Her Story
About Kayla
Kayla Malouff is a Professor of Nursing at a community college in Alamosa, Colorado, where she educates the next generation of nurses at a Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for underserved and rural communities. With nearly a decade of nursing experience, her professional background includes emergency nursing, case management, and nursing informatics before transitioning into academia. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Nursing Education.
Malouff credits her professional growth to the breadth of her nursing experiences. By embracing diverse roles throughout her career, she discovered her passion for nursing education while developing a well-rounded perspective that strengthens her teaching. She believes that exploring different career paths—and leaving each position with professionalism and integrity—creates opportunities for continued growth without fear of change.
She encourages aspiring nurses, particularly young women entering the profession, to remain humble, embrace lifelong learning, and welcome opportunities that challenge them. She emphasizes the importance of being willing to say, "I don't know," recognizing that moments of uncertainty often become the greatest opportunities for professional growth. Likewise, she encourages nurses to remain open to unexpected career opportunities, as they may ultimately lead to the work they are most passionate about.
Throughout both her professional and personal life, Malouff is guided by the values of compassion, empathy, advocacy, honesty, and transparency. She believes these principles are especially important when helping patients navigate complex healthcare decisions and promoting safe, patient-centered care.
Reflecting on the profession, Malouff notes that nursing has evolved considerably over the past decade. She recognizes ongoing challenges, including the traditional emphasis on bedside nursing during nursing education with limited exposure to alternative career pathways, the increasing expectation for advanced education to remain competitive in the profession, and the financial demands of balancing graduate education with work and family responsibilities. Despite these challenges, she believes nursing continues to offer diverse and rewarding career opportunities for those willing to embrace change and commit to lifelong learning.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Kayla
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the diverse experiences across different nursing roles. Trying different things through a process of elimination helped me find where I feel most called, and leaving roles on good terms allowed me to explore without fear. This variety made me a more well-rounded educator.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My best advice would be don't be afraid to admit that you're wrong or to take opportunities to learn. Especially in nursing, we're always learning and growing. Don't be afraid to say yes to a new opportunity, it might lead to your forever career. Don't be afraid to say 'I don't know' and step into a new uncomfortable situation because that's when the growth happens.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Nursing has changed a lot over the past 5 to 10 years. Having just a bachelor's degree is really not enough anymore. Challenges include the push toward bedside nursing in school without exploration of other areas, needing higher education to remain competitive, and financial difficulties of managing household while pursuing advanced degrees.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Compassion, empathy, and advocacy are important, along with honesty and transparency. In nursing, if you don't feel something is safe for a patient, you have to be honest with them and have honest conversations about life-changing decisions.
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