From Strings to Stethoscope: Olivia Colwell finds her rhythm in healthcare

Eight months ago, Olivia (Guetle) Colwell transitioned from graduate to a registered nurse, while balancing her life as a newlywed, mother, and musician.

Through Reid Health's Nurse Residency Program, she's gaining confidence, expanding her skills, and growing into her role as a Registered Nurse for the Oncology, Med/Surg, and Hospice unit.

Before nursing, Colwell followed her path in music. She earned degrees in biology and music from Wittenberg University before completing her Master of Music in Cello Performance at Wright State University. It was while she worked as a nurse's aide and then an Ohio State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) that she decided to pursue a career in nursing.

"I always wanted to do something in medicine; it just took a while to find my place," Colwell said.

In August 2024, she married her husband, TJ. The couple met when their bands were performing at an event. TJ plays guitar and is a vocalist for The Protest. She's a lead vocalist and cellist for Divine Martyr.

At the time, TJ lived in Indiana and she was a nursing student at Wright State in Dayton. While dating, she would take I-70 to visit TJ and drive through Richmond, located on the Ohio state line.

After marrying, they planned to move to a central location.

"Richmond was practically in the middle, and I had seen lots of Reid Health billboards on I-70. I explored the Reid careers website and decided to apply," Colwell said.

Colwell was invited for an interview. On her tour of the nursing units, she felt a sense of belonging. Once hired, the couple moved to Richmond, along with Colwell's 10-year-old daughter, Julianna, and two cats: Synder and Bandit.

As a first-year nurse, Colwell is part of Reid's Nurse Residency Program, an initiative of the Nursing Excellence, Resilience, and Development (NERD) department. The program strengthens nurse residents' confidence and skills through ongoing education, hands-on learning, and training, equipping them to deliver high-quality patient care.

Colwell didn't know what to expect from the residency program but looked forward to meeting other nurse residents while learning Reid's culture and practices as a new team member.

"It's nice to feel connected to the organization, and it's great to get to know people who are in the same stage of role transition that I'm in," Colwell said. "So far, it's been a great experience."

She describes her cohort as diverse, representing a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The group includes 20 nurse residents from every unit, as well as float pool nurses.

"When we get together for our monthly seminars, we enjoy sharing our experiences as newer nurses. There are always a lot of laughs but also many serious moments as we reflect on our new roles," Colwell said.

Seminars are led by Reid's clinical education staff and topic experts, covering hospital policies, simulation exercises, and evidence-based practices.

"It's been extremely helpful to learn how teams function at Reid and to ask questions in a small-group setting," Colwell said.

The program also prioritizes mental health and well-being, beginning each month with a wellness check led by Susan Ream, Well-Being Education Specialist with Reid's NERD team.

"This provides priceless information on mental health and emotional wellness as we transition into this new phase of life," Colwell said.

"The support from Susan and the other NERD team leaders has been great. They're always available and just a call, text, or email away."

On her unit, Colwell's focus is on patient care, collaboration, and advocacy. Her assessments and observations help shape each patient's care plan. As their liaison, she works closely with physicians, case managers, and therapists to set goals and ensure a smooth transition from hospital to home.

"I love being a patient advocate," Colwell said. "My day revolves around my patients' needs."

A culture centered on patient care and supportive team members drew Colwell to Reid, and it's the reason she plans to stay.

"It's a very welcoming environment, and the employees are highly professional. From the start of my application process to now, every Reid employee I've interacted with has been helpful and kind." -- Olivia Colwell, RN on 5 East for Oncology, Med/Surg, and Hospice

Colwell is enjoying her role as a bedside nurse and she plans to advance to a nurse practitioner in the future, she said.

Outside of work, music continues to be part of Colwell's life. She plays cello and sings in church, performs with the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and writes and records with her band.

She's teaching Julianna to play the piano, too.

"Julianna has always inspired me to pursue the best version of myself," Colwell said.

Family time is a priority. They enjoy playing board games, drawing, crafting, and visiting relatives in Ohio and Indiana.

Colwell is encouraged in her new career by knowing she can make a difference in someone's life, her love for nursing, and the inspiring team members around her.

"I'm also motivated by setting a good example for my daughter — showing her the importance of hard work and engaging in a career centered on service to others," Colwell said.

She's found a fulfilling sense of purpose and belonging in her role at Reid.

"I'll stay at Reid because of the overall professionalism of the organization, my awesome co-workers, my desire to help others, and to enhance my skills as a nurse," Colwell said.

About Reid Health's Nurse Residency Program

Reid Health joined the Vizient and American Association of Colleges of Nursing (Vizient/AACN) Nurse Residency Program™ to ease the transition of newly graduated nurses to clinical practice. The program promotes quality, safety, and reduces turnover rates for first-year nurses.

For more information on Reid Health's Nurse Residency Program, call (765) 983-3000 ext. 4548. Information on nursing careers and Reid Health is available at reidhealth.org