May 7, 2026
Clinical nurse educator passionate about cardiology
For as long as she can remember, Kaila MacFarlane, RN, wanted to follow in her mom鈥檚 footsteps and become a nurse.
鈥淲hen I was three, I remember watching my mom get ready for work and putting on lipstick,鈥 says MacFarlane with a smile. 鈥淚 decided then that I was going to be a nurse so I could wear lipstick to work.鈥
As she grew older, MacFarlane鈥檚 interest in nursing matured and intensified as she heard her mom鈥檚 stories and saw the impact she made.
Today, MacFarlane is working in her dream field as a clinical nurse educator in Unit 92 (Short-stay Cardiology) and the Catherization Lab at Foothills Medical Centre (FMC).
In her role, she balances administrative work, such as updating guidelines and processes, education and front-line work. It鈥檚 busy, but MacFarlane relishes the impact she makes.
鈥淚 love that in this role when I see an opportunity for improvement, I can tackle it,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 feel like I can make a difference for my colleagues and for patients.鈥
MacFarlane completed her nursing degree at the University of Lethbridge with the intention of becoming an emergency nurse. However, an administrative blunder ended up altering her career direction.
鈥淒uring my final placement, they mixed up my name with another Kaila in the program,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hey felt bad, so they got me a spot in the Cardiac ICU, and I ended up loving it.鈥
That passion for cardiology hasn鈥檛 faded in the 11 years she鈥檚 been in the field. She worked in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at FMC for three years and has been on staff in the cath lab for eight years.
She loves the ability to specialize, the smaller team sizes, the camaraderie and the collaborative environment that cardiology offers. But there鈥檚 something she enjoys even more.
鈥淚 am definitely someone who likes adrenaline,鈥 says MacFarlane with a laugh, adding cardiology fulfills her desire for a demanding, fast-paced environment.
MacFarlane also likes splitting her time between the two units, which she says have completely different teams and demands.
Most of all, MacFarlane loves caring for her patients and has never questioned her decision to become a nurse.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a blessing to be there for someone鈥檚 first breath and their last breath and a privilege to get to make people鈥檚 scariest moments a little bit easier,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fulfilling to help others, and I feel very lucky to have that opportunity every day.鈥