Meet the mother-daughter pair leading two generations of nursing with UI Health Care
Jeanie Finnegan, RN, CNOR, and her daughter Ashley Finnegan, BSN, RN, CNOR, represent two generations of nursing with UI Health Care.
Although they work in different departments on opposite sides of the organization, they have a lineage of providing patient care that amounts to more than 30 years.
Jeanie was drawn to UI Health Care four years ago for ophthalmology. With more than 25 years of ophthalmology experience as a nurse in local clinics and surgery centers, she was excited to join an ophthalmology department that is currently ranked No. 6 nationally.
“I heard they were going to create an ophthalmology surgery team, and I thought that was a great place for me,” Jeanie says. “I’m very proud to be an ambulatory surgical center staff nurse working with the Department of Ophthalmology surgeons, fellows, and residents. I’m a part of one of the top programs in the country.”
Ashley’s path to UI Health Care started when she was very young. Her father was diagnosed with stomach cancer and treated at UI Hospitals & Clinics when she was 5 years old.
Jeanie introduced her to the operating room when Ashley was a certified nursing assistant in high school, and after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing six years ago, Ashley has spent her entire professional career with UI Health Care.
“My mom is the primary reason I wanted to become a nurse,” Ashley says. “She taught me that there are many different directions you can take in the nursing field with endless opportunities.”
Since joining UI Health Care, Ashley has jumped at the career advancement opportunities the university has to offer while moving up the ladder to an assistant nurse manager position in the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital operating room.
Ashley completed her certified nurse operating room (CNOR) certification within a few years of arriving and took advantage of UI Health Care’s professional recognition program in February 2023. The program provides nurses with the opportunity to achieve professional growth, receive pay incentives for advancement on the clinical ladder, and achieve specialty certification.
Aided by UI Health Care’s tuition reimbursement program, Ashley is currently on track to receive a Master of Science in Nursing degree in 2026.
“The University of Iowa promotes professional growth,” she says. “There are numerous opportunities here for nurses like us and a lot of incentives to excel within the nursing career.”
Jeanie has also gone beyond her job description during her time with UI Health Care.
She serves on the perioperative division staff council to build a cohesive group and organize events for staff outside of work. What she enjoys doing most, however, is using her wealth of experience to help others grow.
“I’m the proudest when I can teach somebody about the eye or the operating room, and they become a more successful nurse,” Jeanie says. “I came here as an older nurse, and I just feel like I’ve gotten a lot of acknowledgment for what I know.”
For Ashley, the mission to serve others and work with a supportive team makes all the difference.
“I love nursing because I care a lot about people, and I love the people I work with,” Ashley says. “We advocate for patients and families and will always try to provide a really good experience for them while they’re here.”
