Kelsey Parker wasn’t always set on becoming a nurse. In fact, she hated going to the doctor as a kid! It wasn’t until college that her interest in biology and desire to work with people led her to consider it. The deciding factor was an impactful tour of the BYU College of Nursing where, in her words, she “had an overwhelming feeling that she should do nursing.”
After her mission to Calgary, Canada, she entered the program. It was a rigorous journey filled with ups and downs, but Kelsey enjoyed priceless opportunities throughout that shaped her as a healthcare professional.
One such opportunity was her research; she had the chance to do lots of psychology-nursing studies with various professors, covering themes like parent-child vs nurse-patient relationships and the role of spirituality in nursing. This has been a powerful tool for Kelsey in understanding her patients' physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.
The area that grew her love for nursing more than anything else was the labor and delivery unit. Helping deliver newborns quickly became her favorite part of the job, both for the work itself and the immense influence of the Spirit that she feels while doing it. “The first time I saw a birth, I just cried in the corner,” she reflected.
Kelsey will soon begin work doing what she loves as a labor and delivery nurse in Virginia. Looking back on her BYU College of Nursing days, she knows the journey of learning the Healer’s art is well worth the effort.
Good luck, Kelsey!