{"id":13537,"date":"2024-12-19T14:34:01","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T19:34:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/?p=13537"},"modified":"2024-12-19T17:01:59","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T22:01:59","slug":"inspiring-the-next-generation-nurses-kristin-fries-msn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.goodwin.edu\/enews\/inspiring-the-next-generation-nurses-kristin-fries-msn\/","title":{"rendered":"Goodwin Graduate Kristin Fries, MSN, Inspires the Next Generation of Nurses"},"content":{"rendered":"

Providing patient-centered care in settings ranging from hospitals and physician’s offices to schools and emergency rooms, nurses come to their community’s aid daily.<\/p>\n

Across the country, the demand for skilled nurses continues to grow. With the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipating over 194,000 new job openings over the next decade<\/a>, nursing is a pathway to career stability. Moreover, RNs enjoy significant earning potential, with a median yearly salary reaching over $86,000 .<\/p>\n

With the field’s diverse opportunities, increasing needs, and the possibility of earning a considerable salary, it’s never been a better time to pursue your passion for nursing. For over 3,000 RNs across Connecticut, the journey to this thriving career path began at Goodwin. With certificate and degree avenues varying from a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program<\/a> to our APRN programs<\/a>, Goodwin’s history of preparing nurses for success at all stages of their careers is tried and true.<\/p>\n

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Amongst our alums is Goodwin faculty member Kristin Fries, MSN. An associate professor for the RN program<\/a>, Fries calls on her expertise as an emergency nurse (as well as her own experiences as a student) to inspire a new generation of healthcare professionals.<\/p>\n

An early passion for emergency care<\/h2>\n

Working as an ER nurse at St. Francis Hospital for over a decade, emergency medicine has long been the fast-paced professional setting Kristin Fries calls home.<\/p>\n

The high-stakes, ever-shifting nature of emergency medicine isn\u2019t for every RN. Yet for those drawn to this specialty, the energetic atmosphere of the ER offers a rewarding professional arena. \u201cEvery day is a different day,\u201d Fries explains. \u201cYou could see 60 people come in with belly pain, but every single one of those people is still an individual, and they\u2019re all different. You\u2019re constantly thinking critically, shifting, and adapting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kristin\u2019s interest in emergency medicine started at a young age when dreams for her future sprang from pop culture. \u201cIt sounds cheesy, but do you know the show ER? That was it,” Fries shares. “Abby was inspirational. I started thinking, ‘I\u2019m going to become a doctor.’ Then, when I realized how many years of schooling it would take to begin my career, I decided I\u2019d prefer to be in nursing, which is a pretty limitless field in terms of what you can do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Going to Goodwin<\/h2>\n

Establishing her professional roots as an EMS\/EMT, Fries began her associate degree in Nursing<\/a> while simultaneously serving as a first responder. However, the early days of her Nursing education didn\u2019t unfold at Goodwin. “I started an RN program somewhere else, but it wasn\u2019t the right fit at the time,\u201d she recalls. \u201cWhen I had all my prerequisites done, I looked for another program. I had fellow EMS\/EMT peers applying to Goodwin’s program, so we were able to apply and go through it all together.”<\/p>\n

When Fries transferred to Goodwin, the University facilitated a seamless process.<\/a> \u201cIt was an easy transition,” she reflects. “At most other schools, I would have needed to start over completely. Once you\u2019ve invested so much time into your education, you don\u2019t want to repeat the same classes.\u201d<\/p>\n

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As a Nursing student, Kristin found a close-knit, supportive environment that made all the difference. \u201cThe classes are smaller here, which I found nice. The instructors can really get to know you, guide you to whatever help you may need, and help you find resources.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beyond providing a strong sense of community, the Nursing program equipped Kristin to excel in her career. She notes that today, Goodwin\u2019s approach to Nursing education<\/a> still maintains the exemplary qualities she enjoyed as a student. \u201cIt\u2019s a nice combination of didactic and hands-on learning. You can\u2019t be exposed to every type of patient at a given time, so you still need that classroom exposure,” she highlights. “But working on manikins in the SIM Lab \u2014 and real, live patients during clinicals \u2014 are opportunities that refine your skills.\u201d<\/p>\n

Encouraging nursing excellence<\/h2>\n

Continuing to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)<\/a> in 2014, Fries graduated amongst one of the University’s first RN-to-BSN cohorts. Ultimately, she would advance her education even further \u2014 achieving her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from University of Hartford in 2020.<\/p>\n

As an emergency nurse at St. Francis Hospital, Kristin soon proved she wasn\u2019t just passionate about providing patient care \u2014 she was committed to elevating her profession from its very halls. Teaching, training, and providing orientations for newly minted ER nurses, Fries rose through the ranks as a healthcare leader.<\/p>\n

The possibility of diving deeper into her role as an educator took shape when a former colleague and classmate, Goodwin’s AS in Nursing Program Director Bruce Hoffman, MSN<\/a>, approached her about an unexpected opportunity. \u201cA faculty position opened up, and I was asked if I might be interested. I decided to scope it out, and now, here I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

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As an Associate Professor of Nursing, Fries brings her wealth of real-world experiences into the classroom. Helping Goodwin students navigate the challenges of Nursing education, she finds joy in watching them develop essential caregiving skills. \u201cThe courses and clinical experiences piggyback off each other because our students have to take classes in a certain order,” she notes. “As I’m teaching, I see them make connections between the fundamentals they\u2019re learning. I really enjoy watching the light go off and seeing their enthusiasm.\u201d<\/p>\n

Making budding RNs aware of the diverse opportunities<\/a> awaiting in the field, Fries encourages her students to keep an open mind about their futures. \u201cI always ask, \u2018What do you want to do when you\u2019re done with this?\u2019 Some students have an area of nursing they love, but sometimes, they won\u2019t discover they like something until they’ve been exposed to it. So, I tell them to keep doors open because you never know what you\u2019ll love.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Goodwin difference<\/h2>\n

Fries emphasizes that the community upheld by the AS in Nursing program<\/a> rings true to the University\u2019s student-centered philosophy. \u201cEverybody in our program is approachable and supportive,” she reiterates. “We want to see each and every student succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n

To help students perform to the best of their abilities, Fries has found flexibility and personalized instruction are key. \u201cYou need to individualize your approach to instruction, but the learning remains the same,\u201d she notes.<\/p>\n

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As healthcare evolves and technology advances, Fries encourages future nurses to prioritize ongoing professional development. \u201cEven if you have all the knowledge, there\u2019s always something new coming out. You have to stay current and seek out opportunities to continue learning.\u201d<\/p>\n

Through her dedication, Kristin Fries embodies the spirit of Goodwin University\u2019s Nursing programs: empowering students to pursue their passions, achieve their goals, and make a difference in the lives of others.<\/p>\n