When a patient arrives in the cardiac catheterization lab (cath lab) during an emergency, Nallely Rios-Ramirez knows every second and every team member matters.
At St. Catherine Hospital-Dodge City, part of CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region, Rios-Ramirez has learned to remain steady during emergent PCI/STEMI cases, when her focus narrows to the person in front of her.
“What I love about working in the cath lab is the one-to-one care we provide,” Rios-Ramirez said. “In critical situations, having that one-to-one time with that single patient allows me to deliver the best quality nursing care and keep them safe.”
That personal connection is what first drew Rios-Ramirez to nursing. Now 30, she has been a nurse for nearly eight years and has built her career at St. Catherine Hospital-Dodge City, gaining experience across several departments while caring for people in the community she has called home for about 15 years.
Rios-Ramirez began in the medical-surgical unit, where she worked for about three years, before transferring to the intensive care unit for another couple of years. After the birth of her son, Axel, she returned to the ICU on a PRN basis so she could continue working while remaining present for his milestones.
While picking up shifts, she had the opportunity to assist in the cath lab and learn a new specialty. The more experience she gained in the department, the more she wanted to make it her professional home.
Finding Confidence in a High-Stakes Specialty
The role combines technology, critical care and hands-on support. It also demands careful observation and the ability to respond quickly.
“Being in this role has helped me improve my ECG skills,” Rios-Ramirez said. “I've also learned how to stay calm in emergent PCI/STEMI cases. You learn that every role in the cath lab is important for the best patient outcome.”
Her path into health care began long before she joined St. Catherine Hospital. As a child, Rios-Ramirez expected to pursue a medical career and initially considered becoming a doctor.
Research eventually led her toward nursing, where she believed she could develop closer relationships with patients.
“I wanted to be in a healthcare profession where I could build a genuine connection and be there with the patient when they are at their most vulnerable,” she said.
That sense of connection extends to her colleagues. Rios-Ramirez credits the cath lab team with helping her learn the department and become more confident in her responsibilities.
“What I enjoy the most about working with my team is working alongside people who are supportive and trusting,” she said. “They have taught me everything I need to know and have been available for whatever I need. They make showing up to work enjoyable.”
The patients she serves are also her neighbors. Rios-Ramirez moved from California to Dodge City when she was 14 after her parents sought better work opportunities. Although she was not initially happy about the move, she gradually came to value the city’s close-knit character.
“I appreciate this community's hospitality and strong work ethic because it is diverse, and people work together despite cultural differences, as we all share the common goal of bettering ourselves and our families,” she said.
Growing a Career While Serving Her Community
For Rios-Ramirez, working at the hospital means supporting that community while continuing to grow professionally. The hospital’s cross-training opportunities allowed her to move from medical-surgical nursing to intensive care and ultimately into the cath lab.
“St. Catherine Hospital-Dodge City serves a vital role in southwest Kansas,” she said. “Working here means I get to care for our neighbors, friends, and family. This facility offers different resources and opportunities to cross-train in various areas, along with continuous education.”
Outside the hospital, Rios-Ramirez spends her time with her husband, Arturo Acosta, and their “very active” 3-year-old son. At work, she brings the same attentiveness to patients and families navigating vulnerable moments, one person and one carefully coordinated response at a time.
