Santisha Walker – Nurse, Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker – Is Serving Beyond
Nurse – Entrepreneur – Author – Speaker: Santisha Walker has utilized her nursing knowledge to transition beyond the traditional bedside and clinical settings into the business arena. Bi-weekly Santisha will highlight other healthcare and wellness professionals that are using their knowledge in other sectors in Spectacular Magazine’s new column, Serving Beyond.
Life reveals our exact reason for existing when we take a moment to examine the rhythm of our lives and what conversations, notions and interests make us “tick”. We each have that “thing” which calls our name daily, summons us to learn more and use our knowledge to make a difference in our communities and the world. Whether we choose to recognize the “thing” or not, it is very present and Santisha believes it is our job to determine what that “thing” is and get about the business of bringing it to life.
Many times, Santisha is asked if she knew she wanted to be a nurse as a child. She had no a clue. She was never the child that knew what her calling was or what she wanted to be when she grew up. She knew she was a caring person who needed to ensure those around her was okay; however, the healthcare profession never crossed her mind until her junior year of undergrad in 2003 at UNC-Greensboro. Santisha decided to continue with her Business Degree since she was only one year from graduating, but deep down inside the nursing profession was calling her name. Ever since she made a conscious choice in 2009 to pursue nursing as her method of caring for others, she has had remarkable opportunities as a healthcare professional! Santisha had no idea the numerous ways to positively influence and enhance the lives of many locally, nationally and worldwide as a nurse.
Since obtaining her Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from Wake Technical Community College, Santisha has gained experience in cardiac, neurology, long-term care, and rehabilitation. She also obtained her Master’s Degree in Nursing Administration from Gardner-Webb University and has served as Director of Patient Care Services for a local home health agency.
Since becoming a Registered Nurse and a Certified Wellness Coach, Santisha has utilized her nursing knowledge, as well as her desire to witness others live a totally well life, to transition beyond the traditional bedside and clinical settings into the business arena. Previously acquiring a Business Degree helped greatly with this transition, and has allowed her to confidently operate as a nurse in the enterprise and entrepreneurial arena in various capacities.
Santisha serves as Co-founder & Owner of Walker Group Health & Wellness, a boutique consulting company specializing in group and corporate education. She works with a team of highly-qualified and compassionate healthcare and wellness professionals to deliver foundational health and wellness principles and practical education to empower groups and organizations to function at its highest level, by providing fundamental instruction and offering individual attention to its members and employees. Santisha is also Co-Founder of Temple Vitality Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization that focuses on bringing awareness to mental illness and help transition this population to a state of independence through healthy living.
In addition, as The Nurse Brandnista, she serves as a coach and inspiration for nurses desiring to move beyond the traditional realm of nursing, to building a thriving brand, living out their heart’s desires as a nurse and making their own mark within the nursing profession. Whether nurses aspire to remain in the traditional clinical / bedside role and build a successful brand “on the side” for their product or service; or dream of fully operating a flourishing brand, she catapults nurses into realizing their dreams. One thing Santisha does boldly without apology is embracing entrepreneurship as a nurse, as she believe this way of nursing is not about escaping traditional nursing, but availing ourselves to the opportunity to be creative and still operate within the nursing profession.
Although Santisha obtained a business degree and grew up with parents who were serial entrepreneurs, she never envisioned herself as a business owner. She understood having general business knowledge would afford opportunities in the corporate arena, but she did not desire to operate her own business. However, she can truly say that witnessing the unfolding of her journey as a nurse business owner has been extremely invigorating!
She has had the privilege of educating the public on health and wellness-related topics as a contributing writing, as an educational and motivational speaker, as a health and wellness instructor for a women’s online academy, through radio, television, national and international podcasts, and publication features. She has also had the pleasure of authoring an inspirational book for nurses thrusting them into realizing their dream entitled,“Stethoscope and A Dream: A Victorious Nurse Anthology“, as well as collaborating with other business women throughout the country to co-author, “The MizCEO Entrepreneurial Book, Volume II: 20 Commandments For Women In Business”. In addition, Santisha has written a personal guide offering balancing tools for nurses entitled, “Your 30-Day Guide To Balanced Living As You Build Your Nursing Brand“, and created a program designed to put nurses on the path to starting their own brand entitled, “Ready, Set, Go! Branding Program“.
As she has worked to make a difference in the lives of family, friends, patients, her local community, the nursing profession and the healthcare field, Santisha’s greatest desire is to witness others to live the best life God intended them to live in health and strength, and achieve their heart’s desires. She affirms that she has not always had the answers to obstacles she has encountered along the way but has always chosen to submit myself to God and ask Him to be a lamp to her feet and light her path as she has proceeded on this journey.
She believes one of the pertinent keys to reaching our goals is to simply keep moving forward, even if it is inch by inch; meaning you may only be able to allot fifteen or thirty minutes a day to work on your goal. As you move, ideas will continue to flow. The next step is to then organize your ideas, strategically work within a schedule and prepare for the opportunities that are linked to your vision. Keep your vision in front of you and surround yourself with like-minded individuals who will cheer you on and hold you accountable to your goals. Santisha’s prayer is that she can assist as many as possible prosper in health, live a well life and reach their goals.
To further connect with Santisha, follow her on social media @santishawalkerrn or visit santishawalker.com or walkergrouphw.com.