Interview on Career Choice 2 and Citation (Obsitu Kelifa)

Who inspired you to become a nurse and eventually a nurse practitioner?

My mother was a nurse. I have always been surrounded by the women in my family who were in the health care field. Becoming a nurse practitioner was a logical next step in my professional life.

What is a nurse practitioner?

A nurse practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse who has received an advanced education and clinical preparation to provide care in various settings. Most NPs hold a master’s degree in nursing and are board certified in their area of specialization. NPs are able to take health histories, diagnose and treat many acute and chronic health problems, order laboratory and radiology tests, interpret test results, prescribe medications, and manage therapies.

What do you enjoy most about being a nurse practitioner?

I like the independence it gives me. I also like the fact that I have time to teach people how to take care of themselves. I also get to see people when they are healthy, like during routine physical exams and school wellness exams. I really take time to teach my patients about self-care.

What is the hardest part about being a nurse practitioner?

Treating people with limited access to health care is the hardest part. I see people who have neglected their health for a long time — not because they didn’t care or didn’t know there was something wrong, but because they couldn’t afford the care they needed. I find that very sad. I try to be very cognizant of the costs of the prescriptions I write.

Tell us about your clinical background before becoming a nurse practitioner.

I worked as a medical surgical “floor” nurse for a year and then switched to emergency medicine in a busy emergency room where I worked for nine years.

What is working in an emergency room (ER) really like?

I think the reality of ER work is that you take care of a lot of people without primary care, who come to the ER in a state of crisis. You do a lot of teaching to try and help people understand what they can do to prevent further emergencies. I saw people at the lowest points in their life. I saw young people die. It is really sad sometimes because you see young people suffer from preventable deaths: deaths that happened because they didn’t use seat belts, were driving under the influence of alcohol or mind altering drugs, or engaged in other high risk behaviors. It can be very stressful.

What is primary care?

You can think of primary care as your medical home where all your health-related information and provider information resides. With the support of your primary care provider, you can maintain good health, manage chronic diseases, and have access to higher levels of care when necessary. The Healthy People 2010 goal is for all individuals to have a source of ongoing care regardless of race, social background, or economic stance.

Who is considered a primary care provider?

Primary care providers can be physicians, nurse practitioners or physician assistants.

How do you think the new Affordable Care Act will influence the role that NPs play in providing primary care?

The health care reform law provides additional funding for the education of nurse practitioners who specialize in primary care. There is already a shortage of primary care providers in the United States and as more people become insured, we expect that more people will want to have an established primary care provider. Nurse practitioners can help fill the need for additional primary care providers. (Learn more from HealthCare.gov .)

What should people do to stay healthy?

This is a very important question. First, people have to engage in activities that promote good health.
Healthy activities include eating well balanced meals, staying active, getting adequate sleep, not using illicit drugs or tobacco products, limiting alcohol intake, not engaging in unsafe sex, and using seatbelts at all times. You may be surprised that you have already been doing some of these activities, and that is excellent!
The next step in maintaining good health requires having a medical home with a primary care provider who can keep tabs on your overall health. It is important to have routine physical examinations with your primary care provider and keep up with regular screenings. During your visits, you have the opportunity to discuss any concerns you may have and receive information that will enable you to care for yourself. Your primary care provider can also help you stay current with your immunizations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends several immunizations for adult women. The guidelines are updated periodically and your primary care provider is a good resource person to answer any questions you may have. (Learn more in the Screening tests and vaccines section of womenshealth.gov.)
Lastly, for those who have a chronic illness, it is crucial to have an active partnership with your primary care provider. If you have a chronic illness such as high blood pressure, diabetes or asthma, the goal is to maintain good health, prevent complications, and preserve quality of life. An example of this is an asthma action plan. This is a written individualized plan that is unique to you and your health care needs. It gives you step-by-step information on what to do when you do not feel well.

Tell us what you do to keep yourself healthy.

I eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables and I don’t eat a lot of red meat. I really try to stay away from sweets but I really struggle with that. I also drink lots of water.

http://www.womenshealth.gov/news/spotlight/2010/9.cfm