SHELTON, WA – To the average patient, the term “resource nurse” is an unfamiliar term. However, behind the scenes, they are vital for patient safety, quality of care, and team morale. Resource nurses support the entire nursing team on complex procedures and serve as mentors and educators for younger staff. In the words of Kristen Schmit, she is “the nurse for other nurses,” a role which led to colleagues honoring her as Mason Health’s March 2026 Employee of the Month.

Growing up in Great Falls, Montana, Schmit didn’t know which direction her career would take her, but she always knew where her passions sat. “I was always interested in science and biology and the human body. I didn’t grow up with dreams of being a nurse specifically, but I just found my way there,” she said. Schmit spent many years as an active-duty service member, including six with the Montana Air National Guard. In 2007, she deployed to Kuwait, where she would meet her future husband, Joe. They married in 2010 and moved to Washington, where Joe was stationed at McChord Air Force Base.

Settling into a role with the Air Force Reserves while her husband was stationed at McChord Air Force Base, Schmit started nursing school at Pacific Lutheran University. In June 2014, while studying for her bachelor’s degree in nursing, she began working as certified nursing assistant at Mason Health, later moving into the role of nurse technician. Once she finished school, Schmit transitioned to the Emergency Department as a registered nurse.

“I really love the people I interact with every day,” she said. “The work is hard, but everyone gets along. I prefer being very busy and I like that there’s no set day-to-day schedule – every shift is different. There’s a distinct element of togetherness and a family atmosphere because a lot of my coworkers grew up together and even grew up with many of the patients we see. Mason Health is really focused on the community and I love that mission.”

Schmit is known for happily assisting other departments with any of their needs. “Kristen is exceptional at multitasking to keep up with the needs of the department. She has a wonderful bedside manner with the patient and family members that we serve,” said Tanis Graves, Certified Nursing Assistant at Mason Health. “Kristen adapts well to all of the units that she works in and is kind and compassionate in her care and just makes the busiest of days better when she is here at Mason Health.”

Until her retirement from the Reserves in October 2023, Schmit continued to serve one weekend a month and complete annual tour days. Her husband, Joe, is a former Shelton city council member and Deputy Mayor who now heads MACECOM, Mason County’s 9-1-1 agency.

While she occasionally thinks about returning to school to get her master’s degree, Schmit is content with life. “I’m happy with where things are right now,” she said. “My kids are growing up fast. My husband and I love to take train trips down to Portland or hop on the ferry over to Seattle. I love spending time with family.”

Mason Health, Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County is ISO 9001 Quality Management System certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is a licensed and accredited acute care hospital with a level four emergency trauma designation. The Board of Hospital District Commissioners are Don Welander, President, Lori Brady, Secretary, and Pamela Schlauderaff, Trustee. Mason General Hospital and Mason Clinic are ENERGY STAR® certified and Mason Health is the recipient of one Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Award, three Partner for Change Awards, two Greening the Operating Room Awards, the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award and the 2025 Emerald Award. To learn more about Mason Health’s sustainability efforts, visit https://www.masonhealth.com/about/sustainability-environmental-stewardship. There are more than 100 physicians on staff in 19 specialties. For more information or to find a health care provider, visit www.masonhealth.com. To learn more about DNV, visit www.dnv.com/healthcare.

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