Since 1965, nurse practitioners have collaborated with interdisciplinary teams in addressing the growing health care needs of underserved populations. Today, nurse practitioners provide care via more than 1 billion patient visits each year across the nation.
Nearly 70 years since the inception of the profession, nurse practitioners continue to play a critical role within the health care system. Overall employment of advanced practice nurses is projected to grow 45 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Patients at Mount Sinai Health System are almost certain to receive care from an advanced practice nurse over the course of their care. Advanced practice nurses such as nurse practitioners, midwives, and certified registered nurse anesthetists, are valuable team members in nearly every clinical department. These providers continue to make tremendous contributions towards addressing areas such as improving access to care, adding efficiency to work flows, providing continuity of care, and providing specialty based expertise.
Beth Oliver, DNP, RN, FAAN, Chief Nursing Executive at Mount Sinai Health System, applauds how advanced practice nurses work collaboratively with their respective teams in expanding access, addressing social determinants of health, and increasing patient satisfaction across all Mount Sinai sites.
Advanced practice providers have been successfully integrated into team-based models without compromising quality, safety, and patient satisfaction. The current landscape of health care has amplified the value these providers bring to the communities they serve, according to Dr. Oliver.
“The demand for these advanced practice nurses is reflected in the growth of the number of these providers within our own enterprise,” says Priscilla Samuel, DNP, FNP-BC, Vice President of Advanced Practice Nursing, Mount Sinai Heath System.
Mount Sinai first integrated nurse practitioners into the workforce in the late 1980s. Today the Health System employs more than 900 advanced practice nurses, including nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and midwives across various subspecialties.
“We are fortunate to have a strong bench of NPs who are ensuring uninterrupted access to high-quality, safe, and equitable care within the Mount Sinai Health System,” says Dr. Samuel. “Nurse Practitioner Week is an excellent time to recognize the value nurse practitioners bring in advancing the mission, vision and values of our organization and highlight the important work they do each day for the communities we serve.”
Here are the thoughts of eight of Mount Sinai’s dedicated nurse practitioners on what inspires them, what fills them with pride, and what they wish people knew about their role:
“Working for Mount Sinai has strongly enhanced my clinical expertise as a nurse practitioner,” says Kelly Cash, MSN, AGPCNP-C, Senior Nurse Practitioner for Cardiology, Mount Sinai South Nassau. “With the rapidly expanding medical field and new innovations, Mount Sinai remains at the forefront and provides continuous growth and education to support staff. They truly stand by their core values.”
Claire Murphy, RN, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at The Mount Sinai Hospital, says there is a particular blend of nursing and medical expertise that is reflected in a nurse practitioner’s care. “The NP embodies and combines the best of the medical and nursing fields of thought,” she says. “NPs look at problems from two perspectives and become a resource that bridges nursing and medical concerns.”
“Nurse practitioners are uniquely positioned to help decrease the care gap by providing cost effective and high-quality comprehensive care,” says John Sexton, FNP-BC, Family Nurse Practitioner, Mount Sinai Brooklyn. “They also help ease the strain from the volume of patients a physician would ‘normally’ encounter. In the emergency room, for example, this means decreased wait times, improvements in the overall patient experience.”
Family Nurse Practitioner Bilikisu Bhadmus, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, Advanced Practice Provider Manager at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, says the nurse practitioner’s background as a bedside nurse, along with an ability to diagnose and treat patients, allows them to bring a unique set of skills and perspective to the care model. “We’re positioned to address patients’ needs holistically and be great care coordinators, educators, and sources of support that our patients truly value,” she says.
“Clinical nurses excel in hands-on patient care, delivering treatments, and monitoring patient status, and physicians are experts in their respective fields with extensive training in diagnosing and treating patients,” says Mollie Aidasani, MSN, NP, a women’s health nurse practitioner and Clinical Program Director of Gynecologic Oncology, Mount Sinai Health System. “NPs perform advanced assessments, diagnose illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests, initiate and manage treatments including prescribing medications, while often taking more of a nursing-centric approach to care and treatment.”
Describing the nurse-provider hybrid perspective of the nurse practitioner, Jon Rockfeld, ANP-BC, Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner at Mount Sinai West, says that nurse practitioners help augment the focus on a patient’s emotional, social, and mental well-being. “NPs spend additional time focusing on patient engagement and education to help promote ongoing well-being,” he says.
“Among the most important aspects of my NP role are educating and advocating for my patients,” says Peggy Trainor-O’Malley, NP, a dually certified acute and family nurse practitioner, who has been a nurse practitioner at Mount Sinai Morningside for 25 years. “Working in cardiac surgery, many times we’re the first and last clinician encounters during their stay. We’re addressing their pain, fears, and overall health. I try to convey to the patient and family that I am there for them even after discharge and encourage them to call me with any questions or concerns.”
“NPs are a vital liaison between all aspects of patient interaction,” says Joanna Toussaint, NP, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Mount Sinai Queens, “From education to treatment, to assessment, and even outpatient as follow up, we help keep patients’ needs seen and heard. We’re able to offer a well-rounded approach to patient-centered care and a sense of constant presence and support for the patients.”