The poet Mary Oliver once asked, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” That answer can change depending on where we are in life—early career, mid-career, or after stepping away for a while.  For Cheryl, a seasoned Surgical Technologist, that answer is clearer than ever: live fully, love deeply and continue growing in a career she finds deeply rewarding. Working at Providence is part of what makes that possible for her.

Time and benefits to live a full life

As life gets busier—whether you’re raising a family, staying active in your community, or just trying to make time for yourself—having a flexible workplace makes all the difference.  Cheryl, a mom to “littles and bigs,” is also an active member of her church, a loving wife, and an outdoor enthusiast who spends plenty of time pursuing hobbies that bring her joy. She’s found that Providence not only supports her career—it gives her the space to enjoy the rest of her life, too. Her team values work-life balance, and she accrues paid time away that covers everything from vacation to days off to care for sick family members. That way, she’s able to excel in all facets of her life.

“I am really involved with my kiddos outside of work,” Cheryl says. “Our kids are in softball and volleyball. We’re taking up golf. My daughter’s taking up horse riding. We bought a boat to go out on the lake. Our kids enjoy skiing in the wintertime, and we go hiking in the summer.” She says Providence offers perks that make family time even more special, such as a free night at the movies or a night at a local minor league baseball game.

Cheryl also feels supported during stressful times. “For kids and parents, navigating through life can be hard,” she says. “And I don’t think that that is talked about enough.” Cheryl encourages her high school and college-aged children to use the mental health benefit provided by Providence and connect with a counselor when they need support. “Being able to have mental health sessions covered is huge,” Cheryl says, “because not very many people get that. I tell my kids to use it as much as they can—if they need it, use it.”

Teams that want her to succeed

“What is unique about Providence as an employer is that they try to take care of us, and they take everything to heart,” Cheryl says. “They want to know if you’re happy and if there are any concerns.” She says there are regular touchpoints where she feels free to raise questions or concerns—and that her voice is heard.

And despite being experienced in her role, Cheryl appreciates that she’s given opportunities to learn and grow as tools and technologies change and advance. Says Cheryl, “They make sure that we’re educated on the instruments. We have weekly in-service, so we’re secure in knowing what cases we’re doing and how to provide for our doctors. They’re willing to help pay for education and certifications. They bring in lots of extra education, reps from vendors.” She adds that her managers have offered to pay for educational conferences as well. “I’ve heard, ‘We want you to feel like you’re thriving, not just trying to survive.’”

Flexible approach to managing call time

Being on call is a fact of life in healthcare. At Providence in Polson, they manage it in a creative and flexible way. Since winter weather in Montana can prevent caregivers from making it to work in the 30-minute call window, the hospital has free on-call housing near the hospital. “People don’t have to worry about not making it here on time,” says Cheryl. “It’s of no charge to caregivers and makes sure that everybody has the opportunity to be here.”

In Cheryl’s case, she doesn’t need to use the on-call housing because she lives so close. “It only takes me about five minutes to get to work.”

The perfect place to retire…someday

Cheryl isn’t thinking about retirement just yet. But when she does, she knows she’s already in the perfect place. “There are many reasons I want to stay here, and part of it is because of the people that I work with, but also the area that I live,” she says. “Living in Polson…I don’t think you can find a prettier area. It’s a perfect place for my family and I believe it’s going to be the perfect place to retire.” She adds that she hopes her children will want to come back to the area as adults. “The community is so kind and welcoming. I don’t think I could see myself living anywhere else.”

Join our team

Flexibility isn’t just a nice-to-have in today’s job market—it’s one of the top reasons people choose where to work. That’s especially true in healthcare, where the demands of the job have never been higher—and the need for balance has never been more important.

At Providence, we understand how important flexibility is. We offer a variety of roles that make it easier for experienced caregivers to join—or even return to work—on their own terms, bringing their passion, wisdom and compassion to the Providence family. Because when we create space for caregivers to thrive at every stage of life, we strengthen healthcare for everyone. If you’re an experienced caregiver who wants to work at an organization that prioritizes your well-being as much as it appreciates your contributions and wants you to live your best, “wild and precious life,” view open roles today.