In a conversation with Jacob Hutcherson on Voice for Infection Prevention, Krystal Robinson reflected on the challenges she faced as a non-nurse entering the field of Infection Prevention. While the profession has become more inclusive of diverse backgrounds in recent years, there was a time when nurses overwhelmingly dominated the field. Robinson recalled a period of six to nine months before landing her first Infection Prevention role when she strongly considered going back to school to obtain a nursing degree, simply to gain entry into healthcare. Even for non-direct care roles, she found that many organizations preferred nurses, making the transition into the field particularly challenging.
Once she secured her first Infection Prevention position, she encountered individuals who questioned her credibility or inherently distrusted her expertise because she was not a clinician. There was a deeply ingrained expectation that Infection Preventionists should have a nursing background, and breaking through that perception required persistence and a strong command of her role. Over time, she worked to build trust by demonstrating her knowledge, understanding of clinical workflows, and ability to contribute meaningfully to patient safety and infection control initiatives.
Despite these early challenges, Robinson no longer sees her non-nursing background as an obstacle. Through experience, professional growth, and her ability to speak fluently about the clinical aspects of Infection Prevention, she has established herself as a respected leader in the field. The shift toward welcoming professionals from laboratory science, public health, epidemiology, and other disciplines has helped to reinforce that Infection Prevention is not solely a nursing function, but rather a multidisciplinary effort that benefits from varied perspectives.
Her experience highlights an ongoing challenge in Infection Prevention—ensuring that professionals from all backgrounds receive the recognition they deserve. While nursing experience is undeniably valuable, Infection Prevention relies on expertise in microbiology, epidemiology, regulatory compliance, and data analysis, all of which extend beyond clinical care. The growing acceptance of diverse backgrounds strengthens the profession by fostering new approaches to infection control and improving patient outcomes.
Robinson’s journey serves as both a testament to the progress being made and a reminder of the work still to be done. As more non-nurses enter the field, organizations must continue to embrace the contributions of all Infection Preventionists, recognizing that success in this profession is not determined by a single career path, but by dedication, knowledge, and a commitment to protecting patients.