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After spending more than three decades caring for neonatal patients and leading clinical teams, Nicole Ainsworth, MSN, RN, LNC, knew exactly what she was looking for in the next chapter of her career: the opportunity to return to direct patient care while working alongside a team that puts both patients and clinicians first.
Today, as a National Traveler ECLS Specialist in CCS’s West Region, Nicole has found exactly that.
Today, as a National Traveler ECLS Specialist in CCS’s West Region, Nicole has found exactly that.
A Career Built on Compassion and Expertise
Nicole brings more than 30 years of neonatal nursing experience to CCS. Her career has included leadership roles in NICU and postpartum care, 15 years as an ECMO Specialist at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and teaching future nurses as a BSN faculty member.
“I’ve always loved caring for patients and helping others grow,” Nicole says. “Teaching is something I’m passionate about, but I missed being part of ECMO and bedside care.”
After several years in management, Nicole realized she wanted to return to the work that inspired her most.
“When I learned about the opportunity to become a National Traveler with CCS, I jumped at the chance.”
Finding a Team That Shares the Same Mission
Like many experienced clinicians, Nicole wasn’t simply looking for another job. She wanted to join an organization where exceptional patient care and employee support were genuine priorities.
“I wanted to work for a company where excellent patient care and supporting staff came first, even during challenging times. I also wanted workplace incivility to be a thing of the past. I’ve definitely found that at CCS.”
Only a few months into her journey, Nicole says she’s been impressed by the welcoming culture and collaborative environment across the West Region.
“The chemistry among our national travelers has been incredible. We all come from different backgrounds and training programs, but we’re united by the same goal—to provide the best care possible for every patient.”
Support Makes the Difference
Starting a new role can be challenging, especially when transitioning into new clinical environments. Nicole credits the people around her for making the process seamless.
From onboarding support to clinical mentorship, she says the CCS team has been there every step of the way.
“There was never a dumb question.”
She especially recognizes the colleagues who helped her transition, including Jaime Gordon, Missy Greyson, Tony Moniuszko from HR, and ECMO Coordinator Kim Kyle, whose leadership and willingness to listen have helped build a strong, collaborative team.
Continuing to Grow
Even with decades of experience, Nicole believes learning never stops.
Since joining CCS, she’s already begun proctoring training and is receiving support as she works toward completing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
“It’s exciting to work for an organization that invests in your professional growth.”
Looking ahead, Nicole hopes to continue delivering exceptional patient care while eventually expanding into education or a coordinator role within CCS.
Why CCS?
When asked what she would tell someone considering a career with CCS, Nicole doesn’t hesitate.
“CCS is the best company to work for because of its dedication to excellence in patient care and the incredible support it provides its staff.”
For Nicole, joining CCS has meant more than returning to ECMO—it has meant finding a team that shares her passion for clinical excellence, collaboration, and lifelong learning.
We’re proud to have Nicole on the CCS team and look forward to seeing the impact she’ll continue to make for our patients, our hospital partners, and her fellow clinicians.
More About Nicole
A proud Southern California native, Nicole enjoys spending time at the beach, dancing, reading, cross-stitching, and taking in a great musical or binge-worthy TV show. She also loves teaching and continues to inspire future nurses as a BSN instructor, where she teaches nursing theory, pharmacology, nursing research, and pediatrics.
Fun Fact: Back in the ’90s, Nicole auditioned to be one of the original Fly Girls on In Living Color. As she likes to laugh, “They hired Jennifer Lopez instead. I like to joke that I could’ve been a star!”
