AMRI’S Fan of the Month for October

AMRI is pleased to announce its Fan of the Month for October. In August we featured  Dr. Alfredo Bongo, Jr. Our September winner requested to remain anonymous. October’s winner, our sixth to receive this honor, is Dr. Kimberly Pruett of Virginia. Based on her interactions on our Facebook page, Dr. Pruett will receive free ACLS or PALS recertification through AMRI’s online training and certification program. Learn more about Dr. Pruett here. 

Fan of the Month: Dr. Kimberly Pruett

What inspired you to become a nurse? 

I am actually now a Nurse Anesthetist, but I have always had a love of chemistry. I was not sure that a career in a laboratory would be a good fit for me since I love patients and healthcare as well. Nursing was an obvious vector for my science degree. Not a single person in my family thought I would make it as I used to pass out at the sight of blood. That made me even more adamant to finish my nursing degree! 

What is your favorite thing about being a nurse? 

I was able to work in Labor and Delivery for several years then transfer into Intensive Care. Both provided me with unique opportunities to help patients and learn from them as well. I was then able continue my education and receive an MS while I went to anesthesia school, then proceed to finishing my Doctorate. I loved the autonomy this next step in nursing provided me. I am a thrill-seeker and love to help patients. When I am intubating patients on a daily basis, it never escapes me that I hold their lives in my hands. They are counting on me and my skills to give them a safe anesthetic and to wake them up in an even better state than when I put them to sleep. 

What advice would you give nursing students? 

Never stop learning. Never turn down an opportunity for a seminar, to read or help author a journal article. Never think you know all there is to know. Never settle for a paycheck. Go on for advanced education. You are never too old. 

Knowing what you now know about nursing, would you choose nursing as a career path if you could do it all over again? 

Definitely! A most resounding affirmative. I am able to participate in my dream career with complete autonomy. I cannot imagine doing anything else with my life. 

How do you keep up with the latest information in your field? 

Through continuing education seminars, journal articles, continuing competency and recertification (like AMRI BLS, ACLS, PALS). I also keep up with information through my professional organization participation (American Association of Nurse Anesthetists), Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society, and social media anesthesia forums. I have received my Masters and Doctorate since becoming a nurse.