For Kelley Vigstol, becoming a nurse and eventually a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at Trinity Health was a passion that developed early and was something she witnessed firsthand in her family. Knowing she would enjoy that field as well, Kelley followed her passion on her own path.

“My older sister went into nursing, specifically in family medicine. It was nice to follow in her footsteps, but also branch out in my own way,” said Kelley. “Nursing is just a way of caring and giving back to your community. It’s a very diverse field where you see something new every day.”

Growing up in Minot, Kelley always felt a strong sense of community and knew she wanted to finish her education in North Dakota as she pursued her career. This led to Kelley obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Minot State University and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of North Dakota.

Although Kelley moved to Colorado Springs to gain experience as a Registered Nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after graduating from Minot State, returning to North Dakota was always part of her plan.

“North Dakota shaped my sense of community. Being around the people I would work with in the future was always appealing to me. Even though I moved to Colorado Springs, I knew I always wanted to return home. It was nice to experience life outside of North Dakota, but to also plan to come back in the future,” said Kelley.

Throughout her time working in the ICU and during clinical experiences, Kelley became more familiar with anesthesia and the role of CRNAs. This ultimately shaped her decision for her career path and helped her develop the necessary skills to become a CRNA.

“As an ICU nurse, you work very closely with your patients, providers, and other departments. It involves critical thinking at all times and teaches you who you can rely on and that you are capable of caring for the person in front of you,” said Kelley. “Meeting the people who work in anesthesia was inspiring and motivating to me. It’s a field that gives you ample opportunity to keep on learning.”

Once Kelley knew she wanted to advance her career and become a CRNA, she enrolled at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, where she pursued her Doctor of Nursing Practice.

“Nurse anesthesia is a very rigorous three-year doctoral program. You are working and learning the entire time. You are continuing to utilize your critical thinking skills, managing anesthetics, managing patients and coming up with plans. It’s a great field that gives you something new every day.”

As Kelley progressed through her training and clinical experiences, she began to see why nurse anesthesia is such a compelling path for students and early-career nurses who are exploring their next step. The blend of hands-on patient care, advanced clinical decision-making and lifelong learning stood out to her as she considered where she wanted her career to lead.

“Anesthesia is an ever-evolving field that requires constant critical thinking. You’re working through decisions independently while also collaborating closely with others. Ultimately, it’s about caring for the patient in front of you and doing everything possible to keep them comfortable and ensure they have a positive experience,” said Kelley.

In her role, Kelley says the work of a CRNA is both highly technical and deeply personal, offering the opportunity to build trust with patients during some of their most vulnerable moments.

“You get to know your patients and you take care of them in their most vulnerable states, focusing on one patient at a time,” said Kelley. “It’s truly a passionate field where you work closely with so many people.”

As Kelley’s career path became clearer, so did the place where she wanted to continue that journey. From her time as an ICU nurse to completing clinical rotations at Trinity Health, she found herself drawn back to the organization that helped shape her professional growth. That connection ultimately led her back as she prepares to begin her role as a CRNA this fall.

“The people at Trinity Health have always been so welcoming, inviting and encouraging. They truly made it easy to come back. It has been a smooth transition. Everyone is so willing to teach and encourages you to learn at the same time,” said Kelley.

She added, “I always knew that Trinity Health was the organization that I wanted to strive to work for. Getting to know all of the people, being able to do clinical rotations and also experiencing life elsewhere helped me solidify the thought of this being the organization I want to work for.”

With her role as a CRNA set to begin this fall, Kelley hopes to encourage students and early-career nurses who may be considering a similar path. Drawing from her own experience, she offers simple but powerful advice for those exploring a future in nurse anesthesia.

“Go for it. The only thing holding you back is yourself. If it’s something you’re interested in, just gain the knowledge and pursue it,” said Kelley.

36 years ago, Terri Brown, Lead Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), began her journey at Trinity Health, working on the medical floor while attending nursing school. Upon graduating, Terri began working in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Trinity Health, where she spent her practicum and developed a passion for the ICU.

Although Terri will always have a passion for the ICU, her 12 years there and her time as a flight nurse laid the foundation for her next passion in anesthesia, where she continues to serve patients today. “The ICU and being a flight nurse gave me the base for all of what someone needs to know to be a great CRNA. The skillset that you develop and the gut feelings you get while taking care of patients really turned out to be a perfect precursor for anesthesia,” said Terri.

When Terri decided to move from the ICU to anesthesia, she eagerly seized the chance to try something new and continue using the skills she loves, now with more autonomy and responsibilities. When it was time for her first patient in her new field, she remembers the feeling vividly.

“I felt proud knowing I was able to care for a patient, and everything went smoothly. It was such a good feeling to know I could do this, especially on my own.”

Twenty years later, Terri continues to care for anesthesia patients at Trinity Health, where she has observed significant changes in the field. Some notable changes include technological advances, increased practice opportunities, the evolution of monitoring technology, and the readily available information and assessment tools that aid in making timely decisions.

“We used to carry a bag full of books to look at when you came across something new. Now, we have so much information readily available at our fingertips. It’s all right there for very quick access,” said Terri.

While many things have changed over the years, one constant has been the support for each other and the culture of the CRNA team, many of whom have worked together for over 20 years, and at both the Healthcare Campus and Medical District and at the Legacy campus.

“Most of our team is homegrown, and we have a family-like atmosphere. We stick together, support one another, help each other out and everyone is ready to jump in if needed. I think that’s what makes us a great team,” said Terri.

She added, “When we moved facilities, it seemed like such an uphill process at first, but it was nice that we all had worked together for so long, developed a plan and carried it out. It was a big undertaking, but it went so smoothly. I think because we all had the experience of working together and knew our plan, it ended up being a seamless move.”

While teamwork and experience shape the foundation of Terri’s work, it’s her commitment to caring for and advocating for patients that continues to define her role in anesthesia. For Terri, anesthesia is about far more than medications and monitoring; it’s about being a constant voice for patients during some of their most vulnerable moments.

“Being there for patients during their most vulnerable moments is the most important thing and always our number one concern. Every decision we make is focused on the patient,” said Terri. “They may not remember us, but we always want them to feel comfortable knowing we care and that everything we do is for them.”

That same sense of care and purpose extends beyond Terri’s work in the operating room and into her long-standing commitment to Trinity Health. For Terri, staying with the organization for more than three decades has always been about more than a job; it’s about the people, the mission, and the ability to make a meaningful difference close to home.

“This is my home. Trinity Health is our community hospital. It serves my family and friends, and I’m committed to this place.”

With years of experience behind her, Terri now finds purpose in mentoring and supporting new CRNAs as they enter the field. She encourages those starting their careers to trust their training, lean on their teams and never lose sight of the patient.

“You will have good days and bad days. Never stop learning and give yourself some grace. There can be such an array of emotions you experience, but it is the most rewarding career,” said Terri.

More than three decades into her career, Terri remains guided by the same purpose that first led her to healthcare: caring for patients and supporting those around her. Through teamwork, advocacy and mentorship, she continues to make a meaningful difference for patients and colleagues alike.