professional advancement model and a succession and mentorship leadership plan.


Although all are important, my role as a mentor has given me the most satisfaction and enjoyment, both in fostering the strengths and talents of individual NPs as well as preparing them to mentor others. Developing the next generation by mentoring NP students, novice NPs, new NP leaders and others continues to be my passion.


My words of wisdom for those beginning a career as an advanced practice nurse: Find what you’re passionate about! Invest the time and energy in developing your skills and expertise and you will have a career that you will look back on and be most proud of.


Donna Novak DNP, CRNP, WHNP-BC


Community Health Nurse Practitioner


Bethlehem (Pa.) Health Bureau


Being a nurse practitioner gives me the opportunity to give nursing care using a strength-based approach. I focus on the positive factors patients bring to each clinical visit, empowering them to stay healthy and decrease their risk of disease.


My role involves being a health educator, encouraging healthy eating and exercise, regular check-ups and screening tests and recommended vaccinations. Over the years in my nurse practitioner role, I have worked at STD and family planning clinics that serve people who are uninsured or under-insured, and I have received great satisfaction in expanding access to high quality care to populations who fall through the cracks of our healthcare system.


Becoming a nurse practitioner gives the nurse a unique and extraordinary opportunity to evolve professionally. If you choose this role, you will increase your knowledge base and gain clinical skills that allow you to practice nursing with DXWRQRP\ <RX ZLOO JURZ SURIHVVLRQDOO\ DQG OHDUQ PRUH HDFK DQG HYHU\ GD\ JDLQLQJ LQFUHDVHG FRQ¿GHQFH LQ \RXU DELOLW\ to care for patients with challenging healthcare issues, being always mindful of your scope of practice and knowing when it’s best to collaborate with other healthcare providers.


Kim L. Armour PhD, NP-BC, RDMS, NEA-BC


Director, Women’s Obstetric & Neonatal Services


Prentice Northwestern Medicine Chicago, Ill.


I love being an NP and nursing leader! Patients, family, staff, management, executive leadership and our providers value my experience, expertise and unique perspective in patient care. I am proud to say that I make a difference,


enhance the team and most importantly, improve patient care and outcomes.


As an RN for 32 years and an APRN for the past 19 years, I have had the privilege of serving as a local and national leader and expert in the area of women’s KHDOWK VSHFL¿FDOO\ IRFXVHG RQ PDWHUQDO IHWDO FDUH $W Northwestern Medicine we believe in actively engaging families in their decision-making and care. Families, providers and staff have appreciated my visibility on the units and shared that they love having a clinical administrator who knows what they need. I also have served as a state and national leader on the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nursing.


Some words of wisdom for those who are considering the APRN role: Love what you do, do what you love. Don’t let anyone say that you can’t attain the degree. It may be different than what you expected, yet it’s there for your OHDUQLQJ %H SDVVLRQDWH 6XFFHVV ZLOO ¿QG \RX DQG \RX¶OO never have to look for it. Others will see it in you.


Jon Sugarman DNP, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC,


GNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CDP


Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Emergency Department Morristown (N.J.) Medical Center


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prerequisite course for nursing school at age 52 and received a BSN from UMDNJ in 2005 at age 56. At UMDNJ, I also earned an MSN and became an APRN in adult and geriatric care, and then earned a DNP. Three \HDUV ODWHU , HDUQHG D FHUWL¿FDWH LQ SV\FKLDWU\ DQG PHQWDO KHDOWK $W


,¶P VRRQ WR WDNH WKH &HUWL¿HG +RVSLFH DQG Palliative Nurse exam.


I recite all of this not to be boastful, but rather, to make several points:


No matter what your age or background, becoming an APRN can be right for you. The profession provides the broadest possibilities of opportunity of any career track.


Taking on the APRN role provides the opportunity to discover and develop myriad interests, including unique combinations of interests, and to follow your heart and realize all you’ve learned and experienced.


Being an APRN provides an opportunity to work where, when and as much as you’d like – not a bad thing in uncertain times or perhaps when moving to another state or across country.


As an APRN you are given the richest opportunities for profound satisfaction borne of human connection and the knowledge that you really do make a difference in the world.


Janice Petrella Lynch, MSN, RN, is nurse editor/nurse executive. 5


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