Celeste M. Nau, CPXP’s Post

As I reflect on over eight months at Kaiser as a returning employee, I wanted to share my journey. Initially, I hesitated due to some lingering PTSD from my experiences at previous companies. Announcing a new job, meeting new coworkers, and embracing new experiences is always exciting, especially when you reach milestones that make you look forward to what’s next. However, I must acknowledge that many of my former colleagues have faced job loss after only a few months. With this in mind, I’d like to focus not on my tenure or past experiences but on how I’ve grown as a professional this past year. Returning to Kaiser, I anticipated some nostalgia and excitement about reuniting with old colleagues and the security of being in familiar territory. My career has largely been in corporate functions/G&A, but now, I find myself in the nurse leadership space. While I had some exposure to this area in the past, I didn’t have direct experience with those I had to lead, which presented a new challenge for me. Previously, although I understood our mission, I wasn’t deeply connected to it. My focus was on recruiting roles that ensured we could collect payments from members and provide resources for our employees. Now, I see that patient care is at the core of what I do. It’s crucial to hire the best people to support our employees, our members, and my own family. These past eight months have been filled with new experiences. I’ve found comfort in my teammates, the team I lead, and the leaders I partner with. This environment has taught me to channel my 20 years of experience to ensure we’re doing our best for the people who rely on us. Unlike my previous posts, this one isn’t about the impact I’m making but rather what I’m learning and appreciating on this journey as a talent acquisition leader. It’s not always about the bottom line or the projects; sometimes, the simplicity lies in what you’re doing for the people you serve. Whether it’s your team or your community, it’s vital to feel connected to something you’re passionate about. For me, I’ve found a new passion in patient care. #kaiserpermanente #patientcarejobs #nurseleadership

Today is my 25 year anniversary with AMN Healthcare! My career is as old as a college graduate. 😊 I have been reflecting on a long tenure and thinking back on so many lessons learned. Although it’s 25 years with one company, it’s really like 6 jobs with 4 different companies and a dozen different market environments. Starting in locum tenens when both Staff Care and physician staffing were young, going from private to public with the AMN acquisition, joining the Nurse Staffing organization and integrating our sales services. Navigating growth markets and skinny markets, including global recessions and pandemics. Starting at a sales desk making 100 cold calls a day out of a phone book, to leading a robust sales organization for one of the largest workforce solutions organizations in the industry. Through it all, here are some things I’ve learned: - People are everything. I love my relationships with my leaders and team members, my peers and colleagues, my valued clients and partners. When I make hiring decisions, I think “is this someone I would enjoy visiting with over dinner, that I would want to spend time with.” And “don’t hire jerks.” - Culture is key. I’ve had many different leaders and executives over the last 25 years.  Trust, respect, communication, human decency, and manners all matter. When people believe in the culture, they are 1000% in. - Be true to yourself. My biggest misses personally and professionally were when I felt pressured to act in a way misaligned to my truth. Going along with someone else's opinion when I saw things differently, or hesitating because I questioned myself. I’ve gotten better at living my best work life through my daily example and making more time for purposeful intent. - Work isn’t everything. I still am very driven professionally, but I’ve worked hard to expand my value beyond the definition of my job. It took me a long time to do that. Rather than fit myself into a square box just to get that next promotion, I can lead forward in other ways – like my new Board Chair with Big Brothers Big Sisters. I’m thankful for all the experiences, the good ones and the hard ones, that taught me valuable life lessons and helped me be the person and leader I am today. Who knows what the next 25 years will bring? I’m all in.  

Ten years ago today I started with UnitedHealthcare. Fun fact - I almost missed my chance because I got lost in the round-about one way system on my way to my first interview. In honor of what has been a beautiful journey, I’ve written my younger-self ten lessons for ten years - 1. Front line, customer-facing work is some of the most rewarding and some of the hardest work you can do. Cherish it. It will influence how you see your purpose in every role from here on out. 2. The job requirements might say you need some things you don’t yet have. Apply anyway. You know your potential better than any req ever could. 3. Good bosses tell you “good job”. Great bosses help you see what you can do better. 4. No amount of money can ever equate to investing in strong relationships. 5. Never apologize for knowing your value, and never regret acknowledging it. 6. There’s something to learn in every peak and every valley, but you have to be willing to pick your head up to see it. 7. We can achieve more together than we can achieve alone. 8. Shoot your shot and find your champions. 9. Trust your gut. It has never steered you wrong. 10. Follow your passion. You’ll know it when you feel it. It feels like home. Can’t wait to see what lessons the next ten years bring.

Recently I reconnected with a former colleague, Josh Greenhut, who posed a deceptively simple question: "What have you been doing for the last ten years?" That got me thinking about my journey since we last worked together at in-sync, the company I founded which was acquired by Publicis Groupe. My career hasn't followed a master plan. Instead I've made choices based on growth potential, working with interesting, smart people, professional stretch, and frankly, having fun. 😳 Returning to a Large Company: Join the leadership team at Publicis Health was a leap back into the corporate world. While I worried that I'd break out in hives working for a large company again, it was the opportunity to work in an industry (communications) that I only had observed from the sidelines, in a place that I always wanted to work (New York). I figured, why not? Lesson learned: I wasn't "made" for big company but accepting it for what it was, revealed unexpected opportunities for growth. 🧠 Delving into Big "C" Consulting: Accepting an invitation from my all-time favourite McKinsey Partner, Brian Fox to become a Senior Advisor at McKinsey & Co, was a delightful experience. Working with dedicated and super smart professionals fiercely dedicated to doing their best work for clients cemented my belief in striving for the highest quality product when servicing clients. ❤️ Founding The Difference Lab. Ultimately, I created an opportunity for myself that combined my entrepreneurial spirit with purpose-driven ambition. Lesson learned: Creating something that truly resonates with your inner values is perhaps the most nourishing experience on a professional journey. Why I share this? ✅ Surround yourself with inspiring and smart colleagues. Don't compromise here. ✅ There's always more to learn - if you're open to believing it - regardless how long you've been in the game. ✅ Step out of your comfort zone; it's where growth happens. ✅ There's no place like home! I love being an entrepreneur, being my own boss and creating something from nothing. Know what fuels you and seek it out. This photo, taken is from my "retirement" from Publicis Health in 2017, symbolizes not just an end but the beginning of a new, exciting chapter. How are you going to make yours happen? #careergrowth #passionandpurpose Miss you Matt McNally Lyn Falconio Jd Cassidy and the rest of you who I recently tagged for IWD!

