People go into nursing for different reasons and work in a variety of areas, caring for all types of patients. It’s that type of diversity that has kept Crystal Drey working in health care for 40 years at Nebraska Medicine.
“The beauty of nursing is that it’s such a diverse career that you can always find the right unit or patient population that works best for you,” says Drey. “I found what I enjoyed and couldn’t be happier with my work, patients and work-life balance.”
Drey’s road to finding her nursing niche began as a teenager. Her first experience in health care was as a candy striper.
“I really enjoyed that and I think it helped solidify my decision of wanting to be a nurse,” she says.
After graduating from UNMC College of Nursing, Drey began her career here in 1978, working the night shift on a medical-surgical unit on level nine of Clarkson Tower, routinely taking care of ear, nose and throat surgery patients.
“Most of the patients were kids having their tonsils or adenoids out, sinus surgeries or cleft lip and cleft pallet procedures,” she recalls. “When I got into nursing, I initially wanted to work with pediatrics, so being able to take care of these kids, as well as entertain them during their stay was really enjoyable.”
Health care is ever changing and by 1984, operations that had once been inpatient stays were now becoming outpatient procedures. Seeing the change, Drey decided to take another opportunity within the organization and became a charge nurse in outpatient surgery in 1986.
“When outpatient surgery started, it was all the things we used to take care of in inpatient surgery and I enjoyed it,” says Drey. “When I had the opportunity to go to outpatient surgery, I jumped at it. Every day is a new day and a new patient.”
Today, Drey is a staff nurse lead in Preop. She and her colleagues help patients get into Preop, and communicate with PACU, OR and Short Stay leads to ensure patient hand offs are seamless.
“Overall, we’re making sure patients who have had procedures go where they need to go,” she says.
Drey’s impact in Preop extends beyond the patients, as Tori Georges, nurse manager, Preop, PACU, Short Stay, will attest.
“Crystal has one of the biggest hearts out of anyone I have ever met,” says Georges. “She would do anything for anyone and wants everyone to know how appreciated they are. Even with how busy the day is, she still gets to know each care tech, nurse, resident, and staff physician that comes in the area. She truly is the face of our Preop.”
In her four decades here, Drey has seen many faces, as well as witnessed numerous changes.
“Everything from how they administer anesthesia, to implementing computers and technology, to having pumps for IVs, it has changed the way we do things and how we provide care to our patients,” says Drey. “There has just been so many improvements made that help us do our job.”
It’s been the changes that have helped Drey keep working in health care, and at Nebraska Medicine for four decades.
“I’ve been here for 40 years, but I felt like I never did the same thing,” she says. “I’ve always been a nurse here, but nursing has changed and every day I learn something new. I think it’s that kind of change that helps keep the job fresh, exciting and enjoyable to me.”