Karen Kay Email Address

Clinical Nurse Manager and EMS Coordinator

America’s leading provider of medical transportation, provides services in 40 states and the District of Columbia.

While working in Mammoth I stumbled across a position at the hospital. It is here where I became aware I was more intrigued and interested in trauma than the my current employment position. After moving back to San Diego I attended Miramar College and received my Emergency Medical Technician certification. After 2 years I attended Palomar College Paramedic Class 3 and went on to work in the City of San Diego as a paramedic, being one of very few females in this profession at the time. During my career as a paramedic I became a preceptor for paramedics students and a field training officer for new hires. Ten years later I went back to school and earned an Associates Degree in Nursing and began this new path in the emergency room setting. One year later I became an MICN and obtained my TNCC certification going forward and working in a trauma center. During this time I worked a second job as a Critical Care Transport Nurse which put me back in an arena I was comfortable with – a big red box! Two years ago I returned to school graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Presidential Honors while working full time in a busy Emergency Room. Last year I entered a Master’s program for Emergency Management/Disaster Preparedness. Once completed I plan on working towards a Doctorate in Emergency Management. Though I went on and entered the nursing profession I have always maintained my Paramedic license (coming up on 23 years). Working as a Paramedic opened my eyes to many different and unusual situations. It gave me confidence, allowed me to develop my critical thinking skills, taught me that remaining calm is the key, and I discovered I work very well in chaos. I have accomplished all this as a single parent with two wonderful children who are the reason for my determination. I believe there is no free lunch or pass go card, it takes hard work and determination to accomplish your goals.