Women Leaving Footprints: Enid Brown Russell
“I would like to be remembered as someone who constantly sought to encourage and support others to become their best self, and challenged others to come out of their comfort zones in an effort to recognize their truest potential.”
Women Leaving Footprints is proud to present Enid Brown Russell, daughter of Jamaica, who has had a distinguished career serving the community in the field of nursing. She earned a Master’s Degree in Nursing as a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, graduating with Departmental Honors. She has been a respected leader in the nursing field for over 30 years, and currently serves as a Director for a New Jersey based insurance organization, a title that she has held since 2007.
What does greatness mean to you?
Greatness is the ability to achieve one’s truest potential; to maximize all opportunities presented or to seek new or different approaches to achieve your potential. It is also encouraging others to believe in themselves and their capabilities to achieve great things.
What has been your career path? Is it what your imagined? Any advice for young women who are seeking a similar career?
I knew I wanted to become a nurse since early teenage years. My cousin and neighbors were nurses and I wanted to be like them; respected, caring and helping professionals. Post high school, I worked in different companies and did not pursue college until age 26. I do believe that time away from school contributed to my being extremely focused and centered.
I graduated in two years with an Associates in Applied Science degree and the ability to obtain my nursing license. I then went on to work at a world-renowned, major New York City Private Hospital which had a strong culture of teaching and learning, with staff who were aggressively seeking higher education. Not wanting to feel left out, I continued on to achieve a Bachelors’ in Nursing Degree, then a Master’s Degree in Nursing as a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, graduating with Departmental Honors within seven years of my initial degree.
As a nurse and nurse practitioner for over 30 years, I worked in various clinical practice settings in the hospital and community. A head hunter encouraged me to join a major, national insurance organization. There I moved from a clinical role into leadership and administrative positions. I was promoted to Director within a short time, a title I have held since 2007, despite changing organizations in 2016.
Nursing is one of the most rewarding professions on many levels. There are so many pathways in nursing from clinical management of patients at the bedside, to administrative responsibilities, to being the CEO of an enterprise – the only limit or boundaries in nursing is what the individual places on his/herself. I encourage anyone who has an interest in nursing or healthcare to go for it – the sky is the limit!
Did you have a mentor? If so, how was your mentor influential in your life? If you didn’t have a mentor, how did you navigate your career without one?
I have been fortunate to have close friends and multiple colleagues in my personal and professional life who serve as formal and informal mentors in my roles as a parent and a Director. Their guidance, support, and, at times, candid feedback, assisted me in being self-reflective, making adjustments where I have acknowledged the need to change and pivot to alternate approaches in dealing with situations. My mentors and I have maintained close contact throughout my growth and development as a leader.
Many dreams end because of fear? What steps do you take when you are fearful?
I have a close network of friends, and one close friend in particular, who I am comfortable using as a sounding board to discuss my fears or concerns. By listening to their feedback, praying, and/or sometime simply following my gut, I have been able to navigate through challenges and fearful situation to elicit solutions to overcome them.
“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained in sudden flight but, they while their companions slept, they were toiling upwards in the night.”
What quote (your own or from an inspirer) resonates the most with you and why? Or what book has had a major impact on your life and why?
“The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained in sudden flight but, they while their companions slept, they were toiling upwards in the night.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
This is a quote I learned in high school, and has served as a constant reminder of my pursuit of higher education and career path, while my friends were either working, socializing or creating families. I was determined and made a conscious decision to delay child-bearing until later in life in order to pursue my nursing career. I have no regrets in this decision. It allowed me to maintain a household, provide, and be supportive of my children.
Self Care is Life Care. What self care routine do you practice?
With the encouragement of my younger son, since June 2020, I have been consistently walking five to six days/week for 30-60 mins. In addition, we decided to make better food selection in order to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
Have you had any notable setbacks? If so, how did you become resilient enough to keep going after a setback?
Going through family separation by divorce was the most notable setback. With support of family, close friends and neighbors, along with a profession that allows me to be financially stable, I have been able to navigate challenges of single parent of two boys.
