Looking Past Barriers to Reach Goal after Goal

In episode 10, you'll hear how my guest kept reaching her goals despite the barriers she faced.

This week's guest is Christine Vega Perez. She also is one of my own sorority sister's and I am honored to be able to share her story with you.

Christine shares about her career journey as a RN.  She reached her career goals and earned 6-Figures by 30. Then she decided to leave it behind. As she shares her story, Christine talks about why she started her blog called Life’s a Risk Management

Christine graduated from Bloomsburg University as an RN. She continued her education through Loyola University where she obtained a Masters of Science in Nursing in healthcare systems management. Christine recently relocated with her husband and 2 toddler boys to Jacksonville, FL where she is working for a predominant healthcare system as a Risk Management Specialist.

EPISODE LINKS

• Follow Christine on Instagram @LifeCoach.Christine
• Read Her Blog https://lifesriskmanagement.com/ 
• Is your career mindset holding you back? Take the Career Mindset Quiz, Today!
• Click Here to learn more about my career coaching services. 

Thank you for listening, please Subscribe and leave a Review, and Follow me via IG @ManifestYourCareer

Visit my site for more information: https://manifestyourcareer.com/ 

Transcript

Norma Reyes  0:07  
Welcome to the manifest your career podcast. I'm your host Dr. Norma Reyes, a Latina career and life coach. With this podcast I help successful women learn how to combine their intuition and logic so that they can manifest their dream career. By listening to my podcast, you'll learn how to go from feeling stuck and lost on what to do next to having the clarity, motivation and strategies to manifest the career of your dreams. Each episode, I'll teach you the skills, strategies and mindset you need girl to get in alignment with your career goals. Now, let's go ahead and get started. Hey, everyone, welcome back. This is Episode 10. And today I have a very, very special guest for you guys, one of my very own sorority sisters, as a guest and her name is Christine Bettis Vega. She'll be sharing with us her career journey as a nurse and about her blog called lives risk management. So Christine graduated from Bloomsburg University as an RN, and she continued her education through Loyola University, where she obtained her Masters of Science in Nursing with an emphasis in health care systems management. Christina recently relocated with her husband and two toddler boys to Jacksonville, Florida, where she is currently working in the healthcare system as a risk management specialist as well. Thank you, Christine, for being with us. And before we get started on her episode all about her and her career, I did want to tell you guys a little bit more about the framework that I like to use with my coaching clients. And that is planned happenstance learning theory, to give it to you guys in a nutshell, that theory talks about five skills that you need to transform your career, but you can apply it to your life and just to be able to navigate life and it not be as stressful. So the five skills that he talks about that you need our flexibility, optimism, curiosity, persistence, and risk taking in so when Christina shares her story, I want you guys to kind of listen for those times that she uses those different skills. And if you go back to the past episodes, you probably hear that in their stories as well. All right, Christine. So let's go and get started. And I will start with the first question. So tell us about your family background. Who did you grew up with? And where did you live? Well,

Christine Vega  2:58  
I grew up in an area called Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. And I lived with my mom and my dad and my younger brother. So my dad is Guatemalan. He came over here when he was a teenager, and kind of, you know, built up a new life in a new country. My mom is Mexican descent. So actually, it was my great grandmother who came over from Mexico. And it was the steel industry that's really big in Pennsylvania that brought my family over. So yeah, so we it was the four of us were very close. I love them so much. They're like my best friends. And then also, though, and I was lucky enough in that area to have my extended family was also around dad's side and mom's side, all very, you know, supportive. And I just really appreciate my family, I feel very blessed that I had such a great upbringing with such an amazing family.

Norma Reyes  3:50  
Yeah, and makes a big, big difference I was talking the other day about there's a difference between growing up poor and then growing up in poverty and violence. And those are two completely different things. And they can really change your world in a lot of different ways. Absolutely. So when you were young, and people asked you about what you wanted to be when you grew up, what do you recall telling them?

