Kayla Bentley
BSN, RN
Family Medicine Clinic and Interventional Pain Clinic
Rapid City Medical Center South
- Tell me about yourself. I was born in Canton, Pennsylvania and moved to Rapid City in 2005. I am engaged to my best friend Drew and we plan to get married in 2022. We have 2 cats who we spoil. I come from a big family. I enjoy being out on the lake and relaxing at home with a book.
- Why did you choose a career in nursing? Originally, I went to college for a degree in medical laboratory science. I decided to pursue nursing after seeing how well my grandfather was taken care of in hospice during his battle with cancer. I felt a huge pull to go into nursing after that.
- How long have you been a nurse? I have been a nurse for 4 years. I started my nursing career in the hospital and later transitioned to family medicine and interventional pain.
- What is most rewarding about your job? The most rewarding part of my job, by far, are the relationships I have built with my patients and peers. I feel lucky to get to know so many amazing people and learn their stories. The colleagues I have met along the way are a huge part of who I am today.
- What do you find most challenging? Being a nurse can be emotionally draining. We give so much of ourselves to others; whether it’s putting on a brave face or a big smile. It’s challenging to go home and turn it off. Finding balance in personal and work life is very important.
- What skills make a nurse exceptional? I believe an exceptional nurse is good at communicating but also great at listening. An exceptional nurse can multitask without seeming rushed, is empathetic and understanding, and is a team player. No one can do it all on their own!
- What advice would you give others thinking about becoming a nurse? It is by no means easy, but it is so rewarding. Being a nurse is a big part of who I am, and I think people who know me would agree with that. Nursing has presented some of my greatest challenges, but also my greatest victories. Nursing is a great option because there are so many avenues you can go down and so many ways to advance your career. I have gained lifelong friends, role models and countless life lessons.
- When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? When I was young, I wanted to be a teacher. I always enjoyed school, and I wanted others to enjoy learning too.