Interview with Apron Leader

One of the roles of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, or APRN, is to be a leader. This role is not without several responsibilities. This work describes what it means to be a APRN leader, introduces an example APRN leader, addresses a set of questions in interview style, and provides an author reflection of the interview.

Leadership Qualities of the APRN

There are several qualities of leaders. Furthermore, there are many qualities of an APRN leader. Leaders should possess a set of qualities such as “competency, forward-looking, inspiration, intelligence, fair-mindedness, broad-mindedness, courage, straightforwardness, and imagination” (Khoshhal & Guraya, 2016). Using these qualities, a qualified APRN was chosen for interview.

Jessica Cline, FNP is a board certified family nurse practitioner. She received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing from William Jewel College in Liberty, Missouri. After she completed two years as an RN in the med-surg/telemetry specialty, she then went on to receive her practice degree at University of Kansas in Kansas City, Kansas. Jessica is an experienced FNP who continues to show her competency through her practice at HCA’s Lee’s Summit Family Care – Lakewood in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Jessica has plans for the future which includes research and development in the Endocrinology specialty. She is very intelligent when it comes to advanced nursing practice. It is believed her interactions with patient’s to are fair, just, open-minded, and innovative. Jessica’s practice goes above and beyond in providing evidence that she is a APRN leader.

Why did you become a nurse/APRN?“I became a nurse to fulfil a longing to be an aid, guide and supporter for those when they are often most vulnerable. Nurses provide the forefront of care in birth, illness, preventative care, and in death. To take part in this unique experience is enriching. I desired to become an APN for this same reason; however, my goal was to bridge the gap to underserved areas, which APN’s have the unique opportunity to invest significant contributions to the front-line of healthcare. ”Describe your work and professional nursing experience prior to pursuing an advanced degree.

“I worked as a nurse on med-surg/telemetry for two years prior to pursuing an advanced practice degree. I had some apprehension about being “too green” for this, but I continued to work in the RN role throughout graduate school. This allowed for learning a wide array of perspectives to patient care (outpatient and inpatient levels of family practice and internal medicine). ”Describe how your previous nursing experience prepared you for your role as an APRN.

“I appreciate the nursing model, which offers a comprehensive approach to treating the entire body. I feel that my nursing experience offered me a strong foundation for applying this approach in my current practice as an APN. Patients often voice that they approach the thoroughness of APN care and I feel that our foundation as nurses supports this. I also feel the hours spent at the bedside aided my in appreciation of the vulnerability of patients and families when they are not well. To care for someone in a delicate state builds a strong level of trust, and I try to carry that into my APN care as well. ”Describe your leadership roles as a registered nurse and as an APRN.

“As a registered nurse, I focused on pediatric care and lead the Pediatric Counsel on my unit, as well as the Quality Committee. This taught me a great deal of organization and understanding of the importance of counsels to lead change. In graduate school, working towards my APN, I was a graduate assistance and worked with undergraduate students on nursing foundations. I currently try to serve as a leader in my community through church and preceptorship experiences. ”Describe an experience that has shaped you as an APRN leader.

“I feel that involvement working in the graduate and undergraduate departments at University of Kansas, where I received my APN, was very beneficial. Working directly with students then directing that to the current setting with preceptorships provides continued education and guidance in the profession. I also believe strongly in community involvement in regards to preventative care and public health. I participate in many of the volunteer sports physical clinics in the city each year, as I feel this is an important method for implementing preventative care in areas that may be underserved with these needs. ”What is your definition of an APRN in your current role and setting?

“My definition of an APN in my current role and setting is to serve as a practitioner in managing family care with attention to both preventative and chronic care measures to educate, guide, treat, and monitor as well as integrate patient autonomy in creating a treatment plan. ”Do you belong to any nursing associations?

“Yes, I belong to the ANA, AMNA, AANP, and AMNP. ”How did you become an FNP? Describe the process.

“After working as a registered nurse for two years full time I moved to a prn position. I then entered the Master’s Program as the University of Kansas where I attended for three and a half years to receive my MSN and APRN. I then completed the AANP board exams to receive certification to practice. ”Where do you see yourself in five years?

“I potentially see myself moving to a specialty role. I have a particular interest in Diabetes management and education as well as treatment of metabolic syndrome. I may seek a role in Endocrinology. ”What advice would you give an RN who is interested in becoming an NP?

“Although the roles provide differing daily tasks, APN care stems from the same holistic nursing model you implement in the registered nurse role. Your time as an RN will mold your patience, empathy, organizational skills and abilities to provide extensive education to patients. The APN role allows an opportunity to continue to build on those experiences while also taking part in diagnoses and treatment plans. You will find that many of your past experiences guide your practice. I also feel working as a registered nurse has aided in a unique appreciation of the nursing staff in our office and patience with understanding the large number of tasks they’re balancing. ”

Reflection

This whole interview process was very special to me. Jessica is such a huge inspiration not only on me as a person, but who I want to be as a professional. She has influenced my practice goals. I know want to focus on increasing my competence in Endocrinology. The reason I chose her to interview, is because her values align with mine. I too, became a nurse to fulfill the need to be an aid. I truly love caring people, and that is the basis for going further in my nursing career. Talking with Jessica has shown me that I have what it takes to be an advanced practice nurse. I may want to seek a role in mental health as well by completing a post master’s program in mental health to gain licensure. This interview has shown me that I have the same leadership qualities has Jessica which is crucial to becoming a successful APRN. She is also present in many different nursing organizations which I plan to be as well. In summary, this interview did a lot for me in terms of role development and realizing my future aspirations. Jessica also helped me identify what the goals are of my personal practice.