Sanford’s Kip Littau thrives on ER team

This week’s Up & Comer is Kip Littau, a registered nurse in the emergency department and critical care units at Sanford USD Medical Center.

Name: Kip Littau

Age: 24

Hometown: Winner

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I chose to move to Sioux Falls after graduation because the health care environment has been booming with opportunity for graduates like myself. Also, I knew Sioux Falls would provide a great living experience close to home while I pursue a career offering exceptional clinical experience and vast opportunities for advancement. I am a small-town South Dakotan at heart, so being able to have a cutting-edge career while providing care to “my people” without having to leave the state made Sioux Falls the perfect place for me to live.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

Sioux Falls has been a great fit for my lifestyle by providing big-city amenities but still having that personable Midwest feel. I always tell people living downtown gives an urban feel to where I live, but a 15-minute drive can have me surrounded by cornfields and cows again, keeping me connected to my production agriculture background. Sanford has been an exceptional employer and has been an organization I could see myself working with for a long time. They provide me with ample opportunities to grow as a clinician and value my skill set as a registered nurse. The connections I have made in Sioux Falls whether it be with colleagues, fellow Jackrabbits or downtown neighbors have made Sioux Falls a new home.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

I love being part of a dynamic and innovative health care organization that is providing critical health care needs to the state, but hands down the best part of my job is my co-workers and leadership. I work with some of the best nurses around, and I have been able to make my departments a second family for me. Not only are we a close-knit group during the rush in the ER, but we also find ourselves out in Sioux Falls on our nights off as well.

How did you get connected to your industry?

Nursing school provided a great segue to being connected to hospitals in Sioux Falls and built relationships with staff nurses and clinical faculty that eventually led to my career with Sanford. I also sought out opportunities to network with fellow Jackrabbit alumni and peers for their input as to why they love where they work. Before I started with Sanford, I worked as a patient care technician and summer intern in the NICU at Avera McKennan, which connected me to their hospital as well. As a new graduate, I became involved with the South Dakota Emergency Nurses Association, which built on to my previous professional development by being involved with advocacy, networking and education within the emergency nursing field. SD ENA has sharpened me as a professional and through their educational opportunities made me a better ER nurse.

Describe working at Sanford in three words.

Pioneering, personable, professional.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

Since I love to eat out, I’d love to have a Chick-fil-a downtown to feed my fast-food cravings!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I would like to be a critical care transport/flight nurse. Hopefully, right here in Sioux Falls!

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Sanford’s Kip Littau thrives on ER team

Meet Kip Littau, a registered nurse in the emergency department and critical care units at Sanford USD Medical Center.

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