Growing our Own: Katie Schmidt

𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻: 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗶𝗱𝘁

As the youngest of her parents' three daughters, Katie Schmidt grew up working on the family’s farm in rural Barry County.

Little did Schmidt know at the time, but the daily grind of farm work would teach her many important life lessons that she would later apply as a registered nurse.

While attending Monett High School, Schmidt decided to follow in the footsteps of her sisters by enrolling in the Health Occupations Program at Scott Regional Technology Center. As part of this hands-on program, she earned certification as a nursing assistant (CNA).

“I wasn't certain that I wanted to attend nursing school after earning my CNA until I began working at a long-term care facility,” says Schmidt. “I prayed a lot and understood that God had put me here to help others who are in need.”

Schmidt enrolled in the nursing program at Crowder College in Neosho, Mo. While attending school, Schmidt worked as a CNA in the Medical-Surgical Unit at Cox Monett.

“I gained so much knowledge and felt like things made a lot more sense throughout nursing school due to having the opportunity to see what we were learning in real life,” says Schmidt. “I am extremely fortunate that the nursing staff on the unit went out of their way to teach, demonstrate, and include me in multiple situations.”

While in school, Schmidt completed her required clinical days in every department at Cox Monett. During clinical rotations, she gained copious amounts of knowledge from individuals in each department, which she is extremely grateful for.

As graduation approached, it was finally time for Schmidt to make a decision on where to work.

After thoughtful consideration, Schmidt accepted a graduate nurse residency position in the busy Cox Monett Emergency Department.

“I love the small town life,” says Schmidt. “Throughout my school years, from grade school through college, I have been supported in many ways by people in this community. There is no better way to give back than to work here at Cox Monett, and potentially help others who helped me get to where I am today.”

Schmidt urges nursing students to consider a career in rural health care. "Health care is rewarding in general, but when you get to see patients that you took care of return to good health and see them out and about in our community, then it becomes something really special and unique that maybe you can't get in a larger facility.”

Schmidt continues, “What I love most about Cox Monett is the atmosphere. As I walk down the hall, I am always greeted with ‘hello’ and a smile. It is so easy to have a relationship with everyone here because there is a team dynamic that cannot be matched anywhere else.”

A farmer will tell you that a tremendous level of discipline and dedication goes into working on a farm. Schmidt nods in agreement and adds with a smile, "It also taught me a strong work ethic, how to multitask, and to be resilient—important abilities I use every day in the healthcare industry."

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