Meet Our February Alumni Spotlight: Anne Lally, LPN
Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Anne Lally, a dedicated nurse who graduated from the BTC LPN program in 2021. Anne’s journey in nursing has been marked by a commitment to continuous learning and a passion for providing compassionate care. Since her graduation, Anne has embraced many diverse nursing roles. Let’s delve into Anne’s experiences, insights, and the unique moments that have shaped her remarkable nursing career.
Q: Have you pursued additional education or certifications since graduating? If so, how have they enhanced your nursing practice and career prospects?
Anne: I had a great opportunity to participate in CMH Residency Nursing Program. I gained a lot of knowledge about many subjects and possible experiences that may happen in a day.
Q: How has your nursing career progressed since you graduated? What positions have you held and what are your current responsibilities?
Anne: I work for CMH in the Float Pool unit, so I work several units. I work Med/Surg floor, Geriatric Wellness, ICU/Tele, ER and occasionally I get to help in OB. Every day is a learning experience, and I get to help in the healing of many different types of patients.
Q: What influenced your decision to pursue a career in nursing?
Anne: I have many relatives in the healthcare field, but there was one nurse that was there when my father passed away. She gave everything to take care of me and my family. She was also there when other family members passed, and I believe she was put in my life for a reason. I wanted to be that for someone else. I wanted to be there for someone who didn’t have someone to be with them in their time of need. I wanted to be part of someone’s life when they needed me most.
Q: Are there any particular moments or experiences in your nursing career that have stood out to you or shaped your professional growth?
Anne: Every day is a new experience. Working in the Float Pool unit, I get to experience all kinds of nursing opportunities. I have learned so much being on the floor.
Q: Can you share an especially memorable time caring for a patient?
Anne: I took care of a co-worker’s uncle. Sweetest man ever and pleasantly confused. A couple of months later, I asked her how he was and she said he still remembers me. She said he doesn’t remember anyone else, just me. That is a great feeling and reinforces why I chose nursing as my career.
Q: How is working as a nurse different from what, as a student, you expected nursing to be?
Anne: Learning fundamentals from books, Sims and skill labs are great, but having hands-on and one-on-one experiences with a life is so rewarding. It is also the scariest part; you’re learning your place, your voice, and often second guessing yourself. But don’t worry, it all falls into place and becomes second nature. And I always ask questions!
Q: Have you specialized in any specific area of nursing? If so, what drew you to that specialization, and what are the unique challenges and rewards it has brought?
Anne: Geriatric Wellness is my heart, but I have grown to love every department I work in. The patients in all the places I work at CMH are all special.
Q: How have you seen the nursing profession evolve since you graduated? Are there any significant changes or trends that you find particularly noteworthy?
Anne: I work with many great teams. I can honestly say that I have not experienced the “eating their young” trend that I have heard happens. The education that is provided to me through Healthstreams has provided me with greater knowledge, and they cover many different subjects.
Q: What advice would you give to current nursing students who are about to embark on their career path? Are there any key lessons or insights that you wish you had known when you were starting out?
Anne: Nursing school is hard, but it was very much worth every step of the journey. My advice is: don’t be too hard on yourself. Find a way to study that works for you. Find a study group; it helps to bounce things off of each other and creates critical thinking skills. You’re not in this alone. Find your support with each other and lift each other up. Someone out there is in the same boat you are in.
Q: What would you tell someone today that is trying to decide whether to go into the nursing field or not?
Anne: Nursing is rewarding. It is also a lifestyle. Make sure you are willing to do the work and be part of a team.
Q: Have you set any personal or professional goals for yourself within the nursing field? How do you plan to achieve them?
Anne: I am enjoying the position I am in right now. I have achieved my goal of becoming a nurse and being the best me. I may bridge over to RN someday in the future, and when I do, I will go back home to BTC. Being part of BTC Alumni is an honor and I wouldn’t want to further my journey without them.
Q: What is your favorite way to spend free time when you are not working as a nurse? Any special ways to de-stress? Fun hobbies to help unwind?
Anne: I enjoy spending my off time with my wonderful and very supportive husband. He is a musician and I love hanging out with our friends and listening to music. I enjoy spending time with my 2 sons and daughter in law. My youngest son is going to be 13 this year. He plays football and I enjoy watching him play and watching him grow into a young man. My boys are my everything, heart and soul. I also love art, so I enjoy drawing, painting, and doing crafty things to relax.
Anne Lally’s nursing journey is marked by a steadfast commitment to learning and providing compassionate care. Her diverse experiences, from the CMH Residency Nursing Program to roles in the Float Pool unit, exemplify a dedicated nurse making a positive impact in the field. If you would like to share your story about any of our programs or would like to tell us what you’ve been up to since graduating, we would love to hear it! Just email Haleigh at hgray@bolivarcollege.edu with the subject line “Alumni Spotlight”.