James, RN – Behavioral Health
Providence St. Peter Hospital
Olympia, Washington

Answering the call.
I came to Providence St. Peter as a mental health specialist and worked part-time as a psychiatric counselor here and at another hospital. I was already taking prerequisite courses for nursing school with the goal of becoming a psychiatric nursing professional. I loved working at St. Peter and preferred working here over my other employer. After graduation, I made St. Peter my career home. Today, I’m a behavioral health registered nurse on the inpatient psychiatric unit.

Supporting my growth.
Providence St. Peter was my first position as a registered nurse. I did my residency in medical and surgical nursing, working side-by-side with an experienced nurse. I appreciate that Providence St. Peter lets new psychiatric nursing grads earn their "med/surg stripes." After residency, I moved to the inpatient psychiatry unit and had a mentor for the first year. The added support made this a more valuable experience and I really learned a lot. As a teaching hospital, we have the opportunity to care for patients and to gain teaching experience with student nurses.

What keeps me here.
Living in Olympia I was initially drawn to the convenience of St. Peter, but what keeps me here are the working relationships I've developed and the satisfaction of helping people get better. I’ve been working in mental health since 1973 and I’ve seen facilities where there’s not much caring or collaboration between staff. There’s definitely a closeness at Providence that draws professionals here. It's why they stay.

Gay, RN, CCRN – Intensive Care Unit
Providence Portland Medical Center

A lifetime of opportunity.
I graduated in 1992 and got my foot in the door at Providence my senior year of nursing school. I started out on an orthopedic surgical floor, moved to cardiology/telemetry, then critical care. I’ve been here ever since. I love the camaraderie here. You feel comfortable right away. You’ll work with people who truly embrace the Mission and value you and what you do. I’m always telling people that I work at one of the very best hospital systems. This is why.

The sky’s the limit.
You’ll have lots of outlets for your initiative at Providence. For example, I’m a staff nurse and relief charge nurse, trainer and teacher for nursing staff, skin care resource in ICU and a trainer in continuous renal replacement therapy. I have participated in a research project and had an article published. I’m also in graduate school, studying to be a family nurse practitioner. No matter what you want to accomplish, Providence will support you every step of the way with scholarships, educational reimbursements, lots of opportunities and training.

Feeling the Mission.
I graduated from the University of Portland, which is a Catholic school. When I started working at Providence, I loved the way people worked together, how happy patients were and how everything was so cohesive. I couldn’t put my finger on what made it different. But now I know. It’s the Mission of Providence at work. It’s why we work so hard to ensure our patients have everything they need to heal, physically and spiritually, and go above and beyond for their families, and for each other, too. It’s a difference that’s hard to describe, but really easy to feel.

Neil, RN, CNOR - Operating Room
St. Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center
Missoula, Montana

Stimulating diversity.
St. Pat's offers surgical nurses incredible variety. We are a trauma center for western Montana and have the International Heart Institute here as well as an extensive neurology program. We also handle orthopedic, urology, eye procedures and general surgery. We’re extremely high-tech, with surgical robotics including the da Vinci. I’m built for critical care. There’s a rush to it, a certain degree of adrenaline and excitement, it’s great. I also get to work with wonderful, dedicated people every day and that means a lot to me.

Healthy balance.
I’m a fifth-generation Montanan and a mountain kind of a guy. Missoula has everything. I’ve grown up with the traditions; fly fishing, hunting, hiking, backpacking and skiing. We have five of the finest blue-ribbon trout streams in the entire nation. I work 12-hour shifts three days a week. The time I have to myself is absolutely exceptional.

Living the Mission.
I approach each day putting the patient first and imagining each transaction through the eyes of the patient. I feel extremely lucky to have my health and to be able to help others. That’s my journey, my life. Keeping your compassion, your love for the job and your integrity, all those things are so important. I think that reflects the whole Mission and core values that the Sisters have tried to instill from the beginning.

Touching lives.
A young man, not much older than myself, came in with an acute myocardial infarction. I was alone with him, wheeling him into the operating room when he arrested. We went through CPR, full code resuscitation and were on pump in seven minutes. We performed surgical bypass and graft with a great outcome. I remember talking with his wife in the Intensive Care Unit. The terror on her face could absolutely crush you. He recovered well. Weeks later, I received a beautiful card from her and I thought, "I’m going to get up tomorrow and go to work, because what I do makes a difference."

