Registered Nurse Practitioner

1. What do you do on a typical day at work?
On a typical day, I see children from newborn to 21 years old, for well child care exams, sick visits, behavior consults, and general concerns. I also talk with parents on the phone answering questions and concerns. My patients have things as routine as check-ups and immunizations, to my diagnosing life-changing diseases. I teach preventative care, and emphasize healthy behaviors, and changing bad habits into good ones.

2. What training and/or education is required to be a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner?
A Bachelor’s degree in nursing. Then, a Master’s degree in nursing. This includes academics and Clinical rotations

3. What led you to a career with children?
I had a wonderful professor

What is your favorite thing about working at Bass Wolfson Pediatrics?
My relationships with that patients, families, and staff that surround me every day.

7. How has being a CRNP changed since you started working? If so, in what way?
Definitely. Technology has changed tremendously. I can search online for things, and so can my patients and families. My charting is all done on a computer now. The financial aspect has changed also. Reimbursement for patients is closely looked at. Medicine and pediatrics are a business, and businesses need to make sure that they do not lose money.

8. What educational background do you have for your career?
I have a Bachelor in Nursing, Master of Science (neonatal nurse practitioner), Master of Science #2 (Pediatric nurse practitioner). I also am a lactation consultant, and did coursework online to take my international lactation exam.

9. What volunteer work do you recommend for someone wanting to become a CRNP?
Something working with people. Being comfortable talking with people. If you want to work as a geriatric NP, volunteer at a nursing home. If you want to work with children, volunteer somewhere there will be children; festivals, church nursery, Children’s hospital. Take a class in sign

I have been given the gift of knowing that I have been the one to change some people’s lives, by the care that I have given. No, it is not always an easy job, and there are nights that I lay awake thinking about my patients, but it is also what makes me good at what I do.

12. Do you suggest becoming a CRNP or becoming a pediatrician?
I think that is a difficult decision to make. I love what I do. I, also, do not have loans to pay off from medical school. My two Master’s degrees were partially funded through reimbursement benefit from working at the hospital while I went to school. I know doctors that will be working their whole lives to pay off their medical school loans. But, my salary is about half of what a pediatrician would make. There are pluses and minuses to each path. Also, I am good at what I do, because I have a nursing education. I am a nurse first, and then a pediatric nurse practitioner.

13. What are the biggest challenges you face in your job?
Some days being overscheduled, or not feeling like I was given enough time to see a complex patient. I will make the time, but I hate being behind or keeping my next patient’s