You’ll find that support especially strong in med surg nursing, where nurses gain exposure to a variety of patient cases, build essential skills and become part of a collaborative team that values each other.

For nurses like Sinitra, Amber and Allison, med surg has been more than a job. It offers career growth, leadership opportunities and the kind of support that sticks with you.

Sinitra’s journey: From scholar to teacher

Sinitra Tillman joined Ochsner Medical Center – Baton Rouge as a new graduate RN. She was looking for a place to learn and grow and found just that in med surg and telemetry.

"I’ve always wanted to broaden my skillset in nursing, and I’ve always heard that med surg and telemetry were great units to start," Sinitra shares. "They had an opening for a day shift role in telemetry, so I took it and ran!”

Through the Ochsner Scholars Program, she received financial support for her education. She also participated in the 12-month Nurse Residency Program, where she gained leadership guidance, mentorship and ongoing support.

"Ochsner has provided me with a wealth of resources. I attended the Nurse Residency Program for 12 months and recently graduated. The program leader, Katherine, still checks in on me to make sure I’m doing well or to offer help if I need it."

On her unit, mentorship played a big role.

"My colleague, Anna, is my savior here at work. She’s always ready to help, no matter the situation. She’s there when you call, and she’s such a valuable asset to our unit."

Now, Sinitra has taken on the role of preceptor. She mentors new nurses and encourages them to see med surg as a place to build skills and grow, just as she has and will continue to do.

Amber Morales’ path: Building skills, finding balance and creating friendships

Amber Morales began her Ochsner career as an LPN, but her ambition didn’t stop there. With the financial assistance of Ochsner’s tuition assistance program, supportive leaders and flexible scheduling, she became a registered nurse.

"A lot of nurses think, 'How am I going to juggle work and classes?' But my leaders worked with my schedule and encouraged me every step of the way," Amber said.

Though initially unsure about med surg, Amber soon discovered it was the best place to hone her skills.

"A friend told me that if I wanted to be skillful and hands-on, med surg was where I’d find what I was looking for. And she was right."

Today, Amber has found her stride alongside a team that feels like home.

"My team is like family to me. It's like a second home, honestly. We work well together, and we always have each other’s backs."

She’s especially grateful for her close friendship with Allison Kruse.

"My best friend on the unit is Allison Kruse. She took me under her wing, when I originally came here as a scared new grad. She knew that I was committed to learning, and that's what I wanted to do and just expand on all my skills. She taught me mostly everything that I know. She is a great teacher, and she has really inspired me to want to educate and teach new nurses that join our floor."

Allison’s perspective: Organized chaos, growth and mentorship

For Allison Kruse, med surg has been a place to learn, lead and connect.

"I call it organized chaos. It’s still very high paced, fast-paced. It’s a lot to learn and a lot to experience, and that's kind of where I found my niche."

Allison has made the most of every opportunity at Ochsner. From earning certifications like midline and chemo competencies to serving on advisory boards and councils, she’s grown as both a nurse and a leader.

"I feel honored that my leaders keep presenting me with opportunities to grow. They know my potential and continuously open doors for me to learn."

Beyond professional development, Allison cherishes the personal connections she’s built on the med surg unit.

"Everybody knows my best friend at work. We've been working alongside one another for about 3 or 4 years now. Her name is Amber Morales. We just clicked right away. I saw her type of nursing was very similar to my type of nursing. She has strong attention to detail and is very thorough. She wanted to do the right thing for the patients, ensuring that they were safe and that we were still following the policies and the rules of Ochsner. And that’s just the kind of teammates I am looking for."

The culture on her unit has helped make the work environment something special.

"We all work together like friends. We’re engaged at work and spend time together outside of work as well. It builds an environment of trust and support that makes our unit feel like a family. We’re not just coworkers."

For Sinitra, Amber, and Allison, med surg has offered the chance to grow, connect, and feel supported. It’s a place to build skills, take on leadership and form lasting relationships.

If you’re exploring your next step in nursing, take Amber’s advice.

"Don’t be afraid of a med surg floor. If you really want hands-on experience and the chance to become highly skilled, this is the place for you."

Discover how Ochsner can support you in your med surg nursing career.