Know Your Leader: Kim Bentley, MS, RN, CCRN

“A good leader is willing to live by example, model the behavior they expect [to be] exhibited and always make choices based on what is best for the patient. Other critical aspects of leadership are visibility, accessibility and transparency. The staff has to feel their leader is approachable and honest in order to accomplish shared goals within an organization.

“A good nursing leader needs to be able to work well in teams and foster good relationships across many disciplines and departments. A true leader heavily impacts the culture of an organization.”

What are you most proud of in your career?

“I am most proud of the title registered nurse [RN]. I pride myself on being able to provide good care to patients. For the last four years, I served in the role of Chief Nursing Officer at a major hospital in metro Atlanta, but I gain the most personal satisfaction knowing that I can help patients in their time of need. It is, by far, my most special career accomplishment.”

Who has inspired or mentored you?

“Without hesitation, Becky Beagle is the nurse that most influenced my career. I worked with Becky in the ICU at DeKalb Medical at North Decatur. She always maintained her patient care focus as a manager and she was a strong advocate for her staff. Becky encouraged me throughout my graduate education and was always very supportive. She currently works in DeKalb Medical’s Quality Institute.”

What’s your favorite thing to do away from work?

“Running every day. I am still an active competitor and race at least two major events per year. I equally enjoy watching my children compete in soccer and taking bike rides on the trails with my husband, Dion. I am a true competitor and I love sports.”

Who’s your favorite fictional nurse? Why?

“HawthoRNe – because her life, in so many ways, parallels my career path. She even has a daughter named Camille – like me. She is hands-on, practical, feisty and fearless. I cannot count the times that I have been compared to her character and style.”

What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?

“Homemade waffles and milk every day during the week.”

Tell us something that nobody at work knows about you:

“I love to ride rollercoasters – the bigger, the better. And my favorite park is Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio, not far from my hometown of Cleveland.”

- Compiled by John Brieske, Pulse Plus editor