Ally didn’t plan on becoming a nurse, but one experience changed her entire career direction.
Originally from Miami and raised in Dallas, Ally started her career at Chick-fil-A, where she worked in leadership and even considered becoming a franchise owner. But everything changed when her dad became critically ill.
“What we thought was congestion was congestive heart failure from a congenital defect. Nothing prepares you to see your loved ones in a position like that,” Ally said.
After emergency open-heart surgery, her dad spent weeks in the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) and coded three times. Through it all, it was the nurses who left the biggest impression.
“From physically restarting my dad’s heart to explain why lifestyle changes were so important, the nurses provided holistic, educated and thoughtful care to our family that changed all our lives. From that experience on, I knew I wanted to do the same for others one day.”
When Everything Started to Shift
Ally moved to Reno eight years ago while still working with Chick-fil-A, but she never let go of her goal to become a nurse. She joined Renown as a certified nurse assistant (CNA) nearly five years ago and quickly found a deeper sense of purpose in the work. “I truly found my why, being present for individuals on their worst days and finding ways to help them feel less alone.”
From CNA to monitor tech, Ally continued to grow, earning “CNA of the Year” in her first year. Something she says meant a lot early in her journey. She originally thought she would go into cardiac intensive care, but she was inspired to take a different path when she did a clinical rotation in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
“I was so sure I wanted to pursue a career in cardiac intensive care, leadership or education when I joined the team at Renown. However, rotating through the NICU during my clinicals in school changed everything for me. I felt so drawn to the care we provide here.”
Now working as a NICU nurse, Ally says the role is both challenging and incredibly meaningful. “I feel a sense of humility and gratitude when I get to celebrate huge (and consequently tiny) moments for little ones and their families — from helping a mom during her first skin to skin session to being part of our discharge parades.”
The Work That Stayed with Her
Ally’s journey at Renown has also been shaped by strong support from her team and leadership. “Renown has been pivotal in my story and continues to be. I’m proud to be a debt-free nurse thanks to the tuition reimbursement program and being awarded the Cherie Elvin Scholarship. Other than the financial aspect, my leadership was so considerate and accommodating throughout nursing school. They checked in and genuinely cared about my mental, physical and professional health and growth.”
She also credits the Nurse Apprenticeshipprogram to help her grow into her role. “Receiving the opportunity to work as a nurse apprentice in the NICU was so rewarding. I cannot say enough how much this program equipped me to provide exceptional nursing care. As an apprentice, the team has a vested interest in your success and continually provides feedback, support and advice. I learned so much during that time, and it really prepared me for my role.”
Ally continues: “Initially, I doubted my fitness for nursing. Most recently as a new nurse, I’ve doubted my capabilities. My leadership has always encouraged me and helped me see how impactful my work is.”
Her journey has also been personal. Since joining Renown, Ally has prioritized her health and wellness, losing over 100 pounds. “I am so proud of my journey and can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Looking ahead, she plans to continue her education and build her future at Renown. “I’m currently pursuing my bachelor's degree in nursing and then plan to pursue a master's degree. I’ll be with Renown through it all. I feel as though I found an organization that cheers me on and I can’t say how much that means to me.”
For Ally, nursing is more than a career; it’s something deeply personal. “My career has changed my life. I am so proud of the work I do and feel so professionally fulfilled. Being a NICU nurse is challenging, rewarding and brings my life so much purpose.”
When patients are facing a serious infection, the path forward is not always simple. Treatment can require close monitoring, specialized expertise and a care team that knows how to navigate complex medical conditions with both precision and compassion. At Renown Health, the Infectious Disease department provides that level of support every day.
Our Infectious Disease team members (or “ID team” for short) help patients manage challenging diagnoses while working alongside providers across Renown to coordinate the best possible care. Their work may happen largely behind the scenes, but the impact is deeply felt by patients, families and care teams throughout our health system.
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