Christine Vega   4:11  
So I had reviewed your questions ahead of time. And this one, I actually I couldn't remember nothing came to mind when I asked my mom like, do you remember what I was said? When I was younger? when I was really little? I couldn't think of that. We both kind of thought maybe of that. But I don't really remember knowing what I wanted to do until about high school age. I had an older cousin who was a nurse at the time already. So I kind of went to her How do you like it? She seemed to think it was you know, a good career. And in my mind, I also thought well, I'll get a job. You know, that was something that was important to me like not going to college and everything and struggling to find a job that unfortunately so many people do have that difficulty with so I settled on on nursing around in like high school timeframe, more Cuz I wanted that job security.

Norma Reyes  5:02  
Yeah. Well, that's, that's good. And then you actually went out and did it. And you'll tell us about that. But before we get there, what are some of the earliest career role models? Do you remember having,

Christine Vega    5:12  
I mean, right away, I feel like my mom, my mom was absolutely a career role model she went on, she has two master's degrees, she was working at the director level of a school district, you know, she was doing it doing big things. And so that's who I grew up and got to look at. So definitely, you know, seeing her do all of that pushed me to go on, and I also got my master's and strive to get into leadership roles. And then, you know, my dad also though, he was definitely a role model, because like I said, he came and started a whole new life in a new country, that's scary, like he's never afraid to, to just go ahead and try different things and go for it. And then the other thing, which just you know, in case people don't know, you're my sorority sister, so I have to take it back to cuz I feel like pi epsilon sigma really exposed me to so many amazing professional women who do so many great things that you like, don't always get to see Latina women accomplishing. So seeing that, and I feel like during a young age, I was 19 when I pledged, I think, so I was still very young, that made a huge impact on me. And till this day, you know, I appreciate you. I'm listening to your podcast, and you're motivating me. So to this day, I feel like our sisters are really important mentors, whether they know it or not.

Norma Reyes  6:35  
Yeah, definitely, it sounds like you had a lot of good early role models. And then later too, as well, like your own peers, I think that makes a really big difference peers that are just ahead of you just a little bit. And then something you said about your mom, you said that she was like a director and she has master's degree, which for Latina in that generation is almost even unheard of. Like it's still not that many, like even in our generation, but in hers, it's probably even less, I can't imagine, like the strife that she had to maybe maybe your mom wants to be my podcast.

Christine Vega    7:07  
Maybe she'll do it. And but what's so amazing, I think, is that you're right, the statistics are low for the percentage of Latina women who have master's degrees. But in her mind, she doesn't think of those stats, she just goes and does things like Why not? Why can't I go get my master's degree? Like, it's not even a hesitant thought in her mind. There. She just, that's what was next. You know, she was working on her ladder. She was a teacher, she wanted to continue and get more credits, because that's what they do. They're constantly educating themselves. And before you know it, there she is accomplishing master's degrees. So that's what I think she's so awesome, because she doesn't look at the barriers, you know, she just goes for it.

Norma Reyes  7:47  
Yeah, like how you said that. And that was one of the reasons why I chose that framework when I was doing my research, because it was not looking at your limitations. I felt like there's so much research that looks at all your challenges. And I feel like I don't need to write another paper about our struggle. We know our struggle, what I need to know is how to overcome this. What can I do so that I can be successful? And you know, sounds like your parents kind of instilled that with you like the barriers are there. But let's look at what we can do and keep pushing.

Christine Vega   8:17  
Yeah, absolutely. So they just they gave me that confidence at a young age to just go out into the world and get and do what you what you can't Why not? Who says you can't?

Norma Reyes  8:26  
Yeah, that makes a big difference, too. So now tell us about your educational background. Did you attend college right after high school?

