10/18/2026
For Ariel, RN, the road to TriStar Summit—and to nursing—was anything but traditional.
Originally from California, Ariel earned a degree in marketing and spent time working behind a desk before realizing she wanted something different. After exploring teaching and taking an EMT course, something clicked: she loved medicine and knew healthcare was where she belonged.
That realization eventually brought Ariel and her family across the country to Tennessee, where she attended nursing school and ultimately found her home in the Emergency Department at TriStar Summit.
“I love Summit,” Ariel shared. “I love the team. All the nurses that I’ve worked with have been super great, super helpful, very team-oriented.”
As a mom to two young daughters, Ariel also appreciates leaders who recognize the importance of life outside the hospital. She says her team has worked with her to create a balance that allows her to pursue the career she loves while still being present for the moments that matter with her family.
But it was one recent shift that reminded Ariel exactly why she chose emergency nursing.
During an especially busy day, Ariel noticed a patient waiting near triage and felt something wasn’t right. She trusted her instincts, began his care—and moments later, the patient began having a seizure. Ariel called for help, and her teammates immediately jumped into action.
Once the patient was stabilized, Ariel noticed his girlfriend was understandably shaken. With the clinical emergency under control, Ariel turned her attention to her.
She walked outside with her, reassured her that her loved one was awake and in the right place to receive care, and gave her a moment to process everything that had just happened. Before they returned inside, the woman hugged Ariel.
For Ariel, that simple moment meant everything.
“That’s when I felt like, this is where I need to be.”
It’s that combination of quick thinking, teamwork and compassion that makes Ariel such a great fit for emergency nursing—and such an important part of the TriStar Summit family.
As we wrap up Emergency Nurses week, we are so grateful for the amazing colleagues, like Ariel, who are there 24/7, who stay calm under pressure and provide care when it's needed the most.
We’re grateful your journey brought you all the way from California to us, Ariel. Thank you for trusting your instincts, caring for the whole family and showing our patients what it means to Care Like Family. 💙
