When Lisa, an experienced RN, left Nantucket’s windy winters for Southern California’s sunshine, she sought more than a new location—she wanted family nearby and a workplace that felt like home. She found both at Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in Mission Hills.

The hospital everyone recommended

Lisa’s journey to Holy Cross began in an unexpected way. When she first arrived in the Los Angeles area, she worked in home health and noticed a recurring theme among her patients: whenever they needed hospital care, they always wanted to go to Holy Cross. “Every patient I visited, if they had to go to the hospital, they wanted to go to Holy Cross,” Lisa recalls. “They’d tell me, ‘You have the Holy Cross attitude. You should work there.’”

Taking a leap without hospital experience

Intrigued by the idea, Lisa wanted to work in the hospital but worried she wouldn’t be considered—she had years of nursing experience but not in a hospital setting. “My resume didn’t fit the mold. It seemed like you either needed hospital experience or had to be a new grad to get a job,” she explains. Despite her hesitation, a manager at Holy Cross encouraged Lisa to interview, even if only for the experience.

“She called me afterward and asked how I felt. I told her I thought it went really well, and she said, ‘I do too. We want to hire you.’” Lisa was thrilled. “They told me, ‘We’ll work with you and get you the experience you need.’ I felt so fortunate.”

Finding her place in the subacute unit

From the moment Lisa joined the subacute unit, she felt at home. “The nurses here have been around for over 20 years because they love it so much.” She says she was welcomed immediately and that sense of belonging has only grown stronger over time. “It’s like family, really. My coworkers, the patients and their families—it’s such a warm, welcoming environment.”

Lisa also appreciates the support and resources Holy Cross provides for caregivers. “They take great care of their staff. We always have the medical supplies we need, and there’s open communication about how to improve the unit. Managers and coworkers are always checking in to make sure you’re supported. You never feel like you’re on your own.”

Helping new nurses find their footing

Now, Lisa is part of the team that orients new nurses, helping them transition into their roles through the Transition into Practice (TIPS) program. “I know what it’s like to be new, so I always check in with them, offer help, and make sure they’re okay. It’s rewarding to see them grow.”

“Everything I was looking for and more”

Outside of work, Lisa has fully embraced California life. “I love living here. I’m never going back to Nantucket—sorry, guys!” she laughs. The opportunities for her family have been incredible, especially for her 17-year-old son, a professional dancer. “He’s danced for the Clippers and been in music videos. The level of talent and opportunity here is amazing.”

For Lisa, working at Providence Holy Cross in Mission Hills isn’t just a job—it’s a community, a family and a place where she’s found her purpose. “I love it here. It’s everything I was looking for and more.” Ready to join a supportive and thriving nursing team in Southern California like Lisa’s? See all the roles we have available and take the next step in your career.