Family has always played a big role in shaping Carl Meyer’s professional journey. His decision to become a nurse in 2010 was partially influenced by his mother, who is a social worker by training, and his sister, who is also a nurse. At one point, he put his nursing career on pause to be a stay-at-home dad to his daughter (now 8) and his son (now 11).
Nowadays, working at Tryon has given him the rewarding career he wants and the work-life balance he needs. Here’s Carl’s story.
Why did you become a nurse?
It wasn’t my first plan, but it has turned out to be a great decision. I originally graduated with a four-year degree in business, and I worked as a banker in New York. When I got laid off in 2008, I decided that I needed to do something different.
After I completed a two-year degree in nursing, I chose to work in a cardiac unit. My Dad has had a lot of heart problems, so I was drawn to help others with the same challenges. I found the patients and work interesting, but I was ready to get out of the cold. That’s when we moved to Charlotte. We’ve been very happy here.
What was your journey to Tryon like?
I worked in a hospital setting in the ICU, three 12-hour shifts during the week, which included night shifts. I was able to move to day shifts when my daughter was born, but decided to step back to be home more with my two kids right before the pandemic. This turned out to be a blessing, as I was also trying to potty train my daughter and teach my son at home. It was a lot.
By the fall of 2022, I was ready to go back to work. I had heard good things about Tryon, so I applied. I worked with Dr. Copsis in Matthews and enjoyed it, but the drive was far from my house and kids. I relocated to the Pineville office and now work on Dr. Busse’s team. Dr. Busse is a great clinician, and everyone here is fantastic.
What is different about Tryon as an employer?
Tryon offers a positive, team-based culture. From my first interaction with Dr. Wilds in Matthews, I could see that top-down, Tryon is an organization that cares about patients and employees. Having the flexibility to transfer to Pineville showed me management wants to do what is best, not just for patients but employees. Policy changes are made in everyone’s best interest.
How has Tryon helped you grow professionally?
I was a cardiac nurse for a long time in the hospital and spent five years with open heart surgery patients. I learned a lot on the acute care side, but being able to help prevent people from going to the hospital is very rewarding. The outpatient setting is a really important piece of the medical picture, and working at Tryon has given me a better understanding of the whole picture of healthcare. I have learned a lot from Dr. Copsis and Dr. Busse, and I am really happy here.