Today we’d like to introduce you to Fameisha Williams.
Hi Fameisha, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
After I graduated high school in 2002, I started completing my AA degree at a local community college. I decided on the nursing profession & start those prerequisites. During that time, I started working certified nursing assistant in 2004. After completing my AA degree, I transferred to a four year college, UCF to complete my BSN in nursing. I graduated with honors in 2006. I passed the NCLEX and got my RN license. I started a critical care nursing training program right after graduation. I soon found out I was pregnant. I had my daughter and kept working. She was my new motivation. I realized I was now responsible for someone else’s well-being and I had to be a role model for her. I worked in a cardiac progressive care unit for two years, then advanced to work in a CVICU. I decided I wanted to advance my nursing career and apply to nurse practitioner school. I got accepted. I worked full time in ICU, went to school part-time for 2.5 years, and raised my daughter. This was a hard time for me. I guilty for studying instead of spending more time with my daughter, it was definitely a balancing act! But it paid off in the end. By the time I graduated in 2011, my daughter was about to start kindergarten, and she told her whole class that “My mom is nurse prac-tisher and she can fix everyone’s boo boos!” I almost died, but she was able to see her mom work hard and strive for more. I enjoy the role of a nurse practitioner. I later went on to obtain my doctorate of nursing practice (DNP) in 2018.
I currently work full time as a nurse practitioner in the cardiothoracic surgery specialty. My love for education allowed me to also be a part time nursing adjunct faculty at UCF in the acute care NP lab and clinicals. My other love is supporting diversity, equity and inclusion, especially in nursing. I am also the co-chair for the Diversity, Equity and inclusion (DEI)nursing alumni chapter at UCF. We have been able to provide DEI continued education and offer a DEI scholarships so far in 2021. This is just a start!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No. It was very hard to balance working full-time as an ICU nurse, going to school part-time, and being a full time mom/wife. Sometimes, I had decided, do I study or clean my house. Study usually won. Thank god for my husband that had to spend more time with my daughter so I could study or he would cook dinner. I also did not have many mentors that looked like me for representation. Many times, I would be the only black female in class or at work or NP clinicals. Financially, I had to apply for student loans as well. I did apply for scholarships as well, but there were not enough to cover all schooling costs.
Another challenge was dealing with having lupus. I would have flare ups that were very painful due to swelling of my joints and limited mobility. I worked really hard with my rheumatologist over the years to get my symptoms controlled so that I could continue to work and care for my family. #lupuswarrior
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a nurse practitioner in Cardiothoracic Surgery specialty full-time. I see patients before and after having open heart surgery (CABG/Valve surgeries/TAVR etc.) or lung surgeries (Thoracotomies, VATS etc.). I am able to assess, diagnose, treat, and prescribe to care for my patient population. I facilitate discharge from hospital back into the community. I educate patient and their families and nursing staff. I am known for being honest and outspoken in support of patient care and nursing colleagues. I am proud of helping patients at their sickest and getting them healthy enough to be back with their families and loved ones. I can be myself at work and that’s what sets me apart. I love to mentor nursing students and nurse practitioner students and new grads, so I started a nursing mentor business called Level Up Nursing, LLC. This allows me to provide virtual mentoring services to nurses and NPs worldwide. I provide services for any interested in nursing or NP field such as how to get accepted, choosing a reputable nursing program, editing admission submissions, helping with studying and DNP projects etc.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Some of favorite apps include Uptodate & epocrates.
Contact Info:
- Email: levelupnursing@gmail.com
- Website: www.levelupnursing.org
- Instagram: level_up_nursing
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