AJ Peterschick

NURSE: AJ Peterschick, BSN, RN

EMPLOYER: Billings Clinic

NURSING PROGRAM: Montana State University – Bozeman

FOCUS: Nurse Residency

YEARS OF SERVICE: 13

By Jennifer L. Mason, Brand Ave. Studios Contributing Writer

AJ Peterschick has worked as a registered nurse for 13 years in multiple settings; however, his current role serving as a nurse residency specialist is one of the most rewarding yet. Similarly to a physician residency program, new nurses with less than a year of experience attend a nurses residency program at Billings Clinic. A year-long program, the Clinic comes alongside new nurses and equips them to be successful.

“There was a statistic not too long ago that references how new nurses stop being nurses within a year,” Peterschick said. “We don’t want our nurses to become a statistic. While they’re going through orientation, we’re meeting with their preceptors and other leaders. We’re teaching them things they would typically have to do and expect them to do on the floor, but maybe they haven’t seen it yet on the floor.”

The data is significant. According to Nurse.com’s 2022 Nurse Salary Research Report, 29% of nurses across all license types considered leaving in 2021, compared to only 11% in 2020 - but not under Peterschick’s watch. A natural preceptor, he enjoys teaching new nurses the bigger picture of nursing.

“I want my nurses to be able to understand their value – the respect they deserve,” Peterschick said. “After all, we’re asking new nurses to be seasoned nurses faster than we’ve ever asked them to be before. We want them to take care of sicker patients while wanting and expecting them to know more than they ever have. I want them all to be successful. I’m one of those people that share my knowledge and will teach myself right out of a job to teach you everything I know.”

While nursing degrees are a dime a dozen in Peterschick’s family, he didn’t immediately know that nursing was his forever home. After high school, he enrolled in a car mechanic school and worked in various fields not related to health care.

“I was drawn to pursue something else and enrolled in college,” Peterschick said. “While taking general education courses, one of my professors asked me to help tutor students in classes like biology and chemistry. From there, I never looked back. I realized that nursing provided the perfect flexibility and endless opportunities.”

Peterschick started in the ICU and cross-trained in the emergency department. His nursing career includes working in the catheter lab, interventional radiology, vascular access, operating room coordinator, college professor, and travel nurse. He’s been in nurse residency for about two years or so.

“I’m not surprised AJ received a nomination for one of the outstanding nurses in 2023,” said Barb Sakahara, former director of perioperative services and surgery. “AJ is extremely well-versed and always made my job easier because he would do anything and everything to help the team.”

When you’re with Peterschick, you receive 110% of him. He’s passionate, helpful and giving. He pours everything into whatever problem or situation in which he’s working.

“Nobody wants to be in the hospital, and nobody in the hospital is healthy,” Peterschick said. “Patients typically aren’t themselves and can be scared and unsure. I understand their point of view, and I try to find that middle ground with everyone I encounter. It’s my job to help them.”

Sakahara went on to say that AJ makes everyone feel safe, appreciated and cared for as a patient or coworker. “He’s passionate about the profession, patient care, and education and is one of the most top-notch nurses I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with.”