, if you weren't here in the hospital today, what would you be doing?

And I think if sometimes we, anyone in health care, could take a step back and remember that these are individual people who are entrusting their lives to us, that if we take the time to get to know them just a little bit deeper, then their experience will be better. This goes back to the experience you just described with those nurses reaching out to you because they knew that this little girl was scared that her mom was hurting, and they made that a good memory as opposed to a bad memory.

I love that we can do that. We should take a moment to remember every opportunity we have. So, shifting, what do you get to do in healthcare that fills your cup and makes you feel like you're coming to life again?

BROOKLYN: I'm an early morning person, so I walk in the morning and get a cup of coffee. From the time I walk in, I am in the presence of people from all different disciplines. I look over staffing and connect with some of my nurses. I love the ability to chat with my nurses, whether it is work or personal things that they are trying to get through.

When you come to work as a nurse, you come as your whole person. And I take care of them and do what I can. Then, jumping on our daily huddle, we talk about our wins of the day. I love to hear that. We get to share stories about good things that happened in the hospital over the last 24 hours, and then I get to connect with my other coworkers and teammates to discuss different things.

Sometimes, we need to work on something challenging. I really enjoy ping-ponging ideas off of each other. I witness all kinds of compassion and people going above and beyond in the hospital, and I am cognizant of noticing those.

I know everyone's job duties and constantly see people go that extra step. For example, the patient likes Pepsi, but we don't carry it on the floor. So, that staff member went down and got a Pepsi from the cafeteria. I get to witness those and see a lot of good in people.

REGENIA: Some of my favorite experiences in a hospital setting are when high school seniors visit a family member in the hospital before prom. It's heartwarming to see the entourage of high schoolers dressed up and visiting their loved ones.

When someone arrives at the hospital dressed up in gowns and tuxedos for a special occasion like the prom, it's heartwarming to see how excited they are. The staff and the patient are thrilled by the visit, and it brightens the patient's day to see someone important to them show up to share the joy of the occasion.

We’ve had weddings in the hospital for a patient or their family member as a patient. So, we have had weddings, which I love watching. It invites us into a part of them that we otherwise wouldn't be able to see—that very deep, intimate part of them that we have the ability to be part of from time to time.

As we continue to evolve in healthcare and nursing, what do you see as the most significant challenges we face? And how do you envision navigating these challenges while still maintaining a healthy balance between your professional and personal life?

Brooklyn: As you mentioned earlier, we are a 24/7 industry. Nursing is facing a shortage, so many of our nurses are working extra shifts. I often have a conversation with my staff to express my appreciation for their hard work and check in on their well-being. I ask them if they need time off to rest and recharge if they are working extra shifts.

We encourage staff to take a moment if they need it. It's important to teach that self-care isn't just physical. It's more than getting a massage, taking a long shower or a hot bath. Now, don't get me wrong, I love those things. But there are also different types of self-care, both physical and spiritual.

There are all these different kinds of self-care that we don't really think about. Has it been too long since you've called a relative on the phone? Or has it been too long since you've gotten to feel the sunshine and enjoy the warmth? For me, I know there are several things that I need to consider for my self-care.

I need to be outside, get fresh air, and enjoy the sunshine. It's about identifying what helps fill you up and then making the time for it. I know I'm not the only one who loves sunshine, especially in the winter. When I do staff check-ins, I invite them for a walk around the gardens if they can come off the floor.

We go out for a walk and chat, and that has been just finding ways to work that in. So yes, it is very challenging. Healthcare is ever changing. I think that's a great thing about it. But I also think that it requires you to always be learning. So just stay up on what you can do to always be present as much as you can and refill your bucket.

REGENIA: During the COVID pandemic, both of us—and the rest of the world--faced challenging times, and it was extremely challenging for healthcare workers. We worked day and night and often had to stay on for long hours.

I remember being at the hospital. I worked for more than 24 hours at a time because the staff needed support, and I felt like they couldn't be left alone. They would leave a patient's room and break down because they didn't know how to help the person further after doing all they could.

Did healthcare workers do a decent job of caring for themselves and their families and finding ways to stay connected even during a pandemic? I don't think we did such a great job because we're such givers. After the pandemic, I'm concerned about the personal impact. How do you think the nursing and healthcare professions took care of themselves during the pandemic, and what improvements can we make moving forward?

BROOKLYN: We didn't do a great job. We're so aware of everyone else's needs. Nurses are givers, and we want to serve those around us. Identifying your own needs during that time was hard.

Nurses were slower to realize that COVID-19 was going away. Sometimes, we would overreact to things as if we were still in the midst of it. We reassured ourselves by saying, "It's going to be okay. There are more masks downstairs. It's not the last one in the box, you know?"

We should focus on supporting everyone wherever they are. Some could process their emotions in the moment, while others took six months. Some individuals may still encounter a COVID patient and be reminded of their experiences during that time, bringing back those feelings.

Just focus on teaching them to be self-aware and sensitive to the people around them. If you notice someone struggling or a coworker seems quiet, ask if everything is okay. By paying attention to those around you, you can build strong relationships.

