Last, First Name: Crofts, Patricia L.

License degrees: RN, CPNP

E-Mail: pccrofts@nursepartnership.com

City: St. Louis

State: Missouri (MO)

What kind of nursing do you do? Pediatric -- Newborns through Adolescents

How did you hear about the Nurse Friendly? web links

What is your favorite search engine? Dogpile

What nursing-related topics have you looked for lately on the web? Med research

Website: http://www.nursefriendly.com/croft/ Marital Status: M

How many years have you been practicing as a nurse: 31

Professional organizations you belong to: NAPNAP

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners:"NAPNAP was founded in 1973 as a non-profit specialty nursing organization devoted to improving the quality of infant and child health care. Today, NAPNAP represents practitioners working with populations across the pediatric spectrum, including infants, children, adolescents and young adults. The pediatric nurse practitioner provides an advanced level of care to children and their families, including: counseling on normal development and behavioral problems, the prevention of illness and preventable injuries, and care of children with acute or chronic conditions. NAPNAP promotes high standards of child health care through education, research, and legislative action involving over 6,700 members in 50 chapters across the country."
http://www.napnap.org/

Would you recommend the field? Yes, with the advice to get five years of hospital experience in MedSurg even if you have a BSN; then find a specialized area in hospital for another 5 years while you continue to get more formal education in nursing;, find a physician mentor that is APN friendly and become a Nurse Practitioner, and go to work for the MD's practice. Keep your eyes open for any field that can incorporate your nursing expertise and build your own business and be your own boss. After putting up with medical bosses for all those years you deserve autonomous success!!! Employment changes in career? Thirteen going on 14

Reason for the change? Relocation the first 9 times then downsizing

If you lost your job tomorrow, how easily do you feel you find new employment? : Very easily --- but would it be a job I would like? No In how many years, would you like to retire? 9, I'm 51 and hope my health will hold up.

Have you started any type of retirement fund? yes

Would this travel: yes

What Certified Nurse or Patient Educational Materials Would You Like to See on the Internet? CN continuing ed. I'm able to find almost all pt. ed materials that I need.

School you attend (if applicable): St. Lukes' Hospital School of Nursing

St. Luke’s School of Nursing:"The St. Luke’s School of Nursing has a long and rich history of nursing education that extends over 124 years. The Diploma in Nursing was the premiere preparation for nurses when our profession began. After years of providing the best in hospital-based, diploma nursing education, the School is preparing for the 21st century."
801 Ostrum Street, Bethlehem, PA, 18015
http://www.slhn-lehighvalley.org/programsandservices/nursing/

Maryville University Medical Management (not finished)

Where do you work? Private office

Do you feel having your own a malpractice insurance policy is necessary, why or why not? My employer wants me covered so they pay for it. When I go into my own business I'll just transfer all my assets to my husband. They can't get what I don't have.

Your most pressing concerns with the profession and healthcare: Insurance companies dictating medical practice Hospital Administered Medical Groups doing the same thing. The whole Establishment keeping nursing as slave labor.

Have you ever considered leaving the profession? If yes, what options have you explored? Yes. Sales of nutiritionals that was MLM and I hated recruiting others and basically having people over me lie to newcomers. Per Diem PNP - MDs in the area don't like the per diem medical-legal implications. Legal Nurse Consulting - still investigating.

What attracted you to the field of Nursing? Right out of high school I thought it would be cool and I'd always have a job and be able to explore other areas later on.

Favorite TV show and musical artists: JAG, Law and Order - all versions, CSI, ER. Music - anything Country esp. George Strait. Old stuff - The Eagles

Favorite food: Chocolate

Personal or favorite Quote: Be still and know that I am God.

Qualities you admire in your friends/loved ones: Sincerity, Loyalty, Compassion, Organization, Intelligence

Pet Peeves: Liberals

Major turn-offs: Increasing immorality and violence

Hobbies and activities you enjoy outside of work: Church - LDS, cooking, swimming

Pets, favorite vacation spots: Three Minpins; Cruising anywhere

Other areas of interest and expertise: Counseling, administration, management, marketing, forensics

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