The WAGS Work Series aims to show our readers that we are more than the stereotypes you might be familiar with--we're creative, hard-working, driven, and willing to do whatever it takes to make this lifestyle work. We also hope to inspire women in all walks of life to get creative and think outside the box when it comes to working and creating the lives of their dreams. Please reach out to the women featured in this series if you have questions or want to learn more about what they do.

TELL US WHO YOU ARE, HOW YOU GOT INTO THE SPORTS WORLD, AND A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND.

My name is Nicole Wietstock and I have been dating Jimmy Govern for over 2 years now! He plays for the KC Royals organization on their AAA Omaha Storm Chasers team. I live in North Liberty, Iowa and work as a pediatric inpatient nurse at The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s hospital.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS, WHAT YOU DO, AND HOW LONG YOU’VE BEEN WERKIN’ IT.

I graduated nursing school in December 2020 and in February 2021 I started as a nurse at the University. The inpatient unit I work on gets everything from orthopedic patients, neurology, endocrine, renal, basically everything except for cardiac, respiratory, and psych. These specialties are on the floor above mine.

I moved to Iowa knowing no one but I dreamed of working at this children’s hospital and I feel so proud to have accomplished this goal. I love my kids more than anything and take care of them like they’re my own.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR WORK AND LIVING THE BASEBALL LIFE?

Long distance can be so hard, but having a career that is so fulfilling helps pass the time in between visits. Jimmy lives in Omaha and I try to visit once a month although sometimes it turns into 6-7 weeks. As a nurse I have the flexibility to stack my shifts working 3, 12 hour shifts in a row to get 4-5 days off.

There are many times that I get FOMO living away from Jim (especially when the other WAGS turned besties are in town). When times get tough I remind myself why I became a nurse. My grandma was a nursing assistant for 35 years and developed cancer while in nursing school. She passed away before being able to complete her degree and I feel honored to have carried this goal forward for her.

WHAT’S A TYPICAL WORKDAY LIKE FOR YOU?

I rotate between night shift and day shift working either 7 am to 7 pm or 7 pm to 7 am and always 3 shifts a week.

HOW DID FINDING THIS JOB IMPACT YOUR LIFE PERSONALLY, AND FOR THE TWO OF YOU?

Jimmy and I often talk about how it would be so nice to be able to live with him and fully be present in his life, but we always come back to the same conclusion that I would be so sad without my kiddos and pursuing my own passion. This is a sacrifice we both make and frequent phone calls, texts, FaceTimes, and snapchats help us communicate during our long stretches away from each other. I think the most successful relationships take two independent people living their best lives who choose to be together.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HARDEST PART SO FAR? WHAT’S BEEN THE BEST?

The hardest part of my job is probably the 12 hour shifts, especially overnights and the kids that are so sick. My unit gets a lot of kids from traumas like car accidents, gunshots, incidents with lawn mowers, drownings, and babies who are dropped. The hardest part of the job is prioritizing the child and their care over your own emotions. There are times where children will be in car accidents with friends or family who don’t live through it and as much as I want to cry for their loss it is crucial to be strong for my kiddos and encourage them to fight with everything they have towards recovery.

I am blessed to have friends and family who understand how important my time with Jim is to me especially since it’s so limited. I think sometimes people forget how hard it is to continue a relationship for weeks on end with no physical contact and then put your life on pause to go visit your S.O.

Constant support from friends and family help us feel supported in our relationship.