Nursing is a career path that requires the extensive use of your hands, whether that be sanitizing them, putting on gloves, or inserting an I.V.
- Kimberly Reichardt was born with rare genetic disorder
- Overcame challenges to become a pediatric nurse
- Understanding gained from her condition has made her a patient favorite
Like most other pediatric nurses, Riverside-based Kimberly Reichardt, can perform all three. But unlike her colleagues, the 25-year old, has overcome several challenges to be able to do them.
Reichardt has Cenani-Lenz syndrome, a genetic disorder that results in malformed hands and feet. It only affects one in every 250 million people. And despite having to undergo 13 different surgeries throughout her life, Reichardt hasn't let the disease hold her back.
"I would just learn, learn a task, learn a task like anybody else," Reichardt said of her mentality. "I come in the room and I don’t act like anything is different with me. I come in the room and I just do my job."
Now working as a pediatric nurse at the Riverside University Health Systems Center, she's become a patient favorite.
"Every child that comes into the hospital is here because something is wrong, something isn’t the way it’s supposed to be," said Marybeth Maury-Holmes. "She’s been in their place, she’s been in their bed, so, when she goes into the room she does it with understanding."
Though her disorder has made things a bit more difficult, it hasn't held her back from doing anything the job requires.
"It was a hard road, but as long as you set your mind to it, you can do it," Reichardt said.
It's a message she hopes to send to the patients she works with.
"Knowing who you are, and being able to stand up for the things you know are right in life, your mission, your calling," she said.