April 2020

my journey into health care

Kelly Murphy, RRT SERVICE LINE COORDINATOR, Columbus to be closer to home and find out what it would take to be able to RESPIRATORY CARE DEPARTMENT Murphy got a position at CCH. take the National Boards and become a registered respiratory therapist. Murphy Murphy started working at CCH in March then went on to earn her registered Kelly Murphy didn’t seek out a career in 2002. She’s been a respiratory therapist respiratory therapist credential after respiratory therapy. The career found her. at the hospital ever since and about four working in the field for 27 years. years ago she became the service line Murphy was working in David City when coordinator in the respiratory care In all of her years in health care, Murphy she applied for a medical secretary department. has learned that the medical profession position at Butler County Hospital there. is a 24/7 career which requires people to Donna Niesen, RRT, who now works at In this position, she serves as a staff make some sacrifices, with their time, in Columbus Community Hospital, was leader, assists the department’s director, particular. For example, people in health working at Butler County Hospital at the helps with patient therapy and serves as care often find themselves starting out on time. She looked at Murphy’s resume and a preceptor for new staff, among other the night shift before working their way into thought she’d be a good candidate for a duties. She also serves on the shared day positions and they often have to learn respiratory therapy position that was open decision-making team and works on staff to create a good work/life balance by at Butler County Hospital. competencies. learning to celebrate holidays on different At the time, Murphy had no idea what the “I think I can speak for all respiratory days, as their shifts allow. position was, but it would soon become therapists when I say that we never have But despite these challenges, Murphy her career. a ‘typical day,’” she said. believes a career in health care is very Murphy started working in respiratory Each day brings plenty of variety, but much worth it and she’s thankful she found therapy in 1988 and went through a Murphy starts off each day the same one for herself. work/study program from an accredited way with a report at 6:30 a.m. She then “There will be some extremely long and respiratory therapy program in California. heads up to the floor to care for patients busy shifts, but it is very rewarding to The program was similar to what online who need therapy. She and the rest of the know that you have done something to courses are now, which allowed Murphy respiratory therapists then try to stick with help a person to be able to improve his or to do on the job training and her classes certain times for scheduled treatments her life and health,” she said. at the same time. She graduated in 1989, on inpatients so that they can schedule completed national boards in March 1990 pulmonary function testing in between For more information on Murphy or CCH’s and earned her certified respiratory those times. Throughout the day, Murphy respiratory care department, visit www. therapist credentials. also responds to calls for patients needing columbushosp.org. respiratory therapy in the emergency She then worked at Butler County Hospital department and other areas of the for six years before she and her husband, hospital. Patrick, moved to Garden City, Kansas where she worked at St. Catherine As Murphy works to support CCH’s Hospital for the next seven years. The patients, she said the hospital has also couple then decided to move back to supported her. They encouraged her to

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