From Patient Care Tech to Nurse: Jose’s Journey at Ochsner

Tina was Jose’s manager for years at Ochsner Kenner and quickly recognized his potential. She watched him grow from a shy, introverted new hire into a confident and skilled healthcare professional. “He’s always willing to help anyone, whether it’s a patient, a teammate or another department,” Tina said. 

For Jose, Tina’s leadership style made a lasting impact. She encouraged him to step outside his comfort zone, introduced him to mentors, gave him opportunities to build his skills and even gave him the extra push to take the leap into nursing school.  

The respect between them is mutual. Tina describes Jose as dependable, caring and eager to learn — someone who never says, “That’s not my job.” Jose stepped up to help on many occasions— by organizing donations for a new mother in need, starting a meal train for a coworker going through a difficult time and even saving someone’s life in a drive-thru by performing CPR. “That’s just who Jose is,” Tina said. “He never hesitates to step in.” 

Growth Through Opportunity 

Jose’s career took a big step forward when he joined the Ochsner Scholars program, which helps cover tuition for nursing or allied health students in exchange for a commitment to work at Ochsner after graduation. The program also provides mentorship, career guidance and hands-on learning experiences.

“Being an Ochsner Scholar gave me the financial support and encouragement I needed,” Jose said. “I always had mentors to guide me and answer my questions.” He also completed a preceptorship in the unit where he will soon work as a nurse, giving him valuable experience and confidence for the next stage of his career. 

Overcoming Challenges Together 

The road to becoming a nurse hasn’t been without struggles. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jose faced the emotional toll of caring for critically ill patients. “It was overwhelming,” he said. “At one point, I thought about leaving both my job and nursing school.” 

During that same time, his aunt passed away from breast cancer. Jose stepped away from school to be with his family. Tina and Ochsner supported him through both hardships, encouraging him to take time off and connecting him with counseling resources. 

Tina believes those experiences shaped Jose into an even stronger caregiver. “He’s learned how to give and receive feedback, to think like a nurse and to support his team in ways that go beyond the job description.” 

A Future on the Same Team 

Today, Jose is only weeks away from graduating nursing school and he will soon begin his career as a full-time nurse at Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans — on Tina’s unit. 

The move from Kenner to the larger, faster-paced New Orleans facility will bring new challenges, from a higher patient volume to more complex cases. But Tina’s years of working with Jose have shown her that he’s adaptable, driven and ready to grow in the role. She believes those qualities will help him adjust quickly and succeed in his new environment. 

Jose’s goals extend far beyond his first nursing role. He hopes to one day mentor new graduates, return to school for his master’s degree to teach nursing, or even become a flight care nurse. “I want to keep learning and keep pushing myself,” Jose said. “Most of all, I want to give students and new nurses the same great experience I had.”