Partnering with Patients for Better Outcomes

Angie was inspired to become a nurse after having her first daughter. Her pregnancy was difficult and required several hospital stays. During that time, the nurses who cared for her made her feel safe, confident and supported. Their kindness left a lasting impression and helped Angie realize she wanted a career where she could care for others in the same way.

This July marks 22 years since Angie began her nursing career at Bronson. Over that time, she has seen both nursing and healthcare change in meaningful ways. Her career has taken her from inpatient units to home health and into the practice setting, where she now works as an Ambulatory Care Manager (ACM) at Bronson Primary Care Partners.

From Bedside Care to Primary Care

I started my career at Bronson Methodist Hospital working at the bedside. I worked on several units, beginning as a float nurse in med/surg and critical care before ultimately working on the MICU. While I enjoyed ICU nursing, I was always interested in home health and caring for patients outside of the hospital. That interest eventually led me to Bronson at Home and later into primary care.

The role of nurses in primary care has evolved a lot over the years. When I first moved into this role, care management was new and the position wasn’t clearly defined. At the time, our title was different (Practice Clinical Care Coordinators) and there were only a few of us with limited structure or formal leadership. Today, Ambulatory Care Managers are a standard part of every Bronson primary care practice. We now have dedicated leaders who advocate for our role and develop standard work and processes that support what we do every day.

In my current role, I work closely with patients who have ongoing health conditions. I help them understand their care, coordinate appointments and services, and connect them with the tools and community resources to manage their health. Being able to interact with patients on a routine basis allows me to build deeper relationships. By learning their backgrounds, stories and perspectives, I can better understand their behaviors and support them more effectively when challenges arise.

Many people still think nursing only happens in the hospital. I’m often asked what “floor” I work on. But for many patients, the hospital is only a small part of their healthcare journey – or maybe not a part of it at all. In ambulatory care, our focus is daily support and long-term health, helping patients stay well at home and maintain their independence.

Training the Next Generation of Nurses

I also serve as a preceptor for new Ambulatory Care Managers. I clearly remember my own preceptors early in my career and how much their support meant to me. Orientation sets the tone for a nurse’s experience, and I want new nurses to feel welcome and supported. I have a former orientee who I stay in touch with. I’ve seen her grow in her position and really thrive. That’s because she’s a great nurse and has had several amazing orientees, but I’d like to think my help played a small part in that.

The Evolution of Nursing

As Bronson celebrates 125 years of caring for the community, I see that same growth reflected in nursing. When I started my career, roles like care management didn’t exist. Today, they are an essential part of how we care for patients. That change shows how healthcare has shifted to focus more on prevention and helping patients manage their health over time.

Nursing is sometimes seen as a task-based profession, but there is so much more involved. Nurses today are highly involved in critical thinking, collaboration, process improvement and decision‑making. Nurses play an important role in helping patients navigate their care and make informed choices about their health.

I’ve also seen changes in how patients manage their health. Social media plays a bigger role than it used to, and access to community resources can change quickly. Virtual visits have helped improve access to care for many patients who might not otherwise be seen, and I hope that’s something we continue to build on moving forward.

Health in Harmony

I have never collaborated more than I do now as an Ambulatory Care Manager. I am constantly talking with a variety of disciplines, specialties and community resources. I meet regularly with my interdisciplinary care team, which includes Medical Social Workers and Pharmacists. We all have different areas of expertise, so together, we have a better understanding of what the patient needs.

I also work closely with the providers in the office. Because we work together on a daily basis, they have trust in me, knowing that I am helping their patients. That trust also gives me a lot of confidence in my work.

I’m proud to work for an organization that truly values nurses and recognizes the important work we do. The fact that Bronson Methodist Hospital has achieved its fourth Magnet designation is a huge point of pride and reflects the exceptional care our nurses provide every day.