George, RN—Oncology
Providence Portland Medical Center

Higher levels of excellence.
Providence asks a lot more of their nurses. The fact that we have such high standards is what drew me to Providence. We’re a Magnet facility, and we’re expected to grow and develop professionally. I earned my oncology nurse certification, which is one of the expectations of being a nurse on the oncology unit. We are given a monetary incentive for achieving certification and we’re even reimbursed for the exam. The support is exceptional.

Encouragement to achieve.
Providence encourages you to pursue higher education as well. They support your learning with scholarships and tuition reimbursements, and encourage participation in organizations like our local chapter of The Oncology Nursing Society to network and discuss new modalities of treatment. Once you achieve certification or advance to a new skill level you’re recognized for it. So, not only is there encouragement here, but also accolades for doing well.

There is purpose in our work.
There are many psychosocial issues to contend with in oncology. We get to know our patients on such a personal level. From the job they’re trying to keep, or can’t go back to, to the impact on their families and friends, to the financial impact of long-term treatment, it affects every area of their life. We treat so much more than cancer in oncology. I believe this is why we go home feeling like we’ve made a difference in someone’s life each day. It’s what keeps us coming back for more.

Danyelle, RN, BSN, Medical/Surgical
Providence Hood River Hospital
Hood River, Oregon

Revealing God’s love.
I see the Mission of Providence fulfilled every day. It’s not just a statement that an organization makes for the purpose of advertising. It’s actually lived out by team members. For me, it means compassion without judgment. I think, "No matter how you came to need me, I’ll be here to help you." In that way, I feel I’m revealing God’s love.

We’re a team.
At Providence, I feel I can go to any other nurse and ask for an opinion. Here, it’s not "this is my patient, this is your patient." They’re our patients and we all do our best to promote better outcomes. All disciplines work very well together as a team. Our certified nursing assistants are awesome; we have a really good relationship and communicate well. You can see our teamwork reflected in the excellence of patient care.

Educational support.
Our education department is really good about keeping us up to date on evidence-based practice. There is a lot of support for furthering your education. If there is a class or convention that I want to attend, the department works hard to get me time off so I can.

The heart of caring.
When I was growing up, I always wanted to be a doctor. Then, a couple of times during high school, I ended up in the ER. I realized it was the nurse who was by my side, holding my hand. That’s what really drew me to nursing—the patient interaction. Hood River Hospital is fairly small, compared to most, and you really get to know your patients and their families. I like that.

Cyndi, Pharmacy Assistant Manager
Providence Portland Medical Center
Portland, Oregon

A culture of teaching, learning and advancement.
I had an opportunity to volunteer at Providence St. Vincent while pursuing my undergraduate degree and did my residency there. After working with them for a year, I was offered a management position at Providence Portland. I have always been encouraged to pursue different avenues in my career at Providence. Our culture is one of teaching, learning and advancement. Our health system is growing, so there’s more opportunity here than ever before.

Stewardship is important to me.
The work that Providence does in the community is just wonderful. Aside from the non-profit and charity involvement, you can see our commitment to stewardship on a daily basis. Our people show true compassion, not just with patients, but also with visitors and co-workers...with everyone. I think the Mission and core values are what drew me to Providence. They’re more than mere words; they’re a part of who we are.

Ours is a close-knit community.
The pharmacy community in Portland is very close-knit, and we speak with pharmacists at other medical facilities in the area quite often. We’ve met through conferences and membership in organizations. In fact, even the residency program hosts a city-wide conference. It’s a very collaborative, supportive community and an established network. I know that no matter what the challenge may be, I have a forum where I can seek professional advice.

Greg, Clinical Pharmacist
Providence Alaska Medical Center
Anchorage, Alaska

The path to Providence.
I worked at a very small inpatient facility in a remote area of Alaska for a year after graduation. When I relocated to Anchorage, my first choice was Providence. They are very highly regarded in the community and have a reputation as a great work environment. It was a big transition going from a 30-bed facility to the largest hospital in Alaska, but I received incredible support and encouragement from my department. It really proved to be the right fit for me.

