From foundations to future: AHN's support for an evolving NP career

While many envision nurse practitioner roles in a clinical setting, what if a fully remote position was not just a possibility but a path to innovation? At Allegheny Health Network, Jill B. found exactly that.

Building a foundation of support and confidence

Jill's connection to AHN began during her NP school program, when she needed a family practice environment for her clinical rotations. From day one, Jill experienced a uniquely supportive and collaborative environment. "I loved it. I mean, I felt like the minute that I was in there as a student, I was welcomed," Jill said. "It was warm and inviting. I was supported. Everybody was available."

Even as a student, she felt like a valued member of the team.

"I didn't feel like I was a number there," Jill said. "I felt like I was a name even as a student there, and everybody checked in, 'Do you need help with anything? Do you have any questions?' I think that people being available and being approachable was really helpful."

After completing her program and passing her boards, an opportunity arose at the same practice.

"They took a chance on a new grad NP," Jill said. "They gave me the autonomy to be a new provider, but they were available as a resource if I needed them. So, they gave me enough space to where I could be independent and I could perform my own assessment, but they were always available to troubleshoot with."

Having autonomy and support led to more than just building her skills as an NP.

"I think it helped build confidence. I think that was the biggest thing is that it really brought in my confidence that, okay, I was having confirmation that I was on the right track or I did the appropriate thing, but having that confirmation from them gave me the confidence that I did do the right thing."

Embracing change and opportunity

Not long after Jill started her career as a nurse practitioner at AHN, COVID happened. And while COVID presented unprecedented challenges, it also presented new opportunities. The rapid growth of telemedicine during this time showed a new pathway for Jill. She began moonlighting with AHN's telemedicine department, realizing the vast potential to serve patients in underserved areas and make an impact.

"I really liked that we were able to reach people in a rural area that had limited resources," Jill said. "The satisfaction in the surveys that came back was very confirming that I am in the right spot. I'm doing a good thing."

When her office ended up combining with another, the point came where Jill made a decision between working in the office where her NP career started, or moving to a remote role with telemedicine.

"The telemedicine manager was super approachable as far as helping me kind of work through the pros and cons," Jill said. "I am a single mom. I have a 15-year-old that at the time, was nine going on 10, and so remote working from home was a benefit. I also didn't want to abandon the office that had brought me in. They were there through my education career, and I felt like, am I letting them down? Am I abandoning them? Are they going to be upset? They were the complete opposite. They said, 'I think this is a great idea. We're going to miss you, but we support any decision that you're going to make.'"

Having a voice and making an impact

Jill decided to transition to working full-time with AHN's virtual urgent care. Her career was now growing in a new direction, but she realized she could contribute to the growth and development of the telemedicine program as well.

"Being in the beginning and being able to assist in molding it and coming up with ideas and transformations has also been a definite plus and really rewarding," Jill said.

Jill and her colleagues identified a critical gap. Patients needed in-office follow-ups but faced long wait times. They proposed a solution working with the patient engagement team, and it was implemented!

"Those folks are calling the patient, scheduling the appointment, responding back to us and expediting that procedure. It has been flawless."

This experience truly underscored the supportive environment at AHN even across departments.

"I feel heard, I feel supported. It prevents frustration. It prevents people with a voice from going quiet because there is a resolution, there is a solution."

A career defined by endless possibilities

"I went into the nursing field because the opportunities are absolutely endless," Jill said. "From education, to research, to hands-on providing, to virtual urgent care. That's why I became a nurse in the first place."

Though Jill knew the opportunities in her field were endless, she was surprised by where she ended up.

"I wouldn't have thought in a million years that I would be able to work remote, and it definitely has its pros and cons, but I think that the pros outweigh the cons exponentially," Jill said.

Working remotely gives her balance to be not only a nurse practitioner, but a more present mom.

As she continues to grow in her career, Jill truly enjoys her journey at AHN.

"My glass just keeps getting fuller and fuller and fuller. It's not that anything is being replaced, it's just added to," Jill said. "I feel like I can reach out to anybody that I've come in contact with for assistance and they're happy to help. I've established a great relationship with our management team, and I feel like I'm really welcomed and supported and they're very approachable. And I don't think that there's really one thing. I think it's the umbrella of everything that just really makes AHN great."

Inspired by Jill's story? Explore career opportunities at AHN and discover how you can make a difference.