Long stint Vs short stint IT hop norm 🙂 .... After working more than two decades with 3 generations of IT professionals, I've noticed that both long stints and short stints can be the ideal prescription for an IT professional. Do you agree? #IT #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth

In the next week, I will mark a significant turning point in my career journey. We all have experienced selecting a role that is not an exac fit, joining a lineage of talented individuals who have encountered similar situations during their career. Over the past couple months, the process of reflecting on a transition has been full of highs and lows, encouraging and distressing but at the end incredibly profound. It reminds me that even with an exhaustive due diligence, a single decision point doesn't always equate to an alignment with what you believe are your mission, vision and values. While I understand the business aspect, it's essential to acknowledge the personal impact and the power of professional and personal connections. Comprehending the career diversion and the business rationale, the profound personal impact has been extraordinary. Being able to take the time necessary to research, spend time in prayer and reflection, and access to the counsel of trusted colleagues and friends, I’m reminded of the intricate balance between professional commitment, personal commitment and overall personal well-being and how that must align to create a work-life balance. Finding a place that is committed to being transformational in the healthcare delivery model through the pharmacy benefit management (PBM) element has been incredibly refreshing. At AffirmedRx, a Public Benefit Corporation, the mission is clear: to champion transparency, patient-centric care and innovative solutions in an industry often plagued by opacity and complexity. We are leading through authenticity and humility, fostering a model focused on integrity and empowerment. I am very excited and will be sharing more and invite you to join us on our journey towards a healthier, more informed pharmacy benefits experience and delivering the care that all Americans deserve… “The time is always right to do what is right.” - Dr. Martin Luther King

Earlier this month, my professional journey took an unexpected turn. Along with most of the Texas Transportation team, I was informed that our roles at UnitedHealth Group / Optum were being eliminated. This concluded nearly five years of dedicated service, a period filled with challenges, learning, and immense growth. This announcement was sudden, a reminder of how swiftly companies can pivot in today’s dynamic corporate landscape. Interestingly, after experiencing similar situations with two previous employers, I transitioned into healthcare, believing it would be more immune to such layoff scenarios. Despite this, changes are inevitable and often beyond our control. Despite the abrupt change, I remain deeply grateful for the time I spent at UHG. It was more than just a job; it was a platform where I grew professionally and personally. I was fortunate to be part of an awesome team, and colleagues who became friends and mentors who guided me. The experiences I gained are invaluable, and the memories created are indelible. My roles not only honed my expertise in transportation but also deepened my skills in operations management. As I transition from this chapter, my feelings are mixed. There’s a touch of disappointment; leaving a company and a team, I was profoundly fond of is never easy. However, I'm also hopeful and excited about what lies ahead. This is not just an end but a new beginning, an opportunity to apply what I’ve learned in new ways and to continue growing. I am now actively seeking opportunities in Operations Management, Logistics, Continuous Improvement, Lean Six Sigma, and Project Management in the McAllen, Texas, area or remote, work-from-home roles. If you know of a team looking for someone with my background, I would be grateful for your support and referrals. I am eager to leverage my skills in these areas to contribute to new successes and drive meaningful change. Here’s to new beginnings and the exciting roads ahead! #CareerChange #NewBeginnings #OperationsManagement #Logistics #ContinuousImprovement #LeanSixSigma #ProfessionalGrowth #CorporateChange #McAllenTexas #RemoteWork

🌟 Reflecting on the First Five Days Post-Career: A Journey of Discovery and Dreams 🌟 As I stepped away from my professional routine, a routine that defined my days for years, the initial sense of being 'idle' was somewhat disorienting. The sudden quiet after the storm of daily responsibilities left me feeling unexpectedly adrift. Yet, this silence brought an opportunity—a chance to dive deep into my journals and reflections that have been companions of my thoughts and ideas over the past three years. What a journey it has been! 📔✨ During this time, I've rediscovered not only the gratitude I hold for each moment spent caring for my patients but also an underlying frustration that echoed through my entries. Despite the joy and satisfaction derived from impacting individual lives, there lingered a consistent yearning—to influence broader systemic change in healthcare delivery and improve outcomes on a larger scale. 🔍 As I reflect and journal more during these days of introspection, one thing becomes increasingly clear: my commitment to healthcare is evolving. It's not just about treating patients anymore; it's about transforming the system. My dream is to shift from making a difference one patient at a time to impacting the entire fabric of healthcare delivery. As I continue on this journey of self-discovery and professional evolution, I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. Here's to new beginnings, to dreams that push us forward, and to the courage to pursue them. Let's reshape the future of healthcare together. 💪🏥 #CareerChange #HealthcareInnovation #Reflections #NewBeginnings

The journey to a global healthcare career starts with the decision to take the first step. Let's walk this path together. 🌍👣 #CareerJourney #firststep