Let’s discover how another clinician is thriving! Elisabeth’s clinical background
includes ER, hospital medicine, neurology, occupational health, and global health. She currently works as a hospitalist NP (PRN), occupational medicine NP (PRN), remote stroke program coordinator and adjunct nursing faculty. Elisabeth is also an entrepreneur and owner of MedAlign Innovative Solutions, LLC.
First Name: Elisabeth
Nursing specialty: Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP-BC, FNP-BC)
State you practice in: Nebraska
Years in nursing: I have been in nursing for over a decade.
Nursing is a second career for me - I was a teacher for 8 years first!
What's one wellness ritual you'll never quit?
Music therapy. I find music to be so therapeutic and essential for my wellness. Whether it’s listening to music or playing the piano, I implement music into my daily rhythm every single day. Sometimes when my mood is irritable or stressed, I will listen to worship music or a fun, upbeat song, and my mood quickly improves. Music is such a powerful tool for emotional and mental wellness.
Name one food you could eat every single day.
The first food that comes to mind is rice, which isn’t the healthiest! I honestly love vegetables as well. I could eat broccoli, cauliflower, corn, and brussel sprouts every single day.
How do you create calm in the chaos of everyday life?
I try to make my home a haven of rest and peace. Whether I am working long hours at the hospital or spending a lot of time at home, I need my home to be a sanctuary.
I do this by keeping surfaces clear (ie: kitchen table and counter), picking up toys (having a specific place for them), playing music regularly, using candles and/or a diffuser, and keeping a few green plants and fresh flowers in prominent places throughout my home.
Each January, I choose a word of the year. I focus on this word throughout the entire year – for instance, in 2023 my word is “centered.” When life gets chaotic or feels out of control, I focus on this word and what it means to me, which is God first, family second, and everything else after that. Renewing my perspective regularly with my word of the year has been a helpful practice that I have incorporated for many years.
What's the best career advice you were ever given?
That’s a great question! One of the best pieces of advice I was given by an academic mentor was that the higher the degree, the more specialized you become (as a nurse), so choose your pathway carefully. This advice really stuck and helped guide my journey from CNA to DNP.
Another great piece of advice was given to me by my preceptor when I was a new graduate nurse orienting in the emergency department. He told me that there is no situation too emergent that you don’t have time to ensure your actions are safe for the patient. I have never forgotten these wise words as my preceptor was attempting to teach me the power of the pause.
What's one thing you would tell your younger self?
I would tell my younger self that the future is so bright and that it is worth it to step outside of your comfort zone. I would also tell myself that you can do hard things. You can accomplish even more than you ever imagined.
You can’t possibly see all that lies ahead, so embrace the moment and keep growing and seizing opportunities every day!
Would you like to be portrayed for our “Clinician Thriving” series? We’d love to hear it!
Email me at Info@healthliteracypartners.com and write Clinician Thriving in the subject
so I don’t miss it!