When Omaha native Grace Bishop, RN, BSN, was growing up, she knew she wanted a career in health care. Building relationships with patients, combined with the problem-solving and critical thinking required in complex medical care, drew her to nursing. She soon discovered rehabilitation nursing offered the best of both worlds.
While attending the University of Missouri, Bishop participated in Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals’ summer certified nursing assistant program for two summers. The experience allowed her to stay close to home while gaining hands-on clinical experience in a rehabilitation setting. It was there she found her calling at Madonna Specialty Hospital.
“The people definitely make the place, and I love how collaborative the nursing staff are with nurse aides,” Bishop said. “You also have physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, speech therapy and physicians all working together. Having that large of a care team that are all so hands-on and collaborative every day for our patients was something that I wanted to come back and be a part of.”
After graduating from nursing school in December 2024, Bishop reached out to Kelli Anderson, her mentor and director of nursing for Madonna’s Specialty Hospital in Lincoln, about open positions. She began her career at Madonna as a registered nurse in February 2025.
“Having people that I knew and care about helping me through my first year as a registered nurse was a vote of confidence in my back pocket to continue what I’m doing and it’s nice to have people, friends, and mentors around me while I do it,” Bishop said.
Bishop says her favorite part of the job is helping patients rebuild confidence and regain independence.
“When patients are in acute care, they’re focusing on making sure they are medically stable,” she said. “When they come to rehabilitation, we get to give them hope and help move them toward the next step of their recovery.”
She finds joy in helping patients with everyday milestones, from taking a shower after weeks in the intensive care unit to using adaptive technology to improve communication or mobility.
“All those little things that make patients feel human again is why I love rehab,” Bishop said.
Collaboration across the care team, from physicians to therapists and nurses, is a key part of what sets Madonna apart, she said. Adaptive technology and creative problem-solving allow staff to tailor care to each patient’s needs.
“What makes Madonna special is the mindset of, ‘If there isn’t a way to do it yet, we’ll find one,’” Bishop said. “What makes our staff stay here as long as they do is working in a place that’s supportive and moving towards something good with our patients.”
Though still early in her own career, Bishop encourages other new nurses to ask questions and stay curious.
“You’re not going to know everything the first day you graduate nursing school,” Bishop said. “Being willing to learn, bringing a great attitude with you wherever you go, and just staying curious is going to make you more confident and capable over time.”
For Bishop, returning home to pursue rehabilitation nursing has been a rewarding decision.
“Seeing patient progress is something that continues to motivate me,” she said. “Whether they’re small steps or big accomplishments, celebrating little wins for patients encourages them but also encourages the staff too. It’s a huge reward.”
Madonna has CNA, LPN and RN positions open on both campuses. If you feel called to serve like Grace, please visit Madonna.org/nursing for more information.