Happy National Nurse Practitioner Week!
Interviews with UC Davis Health Nurse Practitioners
November 9-15 is National Nurse Practitioner Week. The team at Blaisdell Medical Library acknowledges the hard work and dedication of UC Davis Health nurse practitioners and strives to support them and nursing students through access to current clinical resources.
Nurse practitioners (NPs) are clinicians who provide a full range of primary, acute and specialty health care services. As advanced practice registered nurses, NPs go through graduate-level education and advanced clinical training. The Doctor of Nursing Practice — Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP-FNP) degree program at the UC Davis Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing prepares future NPs to deliver equitable, patient-centered primary care.
Read on to learn more about two UC Davis Health NPs: Melanie Catangay and Tammy Myers.
— Stevie Jepson
Blaisdell Medical Library
Interviews with UC Davis Health Nurse Practitioners
Melanie Catangay, N.P.
What does a nurse practitioner do?
A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who combines clinical expertise with a holistic, collaborative approach to care. We assess, diagnose and treat patients. This includes ordering tests, prescribing medications, and developing treatment plans. We work closely with physicians and the rest of the healthcare team to provide comprehensive, coordinated care. I find that our experience in bedside nursing prior to becoming a nurse practitioner brings a unique and personable perspective to the care of patient and their families.
Why did you become a nurse practitioner?
I became a nurse practitioner because I wanted to care for patients in a deeper and more complete way. Being a critical care nurse was one of the most incredible and rewarding experiences of my life. It taught me how important it is to connect with patients and their families, to earn their trust, and to use my knowledge to support them. Becoming an NP gave me the opportunity to deepen my medical understanding while still keeping that close connection to my patients. My advanced education has allowed me to be able to directly affect my patients’ health and outcomes, while continuing to challenge myself every day!
What do you wish people knew about nurse practitioners/your job?
I wish people knew how challenging and sometimes isolating being a nurse practitioner can be. My job is very different from when I was a bedside nurse, and it comes with a lot of responsibility. This is especially true in neurocritical care, where we see serious illness, trauma and loss. I make complex decisions and care for patients in high-stakes situations. Despite the difficulties, the work is meaningful, and being able to support patients through their hardest times makes it worth it.
What library resources could you not live without?
Since I live pretty far from campus, I love that we have access to the full online library and resources. The librarians are also amazing and available to help with whatever questions I may have, whether I need help finding a specific article, or guidance on how to work through the system to do better literature reviews myself!
Tammy Myers, N.P.
What does a nurse practitioner do?
A nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who provides health care services such as diagnosing an illness, prescribing medications and managing patient care. NPs work independently alongside physicians (depending on each state).
Why did you become a nurse practitioner?
I wanted to help patients and be able to provide more comprehensive care to them. I had so many great NPs as role models while I was working as a registered nurse (RN). They then inspired me to return to school to become an NP.
What do you wish people knew about nurse practitioners/your job?
Being a nurse practitioner is so fulfilling because I feel that I can do so much more for my patients. I work in the field of palliative care, which can be emotionally challenging. However, I am always amazed by the strengths of patients and their families during the most difficult time in their lives. It is an honor for me to be part of their journey.
What library resources could you not live without?
I feel so fortunate to have access to our librarians at Blaisdell Library to assist with finding literature searches for my research needs. You can schedule an appointment with them where they can share their valuable knowledge with you.