Jeff Philipsek
Associate Degree, Nursing Program
A Purposeful Journey.
When I was younger, just out of high school, I attended a four-year private college. That experience ended without me completing a degree and accruing significant debt. The experience also left me feeling discouraged from trying again for many years. When I decided to finish a degree, I wanted to find a school that would help me feel welcomed and supported and answer my questions honestly. I previously attended college for nursing and worked in the healthcare field in many different roles. I had been a certified nursing assistant for several years, then transitioned to working with the mentally ill in a community setting. While working in this role, I helped people with severe and persistent mental illness have a fulfilling life in a home setting. This work was very fulfilling. As I worked in this field, I began to be promoted and take on more responsibilities related to a business. I eventually worked my way to the behavior analyst position by completing several thousand hours in the field and online training. In this role, I would create plans for staff to read and learn what specific responses to behaviors could be used to help care for our residents. This role was fulfilling, but I only worked directly with residents daily. When the pandemic started, and I began working from home, I felt disconnected from residents, and after seeing on the news how hard nurses were working amid a global emergency. It inspired me to renew my goal of becoming a nurse.
Pursuing Passions Amid Responsibilities.
My hobbies while attending school and working are limited, but I enjoy lifting weights, ice skating, fishing, and many outdoor activities. I am also the current nursing club president and participate in CAB activities as I am able. I also assist with my children's sports activities, helping with football, wrestling, and baseball. Before starting school, I had volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club but have yet to continue due to time restraints.
A Pathway to Caregiving.
While in high school, I worked at a nursing home in rural Wisconsin for three years. Then, following graduation, I worked for an assisted living company in Proctor, Minnesota. Following this, I worked for an Alzheimer's unit, eventually transferring to a unit at the Benedictine Health Center, continuing my work with Alzheimer's partners. Following this, I took a job with a group home company specializing in working with the mentally ill and providing a community and home-like setting following initial stays. I was promoted to Behavior analyst after meeting the minimum hour requirement and required training through UMD. In this role, I collected data on client behaviors and personal observations from meetings with the residents. I then designed behavior strategies and procedures for staff to help deal with challenging behaviors. I am now working part-time for the same company while I finish my nursing degree and have been offered an LPN position for the summer before my final semester.
A Worthwhile Future.
My long-term goal is to complete my two-year associate nursing degree at Northwood Tech, begin working in the mental health field with my nursing degree, and eventually my bachelor's degree, and ultimately continue and get a master's work in the behavioral health department with psychiatrists helping the mentally ill in ways I haven't been able to thus far.
