Meet The Unit

Why do you do what you do?

I want people to feel comfortable with any question they have. Growing up I wanted health care workers to be more understanding with any question I had. With breast cancer being high in my community it was my job to educate myself and educate others on an important matter to get checked out yearly. 

What do you love most about the BALA Twelves?

For someone with flat feet, I often need that extra support in my shoes. Especially to keep my foot in pIace with an arch. Balas give me that support! I love the canvas boxes it comes in mostly because I'm excited for the snowy days in CT to come. Mostly because I can swap my wet shoes and slide these babies on! You literally get what you pay for. You get foot support, a shoe bag & a stylish shoe :)

Why healthcare?
I’ve always been interested in healthcare and medicine. I’m definitely a people person and love to help people especially in their most vulnerable times. I especially love working with babies and kiddos which lead me to my interest in maternal child health.

Favorite feature:
I love that BALA twelves have the shift shield feature. I work in NICU and babies can be messy at times. BALA twelves are easy to wipe off and get back to work!

What advice do you have for other healthcare workers ?
Suffering is rooted in the little stories we tell ourselves. Finding a place that works that fills your cup emotionally is not you being lazy or selfish. Work does not NEED to be a punishment for it to mean something to you.
I found a place where I get to help marginalized populations, and where I am the positive healthcare touchpoint. I found my home outside of the hospital, outside of the ICU, where I told myself from day one in school I was going to go. I give you permission to follow what your heart wants, not just what your brain is saying you -should- do.

Favorite feature:
OMG. The arch support! who DOESN'T have plantar fascitis?! Especially as a nurse. Wearing my Tweleves has helped me protect my feet to the point where I am typing this BAREFOOT and not in my protective orthotic sandals (don't tell my DPM, lol). One of the best parts was that the insoles are REMOVABLE so I could put in my own while my feet were struggling.

Why did you join the BALA Unit?

I am excited to be apart of a group of hardworking healthcare workers who desire to improve their field simply because they love it and because it’s there passion. Bala has provided a way in which I have the ability to do that. I enjoy and am good at working with a team to collaborate and brainstorm. It would be a privilege to work for a company who truly cares about those it is serving.

Favorite Feature?

As an ICU nurse, I see every kind of body fluid there is and not a day goes by where I don’t get some questionable fluid on my shoes. The Shift Shield on the Bala Twelves has given me the opportunity to quickly wipe off my shoes with a Sani Wipe and keep on going. I no longer fear getting my shoes dirty because of this amazing feature!

What brought you into the healthcare field?

"Ten years ago a university advisor told me I wasn't good enough to be in a nursing program. ... Growing up, I was never the smartest nor the most successful individual in my class. I was considered to be an average student by most of my teachers and was never particularly gifted in science or math. I began to feel hopeless about my future. Still, despite the enormous obstacles, my family refused to give up on me....Now, as a Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I use my story to encourage others to be the authors of their own stories of greatness.⁣⁣"

Favorite Feature?

"...the Shift Shield for easy cleanup, Code Grip for stability, and the HRS Cushioning for long-lasting support."

Why did you join the BALA Unit?
Over the pandemic, I have seen so many nurses forget why they were passionate about nursing in the first place. Burnout is high, staff turnover is rapid, and stress runs rampant. I want to be part of a group dedicated to reigniting that passion for nursing by sharing individual stories. Nurses need a place to share their grief, voice their concerns, be seen and heard, and be reminded that they make a huge difference in their patients' lives.

Favorite Feature?
As a pediatric nurse, I never know what kinds of gross things I might accidentally come home with! I love that I can wipe off my BALAs and make sure that I leave any *messy situations* at work!

What on/off-shift advice do you have for healthcare professionals like you?

Keep the passion and determination going, it is worth it, the feeling of satisfaction will pay all your hardships. I have been a nurse for 30 years and I am still very active in the nursing field and have tried different specialties. I have done L&D, I am a certified Rehabilitation nurse, A Wound care certified nurse, I'm also an Ostomy management specialist and I am now working to be specialist in Progressive Care. Nursing is never boring, and it will always give you plenty of choices when it comes to which field are you most interested.

Favorite Feature?

"I fell in love with the BALA Twelves because of how comfortably they hold my feet. The soft cushioning also gives me the stability I need to work for long hours."

Why do you do what you do?

L&D keeps me on my toes and is full of the unexpected, but it also contains life's most beautiful moments. In a recent delivery, my patient had twinkly lights and calming music playing when her baby was born. It was so special and reminded me that I have the ability to help my patients have a birth experience that they will remember positively forever!

Favorite Feature

My favorite BALA feature is the Shift Shield! I never know what may end up on my feet during a night on the L&D floor, so being fluid resistant and reliable to clean is crucial.

What advice do you have for new nurses?

As someone who went back to school to get an accelerated nursing degree, my greatest advice is to always keep your goals in mind. Remind yourself often of your WHY and your VISION. Why did you start? Where are you hoping to end up? When I went through low moments in school where things felt impossible, I always had to remind myself of my ultimate vision for my life and that I wouldn't be able to get there without putting the hard work in. I will also say, lean on your community and those who understand you best - your classmates and professors! You are not alone!

Favorite Feature

My absolute favorite thing about my BALA Twelves are that they never, and I mean NEVER, hurt my feet. It took me so long to find a pair of shoes I could walk around in for a 12 hour day and not feel swollen and achy afterwards. When I discovered the BALA Twelves, I was never turning back! I also love the overall style and unique touches like the little note/saying on the BALA tag.

