In this conversation, Eileen Campbell reflects on a career shaped not by a rigid master plan, but by curiosity, values, and the courage to say yes when opportunity knocks. From her beginnings at the bedside to her current role as Chief Advanced Practice Provider at Cooper University Health Care, and as a founding member of the American Association of Advanced Practice Leaders, Eileen shares a grounded perspective on success—one that weaves health, leadership, community, and self-trust into a life where career and personal fulfillment are not separate pursuits, but deeply aligned.
Learning What to Say Yes to and What Never to Refuse
When you think about a life that you love, what is that? And is it one that you’re living right now?
When we talk about a life that we love and a career, in my opinion, we don’t talk about those separately. They have to be aligned because they are so interconnected and so time-consuming. Over the years, what I’ve learned is that you learn where you can say no, and you also learn what you will never say no to. That really aligns with your values. Once you have that clear, it guides your path to a certain extent.
When I reflect back on my career, I didn’t start out as a bedside nurse saying, “I want to be a chief advanced practice provider.” Maybe that’s unusual. Some people do have a direct path or a goal they set early on. But I really just kept growing, learning, and moving forward. At each stage of my career, opportunities presented themselves. I was open to them and would walk through the door, if you will. Then more opportunities came. It’s been a path of great joy and reward along the way. Because of that, at each stage, I’ve enjoyed where I’ve been, and I still enjoy where I am.
When Success Becomes Helping Others Rise
What is your definition of success today?
For me, in my personal life, success is my health. I think of that in five domains: physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and financial health. Those are all part of my own health and my family’s health. Of course, my health is tied to my family’s health, and to that unit of support.
My career success is really intertwined with that. But at this stage, I see my role in leadership as developing other leaders and developing other people. That’s where I feel I can use my experience and the wisdom I’ve gained over the years to share with others. That’s what I aim to do in my leadership role.
Protecting Energy to Lead and Live Fully
What are the habits that you have that allow you to get to that definition of success?
My personal habits are really centered around sleep, nutrition, and exercise. I’ve always been an early bird. I go to a 5:30 hot yoga class in the morning. But even before I was doing that, when my children were little, I would get up at five o’clock every morning just to have that time to myself. I’d have a cup of coffee and a quiet moment, really an hour in the day before anybody else was up in the house.
I always say, you can call me at 5 a.m., but I’m not your girl at nine o’clock, because by nine o’clock, I’m done for the night.
Sleep is really important. Nutrition is really important to me because I just feel better when I eat better. It’s not a burden. It’s just something I do. It’s like food is medicine. Exercise is also really important for me.
And then community. I think being with family and friends really fills me up and gives me energy.
At work, I would say success is building a culture. It’s so hard to change cultures. When you’re choosing jobs and roles, it’s important to look at the culture you’re moving into and really understand if it’s the right fit. That’s where your success will be in your career: being in a culture aligned with your values, where it fits on both sides.
Why Self-Doubt Stops Women Before They Start
What do you think keeps women from taking an opportunity that’s presented to them, or hesitating when things come their way?
I think it’s fear, at least for me. If I was hesitant about something, I could stop and ask myself what I was fearful of. I do think we have to let go of fear. It’s also probably self-doubt: “I don’t know that I really can do this job.”
I say this to other women applying for a position. They’ll look at the posting and say they have 19 of the 20 things, but they don’t have the 20th, so they don’t think they should apply. And I’m like, apply for the job. It’s that feeling that you don’t deserve it, or you’re not ready for it.
Trusting Yourself Before You Feel Ready
How do we help women be more ready for it?
It’s an easy thing to say, “Let go of fear.” But imposter syndrome is a real thing. Sometimes it’s about putting one foot in front of the other, instead of seeing this huge challenge ahead. It’s about trusting yourself. Trust yourself, trust the process.
I think, too, we have to let go of getting everything right. Nobody gets everything right, and that’s okay. We learn from what we don’t get right.
Even with a career choice, you may make a decision that turns out not to be the correct one for you, for whatever reason. That’s not a failure. It’s really just more clarity around what you don’t want to do, and it helps guide you toward the next step. And I’m sure that in that “incorrect” choice, you may have met other people and other doors opened.
So just moving forward and trusting yourself is important for all of us, and we need to give ourselves some grace.
The Power of Patience and Staying the Course
What’s a hard lesson that you’ve had to learn throughout all your years of leadership?
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that patience is a virtue. You have to be patient, try not to take things personally, and just keep moving forward. Also, recognize that time impacts a lot. If you’re doing the work that you love, you just keep doing it. With time, things work out.
Take the Risk and Believe You Belong
If you had to give advice to a younger you, what would you tell her?
What I would say is: don’t let fear stand in the way. Take more risks, in terms of calculated risk, but believe in yourself, and don’t let fear hold you back.
About Eileen Campbell
Eileen Campbell has worked in health care her entire career. She’s been a Family Nurse Practitioner for 27 years and has held multiple leadership positions in clinical practice, academics, research and administration. She is currently the Chief Advanced Practice Provider at Cooper University Health Care and a founding member of the American Association of Advanced Practice Leaders (AAAPL).
