From Unit Receptionist to Nurse Practitioner

At Crouse, we believe that when you invest in your people, incredible things happen. Few stories illustrate that better than Brandy Leary’s. Over the course of nearly two decades, Brandy has grown from a Unit Receptionist into a skilled Nurse Practitioner, and through it all, Crouse has been her constant.

Brandy first walked through our doors in 2005, joining as a Unit Receptionist while preparing to enter the evening nursing program at Pomeroy College of Nursing. Brandy’s path to nursing was shaped by both family and personal experience. Growing up surrounded by nurses, she always felt drawn to the profession, but it was her mother’s diagnosis of end-stage renal disease that truly solidified her commitment. Witnessing firsthand what patients and their families go through – physically and emotionally – gave Brandy a deep sense of purpose.

As Brandy worked toward her nursing degree, Crouse was able to support her in many ways. Her managers worked with her on her schedule to balance work and school, she was able to utilize the tuition assistance program to ease the financial burden, and she received steady encouragement from both leadership and her colleagues. Strong mentors helped guide her at every stage.

When Brandy finished NP school, she took the opportunity to grow professionally through roles in private practice and long-term care while staying connected to Crouse by working per diem as an RN in the OR through 2016.

Those experiences were valuable, but something was missing for Brandy: the collaborative culture, the clinical environment, and the shared sense of purpose. When the opportunity came to return to Crouse as a Nurse Practitioner, she didn’t hesitate.

“Returning to Crouse felt like coming home,” Brandy says. “The culture, the mission, and the focus on teamwork aligned with the type of provider I wanted to be, and allowed me to practice at the level I had worked so hard to achieve.”

Brandy describes the Crouse culture in two simple words – family oriented. She points to the genuine teamwork, mutual respect, and shared commitment to patient care that defines life here.

“People genuinely support one another’s growth, and that creates an environment where you feel valued and connected,” she explains. “That’s what fosters professional development and it’s what keeps people here.”

For anyone considering a career in healthcare and wondering where to plant their roots, Brandy’s message is clear: “Crouse invests in its people, supports professional development, and encourages lifelong learning and growth at every stage. You’re not just filling a position, you’re becoming part of a community that is committed to making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives.”

Find a nursing career you’ll love: crouse.org/rn 

Bianca Morales is the Social Media Coordinator at Crouse.