We can continue to improve at this. We have a long way to go, and hopefully, they have a good support system. Nurses' families are just as important as the nurses because they're the ones who help take care of them when they're home.

And I'm lucky to have a family that supports me and a husband who says, "Hey, do you need a minute?" These are all really important things.

They say, if your airplane's going down, put your mask on first. It makes you think about how you show up when you're tired, hungry, and not at your best. Taking care of yourself is crucial so that you can show up as your best self, especially when you get home and want to have a relaxed conversation with someone. This helps you to be patient and put others at ease. It's really important to show up as your best self.

REGINA: You're absolutely right. So, what have you experienced, not just during the pandemic but throughout your career? What kind of things give you hope for the future? I know you did something else within healthcare before coming to Liberty Hospital. Could you elaborate on your previous role and how you achieved work-life integration?

BROOKLYN: Before I was at Liberty Hospital, I was the director of a surgery area and specialty clinics, which was a very demanding job. I really enjoyed it. My husband and I both had careers. He worked for the railroad, so he could typically be gone five or six days at a time.

We're both very independent people in jobs that we really enjoy. When my son had some health issues, I needed to resign from that position. But I was adamant that I did not want to stop working altogether because nursing does contribute to, you know, it fills my bucket. So, I wanted to go PRN and I'd heard great things about Liberty Hospital. I went on PRN and as my son continued to get better, I took a house supervisor position and then stayed in that role for a couple of years. And by then, my son was thriving and doing great, so I was able to step into a nurse manager position at Liberty—and I love it.

REGENIA: No matter what part of your life you're at, whatever phase of your life, healthcare fits because it's so robust. And you've mentioned that you went to PRN. How does that differ from working every day of the week or full-time? What does that mean to somebody considering going into healthcare as an option?

BROOKLYN: PRN means that you work as needed. I worked with my manager to set a schedule so my in-laws or dad could watch our son when I was working. That flexibility was great because we never had to find outside care, which he needed during that time. That made me feel like I could stay in nursing while being there for my family. Then I remember when I went into leadership, I did have a moment of, oh, my gosh, this is a lot.

I also felt responsible for making sure my employees had everything they needed. So, I had a moment of doubt. The responsibilities are different this time because we have our son. It's a lot to juggle. Ultimately, it came down to the fact that I love my career and I'm setting an example for my son. I never wanted to show him that you have to choose between your family or a career that you enjoy. I wanted to show him that it's possible to have both. So, you do have to prioritize. You have to think about what is most important to you, stick to those priorities and align your values with how you spend your time.

Sometimes, you have to prioritize. If you love having a pristine yard, you'll need to make some decisions. However, if you make those decisions thoughtfully, it becomes a matter of choice. You don't mow the lawn every three days, not because you're slacking, but because you've deliberately chosen to spend an extra night with your family during the week. So, I think that takes a lot of guilt away from being very deliberate about your time.

REGENIA: I have struggled with that same guilt throughout my career, and I am not exempt from it. Now, when I work long hours or am on the road a lot, I wonder if I'm slacking for the team I'm working with or for those at home.

Then, I think to myself that I take myself way too seriously. There are so many people and ways to meet everyone's needs. It's not all up to me.

And then, once I feel like I've fallen into that hole again, I deliberately climb out and purposefully do something goofy. I might take a spontaneous trip that I otherwise would not have done, watch a movie that I otherwise would not have taken the time to watch, or relentlessly harass my husband.

BROOKLYN: When you look at your time, instead of seeing one day as 24 hours, look at a week. A week has 168 hours. How did you spend that week? Did you work late four nights a week but were able to get off early Friday, and you had an uninterrupted weekend of family fun? Just looking at it that way helps me see a broader picture of how you can spend your time. But it can be easy to look at one day and think, I didn't get anything done today. But then you have another time in the week where you saw your family.

REGENIA: I love that. It's allowing yourself to see the bigger picture. Okay, Brooklynn, before we close, do you have a favorite story you can share, whether it's about this work-life integration or a favorite work story?

BROOKLYN: I'll go with a favorite work story. During COVID, only one person could come in for visits, and with the patient passing and the family member, we were making sure that we had everything in place so that they could have a last visit.

The really tough part about that was that family members didn't have support there with them at that time. So, I knew about the situation and was helping facilitate that. I could go up there with them in my house supervisor role. Before that, they hadn't seen their passing loved one in a couple of weeks, so I was able to talk them through what to expect, what to see and what they were going to see in the room.

I gave them the different PPE that they needed, explaining why that was important and describing what those moments would look like. Then, I could also hold that family member's hand while they held their loved one's hand because they needed that support. So those are just a few times that stood out to me, and I was so grateful to be able to step in.

And that is what we nurses are able to do: step in when people need it most. So, that has always stuck to me. I'm glad I could be there, that that patient could be there during that moment and that they had that time as a family.

REGENIA: That story demonstrated the art and compassion of nursing. Brooklyn, thank you so much for coming onto the podcast today and talking about the success you've found integrating your work and life balance. I appreciate your time and thank you so much for coming today and being part of this discussion with us.

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