When Taylor Price accepted that nursing was not the path for her, she did not give up on health care.
Instead, she pivoted to the B.S. in Health Services Administration online and thrived СAPPon the business side of things,СAPP she says.
Now a senior human resources operations associate in the Department of Medicine at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston; Price has learned how an administratorСAPPs work supports clinicians and serves patients and their families.
PriceСAPPs journey picked up momentum in the Health Services Administration capstone course, taught by Dr. Rachel Ellison.
СAPPIt was the first internship IСAPPd ever done, and I got real world exposure to the health care field,СAPP says Price.
Through her internship, Price found her passion for human resources and a place to grow professionally and personally.
Change of Plans
Raised in Katy, Texas, Price came to the СAPP in 2013 intending to major in nursing.
СAPPThroughout high school, I wanted to be a nurse,СAPP she says.
Eventually, Price admitted to herself that she wasnСAPPt meant for clinical care as she learned more of СAPPwhat all nursing entails.СAPP
СAPPI do have a weak stomach,СAPP says Price. СAPPSo, I thought, СAPPmaybe this isnСAPPt the best choice.СAPPСAPP
СAPPI still wanted to stay in health care,СAPP she says.
She learned about the Health Services Administration program from a classmate and saw an opportunity to leverage her credits in a new direction СAPP health care management, policy, finance and operations, and human resources.
Prepared for Success
Price says transitioning to a 100% online degree program allowed her to distribute the coursework to her advantage.
СAPPIn a lot of online classes, instructors would post weeks out, so if I finished one weekСAPPs module, I could start on the next week,СAPP she says.
Because she could work ahead, Price could then approach the weightier, end-of-term assignments with greater focus.
СAPPProjects, papers, whatever it may be, I was able to kind of take my time,СAPP she says.
Studying online also allowed Price to move back home to Katy by her senior year, where she found her instructors just as accessible.
When she struggled to connect with a facility for her capstone internship, Price reached out to her instructor who was able to support her remotely.
СAPPDr. Ellison found a residential memory care facility that was near me,СAPP says Price.
Price says her work as an intern under the executive director of Sundance Memory Care was eye-opening, СAPPI thought, СAPPthis is what the real world is like.СAPPСAPP
СAPPI worked mainly on HR projects, like revising training binders for new hires, calling applicants for interviews, helping new hires with orientations,СAPP says Price.
While she had been interested in HR since a class in her undergraduate program, stepping into a real role with responsibilities made up her mind.
СAPPThatСAPPs kind of where I fell in love with HR,СAPP says Price.
The Proving Ground
Though Price was eager to stay on at Sundance after her internship, there were no appropriate openings... yet.
However, when a full-time position became available, the CEO knew who to call.
By joining the facility full-time, Price gained a master class in connecting technical knowledge and interpersonal skills.
By communicating with supervisors and team leaders, Price could be more strategic and effective in recruiting and interviewing new applicants.
СAPPFrom an HR standpoint, you have to make sure you really are vetting these candidates, making sure they do have the necessary skill set,СAPP says Price. СAPPYou have to set the tone for whatСAPPs expected from each person that works with you, and what the residentsСAPP rights are, and what they deserve.СAPP
The Best Fit
It was also while working at Sundance that Price applied to graduate school.
СAPPI wanted to further my education,СAPP she says. СAPPI love learning and I thought СAPPOK, this would probably be a good steppingstone into one of those higher-level roles in the future.СAPPСAPP
Because she wanted an online program and she knew what she could expect from her alma mater, she chose the СAPP.
СAPPI was like СAPPYou know what, UL Lafayette has an MBA online. Let me stick with UL Lafayette,СAPPСAPP says Price. СAPPI have nothing but good things to say about the СAPP. It was reasonably priced, and I was already familiar with their online classes and everything. This was kind of a no-brainer.СAPP
Leadership and Understanding
In just over six years, Price has worked across specialties including long-term acute care, dentistry, and the MD Anderson Cancer Center.
Now at Baylor College of Medicine, she approaches problems with an understanding of how decisions make an impact from the top down.
СAPPIt really starts at the top like a food chain,СAPP says Price. СAPPManaging issues is a lot of asking questions like СAPPHow are you rolling out new policies and procedures? Are you giving employees time to adjust?СAPPСAPP
Price approaches her work with diligence, attention to detail, and drive to solve problems.
She is also intentional and attentive about being available to answer employeesСAPP questions, to communicate across roles, specialties and educational levels, whether itСAPPs with colleagues, patients, or families.
СAPPYou have to be able to kind of break it down,СAPP says Price. СAPPYou canСAPPt use all the medical terminology but express it just plainly.СAPP