In celebration of National Nursing Week 2025, we’re highlighting the voices of nurses across Providence Health Care who embody this year’s theme: “The Power of Nurses to Transform Health”. Whether they’re just beginning their careers or have decades of experience, nurses play a vital role in shaping the future of health care, through compassion, innovation, and dedication. This week, we’re sharing their stories to recognize the impact they make every day and to celebrate the many paths that lead to nursing.
For Cristopher Sy, nursing wasn’t always the obvious path but looking back, it feels like it was meant to be. Today, Cristopher is an Employed Student Nurse (ESN) at Holy Family Hospital, but his journey with Providence Health Care began long before he ever put on scrubs.
Cristopher joined Providence in late 2020, in the thick of the COVID-19 pandemic, working as a Screener at Holy Family Hospital in long-term care. He then stepped into a role as a Visitation Support Worker before becoming a Program Administrative Assistant in 2022. That position gave him a broader view of the health care system, and a surprising new challenge.
“I had never planned an event in my life,” Cristopher recalled. “But I helped organize the 75th anniversary celebration for Holy Family. From food vendors to ice cream trucks, it was amazing to see everything come together. That experience reminded me how connected health care is to community.”
Still, something deeper was calling him. Inspired by the compassion of nurses he met every day and by his own family—his mother and sister are both nurses—Cristopher decided to pursue nursing school. He stepped away from his full-time role but stayed on with Providence in a casual capacity. In December 2023, he returned to Holy Family Hospital, this time as an ESN in the rehabilitation unit.
Finding fulfillment through care
For Cristopher, one word defines his work: rewarding.
“Being able to interact with patients and hear their life stories, goals, and expectations is such a gift,” he said. “I get to practice communication, advocacy, and build my nursing skills in a supportive, real-world environment.”
Cristopher’s days are busy and varied: from morning care and vital signs to medications, patient support, and charting. But what he cherishes most is witnessing his patients’ progress and seeing their determination firsthand.
“There’s one patient I’ll never forget,” he said. “He used to be a fisherman and would tell us stories about canning fish and sharing it with his community. I only ever saw him in a wheelchair but one day, after a few weeks away, I came back and saw him walking. I was shocked, and so inspired.”
A supportive team and a bright future
Cristopher credits the welcoming team at Holy Family for helping him grow as a student nurse.
“The nurses here are amazing,” he said. “They stop what they’re doing to answer questions and genuinely want to support students. Even when we feel like we can’t do much, they remind us that we’re valuable.”
Being part of a faith-based organization also adds meaning to Cristopher’s experience. “At first, it was about location and opportunity. But over time, I realized I could live out my Catholic identity here. I’d spend breaks in the chapel. That mattered to me.”
Advice for future health care workers
Now well into his nursing education and with several roles at Providence under his belt, Cristopher encourages others to explore the possibilities within health care—even if they’re unsure where to start.
“Even if it’s just a small thought, give it a shot,” he said. “There are so many ways to get involved, whether it’s as a care aide, nurse, or in a support role. You never know where that first step might lead.”
As National Nursing Week shines a spotlight on those who dedicate their lives to care, Cristopher’s story is a powerful reminder that nursing isn’t just a profession—it’s a journey. And for Cristopher, that journey began with a simple desire to help.
Learn about nursing career opportunities at www.careers.providencehealthcare.org
