Krystina Ostermeyer, RN, BSN, CDCES, Nurse and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at UP Health System – Marquette.

What is your role at UPHS – Marquette?
I am an RN and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist for the Nutrition & Wellness/Diabetes Education department at UP Health System – Marquette.

What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?
My mother is an LPN and my aunt is an RN. I spent my childhood looking up to them. I decided I wanted to go into nursing school when I was a senior in high school.

What’s a typical day like for you? What is it like working in this field?
No day is typical! I work in a variety of capacities, seeing patients in the outpatient setting and working with Mike Duckwall, NP, in the inpatient setting. I also spend quite a bit of time in the Specialty Clinic, working with the clinic nurses, social worker, and pediatric endocrinologists to work with our kids with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. My days tend to be pretty unpredictable!

How long have you been employed here? Have you always been in the same position?
I started here almost 15 years ago, working as an LPN on the Cardiac Unit. I worked for about 6 years on Cardiac, eventually getting my RN degree. I left the hospital for about a year to work in private practice. Then about 7 years ago, I returned to the hospital to work in my current job — and I’m not going anywhere!

What are some of the big changes you have experienced in this position?
The change in role from a floor nurse to a CDCES was huge, and I learned so much with that transition. Also, moving from the old hospital to the new hospital was another learning experience. The teamwork of getting packed and moving an entire department was incredible.

What are some of your interests outside of work? What is your favorite local gem?
I have a very active 7-year-old, so he keeps me extremely busy outdoors. We like to hike, go to the beach, kayak, take walks, mountain bike, and spend time at our camp in northern Minnesota. I also love to read and practice yoga. My favorite local gems are the bike trails — we live just a couple blocks from Tourist Park. I also love the Crib coffee shop; the atmosphere is fabulous!

What do you enjoy most about working at UPHS – Marquette?
My coworkers! I love who I work with, in our department and the Specialty Clinic. They make coming to work fun — we work so well together.