Homecoming: A Nurse Rediscovers Her Calling at Crouse’s NICU

At Crouse, we’re proud of the caregivers who choose to build – and rebuild – their careers with us. In our new ‘Homecoming’ series, we’ll be highlighting employees who left to explore new opportunities but ultimately felt called back to Crouse, a place that feels like home. These stories remind us of what makes Crouse a special place for connection, purpose and a shared commitment to exceptional care. 

After four years in Crouse’s NICU, Zoë Faley, RN, decided to explore a new position as an Adult ICU nurse. But after a year in her new position, she realized where her heart truly belonged. 

“Being a NICU nurse was what made me the happiest,” she shared. “I enjoy the challenges that come along with being in a level IV NICU, so I knew it was time for me to go back to Crouse.”

What she missed the most were the meaningful, deeply personal moments that define neonatal care – the first feedings, the first time a parent holds their baby – and the privilege of supporting families through an emotional and transformative journey. 

“It’s an honor to get to be a part of the journey our patients and their families are on,” she says. As a Regional Perinatal Center caring for babies in a 14-county region across  New York, these moments are at the heart of what brought her back. 

She was looking forward to reconnecting with the work she loves and the many former coworkers who helped her shape her career. Zoë shared that Crouse stands out from other hospitals by blending high acuity services with the closeness and community feel of a small hospital. That combination, she explains, is rare. 

But above all, it’s the teamwork that makes this place home. “No matter how difficult a shift is, I have never felt alone. My coworkers are always willing to lend a hand. We get through every hard shift together,” she says.

Thank you for all you do for our patients and families, Zoë. Welcome back to Crouse!

Learn more about nursing careers at Crouse: https://www.crouse.org/careers/rn/ 

Bianca Morales is the Social Media Coordinator at Crouse.