Behavioral health nurse hopes to be the difference in the psychiatric field
Flint, MI (JAN. 30, 2025) – Maxim Healthcare Services (Maxim), a national provider of continuous skilled nursing services and personal and behavioral care, announced on January 30 that Kayla Johnson, a Psychiatric RN from Genesee County, was awarded a $10,000 scholarship to support her educational pursuits in nursing. The Future of Healthcare Scholarship, offered annually by the Maxim Charitable Foundation’s Social Justice Committee, awards high school graduates, current college students and non-traditional students pursuing an education in a clinical field or the healthcare industry.
Continuing to provide comprehensive healthcare services for our communities is dependent on our future workforce,” said Maxim’s Chief Executive Officer, Jarrod DePriest.
He added “At Maxim, we believe we have a role in supporting our aspiring caregivers and one opportunity to do so is through our Future of Healthcare Scholarship program. We are thrilled to present Kayla with this much-deserved recognition and support and deeply admire her passion for serving others.”
28-year-old Johnson is currently enrolled at University of Michigan-Flint pursuing a Doctorate of Nursing with a specialty in Psychiatric Mental Health, while simultaneously working at Hurley Medical Center as a Psychiatric RN. While Johnson is extremely passionate about mental health and serving as an advocate for her patients, she initially pursued a career in nursing with aspirations of becoming a NICU nurse. Her path took a turn when she was offered a position in the Behavioral Health Unit at Hurley Medical Center. As time continued, she learned that she really enjoyed the complexities of people’s minds and seeing her patients flourish after they were discharged.
“After I started working in the psychiatric field, I realized how overwhelmed both patients and their families are,” said Johnson. “Too often, behavioral health patients are misunderstood, lonely and confused. I see my role as a caregiver to provide the utmost compassionate care we all deserve and to help those who need it the most.”
Throughout Johnson’s career, she has served in a variety of leadership roles including charge nurse, supervisor, preceptor and medication administrator. In each of these roles, Johnson says she has witnessed a need to improve the quality of care for psychiatric patients.
“Generally, I believe there is a lack of understanding and compassion when it comes to the multifaceted psychiatric conditions patients suffer from,” said Johnson. “I hope to be the difference for this patient population.”
In the limited time Johnson has available outside of work and school, she volunteers as a health care professional for the NAACP ACT-SO program, as well as volunteers to clean public parks at Flint community schools. She is on track to graduate in May 2026.
“Before starting this program, I was feeling apprehensive and overwhelmed,” said Johnson. “Receiving this scholarship felt like a sign that I was on the right path. I am truly grateful for being selected as a recipient, as this scholarship will help alleviate the financial stress of paying for tuition all on my own.”
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About Maxim Healthcare Services
For 35 years, Maxim has been making a difference in patients’ lives by providing excellent service and compassionate care. Maxim offer skilled nursing, personal care, respite care, behavioral care and physical rehabilitation for individuals with chronic and acute illnesses and disabilities. Visit maximhealthcare.com for more information.
