ANA Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® Spotlight: Susan M. Gordon, BSN, RN, CCM, CCDS, CMCN
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Career-driven nurse shares how she’s building a balanced and satisfying life
Being goal-oriented and building a balanced and satisfying life is like putting together a puzzle. #healthynurse Susan M. Gordon, BSN, RN, CCM, CCDS, CMCN, has a picture of her life’s puzzle in mind and has been putting it together one piece at a time.
“I’ve always been career-driven, and I always knew I wanted to be a nurse,” Susan says. “I think you’re born to be a nurse. Being a nurse is not what you do; it’s what you are.”
But even with that knowledge, Susan did not become a nurse right away. As a self-proclaimed “late bloomer,” she worked in the corporate world and started a family before earning her nursing degree. Now, Susan says she has found the best of both worlds: She works at Humana using her nursing degree and experience to help military members and their families.
“I love working with military families. It’s my passion,” Susan says. “Once I started doing it (more than 20 years ago), I knew it was the direction I wanted to continue my career.”
Building Her Career
When she first joined the company, Susan set a goal to become a manager and find a work-life balance that would make her happy. She’s achieved both, but fitting all the necessary pieces into her puzzle has taken time and dedication.
The personal pieces, such as family and faith, fell into place naturally over time. But to build the career part of her puzzle, she dedicated herself to four things:
- Mentoring
“It can be very overwhelming for clinicians coming on board after working in a hospital setting,” Susan says. “I remember it when I went from being a critical care nurse to working in an office. As a Nurse Nightingale, I connect with new associates to answer their questions and provide support.”
Susan still spends time in that role, but she also mentors her own team as a manager.
“It’s critical to listen to your team, and you also have to encourage them to spread their wings,” Susan says. “If they have leadership ability and are goal-oriented, they have earned the right to move on in their career — even though you may not want to lose them from your team.”
- Networking
Susan participates in NRGs, such as:
- ACCESS NRG, which advocates for the inclusiveness of those impacted by disabilities within Humana and the members they serve
- Salute NRG, which brings together volunteers who are veterans or family members of veterans to honor and serve military service members, veterans, and their families
- Women’s NRG, which provides avenues for women and allies to realize their full potential by offering opportunities for personal and professional development
“These NRGs have enriched my career,” Susan says. “That’s why I always encourage my associates to participate. These groups break down silos and offer a way to network with like-minded individuals. They are incredibly motivating.”
- Leading
“During my career, I’ve had the opportunity to grow, and I took advantage of it,” Susan says. “I sought out webinars and learning opportunities offered by my company. I am always looking for ways to enrich my leadership development.”
Susan is dedicated to continuous education, but she also believes that one of the most important things a leader can do is encourage people to balance their work and home life. She prides herself on having compassion and empathy for her team and what they have going on in their life. But it’s a balancing act.
“As a leader, you have to commit to your team, and you also have a commitment to the company,” Susan says. “Both are equally important pieces of the puzzle I am building.”
- Self-Care
Susan’s self-care involves hobbies and activities that relieve stress, such as:
- Growing her faith as an active member of her church community
- Spending time with her grandchildren
- Playing piano at home and serving as the church organist
- Walking on her 14-acre farm
“I can sit at the piano, and it immediately eases my stress,” Susan says. “Everybody needs to identify that one thing that automatically relaxes them.”
Susan has also recently committed herself to prioritizing sleep. She used to be a night owl but now sleeps more and focuses on getting quality sleep. She even purchased a high-tech bed that provides feedback on the quality of your sleep. It measures how long you slept, reports how often (and when) you were restless, and rates your sleep quality from 0 to 100. When Susan first got the bed, her sleep quality measured between 40 and 50. Now, she averages 85 to 90 but has reached 99.
Work-life Balance Makes the Difference
Sleep isn’t the only aspect of Susan’s life where she strives for top quality. “Work is a top priority and a big part of my life’s puzzle,” Susan says. “But you have to find a work-life balance that supports everything you want to achieve.”
Susan M. Gordon, BSN, RN, CCM, CCDS, CMCN is a nurse at Humana.
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Blog #healthynurse Spotlight
03/31/2025 3:11pm CDT
The #healthynurse Spotlight is a shout out to nurses who are making changes in their lives to improve their health and wellness. You can too! Read their stories for inspiration here.
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