Kim Killpack MSN, RNC-MNN
Allen College Class of 2010 - Master of Science in Nursing, Leadership

Employment History

My nursing career started off in the Intensive Care Unit. I realized very quickly this was not the specialty area for me. I transferred to Maternity Services where I currently work as a Nursing Supervisor at UnityPoint Health – Des Moines. I’ve worked in Maternity Services since 2000, starting as a staff nurse, then as a charge nurse, and eventually as a supervisor. My passion in OB is keeping moms and babies together after birth. In 2010, as my graduate project, I implemented skin to skin care after birth. This was a change from our current practice and allowed babies to stay on their mom’s chest for the first hour of life or until the first feeding was accomplished. In 2016, I helped to implement oral glucose gel for newborns which also helped our babies stay with their mothers. Prior to using glucose gel many babies with low blood sugars transferred to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

What led you to pursue your education at Allen College?

I always wanted to further my nursing education and came across an opportunity at Allen College through a nursing cohort with Iowa Methodist Medical Center. This program seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to further my education while continuing my nursing career. Allen College turned out to be a great fit and I had a wonderful group of coworkers to study with and learn from.

What was your first job after graduating from Allen College with your MSN?

Shortly after graduating from Allen, I applied for a nursing supervisor position in Maternity Services at UnityPoint Health in Des Moines. I felt my experience on the unit as well as my education in leadership allowed me the confidence I needed for this next step in my career. At the time I applied there was only one supervisor for Maternity Services. Today, we have grown to 5 supervisors as we have become one of the largest units in the health system.

What piece of advice would you give to current Allen students?

Nursing is a profession with many different career paths and opportunities. I personally have found nursing to be very rewarding. There is nothing more endearing than a patient thanking you for the care you have provided.

Accomplishments, awards, proud moments, or published articles?

I am certified in Maternal Newborn Nursing through the National Certification Corporation (NCC) and am a member of the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN). In 2009 & 2010, I participated in the Clinical Advancement Program within UnityPoint Health – Des Moines. In 2014, I was named as one of the 100 Great Iowa Nurses. In 2015, I presented at the Cooperative Caregiving Conference on Skin to Skin after Birth in Des Moines, Iowa. In 2016, I co-presented a Poster, Timeliness of Metabolic Screening, at the National AWHONN conference in Grapevine, Texas and also presented at the Neonatal Resuscitation Program Forum on Oral Glucose Gel in Des Moines, Iowa.

Hobbies or Interests?

In my free time, I love to read, watch reality TV, and spend time with my children (when they allow me to). I enjoy traveling, being near the ocean or spending time on a cruise ship. A newfound interest of mine is stand up paddle boarding (SUP). This summer I got a little crazy and attended a SUP yoga class. I survived the class but probably won’t be going back next year.