FROM PREEMIE TO PRACTITIONER: A NEONATAL NURSE PRACTITIONER GRADUATE SHARES HER JOURNEY
"I feel indebted to the nurses and doctors that saved my life when I was a premature infant," says Lindsay Griebling, MSN, RN, NNP, a member of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) and the National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners (NANNP). A 2015 graduate of Regis University's Master of Science in Nursing: Neonatal Nurse Practitioner program, Lindsay has a story to tell. The story begins with her premature birth and continues with her beginnings as a new neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP).
Lindsay was born at 30 weeks' gestation weighing in at 830 g. Her mother had preeclampsia and so delivery of Lindsay by cesarean section at such an early gestation was necessary. Lindsay was intubated and had central lines placed. Fortunately, she was extubated the day after her birth to room air. She had what she terms as a "typical NICU course of increasing feedings and phototherapy." Lindsay was in the hospital until just around her due date, transferring to a community hospital at 5 weeks of age.
Lindsay's family has a legacy of nursing. Her grandmother was a nurse, and Lindsay remembers her as the kindest and most caring person she had ever known. She wanted to be just like her. Cementing that decision was an opportunity to volunteer in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) when she was in high school. Although she debated between becoming a pediatrician or a nurse, Lindsay worked closely with nurses during her volunteer time and ultimately felt her passion for nursing was sparked by that experience.
Lindsay worked in several NICUs after becoming a nurse and NNPs were very present in those units. She discovered that she loved and appreciated their role and wanted to know more about the "why" behind practices rather than practicing in certain ways because "that was how it was always done." Lindsay loved building a stronger knowledge base through her NNP degree program, which she says impacted her practice as a NICU nurse and as a new graduate nurse practitioner.
When asked if her birth story and time in the NICU impacted her practice, Lindsay responded:
I think my birth history has profoundly affected and impacted my practice. I deeply care for every patient I take care of and hopefully can provide the same experience that my family had while I was a patient in the NICU. As an intrauterine growth restriction infant myself, I relate to the premature infants and can share my story with parents and families, which I hope provides support and hope for their infant.
Lindsay has traveled a unique journey from premature infant to NNP. She is excited to be embarking on her new career and looks to the NANN and the NANNP for help guiding her growth, advancing her education, and supporting her clinical practice. The National Association of Neonatal Nurses was a resource for her during her educational career, offering many resources such as journals, discussion boards, and educational opportunities. Lindsay looks forward to continuing her journey now as a new NNP attending NANN conferences and receiving support from NANNP to guide her transition from NICU nurse to NNP.
ARE YOU READY FOR SOMETHING BIG?
NANN is headed to Dallas for the 2015 Annual Educational Conference. This year's educational content provides you with the content you need to excel; you provide the mindset.
As a neonatal nurse, you are a leader and have the ability to influence change regardless of your position, title, or level of experience. Whether you are a novice or expert, you will leave this year's conference with knowledge that you can use immediately and in the future. Here are a few key highlights:
* Keynote sessions by Britt Berret, PhD, FACHE; Kelli Kelley, BJ; and Virginia Beeson, MSN, BSN, NEA-BC, USN (Ret)
* A day dedicated to advanced practice nursing
* Eight special interest group meetings
* Evidence-based posters presented by your peers
* Five paper session tracks focusing on case studies, evidence-based practice, education, clinical research, and care management and risk reduction.
Now is the time to make things happen.
Register now at http://www.nannconference.org. Save $100 on registration when you register by Monday, September 14.