Kayla Banks, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, serves as Chancellor of Methodist College. Dr. Banks began her career as an Intensive Care Nurse before eventually moving into quality improvement, research, teaching and leadership roles at Carle Health. She has a passion for nursing education and a deep interest in mentoring and developing future clinicians and leaders.
Q: What inspired you to pursue leadership within nursing education?
A: My passion for healthcare and nursing have led me to ask a lot of questions about why things are done a certain way and constantly search for a better way to do them. Leadership in nursing education has given me the opportunity to influence the process in continual improvement and creative problem solving.
Q: How does your background in nursing influence your leadership at Methodist College?
A: Every nurse has experiences that shape them and change how they see the world. For me, those experiences have led me to prioritize approaching problems with curiosity rather than judgment and being decisive when necessary. Other experiences taught me humility and impressed upon me the importance of knowing when to ask for help. My nursing practice also taught me that advocacy, accountability, and compassion can seem contradictory at times, but are often all required at the same time.
Q: What is your vision for the future of the nursing profession?
A: The nursing profession by nature is always evolving. In a time of rapid technological change, now more than ever, nurses are vital to health care to meet the demand for human connection and healing. Nurses must continue to practice at the top of their scope, think critically in clinical decision making, and advocate for those who entrust us with their care. Technology may replace or change some nursing tasks, but the value of nursing care will become even more important.
Q: Why is developing the next generation of nurses so important to you personally?
A: Nursing is a profession that offers so many different opportunities for a rewarding career. Nurses are also the critical fabric of the healthcare safety net in our communities. Having benefited from all that nursing has to offer, I love being a small part of making that available to others. The world needs more nurses for the health of our communities, and for the compassion, connection, and courage they bring.
Follow along throughout Nurses’ Week for more inspiring Q&A spotlights featuring the students, faculty and staff who make Methodist College and Carle Health exceptional.