Nancy Wilch, MSN, RN
Nancy Wilch, MSN, RN, is a nurse with over 30 years of clinical experience and the first-year owner of Assisting Hands Northeast San Antonio, a home-care franchise dedicated to compassionate, patient-centered support for seniors. She splits her time between operating the business, training caregivers, and occasionally covering clinical shifts herself, ensuring that every client receives care that feels like home.
Nancy’s professional focus is on compassionate, patient-centered care and empowering caregivers to grow professionally. She values teamwork, steady growth, and giving back to the community. Her leadership combines hands-on clinical expertise with a commitment to mentorship, fostering an environment where caregivers feel supported and confident in delivering high-quality care.
Nancy began her nursing career in surgical nursing and progressed to the ICU, spending most of her clinical years in the neuro-ICU. She has experience in organ recovery and briefly worked in the NICU before transitioning into management and nursing education, teaching at Galen School of Nursing for four years. A lifelong learner, Nancy completed her bachelor’s and later a master’s degree in nursing, which enabled her to move into education and leadership roles. Today, she leverages this extensive clinical and educational background to operate her home-care franchise, combining expertise, empathy, and dedication to enhance the lives of seniors and their families in the San Antonio community.
• The University of Texas at Arlington - MSN
• American Nurses Association (ANA)
• Alzheimer's Association
What do you attribute your success to?
For more than three decades, nursing has shaped not only my career, but my understanding of leadership, resilience, and service. What began as a calling shortly after high school evolved into a lifelong commitment to patient care, education, and building teams that thrive under pressure.
My journey through nursing has been anything but linear. Over 30 years, I’ve worked across surgical floors, intensive care units, neonatal ICU, organ donation services, and some of the most demanding neuro-ICU environments. Each role taught me something different—about precision, compassion, and the power of collaboration. In the Neuro-ICU especially, I found my professional home. The trust placed in nurses to monitor subtle neurological changes, work side-by-side with neurosurgeons and cardiothoracic teams, and support families through life-altering moments is unlike anything else in healthcare. Even when outcomes were not what we hoped for, being present for patients and families during their most vulnerable moments was deeply meaningful.
Education has always been central to my growth. I earned my bachelor’s degree after years of hands-on experience, followed by a master’s degree in nursing that allowed me to teach and mentor others entering the profession. Teaching four years at Galen School of Nursing nursing remains one of my proudest accomplishments—helping future nurses find confidence, clinical judgment, and their own sense of purpose. One moment that stands out was helping a client regain mobility after a devastating fall, a reminder that healing is as much mental and emotional as it is physical.
Eventually, my career expanded beyond the bedside into leadership and entrepreneurship. Transitioning into healthcare franchise ownership allowed me to continue serving while shaping care on a broader scale. I remain actively involved in daily operations, caregiver training, and ensuring that quality and dignity remain at the center of everything we do. Leadership, to me, is not about titles—it’s about showing up, supporting your team, and setting a standard others can trust.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Mentorship has also played a defining role in my life. My mother, who encouraged me to pursue nursing, remains my greatest influence. Her belief in the profession’s impact continues to guide how I mentor others today. Nursing offers endless paths from critical care to legal consulting and I encourage young professionals to explore widely and remain open to where their skills may lead them.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Keep looking up. If you get knocked over, get right back up and go again. Stay focused on your goals and do whatever you need to accomplish them." Encourages young caregivers to consider nursing and to take advantage of the many career paths available in the field.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Team collaboration and family support have always been at the heart of how I practice healthcare. No patient is cared for by one person alone, and the strongest outcomes come from teams that trust one another, communicate clearly, and respect the role each member plays. Throughout my years in high-acuity settings, especially in the Neuro-ICU, I saw firsthand how collaboration between nurses, physicians, and specialists creates stability in moments of uncertainty. Equally important is supporting families walking alongside them, explaining what’s happening, and ensuring they feel seen and heard during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. When healthcare teams work together and families are treated as partners in care, it strengthens not only outcomes, but the humanity of the entire experience.