Norine Yukon, School of Nursing alumnus, spoke to a group of current students on Nov. 11 and shared personal and career advice that helped her navigate a career as a nurse to CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Texas.
Yukon’s advice included common sense tips like always prepare for emergencies to how to be successful in a business setting. She admits that as a student she never thought that she would fill the CEO seat of a major U.S. health plan, but when the call came she felt obligated since there were so few women in such top positions in the late 1980s. After working as a nurse manager and other roles at Shoal Creek Hospital, Yukon transitioned to work for managed care entities including UnitedHealthcare, Prudential HealthCare, and joined the AMERIGROUP Corporation in 1998.
She shared that transitioning from being a nurse to running a business operation was not an easy one. She made mistakes and had a big learning curve. For instance, she says, “Nurses are used to telling people what to do, but as a business manager you can’t go on rounds and be a bossy boss and expect that people will do what you want.” Eventually, she learned how to sit in her office and wait for people to come to her for advice and to use her as a consultant.
Yukon told students that what employers seek are people who are problem solvers, good communicators, team players and are ethical. When joining an organization, Yukon recommends that you find an honest mentor and a sponsor, someone to help guide you through the organization. Finally, for a woman who remains active in retirement by sitting on seven boards, including three nonprofit ones and the School of Nursing Advisory Council, she reminds students that nurses are well positioned to do anything.
“You’re successful because of what you know,” she says. “You’re the most valuable people in the healthcare profession because of your total understanding of people from their physiology, pathology and psychology.”
Read more about Yukon’s background at http://sites.utexas.edu/nursing/2014/08/11/an-alumna-glances-back-and-looks-forward/.