We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dr. C. Nicole Swiner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dr. C. Nicole Swiner below.
Dr. C. Nicole, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
I am still and always will be a family physician, although I just recently retired from clinical practice. I talk a lot about self-care, mental health, female entrepreneurship and work-life balance, or what we now call work-life integration. I’m about doing those things that you’re most passionate about and hopefully make a sustainable living from.
After finishing residency in 2007, I jumped right into the workforce, and I’ve been at the same “job” ever since. I’ve been in this game for a while, and I’ve truly given my all -mentally, physically and emotionally. I went from taking care of people and after about 2 years in we became a private practice. I became co-owner and a partner and got into the business of medicine, which I never planned on doing, but God said this is what we’re going to do, and it fell into my lap. I began building a legacy that I hope I left at Durham Family Medicine, which is one of connecting with patients like friends and family. I wanted them to feel like they were talking to their sister or their Auntie about their deepest, darkest secrets. I know that this is both a gift and a curse, but it’s necessary in a field where some patients feel left out, under represented and less heard. When I connected with people in that way, it was wonderful because I felt like I could really really get to the crux of what was bothering someone and really be able to help them with give good advice.
At some point, though, it became too much of a burden because I’m also an empath, as many primary doctors are. So, not only do I feel like I can really get into the root of what’s going on, I carry that energy with me. So, I walk away from that exchange feeling the heaviness or the sadness or the excitement from what someone is going through. That can be exhausting. Doing that and then coming home and being with my family was sometimes a challenge. After giving everything to my patients and truly being heavily and intimately involved with what was going on with them and their medical health and mental health, it was often difficult to separate myself. It was necessary to do, though, so I could come home and still have enough energy to do that very same thing with my wonderful 3 family members at home. I think women, in general, have that God-given ability to do that—to be able to help our loved ones and fellow man, but ultimately, we end up leaving ourselves out.
Dr. C. Nicole, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My bio reads:
Voted 1 of 10 Best Doctors in NC, DocSwiner is a family physician, 6-time best-selling author, blogger, speaker, wife and mother in Durham. She is also affectionately known as the Superwoman Complex expert and has written 2 best-selling books on the topic, which has now evolved into the #nosuperwoman lifestyle brand. She also owns and runs Swiner Publishing Company, she helps writers become best-selling authors and entrepreneurs, and Serenity Hydration and Wellness, providing IV hydration and self-care consults to clients. Her loves are Minority Health, Women’s Health, Self-Care, DEI and Female Entrepreneurship. She attended Duke University and went to medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina. She speaks nationally and has appeared on news, media and as a main stage speaker at Essence Fest and Women’s Empowerment. She has become one of the nation’s experts on self-publishing, self-care, imposter syndrome, physician burnout and work-life balance.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
I think flexibility, which is not what we’re trained in medical school. The ability to think on your toes is not only valuable when treating patients or dealing with research but also is valuable when thinking about career moves.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
The pandemic became the pivot. I had already been dipping my toes into other businesses outside of clinical practice, but during the pandemic, I made the official decision to sell my portion of the medical practice and leave for my own endeavors. I’m much happier and much less stressed in having complete control over my time and schedule. I haven’t looked back since.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.docswiner.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/realdocswiner
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/docswiner
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/docswiner
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/docswiner
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/docswiner
- Other: Serenity Hydration & Wellness, PLLC: www.bit.ly/docswinerhydration Swiner Publishing Company: www.instagram.com/swinerpublishingcompany, www.facebook.com/swinerpublishingcompany
Image Credits
Chris Charles Photography