We are proud to send a well-deserved congratulations to Jan Mauck, co-founder of Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition for receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from Florida Action Coalition! Thank you for your incredible leadership and dedication, Jan!
“Yes
Kate, I do want to complete my BSN, but I want to become a nurse practitioner.”
That’s exactly what Lisa Smith said to me back in December 2016. Lisa was then
working at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. She had experienced a few years of
illnesses and was no longer able to continue working in her beloved emergency
and intensive care settings. So, Lisa picked herself up and went back to school
to complete her Bachelor of Science in nursing at State College of Florida. You
can read more about her story at that time on our SNAC website. Modeling a way
to success from December of 2016 click here.
Complete
her MSN in adult nurse practitioner is exactly what she did. Choosing a school
was complex and sometimes frustrating and she finally decided on Kaplan
university. Kaplan was subsequently purchased by Purdue and is now Purdue
University Global.
Lisa
was full of excitement at her recent graduation when we met for lunch in early
October. “I didn’t even dream I could learn so much!” Lisa was truly thankful
and in awe of the Physicians and other nurse practitioners who shared their
knowledge with her over the last two and a half years. “I really must give
compliments and much credit to my advisor Monica Nino, and two inspirational
professors, Racelia Austin, and Susan Brennan who helped me throughout the
program. “
Finding
clinical placements for preceptorships can be a difficult task and Lisa
provides the advice that you need to” go and meet them face to face; it makes a
huge difference’. Commuting to Kendall Medical Center in Miami for women’s
health and later to a family practice in Daytona gave her the hours and
experience she required. “The courses and clinical were rigorous and the
commitment needed is substantive, but I’m so glad I did it!” Lisa was also the
main impetus for Purdue University Global to create a policy that Purdue will
now actively help students obtain clinical preceptorships. A major investment
for the University and a major help for all future students who will benefit
from Lisa’s journey.
Right
now, Lisa has 2 goals 1) studying for national certification for advance
practice nurse examination which she plans to seek and the next couple of
months. And 2) “I haven’t cut my hair since I began graduate school and I plan
to cut it as a donation for children to an organization who does not charge for
their services in providing wigs to children in need. The organization Wigs for
Kids, donates their time and services specifically for children. I enjoy giving
back and strive to continue efforts through pay it forward actions.” Lisa
continues to volunteer part-time in the Englewood Community Clinic and provides
modeling services for bridal gowns, just like she was doing back in 2016. The
picture with this article was taken for the Charlotte County Bridal Expo in
September 2019. That beautiful long hair will soon become a wig for a child.
After
that? “I want to do my DNP!” She is currently looking at Doctoral programs and
right now South University is intriguing. Time will tell which University she
chooses but I do not doubt that she will achieve success. This is one solidly
determined woman.
Congratulations
Lisa Smith. We at the Suncoast Nursing Action Coalition could not be prouder of
you.
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) School of Nursing has received a $2.7 million *(ANEW) grant over four years from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), to increase the number of Nurse Practitioners (NP) students educated to provide high-quality primary care to rural and underserved populations.
The focus is on improving the
health outcomes of rural and underserved communities.
Objectives
are to address value-based care delivery including telehealth simulation,
chronic disease prevention and management.
Eligibility
Eligibility
criteria include meeting the FGCU BSN to DNP-NP Program admissions criteria
A
desire to work in primary care in a rural or underserved community
Application Priority Deadline: March 1, 2020
Applications will be accepted after March 1st on a space available basis.
DNP Nurse Practitioner Program Information
Sessions will be held ONLINE on;
Tuesday
11.5.19 at 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM,
Wednesday
11.6.19 at 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM -4:30 PM
Thursday
11.14.19 at 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM -4:30 PM
*“This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $2,758,171 with zero percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.”