I grew up watching Little House on the Prairie and was mesmerized every time Dr. Baker made a house call to the Ingalls family and made someone feel better. Although I couldn’t have been more than 6 or 7 years old at the time, I knew that nurse and physician house calls were not a readily available service in the current healthcare model. My sister, Mira, and I would play as if I was the nurse and she was the patient. I would ask our mom for a slice of cheese and I would fold it to make 12 little squares (or medicine as we would call it) and I would ‘dispense’ these squares to her to cure her of whatever ailment she was pretending to have.

My Early Steps

My journey began shortly after I had my daughter, Briahna. I had become sick in my last trimester and had to make several trips to the hospital. I was running high fevers with severe fatigue. The last trip resulted in amniocentesis to ensure her lungs were developed enough to ventilate herself on her own and I was induced at 34 weeks in an effort to protect her from whatever virus was causing me to be so sick. We were in the hospital for about a week. They never did find out why I was sick but Briahna was perfect and healthy and that’s all that mattered. My labor team took such great care of me, I knew as soon as I was back on my feet, I was applying to nursing school to become a labor and delivery nurse. After obtaining my prerequisite classes, I was accepted into Emory University’s BSN program in Atlanta, GA. My L&D rotation at Northside Hospital was a bust but I still left the program with a strong foundation in nursing theory and practice. I also gained valuable clinical experience through rotations in various other healthcare settings.

Gaining Experience as a Registered Nurse

After graduating, I began working as a registered nurse on an neurology unit that also cared for overflow orthopedic patients and stable telemetry patients. After 5 years, I transferred to our Medical-Surgical ICU. Then another 5 years flew by and I found myself back in Pensacola, Florida to be closer to my parents after my beautiful sister, my very first patient, had passed away. I accepted a position in the emergency department at a community owned hospital. I loved caring for patients and helping them through their illnesses and injuries. However, I soon realized that I wanted to do more than just provide basic care. I wanted to be able to diagnose and treat patients independently… just like Dr. Baker in Little House.

Pursuing a Master's Degree

This desire led me to pursue my Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with a specialization in family practice at University of West Florida. This program was challenging but incredibly rewarding. I learned about advanced nursing concepts, such as pharmacology, pathophysiology, and physical assessment. I also gained experience in providing primary care to patients of all ages.

Becoming a Certified Nurse Practitioner

After graduating from the MSN program, I took and passed the AANP national certification exam for family nurse practitioners (FNPs). This exam ensured that I met the national standards for providing primary care.

My First Job as a Nurse Practitioner

I landed my first job as an NP in a newly created role at my organization. I provided oversight for our Sepsis program that worked diligently to reduce mortality and morbidity related to sepsis. I also moonlighted as an internal medicine APRN (hospitalist) and in our urgent care departments. Once I became eligible to apply for my autonomous APRN license, I transitioned into primary care. I recently started teaching nursing clinicals at our local college as well.

Challenges and Rewards

The transition from RN to NP was not without its challenges. I had to learn a lot of new information and skills. I also had to adjust to a more independent work environment. However, the rewards of being an NP have far outweighed the challenges. I am so grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of my patients.

My Advice to Aspiring NPs

If you are considering a career as a nurse practitioner, I encourage you to go for it! It is a challenging but incredibly rewarding profession. Here are a few tips for aspiring NPs:

• Get a strong foundation in nursing: Earn your BSN degree and gain experience as an RN before pursuing a graduate degree.

• Choose a specialization: There are many different specializations available for NPs. Choose one that interests you and aligns with your career goals.

• Find a mentor: A mentor can provide you with valuable guidance and support throughout your journey. I can’t stress this one enough!

• Network with other NPs: Build relationships with other NPs in your field. This can help you learn from their experiences and get advice.

• Never stop learning: The healthcare field is constantly evolving. Make sure to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and treatments.

Additional Resources

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners: https://www.aanp.org/

• National Council of State Boards of Nursing: https://www.ncsbn.org/

• American Nurses Association: https://www.nursingworld.org/ana/

I hope this blog post has inspired you to pursue your dream of becoming a nurse practitioner. Please reach out if you have any questions on how to get started.

Nova