Sonia Reyes’ interest in nursing took root early. In high school, she worked as a dietary aide in a nursing home, where she was deeply influenced by the relationships residents had with their nurses.
“Residents were at some of the most vulnerable points in their lives, and I saw how much comfort and compassion a good nurse could bring them,” she said. “I remember thinking, 'I want to be that person for someone someday.’”
Now, as a cath lab circulating nurse at CommonSpirit St. Catherine Hospital - Dodge City, she’s fulfilling that mission every day.
In her role, Reyes helps assess and monitor patients, administer medications, communicate with the doctors and the rest of the team, gather supplies, and anticipate what might be needed next.
Most importantly for her, though, she’s an advocate for the patient.
“They may only be with us for a short time, but during that time they are trusting us with their life, and I don’t take that lightly,” Reyes said.
From scheduled cardiac catheterizations and pacemaker procedures to emergencies that can completely change the day in an instant, there are a lot of moving pieces in the cath lab — and Reyes thrives on the unpredictability. The work has taught her to stay calm, remain attentive to everything happening around her, and always think one or two steps ahead.
Bringing Compassion to High-Stakes Care
But for Reyes, being a good nurse means more than staying composed and knowing what to do next. She never wants a patient to feel like they’re simply another procedure on the schedule.
“I can be clinically focused while still being compassionate,” she said. “I want to make a stressful and sometimes frightening experience a little easier for the patient.”
That’s what humankindness looks like to Reyes — day in and day out.
It’s especially meaningful to Reyes that she’s able to provide that care in the community she calls home. Born and raised in Dodge City, she attended nursing school there and has also raised her five children in the community. In a smaller community like Dodge City, patients may be neighbors, former teachers, or someone’s parents, making the work feel especially personal.
Caring for the Diverse Community She Calls Home
“What I appreciate is the way people come together when someone needs help and that we can bring specialized care to the diversity of our community,” she said. “As a bilingual nurse, being able to care for Spanish-speaking patients in their own language is especially meaningful to me.”
When she’s not working, Reyes enjoys spending time with friends and family. She’s also continually inspired by her children, watching them grow, pursue the things they love, and become their own people.
Interested in making a difference and helping build healthier communities? Explore current career opportunities at CommonSpirit Health.
