About Kristyn Beaver The decision to be in the health care field was made early on for Kristyn Beaver, NP. “My mom was in nursing school and graduated the same year I graduated high school. I entered my ADN (Associate Degree of Nursing) program the next fall,” she says. “Being a nurse is part of who I am. I’ve been a nurse forever; always wanting to help others.” Kristyn did her undergraduate work at Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Then she earned her Master of Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, from Purdue University Global. Coming to Family Practice has been a winding road for Kristyn. “I started my nursing career in a specialty of ICU and Cardiac Care step-down, working with post open-heart surgery patients. Then, I moved to Labor and Delivery where I was for 25 years,” she says. “In time, I felt I needed to further my training to be a Nurse Practitioner. Family Practice felt right, so I pursued that in school.” Kristyn says her approach to care is to try to get to know patients, their family, their likes, and dislikes. “I listen to my patient’s health needs or concerns, collect data including a history, labs, X-rays if needed, medication history and surgical history, and any history involved needed for that visit,” she says. When working with a patient and how she delivers care, Kristyn tries to keep things as simple as possible and focuses on each individual and their unique goals. “I feel I have a wholistic approach. Part of what I love about nursing is helping people figure out how to get the outcomes they desire with what they have to work with,” she says. Patients have taught Kristyn so many things, she says. “They’ve given me strength, made me laugh (sometimes at myself), humility, love and challenged me to be better,” she says, “to become a better person, nurse, and nurse practitioner.” In her own words… Who is or was the most influential people/role models in your life?  My mom. What was your first job growing up? What do you remember about it?  I babysat the kids next door and cleaned an elderly woman’s house for her each Saturday. Making my own money was a great thrill especially at the age of 12.   What is your favorite food? Movie?  I love all kinds of food! But it does have to be good food; be it good Chinese/Asian, Mexican, Italian, Greek, Polish, it does not matter.  Favorite movie? Probably the same as my favorite book, “Pride and Prejudice”. What was your best/worst subjects in school growing up?  Best subject? Toss up- Math and English. I loved figuring out the puzzle and I love reading.   Geometry was the only exception with math, I hated Geometry. If you could sit down to dinner with anyone (alive or deceased) who would it be and why?  My grandfather. He was always the BEST storyteller. Do you have pets?  Not anymore. We’ve had dogs and barn cats, all while the kids were growing up, but when our last dog passed away, we did not replace her. What is something most people don’t know about you?  I don’t know that there isn’t anything people don’t know. I’m pretty social, vocal, love to sing, play the piano, love a good book, good food, a good movie. And love to be home – probably my favorite place to be.