Elizabeth Busch, LPN, Orthopedics Nurse Highlights Work/Life Balance at MCC

April 4, 2025

“I have always been interested in science and biology of the human body, and the social dynamics in health care-nursing allows me to do both.  The Mason City Clinic has enabled me to have a career in nursing without sacrificing my time with family by working daytime hours without nights, holidays, or weekends. I have been able to provide health insurance to my family. It’s the perfect way to balance a career I enjoy, and my family,“ said Elizabeth.

Focused on patient care

“Each day I am either assisting in or prepping for a provider’s clinic. Prepping for clinic is putting together a chart for the provider, reviewing the patient’s history, reason for their visit, looking up any testing or imaging they have had that would help in treatment.  If I am assisting in running a clinic I room the patients, do appropriate history and intake for the patient and ask a few questions in order to better understand what their main issues are including the severity of their pain and treatments they have already tried in the past or a currently trying,” said Elizabeth.

Elizabeth likes seeing patients on road to recovery

“In Orthopedics, we will see patients two weeks post-surgery when they are at the beginning their recovery and progressing towards walking without assistive devices/ casts/ or splints. It’s good to help them and see them experience a return to a normal life after their injury,” said Elizabeth

Mason City Clinic meant a lot to Elizabeth personally and professionally

“All of the providers and fellow nurses at the Clinic have impacted my work development and experience. We have all grown together in our careers and have welcomed in a lot of really great employees. I have met a lot of long term and lifetime friends. Each department has its own dynamic. When I started I was told the Clinic is like a mall, if one department doesn’t fit there are many others to choose from. That’s the most accurate way to describe finding the best fit for each person,” said Elizabeth.

“If I have ever wanted to add a skill set, the management has been happy to accommodate. They are willing to let you grow as much as you can. I have been able to add surgery assisting to my background. I have gone with physicians to outreach clinics which has allowed me to work with other teams and learn their processes, something that has been very beneficial in building my own skills to bring it back to our patients and providers,” said Elizabeth.

Likes meeting people of different backgrounds

Said Elizabeth, “The most rewarding part of my job is being able to meet new people from different backgrounds every day. My day is never going to be the same, each day is a new experience.”

Lists family and travel as her favorite non-work activities

“My husband and I have three daughters and a grandson. We love to travel and we try to do the most extreme thing we can wherever we go,” she said.

What would your colleagues be surprised to learn about you?

“My oldest daughter and I have been working on our own podcast that’s a constellation of true crime, historical oddities, and ghost stories,” Elizabeth said.