It’s Never too Late: A Second Career in Nursing
Robyn’s path to becoming a nurse shows that it’s never too late to pursue a career you love.
After graduating high school, Robyn spent several years building her career working in a factory. It wasn’t until her oldest child was heading to college that she decided it was time to pursue college herself.
After earning her degree in 2015, Robyn joined Bronson Battle Creek Hospital as a float pool nurse. From there, she continued to grow, moving into critical care during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic followed by a year in labor & delivery. Ultimately, she found her place in the pre‑/post‑op surgery department, where she now works as a Charge Nurse. Each step along her journey built on the last, shaping her into a well-rounded nurse with a strong foundation built on teamwork, communication and patient advocacy.
Robyn’s Story
My nursing career started in my 30s after more than a decade working in a factory. At the time, I knew I wanted something different, but I wasn’t sure what direction to take. Nursing was the furthest thing from my mind, but as I began exploring career options, I realized that everything I wanted in a profession pointed to nursing. Funny enough, my mom was a nurse when I was growing up. I think that ended up influencing my decision to pursue this career even if I didn’t know it at the time.
Though I’ve worked in several different areas of the hospital, Bronson is the only place I’ve worked as a nurse. I love it here – the culture is really special. From surgeons and anesthesiologists to other nurses and aides, I get to work alongside such dedicated professionals who aim to make a difference for every patient. I also appreciate the opportunities I’ve had to grow here. Being supported in learning new skills and taking on new challenges is a big part of what makes me proud to work at Bronson.
What I enjoy most about my current role in pre-/post-op is how it brings everything together. I use skills I developed in critical care, apply patient education, advocate for patients during a vulnerable time and collaborate across multiple specialties. It’s a space that constantly challenges your thinking while also allowing you to build trust with patients in a short amount of time. Not to mention, this area is great for work-life balance, which is a nurse’s dream! For the most part, my schedule is pretty much set as Monday through Friday, with the occasional late-night or on-call weekend.
One of the most rewarding parts of the job is when I help a patient who is anxious about their surgery feel more calm and prepared. One moment that stays with me began with a routine pre-op phone call. As part of our process, we contact patients the day before surgery to confirm arrival times, review instructions and answer any questions. Most calls are straightforward, but this one was different. The patient opened up to me about how nervous they were to go under anesthesia. They shared personal information and described specific fears that were contributing to the anxiety. As I listened, I learned what they needed most to feel safe and supported. I reassured them that our team would be there every step of the way and that our goal was to make their experience as comfortable and positive as possible. Because I was scheduled to work the following day, I assigned myself to care for this patient in pre‑op. I never mentioned that I was the nurse who they had spoken to the night before. Instead, I focused on creating a calm, supportive environment, using what they had trusted me with during our earlier conversation to help ease their anxiety. It wasn’t until halfway through the nerve block that they looked up at me and asked, “Were you the one who called me yesterday?” When I told them yes, their face softened and they said, “Thank you for making me so comfortable.”
In that moment, I was reminded of the powerful impact nurses can have through genuine connection and being present. Nursing is not just about completing tasks. It’s about listening. It’s about hearing what patients say, noticing what they don’t say and reading between the lines. We may not always know what someone is carrying into surgery with them, but we can always choose to make their experience better.
Working at Bronson has also shown me what true teamwork looks like. I’m proud to be part of a team where everyone steps up for one another. Whether it’s helping start an IV, covering a shift or simply listening when someone needs support, there’s a real sense of trust and respect. My colleagues are a huge part of what keeps me going, and I am grateful to work alongside them every day.