Christine Vega  8:34  
Yeah. So after that conversation with my cousin and I decided okay, nursing school, it is I started to you know, apply while I was in high school, I ended up going to Bloomsburg University. So that was a State School for me. So I didn't go too far from home. I loved it. It was great. They had a really good nursing program and prepared you for the real nursing world. So I came out of there feeling good. And I did at that point worked in the field for about a year because in nursing the way it's set up before you get your master's degree, you need to have some more field experience. So work they bought a year. So after the year in the field, I went on to get my master's degree. And I did that and it's a Master's of Science in Nursing. And I know it right away you think that NP nurse practitioner but this one was actually specified in healthcare systems management so that's kind of what my focus was.

Norma Reyes  9:25  
Okay, and so before you started at your first full time job while you were still in college, did your career interest change at all? Oh, yeah.

Christine Vega    9:33  
I I had a moment it was my last semester and I definitely thought I don't I don't know if this is what I want to do. So Mind you, I'm are I'm almost done. I'm ready to graduate and I sitting in I forget which nursing class it is, but I had this moment where I wasn't sure if this is what I want it but I feel like who who doesn't have that? You know, second. What do we do?

Norma Reyes  10:00  
Everyone, everyone knows that like, last year crisis, like do I really know what I want to do? And just for everyone listening? No, we don't, it can change.

Christine Vega   10:09  
I still say that. I don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I say that all the time throughout college, I said that, you know, I still say it sometimes like, because there's so many different opportunities out there that, you know, you can go ahead and change things. And that's why I ended up sticking with it like, Yes, I had that thought for a moment. And then I realized, well, I'm a little too far in this game to turn around. So I continued on, and I don't have any regrets on that, you know, nursing in the healthcare industry has such a wide variety of roles that you can go into. And so I just kind of, you know, I think I've been finding my area and maneuvering through so no regrets. But yes, I have that moment that, am I doing the right thing. And so luckily, I stuck with it. And I didn't quit and my final semester.

Norma Reyes  10:57  
Yeah, yeah, it's really important. Sometimes we're about to finish something and we quit it, when if we had just spent a little more persistent and actually finished, right, and then decide, okay, at least I have this in my back pocket, if I decide to do something else, all great. But you know, if you're right there, at the end, there's no reason not to just keep going tough it out, you know, another semester a year, the time is gonna pass, I always say that, like, the time is going to pass even if you're taking one class every semester, 10 years will pass and you'll get that degree, you know, it may not feel like oh my god, 10 years from now, it's forever. But I mean, think back, I mean, I don't even know, 10 years ago, we're like 27, or maybe you're younger than me. But, man, that's a, I don't know, it's a whole world. Whole world of a difference. That's another story. Okay, so once you went to the workforce, tell me about those experiences.

Christine Vega    11:52  
So right away, I was doing floor nursing. And believe it or not, I actually struggled to get a job that I wanted. I wanted your typical med search field, you know, where I was, like really learning and gaining experiences, and the hospitals would not hire a new nurse. So that was an obstacle that I wasn't expecting. But you know, we keep going. So I ended up working for a rehab hospital and not your drug, alcohol rehab. This is physical therapy, you know, occupational therapy, kind of rehab, loved it, and really stuck with that company. For a while I was the floor nurse, and then I became the nurse manager, I did have to leave for a moment, because I guess they were just setting a lot of expectations for this role of mine, that it became a little too much. And I had to step back. I also became pregnant at that time. And I didn't want those stressors on me while I'm trying to create a healthy baby. So I quit. And I left for a little less than a year. And I went to a new company and became their director of quality. And at this point, I have my master's degree, which I had, you know, touched a little bit of the quality world through that. So I use that to kind of apply it to this new role. And I learned a lot, I really, really learned from the regional staff that was there at that company and beefed up my quality knowledge. So then what I was able to do is turn around and apply for the director of quality position at that hospital, that rehab hospital that I left, another colleague of mine mentioned that it was open. So I was able to come back and they made some tweaks to my nurse manager role. They hired two other people to handle other tasks that they were requiring of all in that nurse manager role. So me leaving was really a blessing because they realized that they needed to kind of change that, that nurse manager role. And then I was able to come back at a director level at this point. So I was really excited. So definitely, you know, it was hard leaving, I think I felt that I didn't want to quit on the team, or you know, you have this sense of loyalty, that you want to stick with a company. But I had to do what was best for me. And then when I looked back at it, I realized that was that was a good option. That was a good way to go because it kind of worked out for the best.

