In honor of National Nurse Practitioner Week and National Home Care and Hospice Month, we interviewed Cross Country Workforce Solutions Group’s (CCWSG) Senior Director of Clinical Operations Lisa Ozaeta about her career as an advanced practice nurse and working with geriatric patients. Read on to see what she had to say about her career path, her current role and responsibilities, and both the challenges and rewards that come with the job

In honor of National Nurse Practitioner Week and National Home Care and
 Hospice Month, we interviewed Cross Country Workforce Solutions Group’s
 (CCWSG) Senior Director of Clinical Operations Lisa Ozaeta about her career as
 an advanced practice nurse and working with geriatric patients. Read on to see
 what she had to say about her career path, her current role and
 responsibilities, and both the challenges and rewards that come with the job:


 
 Could you please describe the path you took to train yourself for your current
 field of advanced practice nursing?


 I began my career as a medical assistant working in a pediatric office. Not
 knowing if nursing was my calling, I decided to push myself further and start
 an LVN program. After receiving my licensure as an LVN, I worked in all
 departments of an ambulatory care setting, from Pediatrics, to OBGYN and
 Adults.


 I found myself wanting more, so I pursued my RN license. After being told that
 I needed to have a BSN in nursing, I decided to do a dual BSN/MSN degree in
 nursing and education. With my MSN degree, more opportunities opened. I was
 able work as both a floor nurse and in a leadership position, so I was able to
 make changes to policies where I saw the change was needed to make patient and
 nursing care more effective, safe and efficient.


 Several years later I went back to school to complete my certification as a
 Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), which allows me to take a deeper assessment
 of our senior population when I see fit, as well as teach and coach our
 current staff on how to care for our most vulnerable population.


 
 Could you please describe your role and responsibilities as a Senior Director
 of Clinical Operations for CCWSG?
 

 As the Senior Director of Clinical Operations for CCWSG, I am responsible for
 overseeing the entire clinical nursing team, which includes CNAs, MAs, LVNs,
 and RNs, as well as the staffing side of the business. I oversee both sides of
 the house for compliance staffing and homecare, as well as our education
 department which manages our onboarding, orientation and clinical
 competencies.


 
 What motivated you to work in Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
 (PACE) and gerontological nursing, and what professional experiences helped
 you determine that this area of advanced practice nursing was the right one
 for you?


 Not only am I an RN but I am also an FNP. I have worked with patients from
 0-110 years old in my nursing career. I have worked in hospitals, outpatient
 settings, and surgery centers which I feel makes me a well-rounded nurse and
 able to work in many areas of nursing.


 My motivation for working with the senior population is that seniors are
 special people that you can learn life experiences from. Geriatric nurses who
 are willing and able to provide supportive and compassionate care can make a
 meaningful difference in someone’s life every day. Dealing with the changes
 that come with aging and adjusting to life as a senior can be challenging.
 Geriatric nurses have a positive impact on the physical and emotional
 well-being of those they care for that eases the transition and makes a big
 difference in their quality of life. The impact of those relationships extends
 to the family and friends of those seniors who have the reassurance that their
 loved one is in good hands.


 
 What have been some of the most rewarding aspects of working as a nurse
 practitioner? On the other hand, what specific challenges have you encountered
 in this field of work, and how have you managed these challenges?
 


 Most rewarding would be that as a nurse, you are always caring for your
 patients, but as a nurse practitioner (NP) you have an expanded role in the
 decision-making process and in developing the treatment plan. You’re able to
 treat your patient holistically.


 Challenges would be that NPs are not recognized by others, and in some states
 are not able to practice independently.


 The way I manage my challenges is by keeping a positive attitude and educating
 individuals on the rewards of having an NP on their team.


 For current and prospective MSN students who are interested in becoming nurse
 practitioners, what advice can you give them about optimally preparing for
 this field while pursuing their degree?


 I would say make sure that you really want to become an NP. Pick a specialty
 that you love. Know that you will be providing a different level of nursing --
 holistic patient-centered care.


 No matter which specialty of nursing you choose, there will always be
 challenges you will encounter in this awesome profession. Keep your head high
 and know that you’ll end up getting the experience you need to overcome them.
 It’s all in the attitude. Each of these challenges presents a unique learning
 opportunity. Whatever lessons you get from them will help shape you into a
 well-rounded NP.


 Looking to expand your geriatric healthcare career? We have openings
 nationwide for home caregivers and healthcare professionals in every
 specialty. <a href="https://jobs.healthcaretalent.net" target="_blank">Search our current opportunities</a>.

Is an Advanced Practice Gerontological Nursing Career Right for You?