I chose to become a nurse practitioner because of my desire to further my education and to be able to reach patients in a capacity that bedside nursing would not allow. Although I love bedside nursing, being a nurse practitioner will allow me to be a more active part of patient plans and outcomes. My approach to patient care is centered around an understanding that patients are individuals, and we must first form a meaningful patient-provider relationship that will aid in my ability to provide the best care possible for each of them. If trust is established, outcomes will reflect that. My areas of interest are preventative care, with an emphasis on risk management related to cardiovascular events. When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family and my friends. I especially love traveling to new places.