Ascension Saint Thomas Nurses Week Spotlight

This Nurses Week, we are proud to recognize the incredible nurses across Ascension Saint Thomas. Their compassion, expertise, and commitment make a lasting impact in our facilities and throughout the communities we serve, helping to advance health and well-being for all.

Below are just a few of the nurses who define care across Ascension Saint Thomas:

Natalie Snipes, RN
Saint Thomas Rutherford

What inspired you to choose nursing?

"I chose nursing because of the fulfillment and purpose it brings to my life. It's an honor for me to be there for my patients during some of their most challenging times."

What keeps you going on the hardest days?

"Practicing gratitude and leaning on my other nurses for support always gets me through. You can never control what gets thrown your way, but I can always control how I respond to it."

Yesenia Romero, RN
Clinical Lead and Residency Coordinator
Saint Thomas West

What are you most proud of in your career?

"The difference we make in our patients' lives. Seeing patients recover, regain their strength, and knowing we played a role in helping them through some of their hardest moments is incredibly rewarding."

How do you hope to shape the future of healthcare in your career?

"I hope to shape the future of healthcare by supporting and mentoring our newer nurses, helping them develop the same passion for nursing that I have. This profession is incredibly challenging, but it is also deeply rewarding, and I want them to always remember the impact they have on their patients' lives."

Steve Poppele, RN
Saint Thomas Rutherford

What advice would you give to a young nurse, just starting out in their career?

"Never be afraid to ask questions! We are always learning and your preceptor/ coworkers have 'been there/ done that.' You have unlimited possible positions in an ever expanding field."

What are you most proud of in your career?

"That I can develop a good rapport with people and can help put them at ease especially now that I work solely in the behavioral health section of the ER."

Emily Jordan, RN
Saint Thomas Rutherford

What inspired you to choose nursing?
"I chose nursing because ever since I was a little girl, I had always dreamed of helping others. I have a passion for caring for people."

What keeps you going on the hardest days?

"What keeps me going on the hard days is knowing that for these patients this is their reality right now. Nobody plans to come to the hospital or wants to be sick. I am able to leave the building once my shift is over, but they do not get to do that. Understanding that this is some of the worst days of their lives, I am hoping that even on bad days I can make even a little difference."