Training is very extensive.
When I first began my career at Providence I had months of intense, hands-on training. We don’t believe in simply "throwing you in." There’s an expectation here that you’ll need time to really understand how things work and extra support to prepare you to be on your own. Plus, you’ll be learning from the best. At Providence, we have pharmacists who have been practicing for a long time and they’re a valuable resource for any questions or issues that you might have.

Choose your specialty.
Because ours is a decentralized pharmacy I’ve been cross-trained in most areas of the hospital including the outpatient infusion center, central pharmacy, critical care satellite pharmacy, progressive care, pediatrics, NICU, surgery and general medicine, all within my first year and one-half at Providence. Right now, I’m spending most of my time in pediatrics and I really enjoy it. You are encouraged to experience different clinical areas and challenges. There are lots of opportunities to grow.

Jenny, Staff Physical Therapist, MPT, GCS
Providence Portland—Home Health East
Portland, Oregon

Living the mission.
From my first day of orientation, I noticed an immediate and substantial difference in the way Providence takes care of its employees. It was evident that at Providence they don’t just talk about their mission, but they live the Mission. We share a common bond here. Everyone smiles and says hello to one another. We embrace our differences because, at the end of the day, everyone ultimately works together in the best interest of the patients. It’s a difference in philosophy that still impresses me to this day.

Transferability is a plus.
When I first moved to Portland I took a contract position with Providence Mt. Angel Home Health. They tried really hard to secure me as an employee, but the location was too far away. I needed something closer to home. I was preparing to leave when my director suggested that Providence had other openings in the network. Within two minutes of my director sending an e-mail, we learned there were five openings for physical therapists. I’ve never worked with an organization that worked hard to help find the right spot for you.

The best training.
I’ve worked with many different home health agencies and with clinics and organizations that specialize in everything from industrial medicine to pediatrics, and Providence has the best training by far. It’s very comprehensive. Most importantly, the training is tailored to your individual needs. It focuses on the resources you need to bring your skills up to par and allows you to continue to build from there.

Heather, Occupational Therapist (OT)
Providence Home Services—King County
Seattle, Washington

A welcomed change.
I had always worked in a hospital setting before joining Providence. I was relocating to Seattle and was excited about having a change of scenery, but really expecting to work in a hospital when I contacted a Providence recruiter in response to their ad. The position was filled, but there was an opening in home health and I was ready for a new experience. I’ve been in this role three years and really love working in the home care setting. There’s a lot of autonomy and I have the freedom and support to provide better care.

Clinical variety. Professional creativity.
The home care setting offers exposure to a variety of conditions. There are many different living situations, and sometimes it’s tough. This environment challenges my skills and knowledge, and allows me to be creative in coming up with assistive devices or adaptive equipment for patients that are within their budget and easier to obtain. Plus, I have the chance to be actively involved in the recommendation of solutions for continuing care for my patients, and that’s very rewarding.

Home is where healing begins.
Patients in a hospital aren’t always motivated to work because they’re sick and feel lousy. While they may still be sick at home, they are at home, and that makes them feel better. They often see us as the means of being able to stay there, rather than in a hospital. I’ve found that patients are much more receptive to care and treatment, and willing to participate, in the home care setting. As a therapist, I find it the perfect healing environment and a way to make a real difference.

Lori, Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)—Pediatrics
Providence Alaska Medical Center
Anchorage, Alaska

Meaningful work.
I’ve been in speech pathology for five years and at Providence for half of that time. I work in pediatrics, with children ranging from newborns to three years of age. What I like about my role here is that I get to treat both inpatients and outpatients. Working with inpatients is my favorite. I like working closely with the physicians and using my skills to help kids who are sick and fragile. It’s extra rewarding because children typically respond to care more quickly.

More experience.
One of the best things about Children’s Hospital at Providence is that it’s a smaller facility, relatively speaking, but it’s not too small. There are eight people in my department, so there’s a lot of exposure to patients and many different conditions. At first it was a little overwhelming, but it’s been a great learning experience. We see patients from birth to age 18 and treat every kind of disability. If you want to improve your skill set, Providence Alaska is the way to go.

