We are IH: Compassionate RN eases pain and fear in people

Her love of science, curiosity and empathy for people are what drew her into nursing. She spent seven years working in the Cariboo Memorial Hospital emergency department and intensive care units. During that period, she experienced the 2017 wildfires, burst pipes that forced renovations, and the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, Kim found strength in her colleagues and community.

One of her most memorable moments came early in the pandemic, when first responders paraded through the hospital parking lot with sirens and lights to honour front-line staff.

“That gave me goosebumps. It was one of those moments that sticks with you forever.”

Her ability to support people in crisis eventually led her to her current role in harm reduction. “It was time for a change. I applied for this role because I excelled with mental health crisis in the emergency department,” she explains, “I enjoy having the time to provide trauma-informed care in a non-emergency setting.”

Now, as a nurse prescriber, she spends her days collaborating with Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) teams, problem-solving, seeing walk-in clients for opioid agonist treatment (OAT) and occasionally prescribing for people in custody or alongside physicians at the Cornerstone Clinic.

The workload varies, but the motivation never changes. “I feel driven to provide trauma-informed care, breaking through barriers of stigma and inequality,” she says.

Her colleagues describe her as collaborative, thoughtful and a steady presence. Kim, in turn, credits her team for inspiring her daily and keeping the work grounded in dignity, safety and respect. She’s especially excited about contributing to the rollout of phlebotomy draws for nurse prescribers which will serve as another way to expand safe and timely access to care.

In her personal life, Kim separates herself from the crises she sees at work and takes time to ground herself, finding peace in things that bring her joy. She loves being outside, off-road riding, reading, crafting, visiting the Okanagan and spending time with her puppies. She’ll admit she “can’t pick just one” favourite hobby. But mostly, she treasures time with her family.

Looking back, Kim is quick to laugh at her younger, rebellious self, knowing that those experiences turned her into the understanding and resilient person that she has become. Looking ahead, she sees only possibility. And if there’s one thing her story shows, it’s that sometimes taking the long way around brings you exactly where you’re meant to be.

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