Kayla Bowlin, BSN, RN
Corrections & Emergency | Ashe County Detention Center| Forsythe County
1. What is a quote that has had a significant influence on your life, and why?
“Your profession is not what brings home your paycheck. Your profession is what you were put on Earth to do with such passion and such an intensity that it becomes spiritual in calling. ” - Vincent Van Gogh
From a very young age, I wanted to be a nurse. It was not just a job for me; it was what I was born to do. I am thankful for the opportunity to care for all of the patients I have encountered, and even changing a single life makes the job and this journey worth it.
2. Where are you from originally?
I am from the “Coolest Corner” in North Carolina, Ashe County. This small town is where my roots are, where my family and I reside, and where I take pride in being born and raised.
3. How did you decide to become a Psychiatric Nurse?
I have spent most of my career in emergency medicine and detention centers. I knew mental health services were scarce, and I wanted to make a difference in my community. This is an opportunity for me to help those who need it most. I never imagined being a psychiatric nurse, but it is my calling
4. What do you like about practicing in an underserved area?
Ashe County is my home. It is where I grew up and where I hope to always reside. I love helping out our community and making a difference for the local people. We do not have the abundance of resources that more urban areas have, so we have to pull together to make do with what we have. The collaboration and connections that we have in our area are nothing short of amazing, and I enjoy getting to be a part of making a difference.
5. Is your practice using any tools to address social determinates of health for patients?
I work in a detention center, and the vast majority of those we serve are underinsured or uninsured, do not have access to healthcare, or do not go to the doctor. We complete medical intakes on every person booked into the detention center and provide them with the best care we can. Several individuals left the detention center in much better health than when they came in. If the person has a primary care provider, we do our best to get them updated medication lists and a general overview of care to continue upon release. If they do not, we make referrals for them to providers who are taking patients. We are implementing a new program in the jail to help provide necessary resources for detainees upon their release. This will focus on social, financial, housing needs, and medical care. Each care plan and discharge plan will be tailored to the needs of the individual. We also have mental health services provided to detainees via telemedicine. This is a fantastic resource that we recently started about a year ago, and we have been able to offer specialized services to those who wouldn't usually have access.
6. How has Medicaid Transformation/Expansion affected your practice?
Medicaid Transformation/Expansion is great; however, in the state of North Carolina, Medicaid expansion does not currently affect us. Despite this, we are always striving to help find resources that will benefit those we serve.
7. Do you have any hobbies or activities for self-care?
I have a very demanding schedule, but I love spending time with my husband, DJ, our five kids, and our German Shepherds. Currently, I am in school as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and this consumes a significant portion of my free time.
8. Is there anything that CPP can do to help you and your practice?
CPP has already helped me with student loans. With less financial burden, I can focus on my growth as a healthcare provider.
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