Norma Reyes  14:13  
Yeah, thank you for sharing. And it is scary, but it sounds amazing. And a lot of times that happens, I feel like there's really great leaders out there that take on so much. And then they're not appreciated. And when they leave, they need two to three people to fill their role. So that's amazing. Yeah, they were. Well, it's not just amazing, but it's great that they did something about it. Sometimes that doesn't always happen. And then you came back and even got a better job after that. So now you kind of talked a little bit about your career experience then. Were you doing any networking experiences during this time?

Christine Vega    14:55  
Honestly, by this point, I had baby number one and So outside of work, I don't think there was really much networking, what I will say is, you know, because you network to learn and gain from others, and I was lucky enough to have worked for two different female CEOs at this hospital. So at the rehab hospital, when I first stepped into the director role, it was a female CEO, learned a lot from her. I just, I mean, I loved being able to work for a CEO of a company that was a female, you know, it made me, I don't know, excited to see that. And then just to like, learn her way. So I really absorbed all of her leadership skills, I was trying to really learn from her. And then she ended up leaving for another opportunity, and they had to hire a new CEO. And I was nervous, you know, who are you going to get, and they hired another amazing woman. And it was just so good. I was, I don't know, I feel like I was really lucky to be able to have that. So she was very different, but also a great leader. And so I was just really, when I was working with them so closely, in my director of quality role, I was really trying to be a sponge, and just observe how they handled each situation. And just the tactics that they would use, or just the creativity that would come out, you know, I will be I don't know, it just amazed me. So I, that's kind of where I did my networking is really sticking close to them, like, hey, how will how would you do this and running things by them? Or just observing how they handle each situation? Yeah, how

Norma Reyes  16:33  
amazing definitely not common to hear two amazing female CEOs that you've worked under and got to experience directly when you're saying that I was thinking I feel like they probably also gives you a better sense of connection and being able to relate with them because they're women to smile. Because when I thought of all the CEOs that I've encountered myself, they've all been male, it's like this imaginary wall Master, I was thinking like, it has nothing to do with them themselves directly. But it's already just the wall. Like you can't envision yourself in the role. Until then it probably creates a disconnect, not saying that millennials are bad, but how much more connected you can feel when it's a one and then they're amazing leaders? That sounds even more amazing. Yeah,

Christine Vega  17:01  
it was definitely a good experience. I'm very fortunate that I have to work alongside them so closely and through COVID, you know, working at a hospital through COVID, you really worked closely with each other. So it was nice that we had a good team to kind of handle this pandemic.

Norma Reyes  17:19  
Thank you. Now, to kind of go a little bit with the mentoring. Did you ever feel that you got any actual career counseling for yourself?

Christine Vega   17:28  
I never did anything official. nothing's coming to mind for career counseling.

Norma Reyes  17:34  
Yeah, no, that's Yeah. And just just a question. I think a lot of times people don't even think that's an option, you know, college, or just in general, maybe even just searching the internet about information. So I always like to ask that question just to show that, you know, some people may hear about in some doubt, and they're slow, successful in their career. Sure. So what has been the most influential experience in your career thus far?

