Reviewed by: Cindy Hatcher
What else can you do with a nursing degree? These 3 jobs might surprise you
Reading time: 5 minutes
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When you think of a nurse, you probably picture someone caring for patients at the bedside. And while that’s certainly one of the most important roles in healthcare, it’s far from the only one.
At Children’s of Alabama, nurses are also developing education programs, improving hospital technology and helping families navigate the healthcare system—all behind the scenes. We sat down with three Children’s team members to learn how their unique careers are helping shape the future of pediatric healthcare.
1. Meet the one helping hundreds of caregivers master medical tech
When doctors and nurses log into EPIC—the electronic medical record system used throughout Children’s—they rely on tools that have been carefully built, tested and taught by people like James Woodward, Principal Trainer.
With 17 years of experience at Children’s under his belt, Woodward now:
- helps train employees on system updates
- suggests workflow improvements
- ensures care teams can confidently use the technology they depend on every day
Because every Principal Trainer previously worked in the clinical areas they now support, they understand exactly what healthcare teams need—and how to teach it in a way that makes sense.
What many people don’t realize is that even the smallest software update requires collaboration across multiple departments.
“Whether it is a change to the system or just tips and tricks on how to be more efficient, we’re responsible for helping people learn how to use our system, EPIC, in the best way possible.
Any time a change is made to the system, every service has to be taken into consideration as to how this change may impact their job. So, there is no such thing as a simple fix or a quick change. There’s a lot more that goes into it than meets the eye.”
James Woodward, EPIC Principal Trainer
See open jobs at Children’s, including jobs in Information Tech.
2. Meet the one making sure patients + families receive the right care at the right time
As Director of Utilization Management, Lisa Chatman leads a team that most patients never meet—but whose work touches nearly every hospital stay.
Her team reviews patient medical records to ensure admissions meet medical necessity requirements while helping families avoid unnecessary costs and keeping hospital resources available for children who need them most.
That work helps streamline care, improve hospital efficiency and support better outcomes for patients. One misconception she hopes to clear up?
“While Utilization Review nurses don’t provide direct patient care, they are working passionately behind the scenes every day to advocate for our patients, providers and facility.
We serve the patients and staff of Children’s, exclusively.”
Lisa Chatman, Utilization Management Director
Lisa’s role is truly unique in that it requires an unusual combination of:
- clinical experience
- critical thinking
- communication skills
- knowledge of the ever-changing healthcare landscape
Chatman says one of the most rewarding parts of the job is collaborating with teams across the hospital to improve systems that ultimately benefit patients.
See open jobs at Children’s, including jobs in utilization management.
3. Meet the one helping prepare the next generation of caregivers
Since her first day as a nurse at Children’s in 1987, Lisa Cooper has watched the hospital evolve.
Today, she serves as Director of Nursing Professional Development, helping shape the future of nursing at the hospital.
Rather than caring for patients at the bedside every day, now Cooper spends her days developing the education and training that equips nurses and other healthcare professionals to provide safe, compassionate care.
“Our department provides orientation, onboarding, education, competency management, role development and mentoring. It’s an honor to provide education for the next generation of nurses.”
Lisa Cooper, Director of Nursing Professional Development
Although she misses caring for patients directly, she says there’s something special about knowing the education her team creates reaches countless children and families through the caregivers they support.
See open jobs at Children’s, including jobs in nursing.
Unique jobs at Children’s of Alabama with one shared goal
While their day-to-day responsibilities look very different, Lisa Cooper, Lisa Chatman and James Woodward share one thing in common: each found a unique way to use their nursing background to improve care for children across Alabama.
When asked why someone should consider a career at Children’s of Alabama, all three pointed to the same thing: the people.
“Everyone here is working towards the same goal, and that is taking care of the children here in Alabama. You can see that in their work ethic. From the housekeeping staff to the maintenance crew to the nurses and all the way up to the CEO.
Everyone comes in each day with the mindset of helping the patients and their families achieve the best possible outcome.”
James Woodward, EPIC Principal Trainer
For Cooper, it’s the culture, teamwork and the funny and brave kids who make Children’s feel like home.
And for Chatman, the answer is simple:
“In whatever capacity you serve, you make a difference in the life of a child.”
Lisa Chatman, Utilization Management Director
Want to make a meaningful difference in healthcare? Check out open roles at Children’s of Alabama, from nursing education to tech and beyond.
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