Allison Christensen, CNP, currently works as a Neurointerventional nurse practitioner at a large health system in the beautiful state of Idaho. She took the time to give us some insights into her career to help our readers.
Q. Thanks for doing this Ally ! So tell us about your journey from RN to NP !
A. I was a nurse for four-ish years before going back to school. Even as a bedside RN while caring for patients, I found myself loving the process of putting the pieces of the medical puzzle together to figure out the diagnosis and then learning what the fix was. I always loved nursing and this was a way to expand my learning horizons while increasing my scope of practice. I chose to work straight nights on the Neuro-floor / Neuro-ICU to get through NP school and complete my clinical hours. I actually graduated from my NP program on a Friday and started my first NP job on the following Monday !! I continued working as a RN in my first NP job before taking my board exam so I could start learning right away.
Q. What do you think helped land you your first NP job?
A. While working in Neuro-ICU, I was able to work closely with multiple Neurology providers – including assisting in the ER stroke team and setting patients up for Thrombectomies for strokes. That unique role and experience definitely helped me get my first job. Also, My mom had an aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage when I was a nursing student and that led me to love all things neuro related. My passion for neuro definitely came out while talking about it during my interview.
Q. What does your typical work day look like?
A. I work currently on an inpatient neurosurgical/neurointerventional team of APPs. We work with multiple surgeons and see anywhere from 10-15 patients a day depending on how many surgeries. We see anything from elective spine procedures, brain tumors, normal pressure hydrocephalus, aneurysms, dural arteriovenous malformations, carotid stents, emergent brain hemorrhages, and more. In my role, the NPs are responsible for assessing our patients each morning, reviewing labs and vital signs, ordering appropriate diagnostics, managing patient’s chronic illnesses/comorbidities and diagnosing and addressing any acute issues that might arise while hospitalized. We sort of work like a hospitalist team and also manage postoperative care. We round each day with the surgeons and address any concerns. I currently work 12-hour days that rotate, which I really enjoy for the flexibility for my time off.
Q. How nervous 😐 were you on Day One ?
A. My first day at my first NP job I was terrified. I remember having to scrub-in and had no idea what I was doing. Thankfully with my first job and my current job everyone is so kind and love to teach, so it makes it easy if you are eager to learn.
Q. Anything unexpected or surprising you found about being an NP ?
A. Imposter syndrome is a real thing!! I’ve been practicing for almost 3 years now and I still struggle with it at times. They don’t warn you about that in school 😲. Thankfully, I have many mentors who help me out with this.
Q. What do you value most AND what do you find most challenging in your job ?
A. Wow hard question. I think the neurology field is overall challenging and you have to be diligent, patient and observant. I love that I have the autonomy to care for patients, but also the resourcefullness and leadership of the physicians/surgeons I work with. I also love learning and teaching and have the ability to teach students, nurses, other NPs, and of course our patients 💜.
Q. Any advice for future NPs?
A. Never stop learning. Find something your passionate about and go for it. Find a balance between work and life and remember self-care!
Q. If not in healthcare, what profession would you be in?
A. Honestly, probably a national park ranger – like one that goes and gives talks to campers about flora 🌼 and fauna 🦌in the area. To me that sounds amazing !
Q. Any fun side-gigs or side-hustles?
A. Not right now!
Q. If you had choose one superpower what would it be ?
A. I think it would be really fun to have the ability to fly . Could go anywhere and see beautiful views !
Q. Anything you claim bragging-rights on?
A. My dad Joe Leedam invented Cookies-n-Cream ice-cream 🍨 – that’s right !! And at South Dakota State University – look it up !
Q. Wow – I did look it up ! That’s amazing 🙂 Are you a coffee person or tea person ?
A. Both! Coffee in the AM and tea at night!
