RN’s work improves lives
by James Coburn, staff writer
Krystal Nichols, RN, McBride Orthopedic Hospital, was in high school studying her career options when a friend’s mother told her about the stability and personal enrichment she experienced as a registered nurse. Nichols has been a nurse since 2008.
In 2024 she accepted a new challenge by transferring from the ER to case management.
Nichols served four years in the emergency department of McBride Orthopedic Hospital when joining the hospital five years ago. However, she will occasionally work in the ER when a need arises.
“I wanted to learn something new,” Nichols said.
McBride has been very supportive. She met with the manager of case management who assisted her in the transition. Nichols knew case management requires a lot of experience. Nichols would prove to be superb for the role.
Her previous experience encompasses working at then-Unity Health Center, Shawnee (now St. Anthony Hospital-Shawnee, Norman Regional Hospital, the Oklahoma Heart Hospital-South, and SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, located in Oklahoma City. She soon found contentment at McBride.
“I like the smaller hospital environment. I feel like we’re able to provide good patient care with staffing ratios. With it being a smaller entity, a lot of times if there is an issue your managers are approachable,” she said. “You can talk to them and sometimes that makes it a little easier when it is a smaller place. Overall, I’ve had a really good experience.”
Her role in case management helps navigate the patient’s experience. Case managers visit with each patient to explains their discharge plans. Orthopedic patients will often have home health and outpatient physical therapy after their surgical procedure. Nichols also deals with health insurance issues by making sure the surgery has been approved and by sharing necessary documentation. The pre/op nurses make calls to answer any questions patients have prior to surgery.
Being a case manager is definitely a different way of thinking, Nichols said.
She loves the variety. Nichols tweaks discharge plans according to what the patient wants. Working in the ER brings more time constraints with quick emergency responses.
“In nursing overall, you have to be empathetic and understanding — especially in the ER,” Nichols said. “People come here in pain and aren’t their best selves,” Nichols explained. “So, you have to realize that it’s a big event for them to go to the ER.”
ER nurses should be motivated to double check orders to make sure everything is correct, she added. Having a good relationship with coworkers and the physician helps in questioning, she said.
“Ultimately, you want to take good care of the patients,” Nichols said.
Teamwork is what she enjoys most about the nurses. They work with a synergetic blend of expertise gained by longevity and expertise.
“It’s so important in nursing because we could all have patients that are very sick and require a lot of care,” Nichols continued. “If you don’t have good teamwork, you’re drowning, and the patient is suffering. It’s really a huge priority to have good communication.”
Nursing has been a career that allows her to effectively interact with her community.
“It definitely keeps you grounded because it makes you realize your health is everything. It really does affect your everyday life and your relationships,” Nichols said. “So, it’s nice to know you can help someone overcome such an event in their life.”
She is grateful for being part of a team that saves lives or helps patients become their personal best.
“Whenever you have an injury, you’re very grateful to have someone just help you out of the car,” she said. “There are different circumstances but of course the more critical the patient is, you definitely see how big of a difference you can make in a 30-minute time span. If you walk in and a patient starts having slurred speech, you have to recognize that right away so you can scan them for a CT scan to make sure they are not having a stroke.”
It’s always heartfelt when viewing a patient going home to resume their lives.
“I always tell them, ‘I hope I see you out in the community — not back in the ER,” she said.
Nichols gives herself ample time to care for herself as well. She loves gardening and bicycling with her husband.
“Oklahoma City has great bike paths now. And, I have three dogs and there’s always something to do with them, too.”