What is the best way to handle negative criticism or a negative evaluation at work?
By staying true to myself and my beliefs. I accept criticism if perceived to be constructive and an accurate description of my performance, then take action to modify and improve performance. Alternatively, if the criticism persists and does not serve to be constructive, I completely block or eventually remove myself from the negative environment or situation.
How do you create a positive life balance so that you are engaging in the things that bring your joy, attending to your work and family responsibilities while actively pursuing your goals and dreams?
Taking time away from work to travel within or outside the US on vacations, spending quality time with my boys, partner, friends and family. Traveling with my boys and partner have been the greatest pleasure over the years. At an early age, my sons kept me accountable to shutting down from work to enjoy quality time with them. Changing jobs has also increased my ability to have better work life balance. Enjoying life’s simple pleasure such as laugher, listening to music, reggae is my favorite genre, planting flowers; my backyard sanctuary with koi pond is my happy place.
We have all had to overcome financial setbacks. Please share your best financial advice.
Save as much as possible.
Avoid over extending one self with credit card debt especially with high interest card debt.
Monitor your credit report for anything that may impact scores.
Having good to excellent credit enables you to have lower interest rates for higher priced purchases such as for a home or car.
Invest in real estate wherever possible and seek help from a financial advisor.
We are Women Leaving Footprints, so how would you like to be remembered?
As someone who constantly sought to encourage and support others to become their best self, and challenged others to come out of their comfort zones in an effort to recognize their truest potential. I want my children, friends, family and colleagues to remember me as a great leader who made them realize they are the only person who can place limit on their abilities.
Is there any advice or life lesson that you would like to offer young women who are struggling to find their purpose and live a meaningful life?
Believe in yourself.
Be empathetic, authentic and act with integrity.
Circle yourself with supportive, positive individuals and avoid naysayers as much as possible.
Set small, achievable goals.
Reward yourself for achieving a goal; small rewards are fine.
Do not be afraid to change course if things don’t go the way you planned.
Sometimes losing is a good thing because in losing, there are other opportunities that presents itself, you just need to be open minded to change.
Is there anything that has not been asked that you would like to share?
I was born in Kingston, Jamaica, the only girl for my parents and sister to four brothers. Two of my brothers died at young ages, one from accidental drowning which made me afraid of drowning over the years, though I enjoy going to the beach and being in the water. I recently started swimming lessons, learnt that it is more difficult to be taught swimming at an older age than younger!
My biological mother passed when I was nine years old. I was raised by her closest and dearest cousin, who welcomed and embraced me into her family. She proudly informs everyone that I am her other daughter and I call her Mummy similarly as my cousins. I always felt and am treated as a sibling by them; never felt deprived of love, affection, support or anything a young child, teenager or adult needed from a parent.
Mummy is my friend, advisor, counselor, supporter, and strongest advocate. She is a constant source of inspiration, motivation and mentorship. Her guidance is sought when making big decisions, knowing she would give the best advice from her heart, knowledge and many experiences.
Mummy provided the opportunity for me to migrate to the United Stated in 1986. As a result, I wanted to make her proud by excelling to my highest potential. She is an ardent cheerleader at every major or minor milestone or achievement. She is my rock, and remains steadfast and true. At an early age, she encouraged me to be true to myself and to acknowledge God is all my doings.
Women Leaving Footprints is an interview series that amplifies the voices of women. We share the journey of women who are living a purpose-driven life and are committed to leaving footprints for younger women. Our goal is to interview 50 women each year and create a strong database of advice covering both career and life skills. For those interested in a deeper partnership, we invite you to join our Island Mindful Path to Transformation group on Facebook.
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Interview by Janet Autherine: Janet is the founder of the Island Mindful Path to Transformation. She uses the transformational power of mindfulness to teach high-achieving women who are overwhelmed how to create a peaceful and abundant life.
www.JanetAutherine.com
IG: @JanetAutherine
