04/08/2026
In this episode of Rural Roots: A Road Less Travelled, we sit down with Ashley LaRoche, RN, to talk about the realities of working in the Emergency Department and what it takes to care for patients in some of the most unpredictable moments of their lives.
Ashley shares her journey in nursing, including her experience working in a Level I trauma center and how that shaped her approach to emergency care in a rural setting. The conversation explores the wide range of skills required of ER teams, from managing critical situations to anticipating patient needs and working seamlessly with providers.
We also talk about how emergency departments determine patient priority, why certain cases are seen first, and the challenges of balancing high demand with compassionate care. Ashley offers insight into how telehealth supports rural emergency care and what patients can do to help improve their experience when seeking care.
This episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at the expertise, coordination, and adaptability required in emergency services, and the people who show up ready for anything, every single shift.
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