SXU Celebrates National Nurse Practitioner Week
Saint Xavier University (SXU) is celebrating National Nurse Practitioner Week (NNPW) November 10 - November 16, which is held annually to honor the excellence of health care providers. This week, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) faculty display American Association of Nurse Practitioners posters to commemorate the designation, raising awareness about the profession. "This is a week to spotlight the talent and dedication of nurse practitioners in all areas of healthcare. SXU has more than 25 years of history of preparing and graduating competent, compassionate FNPs," said Professor Caroline Kreisl Wilson, Director of the FNP Program.
A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse and is trained to assess patient needs, order and interpret diagnostic tests, diagnose illness and disease and prescribe medication and treatment plans. During NNPW, nurse practitioners fight to remind lawmakers the importance of removing outdated barriers to practice so that nurse practitioners can be allowed to practice to the full extent of their experience and education. "FNPs care for underserved people in urban and rural areas, oftentimes the places where many clinicians don't want to go," said Kreisl Wilson.
SXU faculty and students understand the importance of nurse practitioner recognition as expert health care providers. Faculty work not only as educators but also practice professionally, bringing expertise and experience into the classroom to help guide students toward success. "We recognize the importance of nurse practitioners through our innovative care model at the SXU Health Center. We have faculty who work at the Health Center which is entirely staffed by nurse practitioners and we also have FNP students who complete their practicum at the Health Center. This brings recognition to the nurse practitioner role not only to students, but to community members who come to the Health Center for healthcare," said Kreisl Wilson.
Saint Xavier University (SXU) is proud of the many graduates who've become nurse practitioners after completing the nurse practitioner program with a family specialty. The program prepares students to offer comprehensive, high-quality, cost-effective, patient-centered primary healthcare services across the lifespan. Alumna Ashley Palmieri '17 said, "As family nurse practitioners, we are at the forefront of patient care and develop a bond with our patients to work towards a common goal." Nurse practitioners diagnose and manage acute and chronic illness and also focus on health promotion, wellness, disease prevention, health education and counseling.
Nurse practitioners experience a lifetime of learning and opportunity for research. "They continue to break barriers and expand their reach in healthcare by consistently stepping up to meet the needs of people who are underserved, proving to be clinicians that understand the intersection of health and illness, all while considering the impact of family, social, economic and emotional factors on overall well-being of their patients," said Kreisl Wilson. SXU FNP faculty continue to encompass and emulate the role of the nurse practitioner in and out of the academic realm, and through consistent service and excellence bring awareness to the importance of nurse practitioners every day.