Katy B, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC

What purchase of $100 or less has most positively impacted on your life? (Feel free to give specific brands/models).

My Mama bought our kitties for us from a shelter and they enrich my life every single day.

What is the funniest thing that has happened (to you or witnessed) in your job?

One of my toddler patients walked up and grabbed my hand when I wasn’t expecting it and it was startling and precious at the same time and I giggle whenever I think about it. :)

Favourite guilty pleasure after a stressful day at work?

Ice cream!

How has a failure (or apparent failure) set you up for later success? Do you have a "favourite failure" of yours?

Failing Chemistry my freshman year of college taught me a lot about resilience and how to brush myself off and keep going.

If you have a billboard for all other medical professionals out there with any message, what would it say?

It would say “Please take care of yourself too!” 

What is an unusual habit or (conventionally considered to be) absurd thing that you do/love (may or may not be related to your discipline/practice)?

I make up songs about my cats and sing to them.

In the last 5 years, what new belief, behaviour or habit that has most improved your life (may or may not be related to your discipline/practice)?

Setting boundaries for my well being is a new behavior I have been more intentional about in the last few years and it has significantly improved my ability to cope with stress.

What advice would you give to a smart, driven student? What advice should they ignore?

Follow the journey that is best FOR YOU! Ignore advice when it does not take into account the nuance of individuality.

What bad recommendations do you hear in your area of expertise that you would want to correct the most?

I think a common recommendation I still hear about in nursing is to start in a general medical unit in order to be a good nurse. I would argue that pursuing the job you are passionate about is better because we need to protect our well being; becoming burnt out in your first job does not help anyone.

In the last 5 years, what have you become better at saying "no" to? What new realizations helped?

I have become better at saying no in general! Setting boundaries means that I am more able to bring my best and most authentic self.

When you feel overwhelmed or lost focus temporarily, what do you do?

When I feel overwhelmed, I take a few deep breaths, ask myself what emotions I am experiencing, honor them, and then proceed.

What is your best or your favourite achievement in your career so far?

My favorite achievement so far has been landing my dream job as a PNP!

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Katy B is a neurosurgery PNP in California. She is passionate about advocating for the physical and mental health of her kiddos, families, colleagues, and community.