The majesty of Alaska.
There’s a lot to do in Alaska. In the winter there’s hunting, skiing, snowboarding and ice fishing. In the summer there’s hiking and camping. It was definitely a transition because I came from a big city, but I really like it because it’s not as fast-paced. It’s ideal for people who want more adventure in their life and career. I know therapists who actually get picked up by plane or snowmobile to travel to neighboring villages for weekend work.

Annie, Respiratory Therapist
Providence Holy Family Hospital
Spokane, Washington

The path to Providence.
I came into respiratory therapy as a second career. I was looking for the challenge my first career lacked and decided to go back to school. I had always been interested in the health care field and a friend introduced me to the registered respiratory therapist program. It changed my life. In my second year in the program, I had the opportunity to intern with Providence and I knew it was the perfect fit. I was hired straight into a staff position after graduation and have been here ever since.

Protocols in place.
Ours is a centralized department where you’ll work on rotational assignments in different areas. We are not relegated to working in just one area, so we see a greater variety of patients and experience a lot more clinical diversity. That’s what I like most about working Providence. We also have protocols in place that allow respiratory therapists more freedom and control in patient care and treatment. We’re able to actually practice what we learned in school and keep our skills up to date in all areas of respiratory care including emergency room, intensive care unit, cardiac and our general chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients.

Hands-on support.
At Providence, we are dedicated to working together for a common goal and the teamwork here reflects that. The relationship between practitioners here is very collaborative. After treatment rounds are completed we check in with each other and offer our assistance if it’s needed. Our hospitalists, director and department supervisor are all very involved and hands-on. If we have any issues, we know that help is just a phone call away. That’s a comfortable position to be in.

Kathy, Registered Dietician
Food and Nutrition Services
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children's Hospital
Spokane, Washington

Compassion at our core.
I worked as a clinical dietician at Providence from 1985 to 1990 and left to work for a for-profit company before returning to Providence in 2003. I came back because I liked working for a non-profit much more. The Mission of Providence is real. I see the core value of compassion every day. While a for-profit hospital might be able to turn patients away, Providence won’t. We provide services to the poor and care for everyone in need.

Global mission.
Before I came back to Providence I went on a medical mission to El Salvador. That’s when I discovered that I wanted to devote my career to helping people. I think that many people drawn to Providence feel the same way. Providence concentrates on investing in community efforts, locally and globally, rather than concentrating on making shareholders happy. Many of our leaders are involved in mission projects and I like knowing that Providence and Sacred Heart are supportive of humanitarian efforts.

Supporting my growth.
I work in the neonatal intensive care unit and there’s always a lot going on. It’s a Level III NICU and offers highly advanced care. I love working in a large, urban hospital because you really get to specialize. Here, dieticians can work with neonatal, eating disorders, oncology and more. It’s appealing to me because I enjoy in-depth learning and I know that Providence supports my career mobility. I can explore other opportunities on different units if I choose.

Veronica, Client Service Rep
Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center
Burbank, California

Big opportunities.
When I started as a temp at a Providence patient service center, I worked in registration and was responsible for processing patient information and scheduling appointments. When they needed assistance in the main lab at Providence Saint Joseph I offered to help out. When a full-time opening came up in the lab I was able to transition easily, considering I was already familiar with some of the duties with my background in registration. It’s great to have the opportunity to transfer in to new roles as they become available.

Feeling lucky.
I’ve always been in the medical field in a clerical/receptionist role and have worked at various medical groups and doctors’ offices over the years. It’s nice to have a job that you can feel good about. At Providence, I’ve never felt like "I don’t want to go to work today." I’ve had jobs like that, and it was awful. I feel very grateful and fortunate that I’m here. Not only do we have great benefits, but I also have the ideal schedule for me. I just couldn’t be happier.

Working together.
I work with experienced professionals. It’s nice to have such a strong foundation and be able to work with people who have such a wealth of knowledge. This is a company of people working together and helping each other out. The hospital’s reputation for patient care speaks for itself. Although mine is an administrative role, we also have the opportunity to work with patients because they call our department to follow up with their lab results. It’s a nice feeling knowing that I’m helping patients get the care that they need.