Spotlights

As a Nurse, there are so many different directions you can go!

“As a nurse, there are so many different directions you can go!”

Susanne Woltschlager-Brooks, DNP, MS, RN, NE-BC, is the Director of Professional Nursing Practice for Corewell Health West in Grand Rapids, MI. She is also a Laker for a Lifetime! Sue earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees at GVSU/KCON. She worked her way to her current directorship role over the course of 27 years, eventually earning her Doctorate in Nursing Practice degree. She notes, “You don’t have to do it all at once! That’s the beauty of the nursing profession. There are so many directions you can go at any degree level!”

Sue’s interest in healthcare started early in her life. She recalls playing hospital in her bedroom where her closet was an elevator that would open to her room, which she considered a patient room. Each time she ‘rode’ the elevator, it opened to a different patient room on a different floor. “I didn’t know I wanted to be a nurse specifically, I just knew I wanted to be in health care”. (Likely in a hospital!) There was no healthcare background within Sue’s family, but she continued with her childhood interest and pursued her first college bachelor’s degree in health sciences. During her schooling, she volunteered in a Human Resources department. After a while, a “temporary” position became available in a pediatric clinic. She stayed in this “temporary” position until she graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Health Science degree. Upon graduation, her mentor and leader asked what her plan was going forward. Specifically, “Have you considered nursing?” So began her continued education and career.

Upon graduating with her second bachelor’s degree in nursing at KCON, Sue went to Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn (now Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital) to work in Oncology. Sue developed a passion for oncology thanks to her KCON oncology instructor, Dr. Ruth Ann Brintnall. After 3 years, she felt it was time to go back to school to get her master’s degree. She earned her master’s in nursing administration and patient care services. During her master’s education, she worked at Beaumont Hospital Royal Oak (now Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital) in the Emergency Room. Upon graduation, she put her advanced education to use working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit. She remained there for several years, and also started a family. When her youngest child was starting kindergarten, she and her husband decided to move back to the Grand Rapids area.

She continued her nursing career in Grand Rapids at Spectrum Health Blodgett Hospital as an oncology bedside nurse, where she remained for approximately one year before transitioning to the role Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Patient Education. After a bit of time in the role of CNS Patient Education, the opportunity presented itself for her to become immersed in a more clinical role as the Adult Gerontology CNS. Around this time, discussions began in the state of Michigan to pursue title protection for the CNS role. Recognizing this, Sue decided to go back to earn her post-master’s certificate as an Adult/Gero CNS. She also began teaching as an adjunct instructor at Michigan State University in the CNS program.

Sue remained in her CNS Patient Education and Adult Gero role for approximately eight years and then transitioned into the Director of Nursing Operations and Magnet Program Director role, also at Corewell Health in West Michigan. Sue was in this role for two years when she transitioned to the Director, Professional Nursing Practice, which is the role she has been in for the past eight years.

BUT, she wasn’t finished with her education quite yet! In 2018 her upline asked, “What are your plans for ongoing professional development?” Sue’s response was, “Well, I guess I can go earn my doctorate.”  “Well, when you tell your upline you are going to get your doctorate, you get your Doctorate!”   She graduated with her Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree – Clinical Nurse Specialist in 2022.

With her background, education, experience, professional career, and leadership, Sue shares some advice and support for new nurses and nursing students.

1. There are so many opportunities within the profession of nursing. Clinically, there are many specialties in which one can develop an expertise. From an education perspective, opportunities are available within nursing education either in the practice or academic setting. If operational leadership is your passion, that is a direction one can pursue. Sue appreciates her role as Director of Professional Nursing Practice because she loves clinical practice and education, and collaborating with a team that is focused on ensuring the clinical nurses have what they need to be successful in their roles, ensuring there are opportunities for professional development.
2. Even if you choose not to go back to school, you still need to grow and develop in the role you are in. There are constant changes happening in the healthcare field!
3. Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy with self-doubt or imposter syndrome. Don’t let self-doubt stop you or prevent you from moving forward. Be transparent about your feelings, share with others, and persevere. So many of us have been there!
4. Find the role that brings you the most joy. During your first couple of years as a nurse, you will go through states of reality shock or crisis.This is real! And every nurse has gone through it. You WILL find joy and passion with all the opportunities available for nurses. 
5. You don’t have to do it all at once. Sue had been a nurse for 24 years when she went back to earn a DNP. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1995 and moved through her education until receiving her doctorate in 2022. She earned all her degrees over 27 years.
6. Lastly, whatever experience you have as a nurse is experience under your belt. It will benefit you in any direction you choose. You do not have to go immediately to the next level – that’s the beauty of the nursing profession! Allow yourself the time and luxury to do that - you will find your niche!

Interest Area(s)
Nursing

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