Spotlights
Kathleen Bell '81 & '99
Employer
Retired
1. Tell us about your journey since graduation.
I began my Nursing career at Wm Beaumont Hospital where I worked
for 5+ years. I was a staff nurse and then did chemotherapy
administration. Back then, not all nurses could do this as well as
teach the person during the usual work hours. In 1986 I got married
and moved to the Grand Rapids area and did floor nursing at
Butterworth. Later I took a management role and also completed my
Masters in Nursing Adult Education. At that time there were no Nurse
practitioner schools unless I traveled to Chicago. I worked myself up
to a Clinical Nurse Specialist where I developed the nursing practice
in Radiation Oncology. After 25 years I “was not needed” and thus left
and found employment elsewhere. I worked as a community manager for
hospice, managed long-term care, and was a case manager for Mi Choice
Waiver. These last three roles led me to reuse my basic nursing
knowledge but my tools were a little better. I felt like I was really
a nurse again. After 43 years of nursing full time the only gap was
two maternity leaves!
2. Share a favorite Grand Valley memory.
It was the mid to late 70’s and I’m sure like many, it was a
great time to be a grand valley. The best was being in the first
marching band ever and all the craziness that was and co-authoring the
GVSC Fight Song.
3. What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
People say “I never use anything I went to college for”. I say,
you weren’t counseled well as I continue to the knowledge that was
given me from the instructors.
4. List three words you would use to describe your Grand
Valley experience.
Wonderful, Life Changing, and Forward Thinking
5. What difference would you like to make in the world?
I feel I did make a difference as had the opportunity to educate
many new nurses and be a positive role model. I also published and
participated in creating an educational series on a national level
which won an award from the American Journal of Nursing.
July 2024
Interest Area(s)
Nursing, Education -Higher Education
Categories
West Michigan
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