Bellin and Gundersen Health System, La Crosse, 2024 Community Benefits
Bellin and Gundersen Highlights Paths, Advantages to a Career in Nursing
Bellin and Gundersen Health System is encouraging and supporting exploration of a career in nursing through tuition reimbursement options, nursing internship programs, a nursing residency program—and good old-fashioned storytelling. Recently, the health system highlighted the stories of registered nurses Erick Baumgart and Scott Thorson, both of whom began their careers in fields very different from nursing and healthcare.
Prior to becoming a nurse in the Gundersen Region, Erick worked as a police officer and correctional officer. Over time, his interests began to change and the way he desired to help others shifted. He evaluated his “why”—and that put him on a clear path to a new career in nursing.
“I think nursing is one of those careers where you can make connections,” Erick says. “There are a lot of careers like law enforcement where it's harder to invest yourself in the people that you serve on a personal level. I think it’s something that separates nurses.”
For Scott, it was the moments he experienced working in other fields that made him realize his true passion. Starting as a small-town CNA, he worked as an interpretive guide and park ranger before becoming director of an assisted living facility—and eventually deciding that helping others through nursing was his passion.
For Scott and Erick, changing course in their careers came from a desire to help people. But, Erick says, anyone wishing to help others should understand their own version of “why” they want to help others. This understanding kept them going through the hurdles of the pandemic.
“If you say, ‘I want to help people,’ every profession has an opportunity to help people,” Erick says. “What is it specifically? The most important thing is to find your ‘why.’”
Prior to becoming a nurse in the Gundersen Region, Erick worked as a police officer and correctional officer. Over time, his interests began to change and the way he desired to help others shifted. He evaluated his “why”—and that put him on a clear path to a new career in nursing.
“I think nursing is one of those careers where you can make connections,” Erick says. “There are a lot of careers like law enforcement where it's harder to invest yourself in the people that you serve on a personal level. I think it’s something that separates nurses.”
For Scott, it was the moments he experienced working in other fields that made him realize his true passion. Starting as a small-town CNA, he worked as an interpretive guide and park ranger before becoming director of an assisted living facility—and eventually deciding that helping others through nursing was his passion.
For Scott and Erick, changing course in their careers came from a desire to help people. But, Erick says, anyone wishing to help others should understand their own version of “why” they want to help others. This understanding kept them going through the hurdles of the pandemic.
“If you say, ‘I want to help people,’ every profession has an opportunity to help people,” Erick says. “What is it specifically? The most important thing is to find your ‘why.’”
