In honor of National Nurses Month, we’re continuing to highlight the nurses who make an impact across Renown Health. This week, we’re featuring Kayla, a telemetry (Tele) nurse whose role spans bedside care, education and team support. She shares more about her path into nursing, what her role looks like today and what continues to motivate her in this Q+A.
My interest in nursing began as a teenager while helping care for my grandmother. That experience sparked a genuine curiosity about healthcare. In high school, I volunteered at a skilled nursing facility for a school project, which further solidified my passion. From there, I progressed from a home caregiver to CNA, EMT and eventually a nurse. The medical field has always felt like the most natural path for me. I enjoy forming meaningful connections with patients and appreciate the constant challenge of anticipating and meeting their needs.
Most of my shifts are spent at the bedside on Tele, where I enjoy building rapport with patients and watching their progress. I also spend some of my time teaching advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) and Basic Life Support (BLS) renewal courses for Renown employees. A few times a month, I lead mock codes for the progressive care unit (PCU) module. Additionally, I run the high-performance code committee for Tele 8 and PCU, which helps keep me current on ACLS updates and hospital emergency protocols. I love the balance of bedside care and education, and I value the opportunity to support and strengthen our team.
Beyond bedside care, I also play a role in instructing, including my committee work and mock code training.
I enjoy teaching patients about their illness and supporting nurses while they learn something new. I strive to be a safe resource where nurses can ask critical questions and think through complex situations. Helping others feel prepared in emergencies ultimately improves patient outcomes and strengthens our team’s response.
Patient advocacy is essential. Staying current with American Hospital Association (AHA) guidelines and hospital emergency procedures is also critical, and my involvement in my committee work and ACLS/BLS instruction helps me maintain that knowledge.
I believe our team is more confident and effective in emergencies because of the practice we get during mock codes. With my diverse experience, many team members come to me to discuss ideas or troubleshoot situations, and I enjoy collaborating to find the best solutions for patient care.
There are many, but the moments that stand out most are when a patient expresses gratitude for their care or when a nurse tells me, “You taught me that.” Those reminders are incredibly meaningful.
When I first started, I felt pressured to prove that I knew all the answers. Over time, I’ve learned the value of asking for help, collaborating and recognizing that no one has all the answers. Nursing is a team effort and embracing that has made me a stronger nurse.
Watching nurses grow into confident advocates for their patients motivates me every day. I also find fulfillment when a patient tells me they finally understand their diagnosis after we talk. I feel successful when I know my patients are cared for to the best of my abilities.
Starting in an entry-level role such as a CNA or patient transporter can be incredibly helpful. It builds comfort at the bedside and provides a strong foundation for understanding patient care. It’s important to remember that we often meet people on their hardest days. You won’t know everything, and that’s okay, but it’s vital to stay curious and committed to finding solutions.
Whenever I see an opportunity, such as becoming an ACLS/BLS instructor, I talk with my management team. I’ve been trained in several roles, including charge nurse, flex, open hearts and more. Renown has helped me explore many avenues beyond my primary role, such as tuition reimbursement for my bachelor’s of science degree in nursing (BSN) and assistance with my PCCN (Progressive Care certified Nurse).
At Renown Health we appreciate our nurses and staff so much for the constant hard work and care they provide to our patients and community. Take a moment to celebrate and thank the nurses around you for the care, dedication and support they bring every day.
