Meet Cayla Hiebert, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, who works as a family nurse practitioner at Health Ministries Clinic in Newton, Kansas.

In this Q&A, Cayla shares her experience as a KU School of Nursing APRN Fellow.

What was a challenge you faced when you first started your fellowship? How did you overcome it?

The KU APRN fellowship is designed to slowly integrate an APRN into practice while also giving them opportunities to grow as a provider with specialty experience. This experience is vital for a primary care provider, and it is important to be exposed to as many opportunities as possible. [People with medical degrees] are given this opportunity in residency, but not all APRNs are able to do the same. The fellowship team helped me obtain several weeks of dermatology shadowing and experience. This specialty experience has helped me tremendously in practice, and I use information I learned during my dermatology rotation almost daily.

Tell me about a time when you felt really good about your decision to be a KU APRN fellow.

Being an APRN is such a rewarding and difficult position. The transition from RN to APRN required growth both professionally and clinically, and the fellowship supported me in that transition. It was a place to discuss different challenges with clinical decision making or the organization that we worked for. It was a space to learn from each other and receive advice from seasoned APRN veterans on different scenarios we were encountering. I miss having this structured meeting time to discuss our practices and learn together. Being involved with the fellowship program shaped me into the APRN I am today, and I am very grateful for their support and encouragement throughout the first year of practice.

Is there a reason that nursing holds special meaning for you?

When I was just starting out in undergraduate studies, I knew I wanted to care for people and was drawn to healthcare. I did not know how to best accomplish this. The profession that many believe to be the goal is a physician as there is prestige with such. I do value the M.D.s and D.O.s who I have worked with and learned from. However, I took an opportunity to work in healthcare after obtaining my undergraduate degree in natural sciences. I was able to work with multiple APRNs and MDs during that time. Seeing firsthand the stark difference between the nursing model of care and medical model of care made it clear that I wanted to be an APRN. The nursing model of healthcare is so special because you become the eyes and ears for the patient. The focus is holistic patient care with emphasis on education and prevention. It is a beautiful profession that allows me to form deep bonds with patients and families, the opportunity to advocate for them and make a difference, and to give people the time they deserve during their most vulnerable moments. I am honored to be able to practice the art of nursing and care for my practice.

Describe your nursing practice now.

I am working at an federally qualified healthcare clinic (FQHC) in Newton, Kansas as a family practice provider with most of my panel being above the age of 17. Most of the panel I care for are underinsured, uninsured and/or low income. This makes practice challenging, and I rely on community resources to get people the healthcare they need.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about the KU APRN fellowship?

The APRN fellowship program is a great opportunity for new APRNs to grow in their practice. I truly believe this program should be expanded to allow new APRNs to become proficient in procedures and clinical decision making during their early years of APRN practice. In my case, working for an FQHC, this helps with patient access, as some do not have financial means to go to dermatology for a biopsy or orthopedics for a joint injection. It is beneficial for me to be able to provide such services. Not to mention, this helped me grow professionally as a provider and gave me opportunities to form relationships with amazing APRNs that I still talk to.

Recent primary care doctor of nursing practice graduates who are interested a KU Nursing fellowship should visit our website to learn more and apply.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $1,999,542. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.