Why Visit a Nurse Practitioner?

Dec 31, 2021

While physicians are an essential part of hospitals, clinics, and many other specialty services, nurse practitioners are often the best-kept secret at a medical practice. Nurse practitioners are able to do many of the same things doctors can, including seeing and diagnosing patients, ordering labs, prescribing medications, and making referrals. WNH has 10 nurse practitioners (NPs) who treat patients in a primary care setting. We asked a few of them about what they do in their clinics and why they think patients should consider seeing a NP as part of their regular health routine.

WHAT ARE THE TOP REASONS PATIENTS VISIT A NURSE PRACTITIONER?

Adams-McDarty: I believe patients value the education and individual attention that NPs provide to them. My patients know that I will be honest with them. Also, many times they can be seen by an NP sooner than a physician due to scheduling.

Thielen: Patients may choose to see a nurse practitioner as their primary care provider or even see a NP as a specialist. Nurses' education differs from that of a physician's and with that comes different approaches to patient care. My role is to provide the patient with education and possible treatment plans in order for them to make informed decisions about their health.

Satterlee: My patients feel more comfortable telling me the more personal issues they face. They feel they can talk to me. This has been a reward beyond measure for me, and I strive to allow every patient to feel the same.

WHAT KINDS OF SERVICES DO YOU PROVIDE AS A NURSE PRACTITIONER?

Adams-McDarty: I listen to the patient, assess them, and determine a plan of care based on my findings and mutual discussion. I can help patients dealing with chronic or acute illnesses. To do that, I may order labs, imaging studies, and/or prescribe medications. I want the patient to be involved in their own health and their beliefs are important to our decision making together. But I will not prescribe unless it is beneficial. We have to be mindful of antibiotic overuse and resistance developing from this.

Thielen: As a family nurse practitioner, I provide primary care services for patients from birth through life. Primary care entails wellness visits or regular check-ups, encouraging primary prevention through screenings, vaccinations, and lifestyle modifications, as well as acute and chronic disease management. When needed, I can refer patients to specialists or to other resources, such as physical or occupational therapy or home health services.

Satterlee: I will assess symptoms, physical and emotional condition, diagnose, and treat you. I can prescribe medication, physical and/or occupational therapy, order x-rays and lab, assist with mental health issues, remedy your skin ailments, complete your yearly physicals or sports physicals, or any other medical issues you may have. I can also refer you to the appropriate specialist to treat your condition.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A NURSE PRACTITIONER?

Adams-McDarty: I wanted to help patients have the best wellness potential no matter what health issues they find themselves facing.

Thielen: As a teenager, I knew I wanted to become a nurse. I took a health science course in high school, and I was lucky enough to shadow nurses working in several different roles, including nurse practitioners. The profession of nursing is very unique. We have an opportunity to care for others in so many important moments in their lives in many different roles. I chose the specific role of the family nurse practitioner to be able to provide primary care to patients across the life span. I enjoy getting to know patients on a personal level and assisting them as needed through disease prevention to disease treatment.

Satterlee: I chose to become a nurse first. The very cliche saying "I want to help people" drove me to return to school. In nursing school I realized that I wanted to provide a more caring approach to primary care, and therefore returned to school again. Nursing and patient care has always been my passion. Educating patients on methods to promote a healthier lifestyle, with realistic expectations in today's difficult world, has been the highlight of my practicing standards.

WHAT IS SOMETHING PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU?

Adams-McDarty: While I have been practicing in Winfield for 17 years, I commute from Wichita. I do feel vested in the health of this community.

Thielen: One thing some people may not know about me is I am a third generation nurse. Both my mother and grandmother are nurses. My mother spent her career here in Winfield working at WNH while my grandmother worked as a CRNA in Ark City and Wichita. Their experiences as nurses helped push me to become the nurse I am today!

Satterlee: I graduated from Winfield High School and attended Cowley College before seeking my advanced degree. I am sincerely grateful to be back in my hometown and giving back to my home community.