When I worked in the ED, consultants often came through… none of them had a clinical background, says Kelly Vogt, BSN, RN, MPH.

“I was thinking, these people are here, and they’re going to be the ones that decide how my day-to-day is, and how it impacts my work and the way in which I care for my patients, yet none of them have a healthcare background?” That experience inspired Vogt to advocate for patients and clinicians from the business side of healthcare.

Read on to learn about how Vogt ended up working for top medical supplier B. Braun, and how she continues to advocate for safe and effective care from beyond the bedside.

How has your nursing journey shifted?

I've been a nurse for 20 years. I started off in adult med-surg for a year before transitioning to a pediatric level 1 ED. After gaining experience, I explored the world of travel nursing before returning home, where I began working at the same children's hospital as a vascular access nurse, and then I enrolled in grad school.

I chose a master's in public health because, working in the pediatric ER, you see a lot that comes in that is preventable through resources and education. It really impacted me. I thought: We can help these people and make a larger impact.

After graduating with my MPH, I took a few more assignments as a travel nurse. I really enjoyed living in different cities and meeting new people. Eventually, I made Los Angeles my home, where I stayed for over 10 years. During that time, the itch to make a larger impact remained a driving force.

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to volunteer with Operation Smile, an organization which focuses on cleft lip and palate repairs in developing countries. With Operation Smile, I traveled to Oaxaca, Mexico. That experience, although many years ago, remains one of the top experiences on my journey. In addition to Operation Smile, I’ve explored medical volunteering through various avenues such as the Special Olympics and a variety of marathons and races.  

I found a home and community in volunteering with Camp One Step. One Step is a children’s oncology camp based out of Chicago. I celebrate every opportunity I get to spend with One Step. Whether at summer camp in Wisconsin or at ski camp in Park City, my time with Camp gives me more than I could ever give back to them.  

Whether through volunteering, or a global pandemic, giving back to my community gives my life meaning and purpose. When Covid-19 swept the US, I was in a position to travel to NYC and work, where help was needed the most. I stayed for 5 weeks working every night in an ICU in the Bronx. While incredibly raw, tragic, and humbling, the fact that I had the skill required to make a difference is exactly the reason I became a nurse.

I continue to carry that skill and purpose and use it to make a difference in every role I take. Here at B. Braun I’m able to lean on my vast experience to empathize, problem solve and connect, from all angles.

How did medical volunteer work shape you into the clinician you are today?

Doing medical volunteering was life changing. My volunteer work focused on maxillofacial surgery. All these volunteers from all over the world came together and put all hands-on deck.

Think of an abandoned hospital, and then once we're done setting it up, it was a fully functioning hospital. It was hard because we weren't able to treat everyone. Some cases were too complex for us to treat because our trip was too short to provide the follow-up those cases required.

The day we decided who to treat was the most polarizing, emotional day in the world. We were so thrilled for some. For others, we had to watch the gut-wrenching disappointment. Overall, it was such a remarkable experience.

What exciting projects are you working on with B. Braun?

I love working for B. Braun because my role hits on everything in nursing I've been looking for.

I wanted to have a large impact, touching both clinicians and patients. When I think about our products, I'm considering:

• Are the clinicians well-versed in the product?
• Are the clinicians comfortable using the product?
• Are the clinicians successful when using our products?
• Are our products making the clinicians' lives easier?

If there's an issue, we talk about how to fix that. We provide them with education. We can be strategic and help them problem solve.

Then, on the patient side, I get to ensure that they are having a positive experience as well. I'm an advocate for the customer and get to be their voice. I think having a clinician do that is important, because I understand what they're going through. I let them know that I'm an extension to them.

With B. Braun, I get to have a seat at the table to advocate for patients and clinicians.  

What is your goal as a nurse at the moment?

Above all, my goal is to have a positive impact. What that looks like to me is having patients who have positive experiences. I always remember that there's a patient at the end of this, even when you're working on the business or consulting side of healthcare. It's just ingrained in my DNA.

I can never forget why I'm here and what I do. I still get to carry all those nursing qualities with me. Despite working on the business side of healthcare now, I'm still a nurse because of what drives me.

Final thoughts

Vogt’s story is a reminder that nursing doesn’t have to look just one way. Whether she’s in scrubs or sitting at the strategy table, her purpose hasn’t changed. “I want clinicians to know that there are clinicians on the vendor side and their best interest is top of mind. I never knew that as a bedside nurse, but there are people advocating for you. We are your allies, and you are not forgotten.”

Vogt is here with B. Braun to continue to make a difference for patients and clinicians with high-quality, evidence-based medical supplies. And clearly, she’s not done yet.

If you want to learn more about the clinicians behind the scenes supporting the frontlines, you’re in the right place. Subscribe to The Nursing Beat!

*This article is sponsored by B. Braun