When Kaye Koehoorn was studying nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, she visited Children's Hospital of Wisconsin to gain some experience in pediatrics. Little did she know that one visit would set the stage for the rest of her nursing career. Her short time at Children's Hospital convinced Kaye that she had to work with children.
She started as an intern and now works as a full-time registered nurse. She plays so many roles – from a caregiver to a surrogate parent, to friend and comforter to the parents. She bonds with the families and learns what will make them feel more comfortable. She learns what each child likes and dislikes and what makes them laugh and smile so she can make their time at Children's Hospital a little more joyful.
To her, the expansion is vital to the mission of Children's Hospital. The additional space will allow more children to be treated and cared for, and the new specialized areas will help save more lives.
At Children's Hospital, Kaye says she has found her home for the rest of her career. "I can't imagine being anywhere else."