Andrea Ansley’s Graduate Nurse Residency Program Journey
“Don’t hold yourself back just go for what you dream to do.”
Andrea got her clinical start early as a 17-year-old certified nursing assistant (CNA). Her life’s dream was to work in a hospital to provide compassionate care and positive health outcomes for patients and their families. She credits a strong support system and great mentors for helping her succeed along the way. Texas Health has been a second home for Andrea.
She enjoys the Texas Health culture, her team and our values that ensure quality care for all patients. From CNA to graduate nurse and now as a director of Nursing at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, Andrea shares how our Graduate Nurse Residency Program put her on the path to achieving her dreams.
Learn more about Andrea in her own words.
How did the Graduate Nurse Residency Program set you up for success as an R.N.?
The nurse residency program included classes geared towards ICU, opportunities to float to different areas in the hospital, and being taught by the best nurse preceptors. Having strong support and mentorship from the ICU nursing team, leadership and physicians on the medical staff was what made my nursing internship and career growth successful. My experience in the residency program was excellent and provided a strong base for where I am today.
What led you to select Texas Health’s Graduate Nurse Residency Program?
Being a nurse and working in a hospital was always a dream of mine, so my first goal was to start working in a hospital as soon as I could. I earned my CNA at age 17 and started as a PCT and unit secretary with Texas Health in 2002. I then learned about Texas Health’s graduate nursing program and enrolled. While completing the program, information about the new graduate program and open positions were provided to the students. Due to the support and encouragement all around me at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano, I knew I wanted to stay there, so I applied to an ICU nurse internship position.
What advice would you give your younger self or someone just starting in the medical field?
Don’t hold yourself back, just go for what you dream to do. There are always going to be obstacles, but you can find a way to overcome them, and it will all be worth the hard work. Seek out mentors and find opportunities to learn and grow.
How do you perform your life’s best work at Texas Health?
Texas Health is my second home and I always strive to do my best no matter what role I am in. I always try to instill in my kids and my teams that with honesty and integrity, you can’t go wrong. Just aim to do what’s right and never lose sight of caring for others.
What is the most gratifying aspect of your work?
Encouraging others and helping to solve problems. I have the best job of getting to work with many different teams throughout the hospital and to be a leader to an exceptional group of people. Helping ensure patients and our teams have a positive experience is the best part of my role.
Can you share a story about a patient interaction where you made a difference?
When providing patient care, I always try to make sure I find one thing that can make a difference for that patient or family. When working at the bedside and as a front-line leader, there have been many experiences where I felt I was able to help impact the care in a positive way. When working in the ICU, there are many experiences that stand out in my memory, one where I was able to help coordinate and care for a patient to fulfill his last wish of being in the delivery room to witness the birth of his child, and then was able to care for him again on the day he died with his newborn baby in his arms. Another experience was fulfilling a wish of a husband getting to sleep beside his wife one last time before she passed away. As a leader, rounding on patients and families, making sure we are providing exceptional care and being challenged with service recovery is very fulfilling.
What is your favorite Texas Health benefit?
The tuition reimbursement program is one that I have taken advantage of for the 20 years that I have worked at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano. I obtained my ADN, BSN and MSN while working and using the tuition reimbursement program.
Published August 1, 2022