Christine Vega  18:02  
I guess a couple things, I'm a nurse. So my patients are always what influenced me, they are the ones that drives me. In my field, in quality, specifically, we're always trying to make sure that we're improving that quality of care, and patients safety, like all of those different things. So as a bedside nurse, I got to work more closely with patients, and really have that, you know, experience in bonding with them. But I don't lose that, you know, I feel like I'll always keep that in mind. Or I try to get out on the units and just still have those conversations with patients, because that's what we're all there for. That's what the healthcare industry is for. It's for our patients. So they're definitely a big influence. But then also, I would add, like all those nurses that I got to work with, even starting out as a floor nurse, I got to do orientation and help brand new grad nurses start off on the floor, I got to do some mentoring, when when I was the nurse manager, and seeing nurses grow in such a tough field. I mean, you need to have thick skin, hard worker, you know, really think quick on your feet. I mean, there's so much that's demanded from you as a nurse. So it's a lot, it's scary. And I really liked being able to be there for them to be their support, and then seeing them grow and thrive and do so well and be so successful. That meant a lot to me. And so I always I'm always just trying to be that type of leader that I'm here for you. I'm going to support you, you know, always feel free to come to me like I've always kept the open door policy because I wanted everybody to feel comfortable to come to me as a resource because I know how hard it is I it's hard out there. So those are I think throughout my career, those would be my influences.

Norma Reyes  19:57  
Yeah, sounds amazing and Unable to be part of someone else's growth that way? Isn't it's just transformational for yourself? Absolutely. So I'm sure it was for them as well. So what do you feel have been some of your most important successes in your life,

Christine Vega  20:14  
I'll say, you know, career wise, I was really excited that I got that director level position, I was not even 30 when I, when I first took it. So it was, you know, a great paying job, and it was administrative level senior team level out of the hospital. So I was definitely excited and proud that I got to achieve that. And it was all thanks to the support that I've had, you know, since growing up, so I know that I mean, my parents proud, you know that. So he's nice. And it was a, it was a, it was a good opportunity. But being I know, one of the next things we get to is about. Now, I don't know if it's an obstacle, but I was so proud, right, I was so excited that I got this director level, great paying job, I was making six figures there. And I quit, I left it My husband and I decided that we wanted to move to Florida, and had always been a goal of ours. And even though I have reached this, you know, the top where I thought I wanted to be, I had other goals also that I was trying to reach. So we decided to go ahead and go for it. So I did end up quitting that job. It was very difficult, really hard decision for several reasons, you know, will I be able to get that level of a position again, and I felt bad leaving my team? Of course, it's scary. We moved out of state move into a whole new state. So yeah, being settled that you know what, there was such a big important step. But yet, I went ahead and quit. And I'm starting all over. Yeah.

Norma Reyes  22:04  
So you kind of alluded to the next thing, right? What is some of the biggest frustrations, you've had important frustrations, and you shared a little bit, but I felt like there's more.

Christine Vega   22:14  
Yeah. So I guess ultimately, you know, you work hard. You're working our life striving for certain things. But I think you also have to look at big picture, like, Yes, I was really excited that I got this job, I got this director level job, and I made my parents happy and proud. But really, what's important is your day to day happiness. And for me, I felt like sunshine and warmth, is the only thing that's going to make me day to day happy. I wanted to move down south, I hate the winter. And I almost felt like I had like seasonal depression. You know, you just I would want to hibernate it. Like I didn't want to do anything when it was cold out and up in Pennsylvania. It's cold more times than it's not throughout the year. So yeah, so even though I got that role, I decided to move and so I'm starting kind of over, down here, you know, I'm not, I'm not making that much money at all. I'm not a leadership role. Like it's, it's a member on a team is still in the category of what I was doing. So I have the knowledge and experience for it, which was great. I'm so fortunate to have found a job. But yeah, and honestly, I'm taking it as a moment of relaxation, almost, you know, it's it's demanding and stressful to be in that leadership role. So I'm enjoying it. I'm really enjoying not being anybody's boss. It's a great hospital that I work for. And yeah, we made my husband say all the time, no regrets, we have no regrets of making that leap. And going for a different goal. You know, there's lots of things that you want to go for. And just because you read one doesn't mean you shouldn't go ahead and attempt to reach another one of yours. You don't have to settle for that. So no regrets but I'm glad that we we did it.

