PMHNP Student Spotlight: Kimberlee Bliek

Kimberlee Bliek has been a nurse for more than 30 years, working as a staff nurse at the bedside, a director, a nurse manager, and several other roles. However, Bliek isn’t done learning.

Bliek, who is also a nurse at a pain treatment center, is currently pursuing her master’s to become a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She shares her journey to becoming a nurse, her experience in Rochester, and her commitment to lifelong learning.

How did you know you wanted to become a nurse?

I started my college journey majoring in biology and music in 1982, but in the summer of 1983, I volunteered as a nurse's aide at a local hospital. I switched to a nursing major at Niagara University. I fell in love with being at the bedside with people needing comfort and care in their most anxious of times, as well as being part of a hospital team facilitating care.

What made the UR School of Nursing stand out to you when you were considering schools?

I have a Masters in Medical Management from the Simon School Class of '07. After being in management positions since that time, I felt the need to further my clinical knowledge in the area of mental health. After leaving Rochester for a few years, I came back in 2022 wanting to pursue this desire. After looking into a couple of other programs and comparing what the University of Rochester offered, there was no doubt that the School of Nursing would provide me with an education combining the knowledge and spirit of inquiry that would suit me best.

What have you enjoyed the most about your experience at the School of Nursing? Who has made an impact on you throughout your time here?

I came into this program with one goal: learn as much as I can in the time I have been gifted. Thus far, all my professors along the way have contributed to that goal in ways I could not have predicted. The outcome thus far is validation for my decision to pursue this degree at this point in my life and the seed of a desire to get my PhD.

Tell us a little bit about what you do. What has been most rewarding about your role? And is there anything you have found surprising?

I have been a nurse for 37 years and have had the honor to work in a variety of roles and settings. The most rewarding thing about the nursing profession is the opportunity for variety; however, at the heart of any setting I have worked in is the connection to making even just a moment of life better in some way for another human.

While I started this journey to “help people,” what I have learned is that nursing provides a foundation to learn to see people just as they are, and to overcome my own barriers to be there for them in a way they value rather than in a way I think would "help.”

My clinical career has been spent primarily in Perinatal care as a staff nurse, nurse manager, and director. I also spent time during my career as a legal nurse in Risk Management, an administrator for Kidney Transplant, a nurse manager for Imaging Sciences and a Perinatal Safety Nurse. I am now a bedside nurse in a pain treatment clinic…still learning!

What are your favorite things about Rochester? What do you like to do when you’re not at work or school?

I enjoy hiking, trail running, and day trips to any one of the Finger Lakes or the Adirondacks with my 2 dogs Rocco and Max and last, but not least, teaching or taking a yoga class. I sometimes bring my 35-year-old son or my 31-year-old daughter, so long as they can keep up with me! I left Rochester for 5 years and can easily share my favorite things based on what I missed the most: the wonderful freshwater lakes and hiking trails throughout the Finger Lakes areas. Start with Watkins Glen and then head over to Ithaca to hike any number of waterfall trails. More locally, I enjoy Mendon Ponds Park and the Durand Eastman Park trails and beach. If you are into trail biking, check out Tryon Park in Irondequoit or Lucien Morin Park. To finish it off, visit Abraham Lincoln trails also off of Empire Boulevard.

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