Wound Care Nurse Practitioner
Career review from a person working in the job
How I Got The Job
My Education: Diploma in Nursing, Malden Hospital, Certificate in Emergency Nurse practioner, Laroche Jr college, BS in Health care administration, Emmanuel college, MSN from Simmons College, MPH from Harvard School of Public Health, ABD from U Mass Lowell
My Prior Experience: I worked in the Emergency Department as a staff nurse and then went to the NP program which led to my current job for 27 years
My Job Profile
My Company: I work in a Surgical specialties department for an outpatient clinic for an HMO in Boston that delivers multi-specialty care
Job/Career Overview: I work in an outpatient Surgery and Urology department. I have a schedule of 20 patients a day. Most of my patients have chronic wounds and I am a wound care certified specialist. I also do procedures including removal of skin lesions, draining infections or suturing lacerations.
I also manage patients before and after surgery. I see patients with acute problems like abdominal pain, kidney stones, and burns. I order and interpret lab tests and x rays. I write prescriptions as well. Part of my practice consists of managing patients by phone.
More Insights: This is very hard work and there is nothing glamorous about nursing. You need to be a people person as this career is all about taking care of others. Compassion is a must and you need a strong reserve as there are situations you will find yourself in that you would never imagine.
Education is a lifelong process and this career mandates that you continue learning. I learn something everyday and I have been in this career for 36 years. I think that at the end of the day the gratitude of the people I care for and the comfort and ease at which I do so, would leave the most lasting impression on anyone observing me at work.
Love It? Hate It?
I rate this career 10 out of 10.
What I Love or Hate
The best part of my job is the ability to care for and help people. My patients are grateful for everything I do for them and there is no feeling in the world that supercedes being able to help someone feel better or heal something that is a major stress in their life.
The other best part is working closely with doctors and having the collaborative relationship that I have with them. Working as a team is the key to solving patients problems.
My Career Tips
Treat everyone with compassion and respect, we are all human beings no matter what walk of life we come from.
You can learn something from everyone you meet, everyone has some piece of knowledge that you do not.
Listen to people. They will tell you what is wrong with them. Patients know best what is going on in their bodies even if they cannot articulate it eloquently.
There will be people you cared for that you will remember for a lifetime. Some patients just have that impact on you. You remember their names, what they look like, what was their problem and how you helped them through their journey in life.