Why did you join the BALA UNIT?

I am excited to be able to support healthcare providers with use of a product that ultimately supports Self care.

Favorite Feature

Love the shift shield! Keeps my shoes protected all day.

Advice for people into the healthcare field?

Never, ever be afraid to ask questions….as I tell my kids, there is no such thing as a stupid question.

Watch, listen & learn

Be like a sponge….absorb everything

Don’t be afraid to jump right in

Be compassionate, not judgmental

Treat every patient & co-worker with respect.

Favorite Feature

I love the grip ….no longer almost tripping when running to an emergency. I love the leg support that the BALAS provide - no longer tired, achy feet/calves after a typical 12-14 hour shift. They are by far the most comfortable nursing shoes that I have worn in my 30+ years of nursing.

Why did you join the healthcare field?

When I was 11 I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. I was in an out of hospitals frequently for years, and every time I had a care team who treated me with the best care ever. At this age I was just beginning to think about what I wanted to be when I grow up and this experience made me realize that I am born for a career in healthcare! I wanted to give back and care for others like the nurses and doctors that cared for me!

Favorite Feature

"Shift Shield is literally a lifesaver! Working in a busy Emergency Department there are always fluids and liquids flying around that ultimately end up on your shoes and scrubs. With the shift shield you don’t need to worry about stopping to clean your shoes when you have no time. It keeps your shoes clean and wipeable from all of these stains!"

Why do you do what you do?

“My ‘why’ is so simple to me. There’s nothing more I love to do than to help and service others. Nursing is such a unique profession and such an honor. All I have ever wanted to do was help others, and as a nurse I can be a light to someone on even their darkest days. As ER Manager, I have the opportunity to ensure my staff feels appreciated, valued, and confident in their skills and abilities. I really could go on for ages! I truly feel like I was meant to be a nurse.”

Favorite Feature

“The code grip and no tie laces are my absolute favorite! I had to run through three inches of water while the sprinklers were going off to get to a patient and didn't even slide one time! My socks also didn't get a drop of water on them and I couldn't believe it. The fact that I can slide these babies on and off and never have to untie them or worry about my laces is just GOLD. GOLD I tell you!”

Why did you join The BALA UNIT? 

“It’s a dream to connect with like minded and ambitious healthcare workers and be a part of a community together. Also, BALAs were my first and only pair of nursing shoes after my graduation, so it means so much to work with a brand I love from the beginning to end.”

My Favorite Feature of the BALA Twelves: 

“I love how my BALAs are so versatile and comfortable without having to compromise style. I can wear my nursing shoes to work, the gym, and use them as daily casuals. I love how my shoes don't scream, "NURSING SHOES" to the public. I also love how I don't have to worry if I spill anything on my shoes or have to walk in the rain because of its protective shield. My shoes protect me, provide comfort, and radiate style. BALAs are the only shoes that are able to encompass all these necessities into one product and I absolutely love it!”

What does lifestyle balance mean to you? 

“It's important to leave work at work. Never bring that stress home. Carve out time to spend with your family, doing family things like game night etc. Make time for your non-work friends to go to brunch, and talk about non-work things. Learn to say no to extra shifts (unless you need the money).. Don't put your health on the back burner.”

What is your favorite feature?

“Dealing with a patient's bodily fluids all day, it's impossible to not have something spill. I was taking care of a patient that had so many drains. I was also very determined to empty them all at once. While walking to the bathroom the graduated cylinder spilled & I got all the contents over the floor and of course my shoes. My patient said "I hope you have extra shoes, cause it looks like those are going in the trash." But I knew they weren't! All I had to do was wipe them with bleach wipes and they were good as new.”

What does lifestyle balance mean to you?

“Balance to me means being available for things outside of work! I can tell when my balance is off when I’m not emotionally available for my friends or family, and I start to take a situation at work home with me. When I feel like work is taking up too much of my mental space, I like to go for long walks or do something completely out of the norm to break my cycle of thinking.”

My favorite feature of the BALA Twelves:

“That they’re waterproof! I was hanging out with a kiddo doing my morning assessment and he knocked over his mom’s coffee and it splashed all over my scrubs and my shoes. MY scrubs were wet but my shoes were fine!”

What communities do you engage in outside of work? 

“It is my second year being Juneteenth program coordinator for Juneteenth Oregon. I work with about 30 young black girls throughout the year. Every other Saturday for the season of August to June we do workshops, resume building, financial planning, career days, outings to fun spots, and ultimately pageant training. As a black nurse it is also an opportunity to show these girls about a different avenue that is not conventional, black women in a white area. That their potential is endless.”

My favorite feature of the BALA Twelves: 

“What I love most about the BALA Twelves is how easy they are to put on. I love how they hug my feet and keep me moving effortlessly all shift.”

Why did you join The BALA Unit? 

“I’m excited to be a part of something that could really impact nursing in a positive way. Nurses are really struggling right now and I’d love to help support them in more ways than working alongside each other. I want to help nurses remember why they chose this profession and hopefully together we can help make some bigger changes for nurses. I want to spread love and positivity. We all deserve that.”

My Favorite Feature of the BALA Twelves

“I love that my BALA Twelves are waterproof. I was training to place PICC lines and a decent amount of blood got on my Twelves. I was able to wipe them clean and they looked like new. I also had no idea that I got blood on my shoes until I was done. I was impressed!”

Kristin Wears the BALA Twelves in Daybreak Blue