and chronic conditions, prescribing medications, educating about disease process and medication regimens and addressing sociocultural issues. I love working with my patients, and feel privileged and humbled to be a part of their journey through the good and bad times in their lives.


My goal is to make sure my patients remain at their highest level of functioning, sustaining the best possible quality of life in the comfort of their homes. My close relationship with patients, families and caregivers helps to improve clinical outcomes and increases mutual trust, respect and transparency. Together we address challenges like independent living, elder abuse, end-of-life GHFLVLRQV DGYDQFH GLUHFWLYHV DQG ¿QDQFHV


My patients teach me how to live life to the fullest, enjoy every moment and instill good values in children. At times, I feel that my patients give me more than I give them. I am proud to be a healthcare provider who helps foster healthier communities. Advanced practice nursing is a SURIHVVLRQ WKDW¶V ¿OOHG ZLWK SDVVLRQ FRPSDVVLRQ DQG D desire to do more.


Maria R. Reyes PhD, WHNP-BC, RNC


Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner


Rush University Medical Center, Adolescent Family Center Chicago, Ill.


The APRN role is a means to create unique relationships with others, and it has allowed me to be of true service to my clients. I’ve helped them meet their healthcare needs and ultimately supported them to becoming better people.


As a nurse, it was great to help my patients, but there was a limit to how much I could do. As an APRN, I have developed patient and family relationships that last a lifetime. As a women’s health NP, I provide gynecologic and prenatal care, see and nurture children as they grow up, and then have the pleasure of caring for their daughters!


The role gives me the opportunity to help patients and their families in a variety of ways. As an APRN, I am involved in issues that affect my patients and their KHDOWKFDUH )RU H[DPSOH ¿JKWLQJ IRU FRQWUDFHSWLYH KHDOWK coverage is ongoing. This is an important right, one that should be available to all women.


Some words of wisdom to share: the role is limitless! Make it yours — then roll up your sleeves because there is so much that can be done. Listen to those you serve, become part of that community and then watch its members blossom and grow.


Deborah Rice-Lang MN, RN, FNP-BC


Family NP, Garrison Medical Clinic, Palmdale


Clinical Faculty, Primary Care NP Program


UCLA School of Nursing Los Angeles


, EHOLHYH \RXU ¿UVW 13 UROH LV FULWLFDO DQG VR LV \RXU QXUVLQJ network. So when advising nurses, I always encourage WKHP WR ¿QG D QXUWXULQJ HQYLURQPHQW ZKHUH WKH\ WKLQN WKH\ FDQ ¿W <RX KDYH WR ¿QG \RXU SODFH WR SUDFWLFH ZKDW \RX love and then you will never work another day in your life. Part of a successful journey is having a strong network and the best credentials; the other part is timing.


I never want to retire because every day I go to work and I think to myself, “I love what I do.” I am proud, honored and humbled that my patients trust me to collaborate with them to optimize their health. The nursing profession is limitless with opportunities to develop yourself, and your journey and experiences make you a better nurse and a better person.


Some words of wisdom for those who are new NPs: <RX KDYH WKH SRWHQWLDO WR EH WKH PRVW LQIOXHQWLDO generation of NPs, educating the public about the expanding role and changing healthcare policy. We are attracted to our profession with the passion to change the world, but I challenge you to help one patient at a time. Always retain your curiosity, kindness and compassion, and to quote Norman Vaughan, “Dream big, dare to fail.”


Shari Simone DNP, CRNP-AC, FCCM, FAANP


Senior Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Program Manager, Women & Children’s Services


Pediatric Critical Care Nurse Practitioner University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore


Assistant Professor, Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program University of Maryland School of Nursing, Baltimore


I have been a pediatric critical care nurse practitioner for RYHU


\HDUV DQG IRUWXQDWH WR EH RQH RI WKH ¿UVW LQ WKH mid-90s. I am grateful I was given the unique opportunity to pave the way for others and create an advanced practice role I am proud of.


4


Early in my career I knew I wanted to ensure that NPs who followed me were successful and engaged. I began creating tools and programs to help them develop, such as a structured, comprehensive orientation curriculum, a


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