RN Travis Barnes approaches every day with hope and humor.
At Bethany Children’s Health Center, our employees truly are the heartbeat that drives the organization. Every day, through the care and service they provide, they live our mission of maximizing the potential of every child and exemplify our core values of compassion, integrity, excellence, service and stewardship. We hope you enjoy getting to know our amazing employees through our Heartbeat profiles.
The theme of this year’s National Nurses Month is “Rooted in Strength.” We’re highlighting one of the many nurses at Bethany Children’s Health Center who provide the strong roots our organization and our patients rely on to thrive.
RN Travis Barnes is inspired by the quote: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time given us” from author, J.R.R. Tolkien. These days, Travis is putting his time to good use and appreciating each day as a new beginning and a gift.
Travis works as a Charge Nurse in the Complex Care Unit at Bethany Children’s Health Center, as well as working in the Home Ventilator program, where children who have been recently discharged home on a ventilator see providers who manage and take care of their respiratory needs. He’s also studying to be certified as a Nurse Practitioner.
As busy as he is, Travis’ list of favorite things includes simple things like coffee, sleeping more than 6 hours at a time, spending time with family and friends, and having a good laugh.
Travis was born in Daegu, South Korea and came to the U.S. in 1990. As a kid, he thought he would become a professional soccer player, scientist, or musician. But healthcare careers and nursing were a big part of his family and ultimately influenced his own career choice. He studied at SNU and learned about Bethany Children’s from some friends there who worked as therapy aides and had only positive things to say about the hospital. During school in the early 2000’s, Travis walked to Bethany Children’s from the SNU campus and worked in Environmental Services.
Travis came back to Bethany Children’s as a nurse in 2016 and says, “Pediatric nursing is special, because as a nurse you provide comfort and security to children. A sense of stability, protection, and joy/humor is vital for children.” Seeing patients going home with their families is the most rewarding part of his job.
In recognition of National Nurses Month, Travis says, “To my fellow nurses, all of you are awesome, hard-working, compassionate, and it is an honor to work with such an amazing group of people. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment does not go unnoticed.”
Fun Facts:
Something people might not know: “Prior to starting nursing school, I was a passenger in a car wreck and sustained multiple injuries to my left leg, ankle, and foot. Due to that incident, I have 8 pins and plate in my lower leg and ankle.”
First job: “I mucked horse stalls and mowed grass at age 10.”
Favorite hobbies/ways to spend free time: “Free time is somewhat difficult right now since I am in school, however I enjoy playing soccer, kayaking, fishing, riding my bicycle, cooking, and teaching myself the guitar (and it’s not going very well).”
Favorite TV show: “I’ve been watching The Office, which my wife got me into.”
Favorite food: “Anything Asian, seafood, and South American. I eat everything, lol.”
Favorite music genre: “I enjoy a little bit of everything but mostly listen to classic rock, alternative, and Motown/oldies. I have been listening to a lot of Foo Fighters currently.”
Dream weekend: “Kayaking around in the Puget Sound with my wife or spending time at a beach.”
From the bucket list: “Visiting the great pyramids of Egypt.”