Bronco Spotlight: Katelyn Mater
RN BSN at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center
I work in the intensive care unit at St. Joseph as a RN. The patients I take care of are critically ill and many of them require procedures and/or intubation while they are at the hospital. My job is to perform assessments, administer medications, communicate with other healthcare professionals regarding patient care, and educate patients and their families on medications and disease processes.
What is the most rewarding and the most challenging part of your job?
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing a patient turn around and get better, especially when their prognosis on arrival isn鈥檛 good. The most challenging part of my job often relates to dysfunctional families/situations. I love my job, the people I meet every day make it worthwhile, and I love that I learn something new whenever I come into work.
If you had a campus job or internship, how did they impact your career development?
I had an externship at Bronson Battle Creek my last year of nursing school. It really helped me prepare for my career because the staff got to know me and what I could do so by after being there a few months I was allowed to practice more independently than I was during my clinicals. I also grew more comfortable talking to doctors which has helped me now that I don鈥檛 have a preceptor.
What advice do you have for others pursuing a career similar to yours?
Get all the experience you can. I worked at a nursing home in the dementia ward before my externship on the OB unit at Bronson Battle Creek. Having the opportunity to work with different patient populations while I was still in school helped me feel more confident in my practice and decide what type of patient I wanted to work with when I graduated.