The Journey to an Infection Prevention and Control Career In the complex world of health care, infection prevention and control (IPC) is crucial to keeping everyone safe. IPC helps protect healthcare professionals and reduces patients’ risk for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), which they can get while or soon after receiving care. HAIs can lead to prolonged hospital stays, increased healthcare costs, and even death, but implementing effective IPC measures can significantly reduce these risks. For many in the IPC field, the journey begins with a spark of inspiration and a deep commitment to making a difference. However, the path to becoming