Ann Pettey’s commitment to helping people has been the cornerstone of her service in health care. Her journey as a registered nurse began at UChicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook the summer after it first opened in 2008.
Pettey said she made her career choice to honor her late father, who received care from inspiring nurses. The experience instilled in her a desire to follow in their footsteps and make a difference in the lives of others.
“I pursued my childhood dream of being a bedside nurse,” she said. “I’m passionate about getting to know the person in the bed.”
In the years that followed the start of her career, Pettey cherished the emphasis on whole-person care at her facility. In addition to caring for her patients, her interest in others’ well-being extended to her community and tight-knit team.
“My team would always celebrate each other's milestones, from baby and wedding showers to making fun bulletin board creations,” said Pettey. “The team even went on a heart walk to honor my father who struggled with a heart condition.”
After working at the facility for nine years, Pettey decided to pursue a new opportunity and relocated to a different city, where she continued to work as a nurse. However, she quickly realized the stark contrast in her new environment and found herself increasingly drawn back to the warmth and familiarity of her former home.
“Something was telling me to come back,” she said. “I really wanted to feel like a part of that family again.”
A few years later, she followed her heart back to Bolingbrook, calling it one of the best decisions she’s made.
Having now obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Pettey continues to embrace new learning opportunities since her return. As a seasoned nurse in the medical surgical unit, she draws inspiration from the younger nurses and serves as a mentor and guiding figure to them. Reflecting on her own mentorship experience, Pettey said she finds joy in the mutual exchange of knowledge with different generations of nurses.
“I always encourage them to not be afraid of trying new things or to go back to school,” she said.
For Pettey, being able to express her faith at work is important. She offers communion and prayers for her patients upon request every week. Once, as a patient at her own facility, Pettey received communion from her fellow care team, and it fueled her commitment to provide spiritual comfort to those under her care.
With 34 years of nursing experience under her belt, Pettey attributes her success to her fellow nurses who always provide support to her within and outside the workplace. She plans to retire at AdventHealth, while continuing to make a positive impact.
Pettey and her family have been Bolingbrook residents for more than 30 years in total.
Since moving back, she has integrated into the community and cultivated deep connections through social activities like pickleball and ice skating. In her retirement, she plans to continue playing sports, reading and caring for others – always with the heart of a nurse.
“I think I'll always be a nurse even when I'm not working,” she added.
