Frontier Nursing University preceptor Sonja Furse, DNP, PMHNP is the first psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner to be honored as a “Featured Preceptor” for the Fall 2018 term. Sonja was nominated by recent PMHNP program graduate, Jo-Ann Marrs.
Sonja serves as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner in the emergency department at the Mountain Home Veterans Administration Hospital in Johnson City, Tenn. As a 24-year veteran of the United States Air Force, Sonja gives back to veterans in her role. Her duties include emergency treatment, inpatient psychiatry, primary care, and intensive outpatient treatment.
Jo-Ann Mars, RN, MS, MSN, EdD, FNP-BC, CNE, PMHS was assigned as Sonja’s student while earning her PMNHP (Class 155), which she completed in November 2018.
“Everything she was and did spoke of competence, caring, professionalism and a love of her chosen profession and her patients,” said Jo-Ann.
Sonja prides herself in precision with regard to charting and documentation. As a preceptor, she was extremely patient and open to questions and discussion. With Jo-Ann’s perspective as a family nurse practitioner, the two worked together to understand medical conditions and medications that Sonja’s patients had or needed. They explored patient cases together and came up with diagnoses using the DSM 5 and jointly determined medication and admission status.
“I loved reading about new treatments with Sonja as we both learned together,” said Jo-Ann. “I really felt like we had a wonderful working relationship.”
Sonja also helped Jo-Ann push to expand her capabilities as a PMNHP, instilling a desire to learn more about complex patients in order to provide better evidence-based care.
“Sonja was both my critic and support system at the same time,” said Jo-Ann. “She pushed me when I needed pushing, but was always there to guide and encourage me if I needed help.”
“She was the epitome of what you would want from a preceptor. I was very blessed to work with Sonja,” said Jo-Ann.
Sonja will receive a Starbucks gift card as a small token of our appreciation for her being a great preceptor. Thank you, Sonja, for your investment in our FNU students!
Go here to read more on previously recognized preceptors, or to nominate a preceptor. Interested in becoming a Frontier preceptor? Learn more.
At the heart of Frontier Nursing University is a talented and diverse community of students, alumni, faculty, staff, Couriers and preceptors. Spotlight blogs feature members of our FNU community that are focused on the mission of educating nurse-midwives and nurse practitioners to deliver quality health care to underserved and rural populations.
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