Part of the Symphony.
When Allyson Dahl, B.S.N., R.N., and her family decided to move to be closer to her in-laws in 2017, she gained a whole new family at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen.
“My father-in-law recommended I apply there because both he and my mother-in-law had received excellent care and loved their experience,” she said.
She was originally hired as an operating room circulator (a type of perioperative nurse) but when COVID-19 hit last year, she was ready to help wherever she was needed.
“Allyson is the exemplar of OR charge nurses. She has the respect and admiration of staff as well as our surgeons and anesthesia providers. I had a physician text me recently stating, “I have never seen anyone run the OR board more efficiently or smoothly as Allyson,'” said John Summers, EdD, R.N., NEA-BC chief nursing officer at Texas Health Allen.
Read on to learn what she discovered when everyone works in concert together.
What was something surprising you learned during the pandemic?
During the height of it, I floated to many different areas of the hospital but primarily manned the Emergency Department intake desk. It was a stressful time, but I appreciated the experiences and interactions with staff from other departments who I was able to get to know.
Meeting so many members of other departments served me well since taking on the role of OR charge nurse a little less than a year ago. When I call different departments, I know who I’m talking to and it’s almost like I’m calling a friend I haven’t seen in a while. “
What did you want to be as a kid and how did you ultimately choose your career?
I felt the calling to be a nurse since I was a child and have always been fascinated with what our bodies can do. My mom was a nurse and kept her medical books on the highest shelf of the bookcase. While other kids my age were reading Dr Seuss, she would find me climbing the shelf to get her “Diseases of the Human Body” book.
I loved being a stay-at-home mom for 10 years, raising three incredible children. When my youngest started kindergarten I began taking one college class at a time until I was accepted into the nursing program. I continued my education while working as a registered nurse at Texas Health Allen and earned my Bachelor of Science in nursing in 2019.
What’s your favorite part of your job, and what is the biggest challenge?
My role as an OR charge nurse is best described as a chaos coordinator. There are so many moving parts to surgery, but I love it with all my heart. We get to know the doctors on a much more personal level. We are a family.
In surgery, each area is its own instrument. When everyone does their part, the operating room plays like a symphony. It’s difficult to explain to anyone who hasn’t seen it, but it’s beautiful.
What are some of the ways you provide exceptional care to consumers?
We are with patients in what may be their most vulnerable and frightening situations. We have just a few minutes to gain their confidence and trust. I’m humbled by it. Our patients depend on us just as we depend on one another as a team.
What do you do when you’re not at work?
I enjoy spending time with my kids and amazing husband of 26 years doing anything outside. I also love working with the children of my church. We recently presented more than 800 painted “Hope Rocks!” stones to Texas Health Allen and placed them around the hospital grounds. You can’t help but smile when you see them.
By Kari Littrell • Posted June 29, 2021
