Why these Children’s of Alabama Nurse Practitioners love their jobs

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November 10-16 is Nurse Practitioner Week! Thanks to Children’s of Alabama, Birmingham is home to some of the greatest Nurse Practitioners in the country, and we spoke with two current nurses to prove it.

Keep scrolling to see why they chose this career.

Celebrating Nurse Practitioner Week at Children’s of Alabama

Did you know that Children’s employs 160 Nurse Practitioners? These nurses help patients make smarter health and lifestyle choices through:

• Counseling
• Disease prevention
• Health education + promotion
• and more

Robin Greer and Katelynn Twilley are two (of many) Nurse Practitioners who bring their own unique skills to Children’s.

Let’s meet them!

Robin Greer

Robin Greer grew up in the suburbs of Birmingham, where she went to Samford University for undergrad and got her master’s at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

While she was in nursing school, Robin was hired as a nursing assistant at Children’s.

“I remember thinking, ‘I will never get to work here because every nursing student will apply to this hospital.’

To my surprise, I applied after graduation and I’m still here. I love this hospital.”

Robin Greer, Nurse Practitioner, Children’s of Alabama

Now, 27 years later, Robin works with the pediatric liver transplant team as a Nurse Practitioner and Liver Transplant Coordinator.

Robin observes patients in their most fragile state and then as they slowly gain the strength to achieve milestones.

“I chose this profession because I wanted to bring comfort to people in their time of need.

Sometimes that includes administering a medication or helping with a procedure. Other times it’s a conversation, a hug or a hand to hold.

I enjoy every aspect of this role and am grateful for the many ways our patients have changed my life.”

Robin Greer, Nurse Practitioner, Children’s of Alabama

Katelynn Twilley

Katelynn Twilley has been with Children’s since 2015, when she started as a bedside nurse before getting her master’s at UAB. Her first job out of graduate school was at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

Katelynn couldn’t stay away for long—she came back to Children’s in 2022 and now serves as an Inpatient Nurse Practitioner for the Chronic Pulmonary Service.

“In nursing school, I precepted on the Pulmonary Care Unit and fell in love with the patient population. I was offered a job at the end of my preceptorship and took it without hesitation.”

Katelynn Twilley, Nurse Practitioner, Children’s of Alabama

In this role, Katelynn helps patients who have been released from the ICU prepare for life at home with technology dependence.

“The patients I care for are admitted for long periods before they are stable enough to go home.

I love establishing relationships with families and patients and celebrating every big and small victory with them.”

Katelynn Twilley, Nurse Practitioner, Children’s of Alabama

Why Children’s?

According to every Children’s employee, patient and family I’ve met, one thing reigns true: this is a great hospital.

“Children’s of Alabama is an incredible place to work and the expertise available here is a gift to our state. I love the family-centered attention and the multi-disciplinary team approach we provide.

It’s comforting as a provider and a parent to know that our patients have a team of caregivers with the knowledge and skill to attend to complex situations.”

Robin Greer, Nurse Practitioner, Children’s of Alabama

Katelynn echoed Robin’s thoughts, proving the family-like atmosphere of Children’s.

“Children’s of Alabama has to be the most special hospital in Birmingham. Children are incredibly resilient and always entertaining. I’m inspired by my patients daily to find joy in small things and never stop working or give up hope.

I couldn’t imagine working anywhere else.”

Katelynn Twilley, Nurse Practitioner, Children’s of Alabama

Join the team making a difference in lives across the state—see employment opportunities at Children’s of Alabama.

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