Norma Reyes  24:01  
Yeah, I like that you share that because a lot of times we do reach some really big goals like that, you know, making six figures at 30. That's huge. And then to make the decision of like, wait, this is not really what I want after all six figures is not making me happy. So to take that leap of faith and move to Florida and then I would think that moving to Florida from Philly, or Pennsylvania I'm saying Philly but you know making that move I would imagine Florida is much slower pace. I know we're is lower pace over here. And it's just nice not to feel in a rush all the time.

Christine Vega  24:42  
I agree. I definitely noticed that and I knew a little bit because I have family in Savannah, Georgia. And so we come and visit them and I did you know would notice that that Southern pace, you know, slow, slow moving lifestyle, but now being here and doing it on a regular Killer. Yes, the anxiety level is just lower, it seems I don't know. Or maybe, I don't know, my healthcare experiences up north are definitely different compared to down here. And just the other slow moving, I find myself walking a little slower sometimes like Why am I always in a rush? Calm down, walk, take your time, look at the beautiful palm trees, you know, absorb this sun, and life is good. And I love I love that, that I do that now. I appreciate this slow moving south. Sometimes a lot unless I'm late. And I really do want to go somewhere cuz I like, hurry up.

Norma Reyes  25:39  
In traffic. Yes. Yeah. Well, I will say so I live in, you know, I live in Texas, but like South Texas, like right by the beach. You know, beach time people are in a whole different time to that's another story. But yeah, the people in the valley and I would say I'm a moderate speed driver. If you ask my husband, he probably sounds slow. But I swear I'm not a slow driver. But down there, I find myself being like, Oh my god, these people are driving slow. And they really are. And they're going like 40 on the highway. It's unheard of in Texas. Yeah. So But anyway, I yeah, I could not live in the cold weather. I love to visit places and experience things. But I definitely I absolutely know that I love living in hot weather. I mean, it's a big difference.

Christine Vega   26:29  
I didn't miss the snow storms that they had all winter long.

Norma Reyes  26:34  
Now throw any shade? Just kidding. What kind of challenges are you facing? Now in this current role? I know you mentioned it being slow and being good. But is there any challenges that you're currently facing with the change?

Christine Vega    26:46  
Well, I think just because I had been in that leadership role for so long, like it was probably, I don't know, maybe eight years that I was either than our manager or director. So I was used to being able to enable change, right? If there was a problem or an issue, I'd gather the team. And we'd work together, you know, I make sure to incorporate my team, but I'd make sure that positive change was occurring. And in this role, I'm gathering the data. But I'm not an enforcer, or I'm nobody's boss to say, hey, what changes are gonna happen? Like, I just gather data on the problems present. And that's it, my job's done. But for me, that's a little unfulfilling, because I want to see that positive change. That's what I that's what like, you know, keeps me thriving. So, that's a little tough. I'm getting used to it, I think I am. But in the beginning, I was kind of like, what what do you mean, and then we just pass on them, pass it on. And that's the end of it. And I move on to the next issue and just gather data and pass that on. But I'm getting used to it, and I you have to appreciate what you're doing, you know that it is making a difference. And I'm still part of the team, I'm just one piece of a big puzzle. And it's a much larger hospital than what I've ever worked for. So that's another piece of it, too, is the fact that it's such a large health system. So that's pretty much that's how they work. They're you know, you can't kind of follow everything through, you have to be a piece of the puzzle. So I'm learning to appreciate that I'm a piece of the puzzle and letting things go. And so I think that's probably my only challenge. But I'm, again, good team and really thankful that I was able to find a job down here.

Norma Reyes  28:32  
Yeah. Are there any unexpected events or happenings that have occurred in your life and your career so far that you've transformed into a success?

Christine Vega    28:41  
Well, okay, so this will take it back a little bit. When I was younger. I started working at 13. And you couldn't even legally work.

