My Educational Background and Work Experience: the Ms Family Nurse Practitioner

The graduate program I am applying to study is the MS Family Nurse Practitioner. My educational background and work experience has prepared me for this program. I attended Utica College for four years as I pursued my degree in nursing with a minor in healthcare ethics. I graduated in May of 2017 and accepted a Graduate Nurse position at Faxton St. Lukes Hospital. I became certified as a Registered Professional Nurse in July of that year. For the past 18 months I have worked on a medical/ surgical floor.

My professional experience has helped me develop critical thinking skills, a vast knowledge base of disease states, and the management of their care.

In this setting, I have been able to assess and implement nursing care for both acute and chronic conditions. A patient may present with acute pancreatitis, requiring IV fluids, pain control and nothing by mouth for 24-48 hours in order to rest the pancreas. Another patient may have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with presenting symptoms of shortness of breath, increased oxygen demands and decreased activity tolerance. A big part of my role as a nurse is also educating patients upon discharge to promote understanding and prevent recurrent admissions. Subsequently, the knowledge and skills that I have acquired would help me confidently transition into the role of a NP working in a primary care setting after my study. As a nurse practitioner, I would be using my professional experience to diagnose acute and chronic illness, interpret diagnostic labs and tests, develop treatment plans, and prescribe medications.

During the program of study, I intend to drop down to part-time at work to allow myself the required time to focus on school work and clinical rotations. My schooling has always been a priority over personal leisure. I am motivated to set aside the required time for professional role enhancement in this field. Throughout my experience as a registered nurse, I have discovered that not everyone has access to healthcare insurance or regularly see a primary care physician. One significant problem in the US, is the growing shortage of primary care physicians. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (2017), “by 2030 the projected shortage of physicians in the United States is expected to reach 100,000.” Nurse Practitioners can help aide in this gap in healthcare in order to provide essential preventative and primary care services. The NP’s role in communities can help decrease expensive ER visits and the financial burden of hospital bills.

The ability to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients in an primary care office setting can not only increase patient satisfaction, but quality of care. Not only can a NP provide primary prevention, but health maintenance. During these visits the practitioner also has the opportunity to educate their patients on important lifestyle changes that can help long term health. Such as exercise, diet, or smoking cessation. Overall, providing the opportunity for cost-effective, quality healthcare.

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