Nursing Profiles

Kristin Z.

Baltimore, MD
RN, Doctoral student

When I was 14 years old, I spent my summer vacation as a hospital volunteer. I worked in the pediatric outpatient clinic, and seeing the way the nurses cared for children my own age really touched me. Since that summer I knew I wanted to be a nurse. Nursing encompasses more than I ever thought! It has allowed me to work in the research field and even pursue a doctoral degree. Now I get to do all this fascinating research with individuals who are at risk for hereditary cancer. Hopefully with new headway in predisposition genetic testing we can help more people. I truly believe that my current research and nursing role will help high-risk individuals prevent disease, and that’s a good feeling. With all the benefits nursing offers, what matters most to me at the end of the day is the knowledge that I helped another person. I have been challenged by nursing in many ways as I have advanced in my career. Far from being disheartening, these challenges have been inspirational and have kept my interest in nursing strong and enduring. Nursing offers excellent job security, and the field itself is constantly expanding. There is a strong demand for all types and levels of nurses.