Norma Reyes  28:49  
I was gonna go,

Christine Vega    28:52  
No, my mom had to come with me on my interview. It was all under the table that I got paid because it was not legal. But I wanted to work. I don't I don't know, I would walk it was not too far from my house. And I would just walk to work. And I was at that job from 13 to, I want to say 1813 to 17 or 18 years old. And this place, it was a little golf place, a mini golf place. This old ice cream, you know, get hit a bucket of balls, had several owner changes throughout that timeframe. And I stuck with the place. It was kind of like a joke like you come with the building. Hmm. And so it was a very unique opportunity that when I look back on, I think that probably really did affect me more than I realized that it just taught me a lot. It taught me flexibility, which is one of the things that you mentioned, because you were working for completely different people new ownership, they had a different concept of how things should be run new name. You know, there was so many different things. So I was calling Certainly having to be flexible with that. And just the responsibility would vary depending on the owner, I had one who, because I had been there for so long and kind of came with the place, I think they expected a lot out of me. And at this point, I'm, you know, 17 years old, so I shouldn't run your business. But hey, I was I was stepping up to the challenge. So I just think that was really an interesting experience that I have that I don't always think of. But when I do look back at it, I'm like, wow, that really prepped me. And you know, this being that hard worker that the organizational skills, just everything that I got to do, because they were allowing me to probably do more than a 16 year old should, but

Norma Reyes  30:41  
it was fine. Yeah, that sounds super transformational. And why you probably, you know, was making six figures that 30, which is, you know, typical. I mean, you already had years of experience navigating a workplace without having really thought about it that way, it was probably a lot of fun. But it was, was glad that you were learning a lot of different things that you didn't realize that you need to learn to be successful in the workplace. And of course, being flexible, is it's a really, really big, yeah. Amazing. Now, how about any missed opportunities, and what I mean by missed opportunities are maybe roles that you apply to that you really want it and you didn't get. And now looking back, you're like, Oh, my gosh, I'm glad I didn't get that position, after all.

Christine Vega   31:27  
Well, I know I mentioned it already. But I had applied like crazy when I first came out of nursing school, to hospitals that were in the area that I already lived. So where I ended up getting the job is about an hour away from my parents house. So that was definitely, you know, I was bummed I was I wanted to get into that hospital, from my community I wanted to be I wanted to be part of my community and work my community as a nurse, and I couldn't. So I was kind of forced into the location to Redding, Pennsylvania, and never thought I would have been there. So and I but again, you know, no regrets. I love it. My brother joined me, my cousin who's my other half joined me, and maybe they regret now I'm gone. But, you know, it definitely kind of just, that's the way it had to happen. I couldn't get that role. I. So is it a missed opportunity? I don't know, I have no idea. You know, I don't know what my life would have looked like, if I did get those jobs. But in the end, I don't regret not getting that out, you know, it's not really something that fazes me, or haunts me at night, you know, I just kind of kept going kept moving forward, don't look at the barriers, like we said earlier. And, you know, you keep seeing what else is out there, what other opportunities because you can always make something out of that. And so that's what I did. And, and I was able to really, you know, that company that I joined really helped me grow and, and let me go from a bedside nurse to a director level. So, you know, that worked out pretty good.

Norma Reyes  32:59  
Yeah, yeah, a lot of quick career ladder going up there, then you may have not experienced in a much larger, true hospital network. Now, I know that you are currently working as a nurse. But what else is a side project that you're doing?

