Sara Wolfson
Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Milestones
My road in life took a while to figure out.
I worked in a hospital for about 5 years which was a great experience for a new nursing grad.
I went back to work after my kids were born and that was as a staff nurse in a nursing home.
My kids developed serious chronic illnesses. I learned how to juggle many different things at once.
I wanted more responsibility in managing patients' chronic conditions. I had to learn more.
I was an older student. I was a calmer student. I loved learning! The GNP program was the right fit.
I wanted just a bit more knowledge so I went for the doctorate.
Education
High School
Career
Geriatric Nurse Practitioner
I help older adults manage their complex medical conditions and counsel their families.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Education
Medicine
Learning / Being Challenged
Day to Day
In the morning I am in clinic with older adults who usually come in with acute health issues: they had a fall with an injury, their heart failure is flaring up, or they just don't feel well but don't know why. I am the detective helping them figure things out. In the afternoon I meet with families of patients newly diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. I am actually breaking the news to the patient and family. Their reactions are diverse and run the emotional gamut. That can be tough to watch.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
Work somewhere taking care of older adults. Respect and understand who they are. Get an undergraduate degree in nursing. You need the nursing theory and basic sciences. After you get that degree go out and work for a few years before considering graduate nursing. The work experience makes you a better grad student and guides your choice of a specialty.
Recommended Education
My career is related to what I studied. I'd recommend the path I took:
Hurdles
The Noise I Shed
From Myself:
"The noise came from me. I wasn't sure I could do it. I doubted myself as an older student. I was working, my kids were chronically ill, and the class work and papers took a huge amount of time. I thought about dropping out. I cried a lot too."
Challenges I Overcame
Time
