Kirsten Spoerl has always been interested in science and driven to help people. Working as a nurse practitioner has been a perfect marriage of those two passions.
Kirsten decided to take the step from registered nurse to nurse practitioner because of the growing need for advanced practice providers. In gastroenterology, she treats ailments like irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases and liver diseases.
For Kirsten, there is nothing more important than the way she treats others, and she hopes patients see her as compassionate and caring.
“To me, it’s important to treat everyone as if they were a member of my family,” she said. “You have to be present, listen to people, and understand not everyone has a health care background, so you have to make information understandable.”
Kirsten said the best part of her job is making somebody’s day a little bit better.
“When people come in stressed or not feeling good, and I’m able to help them and maybe put a smile on their face, that makes it all worthwhile,” she said.
Kirsten received her nursing degree from Kennesaw State University in Georgia and her graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
In her personal time, Kirsten likes to garden, quilt, ski and horseback ride. She has two sons, one in the Air Force and one who is a computer programmer specializing in game development and design.