(SACRAMENTO) 
When LeeAnna Miller left her home in North Carolina to try travel nursing, she didn't expect her first assignment to become her forever home. But after arriving at UC Davis Health in January 2020 (just before the pandemic), she quickly realized she'd found something special.
"I was looking for a work family," said Miller, who works in Labor and Delivery. "I wanted to feel like we were all looking out for each other. And you do get that at UC Davis. These people have turned into my family."
A culture of support and respect
Miller's previous experience at another hospital left her feeling replaceable. But here, she felt valued from the start.
"I told my husband, 'I feel like your voice is heard here. We have a say in how we can change things for our patients.'"
She found that managers genuinely care about their nursing staff, stepping up when issues arise and working to make the team more cohesive. "They don't just push you out if you're struggling. They try to help."
There's so much that UC Davis offers that other facilities don't. They value their nurses."-LeeAnna Miller, CN III, Labor and Delivery
'Always something new to learn'
Miller didn't just find community — she found opportunity. Since joining UC Davis Health, she's earned her master's degree, been promoted to a higher nursing position and taken part in numerous projects and groups within the unit.
"I love being part of a little bit of everything," she says. "There's so much that UC Davis offers that other facilities don't. They value their nurses."
She's also a childbirth educator, helps train volunteer doulas and teaches labor support classes to new grads. "It's nice that you're not stuck doing one thing. There's always something new to learn."
Delivering her own children — with her team by her side
Miller's connection to UC Davis Health is very personal. She delivered both of her children at the medical center, surrounded by coworkers and friends.
"My assistant manager delivered my son," she said. "She advocated for me when my epidural wasn't working. Everyone was cheering me on. It was like being surrounded by family."
Her daughter's birth was a whirlwind — a "stop and drop" delivery that happened just minutes after arriving at the hospital. "When I laid back after having her, I looked around and saw all my friends staring at me. It was so special."
Despite missing her family back East, Miller says it would be hard to consider leaving.
"I know I'm not going to get this anywhere else. UC Davis Health treats us like people — not just employees."
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