Why I Came, Why I Stayed: Methodist Women's Hospital nurse and NMC graduate Laurene Yuskevich has ‘never felt more supported by a workplace’

In “Why I Came, Why I Stayed,” you’ll get to know people who are making a difference every day at Methodist and how they contribute to providing The Meaning of Care. To explore career opportunities at Methodist, visit bestcare.org/jobs.

Laurene Yuskevich, BSN, RN
Care coordinator for OB/GYN
Methodist Women’s Hospital 

Tell us about yourself.

I am originally from New Jersey and moved to Omaha, where I attended Westside High School. I participated in the High School Alliance program, which helped me realize that I definitely wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. I went on to attend school in Lincoln and later transferred to Nebraska Methodist College for nursing.

I’m currently a night shift charge nurse on the OB/GYN unit at Methodist Women’s Hospital, where I have worked for six years. I’m also involved in my unit’s UBC and Support Squad, which allows me to support our staff and patients in meaningful ways. Our unit cares for a wide variety of patients, including surgical patients, admissions from the emergency department, postpartum moms and newborn babies. I love that every shift is different and that our team gets to care for patients during some of the most important and vulnerable moments in their lives.

I’ve always had a strong interest in women’s health, both from personal experiences and from wanting to better understand my own body. That passion made me want to help educate others and pass on that knowledge. After starting on OB/GYN, I quickly realized how much I loved this job, the people I work with and the patients we care for. It truly became home for me.

Outside of the hospital, I work part-time at Texas Roadhouse, where I have been employed for over 15 years. I’ve always been drawn to people, connection and laughter. I love balancing both the serious and joyful sides of life. 

If I am not working, I spend a lot of my time with my fiance, Matthew, and our Weimaraner, Winnie, who is a ball of energy. We love taking her on hikes and trying to keep her out of every lake she finds. Right now, a lot of my free time is spent planning our wedding that’s set for this October, which has been so exciting. 

What brought you to Methodist?

My experience as a student at Nebraska Methodist College attracted me to the organization. The college does an incredible job of pushing students to be their best and preparing them for real-life nursing. They also offer strong career-advancement opportunities, which allowed me to see many of the different Methodist facilities and the opportunities available within the health system.

Through school and my clinical experiences, I was able to see firsthand how much Methodist focuses on patient-centered care. The hospitals each have a strong reputation for excellent care, compassion and teamwork. I remember always seeing The Meaning of Care shirts and thinking, “I want one of those someday.” I wanted to be part of a place where people were proud of the work they did and where caring for patients truly came first. 

What’s kept you here?

Without a doubt, what’s kept me at Methodist Health System are the people. Working on a smaller unit allows you to truly get to know your co-workers, and I have met some of my best friends here. I’ve never felt more supported by a workplace.

Methodist feels like a small community. You work closely with other units and even staff from other Methodist facilities, so it’s hard to walk down the hallway without seeing a familiar face. Our OB/GYN unit feels like a little family – everyone is always willing to help, step in and support each other through the hard days and the good ones.

And if I’m being honest, the crispy chicken wrap and Rice Krispies Treats help as well!

Do you have any favorite Methodist memories?

One of my favorite memories at Methodist Women’s Hospital would definitely be a Halloween night that I was working. I had way too many Halloween costumes, so to keep everyone laughing, I changed my costume every couple of hours throughout the shift. It kept my co-workers on their toes and brought a lot of fun and laughter to the unit. Nights can be stressful, so creating moments where people can laugh together really sticks with me.

Another memory would have to be the Women’s Hospital flood in 2025, when water took over part of Pre-Op/PACU. It was one of those moments that really showed how incredible the Methodist team is. Leadership arrived quickly in the middle of the night to help get everything under control, and it was amazing to watch department heads step in and work alongside staff to help.

After that, several floors had to quickly split their space and adjust in a very short amount of time to be ready for the next shift and for surgical patients. Everyone came together, adapted fast and made sure patients still received the care they deserved. It was stressful, but it was also one of the best examples of teamwork and support I’ve ever seen.

Have you had a mentor or colleague who has stood out?

One colleague who has truly stood out during my time at Methodist Women’s Hospital is my service leader, Stephanie Bricker. She is a huge reason so many of us choose to stay in the OB/GYN unit. She constantly encourages us to step outside of our comfort zones – whether that’s taking on new roles, becoming preceptors, pursuing certification or growing in our confidence as nurses.

Stephanie is incredibly passionate about women’s health and takes on so much behind the scenes every single day to support patients and staff. She not only pushes us professionally but also genuinely cares about us as people. Her door is always open, whether you need guidance, support or just someone to talk to.

Even on the hardest days, she helps keep moral up. Her compassion for staff and patients goes far beyond expectations, especially during difficult cases. Her leadership and dedication have had a huge impact on me. I truly could not imagine working for someone else.

What should people know about Methodist?

The Meaning of Care is more than just a phrase, it’s something you see every day in how people treat patients, families and each other.

The care goes far beyond an office visit or hospital stay. It’s about supporting people through difficult moments and making them feel seen, heard and cared for every step of the way.

The culture is built on compassion, teamwork and respect. People here are always working toward the next best thing for their patients, and that genuine care is what makes Methodist feel different.