From Dental Assistant To Trauma ICU Nurse
After 11 years working in dentistry, Kayla Parker pursued nursing while raising a young child. Today, she cares for critically ill patients at a Level I trauma center and helps train the next generation of nurses.
Welcome to Nurse Ascent, a twice-weekly newsletter created by nurses for nurses. This week, surgical trauma ICU nurse Kayla Parker shares how she transitioned from an 11-year career in dentistry to caring for critically ill patients, and why mentoring new nurses has become one of her favorite parts of the job. We also look at nurses seeking union representation in four states, projections that new dementia cases could more than double by 2050, and financial pressures affecting hospital staffing. Plus, explore nursing jobs tailored to your location.
But first....
AI Training Jobs
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Nurse, Restore Hyper Wellness - Woodbury, NY
Woodbury, NY
$38 - $39/hourly
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Pulmonology Nurse Practitioner (NP), Adventist Health
Ukiah, CA
$175,000 - $200,000/year
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Nurse Spotlight: Kayla Parker, RN, BSN, Surgical Trauma ICU nurse
From our spotlight archives: After 11 years as a dental assistant, Kayla Parker went back to school for nursing while raising a young child. Today, she works in a surgical trauma ICU, where caring for critically ill patients and mentoring new nurses have become two of the most rewarding parts of her career. Read the full spotlight →​
Headlines in Healthcare
Nurses seek union representation in four states
The California Nurses Association has filed petitions with the National Labor Relations Board to hold union elections for nurses at hospitals in California, Arizona, Illinois, and Tennessee. According to the National Nurses United press release, these filings reflect ongoing efforts by registered nurses to seek collective representation. These developments highlight a growing trend of labor organization and advocacy for nursing staff at the hospital level.ses to double by 2050
New dementia cases to double by 2050
As global dementia cases are projected to reach 24.7 million by 2050, nurses should anticipate a significant rise in patient acuity and long-term care needs. A meta-analysis published in JAMA Neurology by the University of New South Wales warns that annual new cases will more than double from 2023 levels. These findings suggest that healthcare systems will soon face increased demand for specialized neurological support and geriatric nursing resources.
Financial instability threatens hospital staffing levels
Hospital financial instability directly impacts nurses by straining resources and potential staffing capacity. According to Kaufman Hall’s August 2026 National Hospital Flash Report, 43% of surveyed hospitals are now operating at a loss as average margins continue to decline. The data, provided by Strata Decision Technology, highlights growing fiscal pressures across 1,300 facilities nationwide.
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As part of our effort to spotlight nurses, we’d love to feature you in an upcoming issue of Nurse Ascent! Share your story by filling out our quick interview form, and you’ll be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift card.
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