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BETHANY “JILL” KING Acontinuouslearningprocess
lovedhelpingpeople,” shesaid, “andwhat better way to dothatthan to becomeanurse myself.”
Afterstartingasamedical-surgicalpediatricsunitnurse,shespent12 yearsasa diabeteseducatorbefore returning to the medical-surgicalorthopedicsunit.Sheisa preceptor forthatdepartment, helping to trainnewhiresandalso workswith Creighton Universitynursingstudentstraining at Mercy.
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Ibarra isgood at whatshedoes,her nominatorwrote:“Shedevoteshertimeand attention to ensurethatpatients receive culturally respectful,highqualityhealthcare withspecial attention to theunderserved.”
Herjobinvolvesbuildingtrustwithpatients.Onepatientstandsout:Ahomeless womanwhohaslostcustodyofherchildren. Shesharedthatshehadn’t felt welcome at otherplaceswhereshesoughtcare.
“Wegave herthat reassurancethat we are here forherand to help–andshecantrust us.”
It worked.“Shekeeps comingback.”
BY JONLEU
Although twoofhermother’s bestfriends were nursesandprovidedsomeinfluence, Sloannative Bethany “Jill” Kingsaidher decision to makenursingherlife’s work came whileshe wasinhighschoolwhenshestarted working at along-termcarefacility.
“Idiscoveredwhile workingtherethatI
Kingcame to work at CHIHealth Mercy Hospitalin CouncilBluffsafterearning hernursingdegree at WesternIowa Tech Community CollegeinSioux City. Withthe exceptionofabrieftime awayfrom Mercyin 2018and2019,she’s spentmostofher22yearcareerthere.
A continuallearner, King,althoughnota chemo certifiednurse,hasbeentrained to give chemotreatments.She completedher Bachelorof ScienceinnursinginJanuaryof this yearandiscurrently working towards certificationasanorthopedic certifiednurse. She’s completedtheclass work andhours required forthe certificationandiscurrently studying forthe test,whichshehopes to take andearn certificationwithinthenext several months.
Kingalsoservesasamentor for Mercy’s 18-monthprogram forallnewemployees, aprogramthat extendsbeyondnewhires forthenursingunits. Theprogramprovides topicsthatare to be coveredbutallows the mentorandthenewhire to decideinwhat orderthose topicsare covered.
More than twodecadesinto thecareershe choseinhighschool, Kingstill findsnursinga rewardingchoice.
“Justseeingpeoplestart to know how to takecareoftheir conditionsandbeingtheir supportistremendously rewarding,” shesaid, “andI reallyenjoyseeingthenursesI work withbecomebetter.”
In addition to her work at MercyHospital, Kingisinvolvedinthe communitythrough herserviceonthe All Care Health Center’s BoardofDirectors.She’s servedontheboard since2013withthe exceptionofone yearoff duringthe COVID-19pandemic.
