Health Care Heroes 2025 S5
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2025 Kearney Hub www.kearneyhub.com
KATIE FITCH | KEARNEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER Answering the Call: Katie Fitch Reflects on 20 Years of Compassion, Crisis, and Connection in Emergency Nursing
When Katie Fitch first set out on her professional journey, nursing wasn’t even on her radar. As a college student, she explored various subjects without finding one that truly sparked her interest. It was only after some thoughtful encour- agement from her mother—a nurse her-
To cope with the weight of these moments, Katie leans on her support systems—both personal and professional. “I’m fortunate to work with an incredible team,” she says. “There’s a deep level of support and under - standing among us because we’ve all been through the same kinds of situations. And at home, my family has always had my back. That balance between work and home life is something I’ve worked hard to protect.” Over the years, Katie has come to value the teamwork in emergency medicine as one of the most rewarding aspects of her career. “In the ER, you depend on each other in ways that are hard to describe,” she says. “It’s cha - otic, fast-paced, and high stress—but when you’re surrounded by a team that respects and supports one another, it becomes something more. It becomes a family. I’ve been part of some truly amazing teams and made lifelong friends through this work.” But perhaps one of the most powerful moments in Katie’s career came not in the middle of a crisis, but much later—when a former patient recognized her and thanked her for the care she provided years earlier. “That moment really stuck with me,” Katie says. “It reminded me that the little things we do—how we treat people, how we speak to them in vulnerable moments—really matter. A little kindness can go a long way. People remember that.” Katie’s perspective on nursing has evolved significantly since those early days of uncertainty in college. What began as an unfamiliar journey has become a deeply ful- filling career. She’s grown into roles of lead - ership and responsibility, not just responding to emergencies but coordinating trauma care and shaping the systems that make fast, effective responses possible. Through it all, she’s remained grounded in her purpose: to help people through some of the hardest moments of their lives, and to do it with empathy and skill. For those considering a career in healthcare, Katie offers thoughtful and honest advice. “Healthcare is full of opportunity,” she says. “There are so many directions you can
take, so many special- ties to explore. It’s not a one-size-fits-all field—you can change paths, find what fits you best, and keep growing throughout your career. But you do have to want it. I can’t teach someone to care. Compassion, empathy—that’s what makes all the diference.” As Katie looks back on two de- cades in nursing, she does so with gratitude, pride, and a quiet strength earned from years of experience. In the high-stakes world of trauma and emergency medicine, she’s become a steady, guiding presence—someone her team can rely on, and someone her patients will never forget.
Katie Fitch
self—that Katie began to seriously consider healthcare. At the time, she was unsure, uncertain if it was the right path for her. But with a leap of faith and a willingness to try something new, she enrolled in nursing school. What followed was a transformation that would shape her life and career. “I was apprehensive at first,” Katie recalls, “but I’ve truly fallen in love with my career. I can’t imagine doing anything else.” Fast forward 20 years, and Katie is now a respected Trauma Nurse Coordinator and ER Nurse at Kearney Regional Medical Center. Her job is demanding, unpredictable, and deeply meaningful. Each shift can bring a wide range of cases—from critical trauma patients to fast-paced emergencies—all requiring quick thinking, composure, and compassion. For Katie, the emergency room has become not just a workplace, but a place where she’s forged strong bonds, grown professionally, and found her purpose. “There are days that stay with you,” she admits. “Witnessing sudden and tragic loss is one of the most emotionally challenging parts of my job. You’re expected to stay composed and focused, even when what you’re seeing is heartbreaking.” Like many experienced nurses, Katie has learned how to compartmentalize in the moment—how to be fully present for her patients and colleagues while keeping her own emotions in check. “The emotional toll doesn’t always hit you right away,” she explains. “It comes in waves—later, when you’re alone, or when a particular patient reminds you of someone you know.”
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