Coming Home to Care

Ochsner Rush Health LPN Leighann K. did not always plan to work in healthcare. She first earned a bachelor’s degree in business and worked at a small rural hospital doing administrative tasks. 

But sitting behind a desk didn’t feel right. 

She grew up watching her mom work in nursing and was raised in a family that believed in helping others. On slow days at the hospital, nurses let her shadow them. She saw how they cared for patients and built trust. It felt natural to her. 

She decided to try a one-year LPN program. That first step turned into a lifelong career. 

Growing Through Experience

Leighann started working in a hospital while still in nursing school. After graduating, she stayed and later moved to Jackson, Mississippi, where she worked nearly 30 years at a children’s hospital. 

During that time, she worked in bedside nursing, research and clinic roles. Her career showed her that LPNs can grow in many ways and be strong members of the care team. 

After retiring during the COVID-19 pandemic, she moved back to her hometown. Before long, she felt called to return to nursing. She reached out about opportunities with Ochsner Rush Health and joined the team. 

She now works in the same clinic where she once helped with paperwork as a college student. 

“It feels like coming home,” she said. 

A Strong Team That Works Together

Leighann says one of the best parts of working in the clinic is the team dynamic. 

The clinic has three providers, and nurses may work with different providers depending on the day. Everyone understands they are hired to support the clinic as a whole. If someone is out, others step in. 

“We pick up and help where we need to,” she said. 

Many team members are parents, and several even have children in the same school. When special events come up, the team plans ahead and supports one another so everyone can be present for important family moments. The clinic works together to ensure patient care stays seamless while also supporting work-life balance. 

Leighann, who is also a single mom, says that flexibility means everything. Knowing her coworkers will step in — and that she can do the same for them — creates trust. 

“We all share the same work ethic,” she said. “We work together until everything’s done.” 

Making a Difference Every Day

At Ochsner Rush, Leighann cares for both adults and children. When she returned to adult medicine after years in pediatrics, providers helped her learn new medications and treatments. They were open to teaching — and to learning from her experience, too. 

She says nurses play an important role in building trust with patients. 

Recently, she received The DAISY Award after a patient nominated her. The patient was struggling with postpartum depression. Leighann had faced that challenge herself. She shared her story and listened. 

“I didn’t think anything of it at the time,” she said. “It just felt like the right thing to do.” 

Why Choose Ochsner Rush? 

Leighann says clinic nursing at Ochsner Rush offers variety, flexibility and room to grow. Nurses can work in family medicine, gynecology, urology, surgery, orthopedics and many other specialties. 

The hours are family-friendly, and leaders regularly round in clinics to check on staff and ask for ideas. Nurses have opportunities to transfer to other specialties if they want to try something new. 

Most of all, she says the support stands out. Team members help one another succeed, and leaders encourage learning and growth. 

“If you want to be somewhere that supports you both at work and at home, this is a great place to be,” Leighann said.