Kaiser Permanente and the Alliance of Health Care Unions

Humans of Partnership: Kerrie Klein

Woman wearing full-body blue protective gear

It is an honor to have the knowledge and expertise to help a patient struggling to breathe by placing a breathing tube. It is an honor to stand next to some of the most brilliant, dedicated, and brave colleagues. It is an honor to know we make a difference and we just may save some lives. It’s also an overwhelming mission. In an already stressful job, our families and friends routinely provide relief from the stress. We look forward to that respite. COVID-19 has taken that from us. We are under the most stress we have ever experienced, and we cannot see our families or friends for fear of making them sick. This is so trying. But we try to focus. We have a job to do, and we have each other. That helps me take a deep breath.

Kerrie Klein, certified registered nurse anesthetist, KPNAA (Southern California)