Jamie VanAuker is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner for Health First.
Q: Why did you go into this career?
A: I knew early on I wanted a career where I could help people, and nursing was perfect for that. As an ICU nurse, I was able to provide direct patient care while serving as a front-line advocate for patients and families in times of crisis. When I was deciding on which path to take in furthering my career, being a nurse anesthetist or nurse practitioner were at the top of the list. However, after weighing the pros and cons, it came down to patient relationships — I enjoyed the bonds and connections I was able to form with my patients and their families during the time I cared for them. I knew that as a nurse practitioner, I would be able to continue the path of forming strong patient/family relationships while still providing direct patient care.
Q: What services do you provide?
A: I provide primary care to the adult and geriatric population, with a focus on disease management and preventive care. I also provide women’s preventive health.
Q: What makes this area of medicine fulfilling for you?
A: As a primary care provider, I am able to encourage and engage patients in their own health with primary disease prevention, disease management and prevention of complications related to disease process. I am able to develop relationships with my patients and their families.
Q: When did you realize this was the right medical career path for you?
A: I’ve had a passion for nursing since the beginning of my career. When choosing my specialty, I wanted to focus on preventive healthcare, as this is the basis of overall health and wellness and is a major part of primary care. Also, as a primary care nurse practitioner, I have the opportunity to affect several lives by guiding them to make informed medical decisions to improve their overall health and wellness.
Q: What’s the latest advancement in your field that will benefit patients?
A: I would say technology is definitely a huge benefit to patients — allowing them to remain actively engaged in their own care. Electronic medical records allow providers direct access to medical records to ensure continuity of care. Patients have access to their medical records via patient portals. Even patient home-monitoring equipment, such as glucometers and blood pressure cuffs, communicate with smartphones and computers to allow them to easily keep logs and track their health. They now have the information to show their healthcare provider, which in turn allows providers to make more informed decisions with care plans.
Q: What is your best advice for current and potential patients?
A: My advice is to know your health and be an advocate for yourself. As a provider, I can give you my recommendations, but it is up to you, as a patient, to be an active participant in your health care and to aim for the best possible health and wellness.
From Health pro: Patient relationships is driving force behind nurse practitioner on floridatoday.com