Christine Vega    33:15  
So I recently started a blog, a website, it's life's risk. management.com. And the idea came to me because in my field, I'm constantly using, you know, proven strategies that we apply, to make that positive change, to have that quality care quality of life impact. And as I was going through, I'm like, you know, why don't we apply these to our own lives? That's really important, too, you know, and it's not just used in the healthcare industry, a lot of the strategies that I review, they're just industry wide. Strategies for, you know, really successful companies, if you want to have a successful company, you can apply these to make sure you have consistent quality, well, I want consistent quality in my life, you know, who doesn't, so I'm just kind of tweaking them a bit and trying to teach people about these, these tools and strategies that we can use to apply to our lives. And then when you have these tools in your pocket, you feel more confident, you know, you know, you're competent, and you know how to handle whatever life's gonna throw your way. Because it's hard. adulting is hard. Life is hard, you can quickly find yourself just in bed, feeling stressed. And anxiety is out of control. So we have to kind of ground ourselves and like figure out well, how am I going to work through this and what can I do to work through this. So that's the goal of it is just to help people feel good about tackling all the different obstacles that come our way. So yeah, so it's really new. I just started last month, and the app will probably continue to get more specific But right now I'm kind of just teaching those tools. And then I'll, you know, pick different topics to show how we can apply them.

Norma Reyes  35:08  
Nice. I love that. And I love the name risk management. You know,

Christine Vega   35:12  
that's my, that's my job. I'm currently a risk management specialist for a hospital. And so that's why I'm like, Well, what we should all be our own risk management Specialists of our lives. So that's kind of where I played off the words like that. Yeah. Because someone asked me, you know, are you a life coach? And that's not necessarily the goal. I wasn't, that's not really what I thought of I know, I guess it comes across that way. But I want everybody to be their own life coach, Coach, like here are the tools that you can use to coach yourself up to handle things. That's all. That's that's where it started?

Norma Reyes  35:52  
Yeah, definitely. Yeah, we all need a little bit of risk management in our lives, maybe a lot of it sometimes. I'm sure the five skills that I talked about are probably things you need to apply. Absolutely. You have to like, let me know if you find something that like relates specifically to those five, and I will email you the five because I don't know if you remember them specifically anymore.

Christine Vega   36:15  
But yeah, my memories terrible. So I definitely don't remember them all. But I remember thinking, as you were saying each of them, I was nodding my head like Absolutely, yes. And yes. Yeah. And

Norma Reyes  36:25  
I'm sure there's a few more, but those are the ones from the theory. So I'll say that, again. It's curiosity, flexibility, optimism, persistence, and risk taking. I love it. And you got to do some risk. I mean, people feel like taking a risk is really scary. But we take risk every day. Some of them are just not scary. Now, is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Christine Vega    36:51  
And I don't know, I really appreciate you having me on this. Like I said, I'm a big fan already. So when you asked me to come on, I got really excited. I've never done a podcast. So I was very excited to be here. And I hope, you know, it's helpful for people. And if my blog could be of any help, I'd love to hear feedback, and comments on if anybody gets a chance to check that out. Because it's new and growing. And so I'm just looking for feedback on it. But thanks for having me.

Norma Reyes  37:21  
Yes, of course. And on the show notes won't link everything. But it can you say out your handle on Instagram. And are you on anywhere else besides your website and Instagram?

Christine Vega  37:30  
Yeah, I'm on. So Instagram, it's at life's underscore risk underscore management. And then on Facebook, it's at life's risk management. And I'm also on Pinterest at life's risk management. And then Twitter. It didn't allow that full name. So it's at life's risk manage.

Norma Reyes  37:54  
I know I think when I was doing one of them, I just didn't even do a Twitter for my manifest your career for the last because it didn't allow and I was like, I don't know how I would shorten this. So I'm not going to Yeah, maybe later. I will. But not not yet. Well, thank you so much for being with us. I loved everything you shared and even if someone's not necessarily looking to go into the nursing field, just hearing how you navigate your career is definitely impactful. I know hearing everyone else's stories motivates me and also helps me kind of normalize some of my struggles as well. So thank you for sharing.

Christine Vega    38:30  
Thank you for having me.

Norma Reyes  38:34  
Thank you for listening to the manifest in your career podcast with me, your host Dr. Norma Reyes a Latina career and life coach.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai