The Inside View sat down with LuAnn Greiner and Jenna Wilke, Advanced Practice Nurses in Interventional Radiology section to learn more about the field of Advanced Practice Nursing and what it brings to the department.
Radiology News: What is the role of an Advanced Practice Nurse in the department of Radiology?
Greiner: The role of an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) is really varied. We see both inpatients and outpatients, and we help with procedures and consult with the patient prior to each procedure. We listen to patients’ clinical concerns and then continue to provide care for them afterwards. This is very different than a traditional role. In a clinic, an APN may see 20-30 patients. As an APN in the Department of Radiology, when I was first hired 12 years ago, we had 50-70 patients per year, and we’re currently seeing about 800-900. When a patient comes in, we may or may not have seen the patient previously, but we spend an extended period of time coordinating their care. We make sure that when the patient gets here they’re prepared and know what to expect. Really, we’re trying to make the best use of everyone’s time. want to provide the same level of service as a surgery clinic could, but with an educational component. We are trying to coordinate seamless, comprehensive care.
Radiology News: What makes an Advanced Practice Nurse important in the Department of Radiology?
Wilke: Advanced Practice Nurses are prepared educationally and experientially to provide a level of clinical care that fills the gap between patients and providers. Our background is nursing, so we have been trained on a holistic model. We have a deep compassion for our patients, and we provide that overall as an experience in the healthcare system in general. We tend to a patient’s educational, social, and psychological needs.