By Vanessa Orr

Loreta Gonzalez Vento, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, is always up for a challenge. From working as a neonatal nurse practitioner in the NICU, to helping implement a new telemedicine program during COVID for NICU babies and fellow colleagues, to taking on a completely different role as a nurse practitioner in Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Genetics Division, Vento has excelled at every role she’s taken at KIDZ Medical Services.

Vento first interacted with KIDZ medical staff while working at South Miami Hospital as a registered nurse in the NICU. KIDZ provides specialized neonatal, pediatric, and obstetrical healthcare throughout South Florida.

“I walked into the interview, and I already knew a number of people because KIDZ staffed our NICU,” said Vento, who also worked in the adult ICU for two years after becoming a nurse practitioner. “When I applied for a position with KIDZ as a pediatric nurse practitioner in cardiology, they welcomed me with open arms. But instead of working in cardiology, they wanted me in the NICU because of our previous history there.”

Vento worked in the NICU for three-and-a-half years, including during the pandemic. During that time, she helped implement the NICU’s follow-up telemedicine program, which provided continuity of care for parents after they took their babies home.

“At the time, many pediatricians’ offices weren’t open or had very restrictive appointments, so it was up to us to keep track of these babies to make sure that they were thriving,” explained Vento. “We’d call the parents within 24-48 hours after leaving and go through an assessment to determine how the babies were doing. From that program, we had three admissions—including one for breathing problems—caught during the telemedicine sessions.”

Vento said that she loves being able to help sick babies survive and also being there for parents at the most difficult times in their lives. “NICU is my heart; working with these families was an amazing experience that I cherish with my life,” she said.

When Vento became pregnant with her second child, however, she realized that the hospital schedule would no longer work for her growing family. Instead of letting her leave, KIDZ encouraged her to stay and work with them in another capacity. Vento now works as a nurse practitioner in the Genetics Division at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.

“For being such a large company, KIDZ knows and values its employees and what they need, and really works to accommodate them,” said Vento. “I love my profession, but I love my children more. And now I don’t have to go anywhere else to continue doing what I love.”

While she says she was thriving while working in the NICU, Vento notes that working in genetics presents an entirely different challenge.

“It’s like reinventing yourself at 37 years old after thriving and growing in an area that you could do with your eyes closed,” Vento said. “In my previous role, I could do a procedure, or put a line in, or give medication—I could fix things,” Vento said. “But now I have to go from being a fixer/doer to first understanding and then evaluating what we find. It’s a completely different approach.”

But for Vento, accepting new challenges has been worth it.

“Nursing is a rewarding career, and if you’re open to it, it will open up new opportunities for growth,” she said. “Good thing I’m always open to a new challenge, especially one that will ultimately help others.”