April Walker, MSN, RN, CIC, has joined us as Director of Risk Management, bringing a wealth of experience from the ICU bedside to roles in Infection Prevention during the pandemic. Not only is she deeply committed to safe, quality care, but she’s also thrilled to be caring for the people right here in her new hometown.
Let’s dive into 10 questions with April.
Why are you excited to join NMC Health?
“I’m excited, as a Registered Nurse, to join NMC Health because I recently moved to Newton and am eager to care for the people in my own community. It’s important to me to make a positive impact close to home, and NMC Health’s strong commitment to patient-centered care really aligns with my own values.””
Why did you choose to have a career in healthcare?
“I’ve built my career by consistently seeking roles that challenge me to grow, learn new skills, and make an impact.
- Adult ICU nurse: I have always enjoyed the patients that challenge me to critically think and learn every day.
- House Supervisor: My favorite job challenging me to learn areas outside of ICU. I was certified in many clinical areas to help in emergent situations.
- Certified Infection Preventionist: Senior management approached me about this job, four months after agreeing the pandemic hit. I was successful for decreasing infection rates.
- Risk Management/MSO: This is a newer chapter for me, and I’m excited to be learning something I have always found interesting.”
What inspires you to do what you do every day?
“I am inspired every day by the resilience of my patients. Witnessing their strength in the face of difficult diagnoses motivates me to bring my best to each encounter. I am also inspired by the ever-evolving field of medicine. There is always something new to learn—whether it’s advances in technology, new treatment options, or deeper insights into the human body—and that constant growth drives me to be a better provider. The combination of patient resilience and the pursuit of lifelong learning keeps me passionate about my work.”
What is your favorite thing about working with patients?
“I’m inspired by the opportunity to make a real difference in people’s lives every day inside and outside the hospital.”
What is your top priority when providing healthcare?
“Do the best I can to make sure that the patients, visitors, and staff feel supported and appreciated.”
What are your favorite things to do outside of the office?
“I have family and four dogs that keep me very busy. We just moved back to Kansas from Idaho. Making new friends, catching up with old friends, and visiting Idaho friends, also keep me busy.”
If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering a career in healthcare, what would it be?
“I would tell an RN (because I am one) to do at least two years on a med/surg floor before you decide your specialty. Having the well-rounded patient care experience will just enhance any specialty direction you go.”
What’s the best advice you received?
“I was a hostess at a Village Inn many years ago and I was taking money and seating people. It was a Sunday rush and I was hurrying through the process of taking money and asking how everything went, not even looking up. The man in front of me said, ‘Don’t ask if you don’t mean it.’ I stopped in my tracks and looked up with terror and on the verge of crying. He politely explained why he made that statement and avoided a 17-year-old meltdown. I will never forget that moment and it has impacted so many communication opportunities in my life. You can be assured that if I am communicating I am all in; if I ask, I do mean it!”
What’s one thing you wish every patient knew?
“I wish every patient knew that Google, MD, is not an accurate diagnosis.”
April’s career shows that every role and every conversation in healthcare is a chance to make a positive impact. We’re incredibly fortunate to have a leader who is as focused on critical thinking as she is on compassionate care, and whose own personal story has taught her the true value of being “all in.”
Join us in giving April a warm welcome to NMC Health!
