Destiny Hefling

Background

About Destiny Hefling

I began my career in the medical field in 2010 when I gained my certification as an EMT. I went on to work in the private sector of EMS for several years performing convalescent transports. This allowed me to develop my people skills and taught me how to develop a rapport with patients. The first 8 years of my career were spent as an EMT, a dispatcher, and ER tech, and a paramedic.As a paramedic, I have worked for both private service EMS and 911 EMS. I also have a cumulative of five years of emergency room experience as an EMT and a paramedic. I have completed course work to include certifications as a phlebotomist and healthcare specialist, associate's degrees in general studies, paramedicine, and nursing. While working as a 911 paramedic I have functioned in the roles of EMS advisory board member, a preceptor for EMS students, a backup shift supervisor, and a full-time shift supervisor. I earned by ASN in 2019 and immediately launched into a nursing career. I transitioned from the role of a paramedic to that of a staff nurse in two ERs while also gaining employment in a Level 1 Medical ICU. After gaining relevant experience, I left to join the travel nursing force. I worked as a travel nurse in the ICU and filled in in the charge role on an as needed basis.In 2022, I then left travel nursing and hired into a rural ER as a charge nurse. I also completed by BSN coursework and graduated Summa Cum Laude from NKU. In addition to serving the community as a nurse in the ER, I also work as a Forensic Nurse Examiner for the hospital system and service two rural counties. I have also been able to obtain a PRN position working as an infectious disease nurse for a nonprofit clinic that primarily services the LGBTQ community. Through my work in community health, nonprofit, and advocacy, I have found my passion. It has helped to reignite my passion for medicine and caring for the underserved. It has helped to shape my current career and has directed my interests for graduate school. As a board certified family nurse practitioner, I have experience in urgent care, family medicine, HIV prevention and management, sexual health, and primary care.