Employee Profile: Kiera Harris
Head nurse embodies Baptist's vision of abounding love
Kiera Harris, RN, believes in leading with love.
She fondly remembers when she received her Baptist Memorial Health Care badge during employee orientation. There was a place to write down why she wanted to be a nurse and why she chose Baptist.
“I wrote that I wanted to leave a footprint on every person I encounter,” she said. “I try to do that every day.”
Harris didn’t start out as a nurse. In fact, she was a personal trainer before switching career paths.
Her mother underwent triple bypass surgery at age 50 and was diagnosed with diabetes. Harris was instrumental in her mother’s healing process post-surgery, helping her lose weight, get off medications and improve her lifestyle. That experience sparked Harris' interest in nursing.
She has been a head nurse in the medical surgical unit (3 North) at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis for three years. Prior to that, she served as a charge nurse and clinical resource nurse. She also previously helped as needed in the neurology unit and emergency department.
“There’s no unit like 3N,” she said. “It’s so family oriented. Nursing is hard, and we have to work together as a team.”
Creating a positive team environment is just one way Harris shines as head nurse. Her manager is Encarnacion Baker, whose story we shared here.
Baker shared her thoughts on how Harris embodies Baptist’s mission of love.
Kiera has such a huge heart. When patients can’t afford their discharge prescriptions, Kiera goes to the pharmacy to pay for the medicine. She doesn’t tell the patients who paid for the prescriptions; she just hands them the bag of medications. There is no limit to her generosity.
That generosity extends to her colleagues as well. She works three days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., but she arrives around 5 a.m. to get ahead of the day.
“I want to make each day smooth for everyone,” she said, “because we’re in this together. I’ve developed wonderful friendships here. It’s why I’ve stayed at Baptist.”
Baker said Harris runs the floor with calm efficiency.
“Her skills as a head nurse are already impeccable, but she manages to raise the bar each day. Her servant leader heart embodies Baptist’s mission. She truly cares for her patients and advocates for them daily.”
For Harris, the best part of her job is connecting with patients.
“So many of them are in vulnerable and desperate states,” she said, “and it’s an honor to help them.”
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