Q&A With Inpatient Nurse Soto

We recently sat down with a few of our nurses to hear, in their own words, what makes caring for children at Shriners Children's so special and unique. Nurse Kelly Soto, a registered nurse at Shriners Children's Portland, shared:

How long have you worked for Shriners Children’s?

A little over a year.

In your opinion, what sets us apart in the care we provide?

Going above and beyond for patients is the standard here, not the exception. We enjoy the work that we do, and it shows in the care that we provide.

Can you share an interaction with a staff member or patient family that illustrates why working at Shriners Children’s is unique and rewarding?

I have had several patients who could not afford medical care for their orthopedic conditions and Shriners was a safe haven where they could get the surgery and the care that they needed. I have seen families come here who had no hope, and leave here immeasurably grateful for what we were able to provide. It feels so awesome to have had the honor to be a part of it. This is what motivates me to leave for work every week because I feel as though I am truly impacting people's lives and not just living for a paycheck.

How is the patient/family experience different at Shriners Children’s than other healthcare facilities?

Shriners, as an organization, is known for providing quality care to patients who need it the most. Because our location is a smaller facility, we are able to provide individualized care to our patients. Also, being a smaller hospital, we all know each other really well and it feels more like a family than like a hospital.