June 24, 2021

Rusty Nielsen, Director, Patient Care

Life@Work, Rural Health

After high school, I went to technical school and became a tool and die maker – a plastic injection mold maker. My grandfather was a tool and die maker as was my older brother. I enjoyed the work and it paid well, but pay doesn’t necessarily ignite the passion. I got married and our first son was born on August 20, 2001. Three weeks and a day later, 9/11 happened. I still recall working in the shop and seeing everything on TV. After that, I asked myself, “How am I impacting people?” Yes, I had impact in my job, but not as much as I wanted. So I talked with my family and started the process to become a nurse by going back to school at night.

My first nursing job was at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare in the Chicago suburbs. I remember as a new nurse, some of my colleagues suggested I get into leadership. I didn’t really think it would be my thing, but I loved it. I’ve really enjoyed all the different aspects of nursing and health care. But, what I enjoy most is having the ability to help nursing staff deliver the care they want and remove the barriers that potentially get in their way. That’s what I really love doing.