Interview with a Nurse Practitioner (PN)

Jennifer works as a Nurse Practitioner in a clinic.

Why did you chose to be a nurse and a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in particular?

I spent many years as a cashier but I had always wanted to be a nurse, then I met my husband who told me to pursue my dreams. So at age 30, I entered the nursing program with the ultimate goal of becoming a NP.

How long did it take?

7 long years, while working on the Medical-Surgical floor and a stand-by charge nurse full time, as well as being a full time mother and wife, I studied for my Degree in Nursing and NP. Now I am a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)

So who is a Nurse Practitioner?
Most people have heard the term Nurse Practitioner but don't understand what the title entails.
We order tests, diagnose diseases and treat them just like a family physician can.
What are the Pros and Cons?

Pros - ability to take care of patients and their entire family through education, diagnosing and treatment in an office setting.

Cons - not having prescriptive authority for controlled substances and not being able to follow patients into the hospital setting as the primary care provider.
In what way are you Empowering your patients?
Empower them to take charge of their own health.

What is the future of Nursing and for the NP?
It is becoming better through expansion of research, regarding treatment outcomes.

To know more about what the Nurse Practitioner does, please visit Jennifer's blog.
http://www.npplace.com OR http://arnp.blogspot.com

Thank you Jennifer for an inspiring interview!
If you have any questions or comments, please send it along.

Next Thursday September 25, our interview will be with Nurse William, an emergency care nurse.